BA's Meal Choice, what Meal Choice?
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10secondsurvey - I understand your point, but the idea of serving passenger's individual needs in economy really is impractical and borders on daft. Economy class is just that, "economy". At the end of the day I know that an airline is NOT obliged to give you anything. Working on that principle, anything you do get surely is a bonus.
As a frequent flyer I do not hassle the crew as I'm intelligent enough to realise that :-
a) the crew can only serve what the management have decided is appropriate to that class of travel and demanding more is futile,
b) it is impossible to make everyone happy and choice of meals will inevitably run out, as they do in restaurants (the beefs off the menu, I'm afraid!) and
c) relying on your economy ticket to provide your meal requirements for however many sectors you do is asking for trouble!
Try travelling from New York - Los Angeles (5+hrs) in economy on a US carrier where you will see how European carriers really are generous!
As a frequent flyer I do not hassle the crew as I'm intelligent enough to realise that :-
a) the crew can only serve what the management have decided is appropriate to that class of travel and demanding more is futile,
b) it is impossible to make everyone happy and choice of meals will inevitably run out, as they do in restaurants (the beefs off the menu, I'm afraid!) and
c) relying on your economy ticket to provide your meal requirements for however many sectors you do is asking for trouble!
Try travelling from New York - Los Angeles (5+hrs) in economy on a US carrier where you will see how European carriers really are generous!
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6 mile,
I take your point, but the moment you have a problem with 2 categories, there is NO palatable choice available.
I gave up requesting a special years ago and take my chances, having packed my own food just in case.
I take your point, but the moment you have a problem with 2 categories, there is NO palatable choice available.
I gave up requesting a special years ago and take my chances, having packed my own food just in case.
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Try travelling from New York - Los Angeles (5+hrs) in economy on a US carrier where you will see how European carriers really are generous!
Join Date: May 2005
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Surely even the most brain-dead idiot can see that it's completely impractical, logistically and economically, to carry one of each type of meal for every passenger? Yes, it sucks when you don't get what you want but a meal without some flesh is not going to kill you. If you're that worried, arrange a special meal beforehand for no cost or bring food that you know you will like so you don't have to spend the rest of the time with a rumbling stomach and a face like a slapped arse.
To whoever would have had a hissy fit because they don't eat pasta: why not order a gluten-free (or whatever one it is) meal that is guarenteed to meet your dietary requirements?
To whoever suggested putting stickers on hot meals in cabinets at check-in: are you for real? Come on. Think of the logistics of this and what the food would be like when you actually get it. I'd rather go hungry than eat something that's been sat around for hours.
Update: sorry; this is a bit strong and wasn't meant as a personal insult to the OP. I'm just frustrated by people who accept the conditions of getting something cheap (ie, that they might not get their preferred meal in an economy seat) and then complain/"give filthy looks" to staff who have no control over the situation when it does happen. As someone else mentioned, there's more to worry about in the world.
To whoever would have had a hissy fit because they don't eat pasta: why not order a gluten-free (or whatever one it is) meal that is guarenteed to meet your dietary requirements?
To whoever suggested putting stickers on hot meals in cabinets at check-in: are you for real? Come on. Think of the logistics of this and what the food would be like when you actually get it. I'd rather go hungry than eat something that's been sat around for hours.
Update: sorry; this is a bit strong and wasn't meant as a personal insult to the OP. I'm just frustrated by people who accept the conditions of getting something cheap (ie, that they might not get their preferred meal in an economy seat) and then complain/"give filthy looks" to staff who have no control over the situation when it does happen. As someone else mentioned, there's more to worry about in the world.
Last edited by emdeeray; 31st May 2005 at 20:40.
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Jerrystinger,
Funny how things get twisted. I didn't suggest that airlines should provide multiple choices for every single passenger, which I think was the point of the original poster. I actually don't necessarily agree with that notion.
The point I was making was I'm fed up with people who seem to be extremely happy to put up with ****, and go about telling everyone they should be jolly grateful to get a seat never mind a meal. Trying to persuade us all that really airlines are very good and awfully generous, and why don't we all just smile and get on with it, stiff upper lip, blah blah blah etcetc..
And yes, in economy I should be able in longhaul to get a decent bit of food (jeez, they seem to find the SPACE and TIME for bucketloads of overly priced duty free junk), and if they want to bump it on to the ticket price, I don't care, what's 10-20 quid on a £1200 ticket??. When I'm flitting about from hotel to hotel and country to country, I really don't have time to go shopping to make up some bacon sarnies etc... as some people seem to suggest.
Look you've got a big meeting in the morning in a foreign town, meeting ends late, head to airport, get to check in just in time, finally clear security and get to the gate for boarding with a 12 hour flight...oh hang on while I nip to Tescos...I thinketh not!
Sarnies might work for short flights, but not long haul. Sarnies also don't work for multiple shorter flights, with short connecting times. Trust me.
Whilst I'm working it's important, whilst on holiday, it isn't. But airlines should realise people like me fly much more when working. Sometimes, with a hectic schedule, it is an absolute unadulterated joy to get some nosh and something to drink on a flight, along with some rest.
If you really believe that ticket prices will go down if airlines don't offer food, then you don't understand business. Why would an airline bother, as it would not improve profitability, as ticket prices would go down, along with the food costs.
Anyone who really believes that if an airline stops providing food the tickets will be cheaper, needs their head read.
And just because some people think american carriers are poor (I think some of them are very good), doesn't mean that EU carriers should provide awful service.
I'm getting off the soapbox now. And yes, I do feel much better.
Funny how things get twisted. I didn't suggest that airlines should provide multiple choices for every single passenger, which I think was the point of the original poster. I actually don't necessarily agree with that notion.
The point I was making was I'm fed up with people who seem to be extremely happy to put up with ****, and go about telling everyone they should be jolly grateful to get a seat never mind a meal. Trying to persuade us all that really airlines are very good and awfully generous, and why don't we all just smile and get on with it, stiff upper lip, blah blah blah etcetc..
And yes, in economy I should be able in longhaul to get a decent bit of food (jeez, they seem to find the SPACE and TIME for bucketloads of overly priced duty free junk), and if they want to bump it on to the ticket price, I don't care, what's 10-20 quid on a £1200 ticket??. When I'm flitting about from hotel to hotel and country to country, I really don't have time to go shopping to make up some bacon sarnies etc... as some people seem to suggest.
Look you've got a big meeting in the morning in a foreign town, meeting ends late, head to airport, get to check in just in time, finally clear security and get to the gate for boarding with a 12 hour flight...oh hang on while I nip to Tescos...I thinketh not!
Sarnies might work for short flights, but not long haul. Sarnies also don't work for multiple shorter flights, with short connecting times. Trust me.
Whilst I'm working it's important, whilst on holiday, it isn't. But airlines should realise people like me fly much more when working. Sometimes, with a hectic schedule, it is an absolute unadulterated joy to get some nosh and something to drink on a flight, along with some rest.
If you really believe that ticket prices will go down if airlines don't offer food, then you don't understand business. Why would an airline bother, as it would not improve profitability, as ticket prices would go down, along with the food costs.
Anyone who really believes that if an airline stops providing food the tickets will be cheaper, needs their head read.
And just because some people think american carriers are poor (I think some of them are very good), doesn't mean that EU carriers should provide awful service.
I'm getting off the soapbox now. And yes, I do feel much better.
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Leaving aside Athena5's specific problems with BA, I find airlines have adopted very strange catering strategies, some bordering on cultural imperialism.
For instance, on a BLR-FRA non-stop flight by LH, no German food was offered. Instead the only choices were Indian non-veg or Indian veg...... this after virtually all Indian vegetarian pax had been served their special meals ahead of everyone else. I would have thought you'd choose Air India if you wanted Indian food?
Needless to say, domestic carrier 9W offers better Indian meals than LH (and the former also serves them on porcelaine in Y class).
Likewise, it is hard to get proper Thai food on TG on their routes to and from India and Bangladesh.
Shouldn't the culinary experience (as far as airline food can qualify for this status) be part of the overall experience when flying a particular flag carrier?
For instance, on a BLR-FRA non-stop flight by LH, no German food was offered. Instead the only choices were Indian non-veg or Indian veg...... this after virtually all Indian vegetarian pax had been served their special meals ahead of everyone else. I would have thought you'd choose Air India if you wanted Indian food?
Needless to say, domestic carrier 9W offers better Indian meals than LH (and the former also serves them on porcelaine in Y class).
Likewise, it is hard to get proper Thai food on TG on their routes to and from India and Bangladesh.
Shouldn't the culinary experience (as far as airline food can qualify for this status) be part of the overall experience when flying a particular flag carrier?
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Got bumped to J on BOM-LHR with BA back in Jan. Top deck, so a more personal service, especially as most of the pax up there decided sleep was the key issue at 1am IST, not dinner. I however had other ideas (make the most of it and all), and the food was top notch. 3 options (or was it 4?) - Indian, European, Veggie - of main, and at least a couple options for starter and desert. Breakkie was equally good - main course had a few options.
From what I could see (and I normally fly in Y, whilst my mother who flies at the sharp end on buisness), BA do a damn good job with their food.
I've only ever had (thus far) one bad BA food experience - 1997, FCO-LHR. Worst food anywhere. But that was a one off.
Jordan
From what I could see (and I normally fly in Y, whilst my mother who flies at the sharp end on buisness), BA do a damn good job with their food.
I've only ever had (thus far) one bad BA food experience - 1997, FCO-LHR. Worst food anywhere. But that was a one off.
Jordan
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Be thankful for any food you can get. I learnt the hard way to eat before getting on a plane. After a five hour delay sitting beside the runway at Heathrow followed by a ten hour flight to LA, (not with BA i hasten to add) you might guess the reaction of the Pax when it was announced shortly after take-off that they had er - left the main meals behind.
Fortunately I had one large bar of Cadburys finest for sustenance.
Fortunately I had one large bar of Cadburys finest for sustenance.
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This must be the most publicised dish of pasta ever 
but I suppose it gives food for thought. 
On a sobering note my boss is just after giving me a detailed description on what goes on in abbatoirs.
I'm thinking of becoming a vegetarian.
but I suppose it gives food for thought. On a sobering note my boss is just after giving me a detailed description on what goes on in abbatoirs.
I'm thinking of becoming a vegetarian.
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Well ABird747
I have flown with a US carrier to America & back & was adequately fed & watered each way with sufficient choice without having once to further put my hand in my pocket.
Well now ABird747, now you're talking my talk & walking my walk. 
I did train to be a lifeguard for three years. At one stage I could swim 50+ lengths of a 25 meters pool non stop including some lengths fully clothed & some lengths under water. Alas I've let my fitness slip & I'd be lucky to be able to swim one length at the mo to save my own life.
However even in my heyday at the height of my training I stilll couldn't couldn't envisage myself swimming the English Channel or Oirish sea let alone the Atlantic. However thank you for your constructive advice & if you've any other pearls of wisdom like drops in the ocean please let me know so I may act on them.
Yours truly Athena aka Omaha aka whatever else you would like to call me.
I have flown with a US carrier to America & back & was adequately fed & watered each way with sufficient choice without having once to further put my hand in my pocket.
try swimming
I did train to be a lifeguard for three years. At one stage I could swim 50+ lengths of a 25 meters pool non stop including some lengths fully clothed & some lengths under water. Alas I've let my fitness slip & I'd be lucky to be able to swim one length at the mo to save my own life.
However even in my heyday at the height of my training I stilll couldn't couldn't envisage myself swimming the English Channel or Oirish sea let alone the Atlantic. However thank you for your constructive advice & if you've any other pearls of wisdom like drops in the ocean please let me know so I may act on them.
Yours truly Athena aka Omaha aka whatever else you would like to call me.
