[NTarrant]

Back in December when there were delays to flights from LGW due to the snow, having made our way down to the gate from the lounge to find the flight was not boarding yet, the Captain took the tannoy and announced that he was sorry for the delay, what was happening and boarding in a few minutes.

Not quite the same as Martyn’s experience, but at least everyone saw the Captain at the gate making the announcement. What is also a nice touch, is when the Captain stands with the crew at the doors bidding farewell to passengers. This Captain did as well, so full marks to him and I did email BA to ask them to congratulate the Captain. Sadly I didn’t get an acknowledgement.

[HonestCrew]

To answer FCT’s question, we have no info with regards to who has paid or upgraded with miles because it will make no difference to the service given/received.
A small asterix indicates the customer has paid ‘full fare’, the highest price for that particular flight, but again we do not see that as a priority when it comes to service, just that they probably had to fly away last minute unexpectedly rather than be at home watching Top Gear.

I wasn’t digging at the Asian crew, I previously worked for one of them. It is a cultural thing, lets call it efficiency rather than robotic, it works wonders when everything is running fine. If something unexepected happens and it is not in the manual how to deal with it, well thats another story.
We can learn a lot from them when it comes to customer service, that is for sure, the accolades speak for themselves.
Plus, how can I put this? They do tend to be… ‘easier on the eye’ than
our dear old ladies.

For Martyn, thanks for your compliment. Crew for all airlines are in a constant battle against their employer when it comes to flexibility. This has been going on since I joined the game. Silly things such as looking after a customers own food had been stopped for ‘hygiene reasons’ (!) Gladly, some of us are happy to see past this and realise that keeping a couple of Krispy Kremes in the fridge wont cause an outbreak of whatever they think might outbreak. Do keep in mind though, whatever the topic of discussion, if the crew say no it means they have been told to say no…the old ‘dont shoot the messenger’ thing again.

Speaking of topic of discussion, how is that new F seat doing?

[HonestCrew]

To answer FCT’s question, we have no info with regards to who has paid or upgraded with miles because it will make no difference to the service given/received.
A small asterix indicates the customer has paid ‘full fare’, the highest price for that particular flight, but again we do not see that as a priority when it comes to service, just that they probably had to fly away last minute unexpectedly rather than be at home watching Top Gear.

I wasn’t digging at the Asian crew, I previously worked for one of them. It is a cultural thing, lets call it efficiency rather than robotic, it works wonders when everything is running fine. If something unexepected happens and it is not in the manual how to deal with it, well thats another story.
We can learn a lot from them when it comes to customer service, that is for sure, the accolades speak for themselves.
Plus, how can I put this? They do tend to be… ‘easier on the eye’ than
our dear old ladies.

For Martyn, thanks for your compliment. Crew for all airlines are in a constant battle against their employer when it comes to flexibility. This has been going on since I joined the game. Silly things such as looking after a customers own food had been stopped for ‘hygiene reasons’ (!) Gladly, some of us are happy to see past this and realise that keeping a couple of Krispy Kremes in the fridge wont cause an outbreak of whatever they think might outbreak. Do keep in mind though, whatever the topic of discussion, if the crew say no it means they have been told to say no…the old ‘dont shoot the messenger’ thing again.

Speaking of topic of discussion, how is that new F seat doing?

[RogerVictor]

Does anyone have an idea on what the roll out time scale is for the new F?

[FCTraveller]

I will finally get to see it in the Concorde Room this week but it will be a while before I fly in it, I expect.

[VintageKrug]

So, what did you think of the new seat, FCTraveller?

[MartynSinclair]

VK – how was the trip to LA? Hotel good value???

[Inquisitive]

I was upgraded to First from Club in BA a number of times in long haul – during my Gold card status days. I would say I found BA is one of the best airline for upgrade. Of course, crew know the upgraders – but it is not true that there is much difference in service standard (except once on an overnight flight I was asked by a stewardess, if I really need the pyjama suits). The fixed seat rule is also not true – I was allocated 1K once during upgrade, 4K and 5K in other times.

[bacrew1]

very good posts by honestcrew. Being BA crew myself and an ex travel agent I would like to add that crew cannot differentiate between those passengers who have paid full fare or those who paid a discounted fare. On the passenger list the crew receive.. there is absolutely no information regarding this. However contrary to what honest crew said we can see who has used miles/points (whatever you call them nowadays) to upgrade.. there is a 4 letter code under their name RDUG, which stands for redemption upgrade… If I remember correctly sometimes passengers have the option to pay for upgrades whilst checking in and that code would be PDUG.
Whilst working in the premium cabins I try my best to treat everyone as equals. We do have it “programmed” into us by BA though to ensure Prems, Golds and Silvers get their choice 1st. Ideally we want to give everyone their 1st choice but we simply can only work with what we are given. As previously mentioned storing passengers own food/medication from a company point of view is a big NO NO.. but it depends on the crew on the day.. who knows what would happen if a manager from inflight services happened to be onboard and saw this!? My opinion of pilots “resting” in F is that it looks tacky when they are sprawled across their seat, unfortunately though it’s part of their agreement. Staff will always be served last in a premium cabin… generally most are well behaved, but we can spot them miles away even before we are given the final list of names ;)… and finally with regards to “dancing” around the cabin with the meal order (that made me laugh!!).. I may have to put my hands up and admit I may do this… but I do hope I’m not that obvious…. My reason for this is to offer the full menu to our frequent flyers as previously mentioned… I personally don’t see the point in going row by row, then having to go back and tell quite a few people that I can’t offer what they wanted…. at least I can tell them there and then, the way I do it.

[VintageKrug]

It’s good to know that elites are recognised when ordering their meal choices; regular flyers can get mightily bored with the same food, and it’s important they are given priority.

Having said that, I usually make it clear that if someone else has a preference for a main course that I would be happy with an alternative.

The sweetcorn soup followed by lamb cutlets I had last week are highly recommended.

[Tim2soza]

Stunning photo at http://www.airliners.net/photo/British-Airways/Boeing-777-236-ER/1692175/&sid=b1fa4f75fc1a6e17c7fea287e3622024

[MartynSinclair]

from that view – the only differentiator are the large windows. It looks more like club world than First (yes i also see the space for the jacket to hung by the seat – but that only takes up cabin space). Will be itnerested to tr, but my next trip to Asia is 60K club world!

[HBHLondon]

Dear HonestCrew: I travel BA First around 12 to 14 times in a normal year and am escorted to my seat First 1 ouf of 10 times by a FA. I do however notice that FAs escort most of the F cabin. What is the formula to get one of your charming colleages to show me my seat a bit more often? Are there priorities? Normally I know where to find my seat but if this is a normal practice, then why not do it for all passengers?

[VintageKrug]

They are no “FAs” on British Airways.

It is most odd that your experience of BA -and I think I am right that it was you accused BA of having documented racist policies a while ago – never seem to experience the levels of service and attention which many of us with similar travel patterns are both familiar with and see demonstrated with (nearly) 100% consistency.

I await another accusation of discrimination or similar….

When there are staff available at the door, I have NEVER not been escorted to my seat when sitting in First.

[FCTraveller]

I have been flying BA first since 1997 and I can honestly say hand on heart and I have never once not been escorted to my seat. NEVER. Therefore, I believe that it is highly unlikely that a passenger who flies 10 to 14 times in a year gets escorted to his seat once every 10 times. Mmmm.

[Author]

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