Airline catering

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:42 pm

We normally fly BA/GB Airways U.K. - Faro because they give an excellent service and are often cheaper than the supposedly low cost airlines.

In the past year or so catering has been cut from from full meal to a snack (normally a cheese/tomatoe/ham pizza) - no problem for a 2 1/2 hour flight. But on my last two flights most annoyingly the drinks trolley has come round after the food trolley resulting in a cold pizza with wine or a hot pizza with nothing to wash it down

Have others experienced this (cost-cutting because you may not drink so much) phenomenon or have I been unlucky.

If it is policy and others agree with me, I have a name and address to write to and complain.

For Ian M. - try BA if you are coming from S.E. England as they are good for group bookings.

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:47 pm

How else can BA afford to match the easyjets of this world at least they do not ban you from bringing on your own food and drink( non alcoholic ) as do some others such as STERLING.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:12 am

Agree with you Roy - however, they have ditched the almost drinkable Spanish red wine and now only serve a totally undrinkable French red (also ditched the Sauvignon Blanc and just serve the revolting Chardonnay) - so in fact the drinks trolley is not worth waiting for anyway.

I have been in correspondence with BA's wine buyer who is trying to insist that GB Airways match BA's standards on wine but is having an uphill struggle. If anyone wants to email him expressing how bad the wine is PM me and I will forward his address.

patwab · Post by **patwab** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:16 pm

It's a shame we all get so little to eat / drink on short haul flights..... but we all get what we pay for I guess. I will be stopping at M&S for sandwiches on the way to Bournemouth for my £100 Thomsonfly flight on Thursday. At least some airlines are still a little bit more civilised than the likes of say easyjet and dare I mention the name ... Ryanair ....arghhh !!!

Paul

Summer · Post by **Summer** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:03 pm

I don't see the point in a meal being provided on a short haul flight. I never want one. The food on short haul in my experience has always been dodgy anyway. As long as there are drinks available, and I don't mind paying a couple of euros for that!
I have never flown Ryanair, so I can't comment, but I don't know what anyone has got against Easyjet in general. I have always had a clean plane, friendly staff and good service, and I fly regularly.

Of course if you're flying long haul then requirements are totally different.

S

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:15 pm

Hi Summer,
I don't have a problem with Easyjet in general but I do have a specific problem with them. I find their check-in system to be a shambles and being a wee bit over 6 feet tall I find the seats to be deeply uncomfortable. Can anyone explain why they let kids on first ? The few seats with a bit of legroom always seem to be infested with 7 year olds.

Craig ( flying with TAP this weekend ) .

blue · Post by **blue** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:14 am

A group of 6 of us got a cheap flight to Italy with Ryan Air, H made the mistake of offering to buy the on flight bevvies, it came to about £32. which was more than the flight had cost each of us! Still I'm quite happy to not be given food & drink on short flights, you can buy on board if you want or take your own if you prefer not to be charged rediculous prices for a slice of really horrible pizza or a pot noodle, which is what they were doing on said flight.

Summer · Post by **Summer** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:37 am

Hi Craig

I guess everyone has different problems with different things! I've never had a problem with their check-in, even the computerised thingy. I think the legroom is more to do with the type of plane than specifically with Easyjet. My OH is 6ft4 and has said that the 737s don't have much legroom but I think there is a little more on the airbus they use.

Also, I think if you were travelling with kids, you'd appreciate why they are let on first! Although you never actually get to board the plane first, when you manage to get your kids etc. off the bus you normally find you're near the back of the queue anyway!

S

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:27 pm

Agree entirely with Summer about meals on short haul flights - totally unnecessary as far as we are concerned. I did see some statistics some time ago about the additional amount of fuel required on short haul flights when full in flight catering is provided. Cannot remember the weight of the additional fuel but I do remember that it seemed quite substantial.

We have flown Ryanair a couple of times and found them quite satisfactory. Would not hesitate to use them again. Generally we use the early morning Easyjet service to Faro out of East Midlands, usually 4 times a year. We have never had cause to complain about the quality of service but I do agree to some extent with Craig's comments regarding boarding. Last time we went the traditional 737-300 had been replaced by the relatively new A319 and I am sure there was more leg room.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:20 pm

I always like to do research before I book on an airline - mainly on longhaul so look at:

www.airlinemeals.net

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:50 pm

I think if we were absolutely honest, airlines have never been noted for their cuisine, even travelling first class and on Concord. As for that dreadful limp piece of bread that they dare to call pizza slice, I think that any respectable chef, would throw their hands up in horror.

I recall Nightrider's story when she flew scheduled line from Gatwick to Faro last year and the cost of the flight over £300 pounds. Moments after her taking her allocated aircraft seat her clothes became covered in chewing gum, which some kind previous passenger had left. So we can add, it would appear, no cleaning after each flight anymore on BA aircrafts.

On the fair side, 2 of us flew from Faro to Luton (Easyjet) just before Christmas last. Yes I don't like the cattle feeling I get when I fly with this airline, but it only cost us both £100 pounds. We took our own sandwiches/cake and purchased only coffee and drinks during the flight. Rosy

Sharen Crane · Post by **Sharen Crane** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:17 pm

ROD wrote:You know who she is, I know who she is, everybody probably knows who she is.

Perhaps Rosy didn't realise we all knew who she was!

Anyway back to the pizza on BA... Was that really pizza they brought out? I did look at it and sniff it, but it looked nothing remotely like pizza and it smelt dubious without a doubt! you were quite right though Roy, the drinks arrived way too late!

Actually it was funny really because the drinks cart came out a good 20 minutes before the "pizza" and I actually thought they must have listened to that nice Mr 4Eyes complaint, but foolish me it was still on the first half a dozen seats when the food emerged.

I am all for getting rid of this in flight meal nonsense on short flights and would much rather grab a sandwich from Marks on the way to the airport!

bica · Post by **bica** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:22 pm

I don't have a problem with Easyjet in general but I do have a specific problem with them. I find their check-in system to be a shambles

There is nothing wrong with the system - It is the punters who ignore the anouncements and could not tell you where the number is on their boarding card let alone whether it is 1-30 31-60 or 60 and above etc.

Must be something to do with the 'If you see a person in uniform it must be time to rush to the gate syndrome'

I find it easier to just stay sat down reading and join the cue towards the end - never been without a seat yet.

Nao Faz Mal
B

Rosy · Post by **Rosy** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:30 pm

[quote="bica Must be something to do with the 'If you see a person in uniform it must be time to rush to the gate syndrome'
I find it easier to just stay sat down reading and join the cue towards the end - never been without a seat yet.

Nao Faz Mal
B[/quote]
.................................................................................................
Hi Bica,
Could not agree with you more.

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:48 pm

Had the pizza on BA on the lunchtime flight back from Faro last March (2005) one side of had drifted slightly to left and welded itself to the carboard it was presented in. Managed to free it with the knife after a struggle. It's billed as a light snack. It was very light for lunchtime. Perhaps they should put on the tickets the "type" of meal you can expect. Have no probs with the breakfast though. Flying Monarch Schedule this year and happy to pay the £5 and look forward to their cheerful crews again.

Airline catering

Airline catering

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