BA cost cutting? Prefer Virgin Atlantic?

I’m going a little controversial with this week’s blog. We use all scheduled airlines with our tailor made cruise tour packages and quite often i will ask if you have a preference . The main thing that crops up is we would like direct. If the routing will allow it we can always look at the direct option however it’s not always the cheapest but you will be given the choice and various upgrade costs.
The next thing that comes up is i prefer virgin Atlantic or British airways. Having flown with both i would always say they are pretty much in par. I write this whilst sitting on a BA flight to Punta Cana and do you know what I can honestly say i now prefer virgin!
We got on the flight and it started well. New aircraft, comfy seats and plenty of legroom.  The first bar service came through and I ordered a vodka & slimline tonic, no slimline so I asked for a diet lemonade you guessed it no diet lemonade. so I opted for a vodka tonic. Once this was poured i was asked if I would like a wine with my meal ……. Well of course a nice cold white wine would be nice. Problem was my wine was served then, ready to get nice and warm whilst we waited 45 mins for our lunch.
The kids meal Charlie had was good with cheesy pasta and chunks of chicken breast. There was no menu given like we often have on our virgin Atlantic flights. The cabin steward offered chicken or pasta no further details and seemed annoyed when we asked chicken what! I think it’s a fair question to ask.
We are now 4 hours into our flight. Pretty much half way. We have had one drink service come through the aircraft. I popped up to the back to get a soft drink to be told i had to come back in 30 mins as they were doing a stock take. Hmmmmmm seems to me that maybe the staff get a bonus for serving less drinks?! I could be wrong but I have never experienced being refused a soft drink on a long haul flight. Our last flight with virgin Atlantic back in December was a shorter flight to miami. Water & juice was left out along with various snacks to help yourself. I can’t see it being that difficult for Ba to adopt this?
We are now 5.5 hours into our flight there has been no further bar service. The staff did come through with some cups of warm water or orange juice.  I decided to head to the back of the aircraft for a sneaky vodka. On my way i got chatting to some other passengers who were also disappointed in the in-flight service they had 1 gin & tonic, went and asked for another and were told to come back after stock taking. They went back to be told the staff were all on a break! When they were finally allowed to order a drink they were told there was no gin left! Shock horror! 5 hours into a flight and no gin. So I carried on to the back of the aircraft to get a drink. Whilst there i heard other passengers being told the following drinks were all gone…….. Gin, beer & diet coke. I managed to get a vodka & tonic and a Bacardi & coke. I had to ask for a glass and ice.
I decided to ask the staff what was going on. I have never experienced such a poor drink service on a long haul flight. I was told we are on a new aircraft with limited storage and had i seen how full the flight was! Ummmm yes I can see its full but that’s not my issue.  Here is where it gets interesting the cabin steward then went on to tell me that unlike most other airlines BA DO NOT restock for the flight back. It’s not that they have run out of anything but they need to hold stock back for the flight home.
I really feel for the staff
Seriously BA come on and get a grip.  People are off on their holidays and want to get started in style. I have to say I have been truly disappointed in today’s service. Such a shame when the aircraft is one of the better ones and the on-board entertainment is great too. We are travelling with BA again in October and if I hadn’t paid in full for the flights i would look at changing them.
I don’t think it’s all bad. Last time I flew with BA was 3 years ago in premium economy and found them superb. Since my last flight with BA they have made changes to the short haul flight offering. Some fares only include hand luggage, they no longer offer free food & drink either.
So what do you think? Have i been unlucky or is this the standard offering you get with our national airline these days? Have you had a bad experience or maybe you have had a great experience? Let me know i would love to hear about it.

About Me

Hello from sunny Scotland!! My name is Charlene and I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I am enjoying writing it. I live with my husband Chris, our little boy Charlie and Ozzy the Shih Poo. We recently got married in St Lucia.   I have been working…

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