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Original poster

British Airways no longer have a drinks trolley

82 replies

SkyFlyers · 24/04/2023 20:36

I’ve just flown on a short haul European flight.

I asked when they would be coming round with drinks, as I fancied a gin and tonic.

Reader, they told me that they no longer have an onboard trolley service, and if you want food or drink you must preorder it. There is no way to purchase anything on board.

At least EasyJet and Ryanair are desperate to sell you things - but nothing at all… come on BA.

Be warned if you are using them for your summer holidays.

OP posts:
Rainbowshine · 24/04/2023 20:44

It’s been like that for about 10 years, it’s not a new thing!

Original poster
SkyFlyers · 24/04/2023 20:48

No it hasn’t, you definitely used to be able to buy food and drinks on board.

OP posts:
Tailfeather · 24/04/2023 20:51

I think it was a covid thing...and still using it as an excuse! It's very efficient - if you know about it. But I guess tricky to know if you'll fancy a diet coke, a coffee or a G&T in advance! I'm sure you could order on board through their site which was free to access on the wifi.

SingLikeADuck · 24/04/2023 20:53

I stopped flying BA years ago, they're bloody awful. Paid for business class and was given a chocolate covered seat, fuck all food for 12hours and entertainment that didn't work. EasyJet are much better than BA!

berksandbeyond · 24/04/2023 20:53

You can still order on board. There’s a web URL on a sticker on the back of the seat in front of you - you access via the BA wifi and you can order snacks and drinks to your seat

Beezknees · 24/04/2023 20:56

I flew with them to Menorca last year and you could definitely buy things then, I'm a nervous flier so I usually get a double vodka to calm my nerves 😂

user1471483687 · 24/04/2023 20:56

I just flew BA London to Dublin, and there was a trolley service with complimentary drink and snack.

Beezknees · 24/04/2023 20:57

Emirates has been my best experience.

Original poster
SkyFlyers · 24/04/2023 20:58

@berksandbeyond

Not on this flight - no WiFi, no stickers, no menus

They said you could not order on board at all, and had to pre order

It’s the best part of the flying experience!

OP posts:
Tarantella6 · 24/04/2023 21:01

They came round with soft drinks and a pretzel snack when we went to Portugal in December.

We also got 2 hot meals when we went to LA in February and 10 years ago I definitely only got 1 hot meal and 1 cold meal. I was not expecting that at all.

Speedweed · 24/04/2023 21:07

Tbh I find the trollies annoying - can't see why they don't just get rid of the entire galley and install vending machines.

(Yes, I know the whole drinks and meal thing on a trolley was designed to stop people moving around, but it's time to move on!)

audweb · 24/04/2023 21:18

Got a BA flight from Scotland to London last month and we got got a drink and snack? Maybe it’s just some routes?

Sazza463 · 24/04/2023 21:46

Ba are in a race to the bottom it’s been well documented in the press so I am not surprised. 😕

TheVanguardSix · 24/04/2023 21:51

Weird. I flew with BA in February, London to Valencia. WiFi, drinks, snack- all available. But BA is unpredictable.

TheShade · 24/04/2023 21:53

We just flew BA on Friday (short haul in Europe) and you could buy things mid air.

Had a drinks trolley on the way out. On the way back no trolley but you could buy snacks/drinks on the website and it was brought over 5 mins later.

Simonjt · 24/04/2023 21:55

What flight was it? My husband flew BA at the end of the easter holidays and they had a drink trolley.

Oblomov23 · 24/04/2023 21:56

That would piss me off. I love a drink on a flight, especially when I go on a girly weekend away.

Doggymummar · 24/04/2023 21:57

Was it an internal flight?

Okunevo · 24/04/2023 21:59

SkyFlyers · 24/04/2023 20:58

@berksandbeyond

Not on this flight - no WiFi, no stickers, no menus

They said you could not order on board at all, and had to pre order

It’s the best part of the flying experience!

PITA in my opinion, the trolleys block access to the toilets for ages. I don't think it's needed on short haul, I can get a drink and something to eat at the airport, even a snack to take on board if need be.

mrsfennel · 24/04/2023 22:02

@SingLikeADuck thats rubbish! I flew business on 10 hr flight and we got drink before take off, two hot meals and we asked for extras.

LlynTegid · 24/04/2023 22:05

Not my experience the last time I flew with BA (I think 2017?), appreciate being advised OP given I may use them next year.

Though the TGV option to the south of France is one I am considering.

DestinationTravel · 24/04/2023 22:06

I flew BA 10 times in the last three months (short and long haul) and all of them had drinks trolleys. The strike last month severely under-staffed the airlines and counters though, maybe it was a temporary thing on some flights? Hopefully they don't get the idea to get rid of the trolley now!

My big surprise was when I got upgraded into BA business class on a 12 hour flight - it was the new A350 business class and it blew Qatar/Emirates out of the water! It was a shock to me as BA business classes were always so crap that I never paid money/miles to book one ever.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 24/04/2023 22:12

Rainbowshine · 24/04/2023 20:44

It’s been like that for about 10 years, it’s not a new thing!

That’s so not true, they still came round with drinks and snacks albeit small packs last time I flew BA about 2 years ago.

underneaththeash · 24/04/2023 22:14

It varies, sometimes they can't be arsed.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 24/04/2023 22:14

Speedweed · 24/04/2023 21:07

Tbh I find the trollies annoying - can't see why they don't just get rid of the entire galley and install vending machines.

(Yes, I know the whole drinks and meal thing on a trolley was designed to stop people moving around, but it's time to move on!)

Yeah and then create a long line of people at the vending machine blocking the already tiny aisles, what an amazing idea.