Anyone flown BA long haul lately?

[QueenWenceslas]

Flying to the Caribbean from Gatwick next week with British Airways and it’s been a few years since I’ve travelled long haul with them.

We’ll be in economy, would be interested to hear any recent views on what the food was like on board (bonus points for any experience of kids meals and gluten free options!) and how frequently they came round with the drinks trolley. Thanks!

We've flown quite a lot this year. BA Business and premium, the food in Business class was good. However, in PE it was terrible and I mean really terrible. Also flown Virgin Atlantic First Class and PE, the food was terrible on both occasions. I think both airlines have seriously cut back on budget for food. On short haul flights all you get in BA economy is a small bottle of water and an energy bar. That was a flight to Greece last month which was about 3 hours. I'd take a sandwich if I were you.

The gluten free option in the summer was fine apparently (not me, someone we travelled with!)

remember to book both gluten free and the children's meal in advance!

Had a long haul (12 hours) economy night flight with BA this weekend. Food was OK (better than on the way out) - 2 choices of dinner, one veggie one not. Chicken pasta or veg biryani. They only gave out drinks with the food, they didn't do extra trolley runs (or whatever that's called) at all although they did bring drinks if you asked for them. Breakfast was a small omelette with horrible sausage (frankfurter-esque), random broccoli and potato wedges. Agree with PP that food/drinks budget may have been cut.

Flew BA Premium Economy to Houston earlier this year. Me and the man next to me were so hungry he got out the chocolate that he had bought as gifts!

I usually fly United economy but thought I would splash out with BA, was absolutely not worth the extra money.

We flew with them a couple of weeks ago and the food was awful and the drinks service only came round once apart from what you get with the meals. I would make sure you take something with you.

I am flying economy next week for 1st time in 5 years

done multiple Cw and 1st with BA this year which were all really poor and so have very low expectations

My DH is really excited as he hasn’t flown long haul economy for 10 years.

will eat in lounge and maybe get a fortnums bag

We flew premium economy (you are actually given the same choices as business class here though- pp must’ve just had bad food on a flight, rather than it not being as good as her previous business class flight)

we thought it was pretty good. The kids meals were basically versions of the adult ones tbh. One the way back they got chicken Goujons, macaroni cheese and peas. This went down well.

we got a wrap and pretzels throughout too. Also got a breakfast on another flight- I think some kind of cold roll and fruit/yoghurt.

There was a chicken pie that was unbelievably salty and actually quite difficult to eat. But apart from that, I thought it was good. They were great Handing out biscuits and extra pretzels and drinks for the kids.

We were doing an Orlando flight but have previously done a few Caribbean ones with kids- a few years ago though- and the home flight back to UK really wasn’t great at all. I think it’s to do with smaller island and what they have available.

I am one of the weird people who live plane food though- I think it’s the association with holidays!

ive flown economy with them a few times in the past year and cant complain about the food, it was edible - drinks trolley came round a few times - was flying heathrow to new york

I flew with them today. I have to say they were bloody amazing. Seem to have improved massively since pre COVID. I was economy and they couldn't have done my more for us. They kept us fed, watered and when they realised that I had a bladder issue but had been put in a centre seat they moved me so we had 4 seats between 2 of us. They came and asked if we wanted second helpings of food.

Films were ok and they had podcasts and music as well as TV shows. I was impressed.

AerLingus on the other hand...you have to pay for alcohol!!!!!!

I would pre order any special diets. Always eat in the airport before you go! Breakfast or lunch etc. We go business so I’m not up to speed on economy but you can buy snacks airside and you will get two meals on 8 hour flight. Just take extras and eat first!

sorry but I have to echo this one as well!

flew economy long haul (11hrs) overnight a couple of weeks ago and it was one of the worst flights I've had.

We were in the row of 4 in the middle of the plane so I was 3rd person along and my partner was 4th person (aisle). I thought this was better than the rows of 3 as they we would only disturb each other if we needed to go to bathroom. Of course I got a plan seated next to me (2nd seat) and his arm was firmly on the arm rest the whole flight and essentially just touching me throughout the (as in his arm was touching my arm unless I completely leaned away from him towards my partner). Nothing creepy I mean but just entitled man taking up space ofc! I also had the pole for the seat in front between my legs so I had to put one foot either side of it and just generally felt more cramped/uncomfortable that I have been before! The long haul flight out was PE in Virgin so hard to know if economy has just changed generally for long haul.

Now as it comes to the food - I have to say the worst food I've had for years! I had the same options as it sounds this poster had - I had veg biriyani which was salty and bland but best of a bad option. I don't recall liking any of the other bits either - I think a really bland quinoa type salad, the usual disgustingly bland and sweet tasting fake bread roll.

The breakfast was really disgusting - I couldnt eat it. Same as described above - rubbery omelette and rank looking skinny sausage. I would honestly take my own food if I go with them again. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

It was a night flight so the drinks trolley wasnt around much - I think twice before lights went down and that was it - but I'm sure I could have gone to the galley and asked for more. There was bottles of water and biscuits there to help yourself to.

Got back on Saturday from Texas with BA and also used them for outbound(T5) leg, I try to avoid then and use American Airlines.

Both flights reminded me why I avoid BA I was PE, and the service was terrible. The food was bland, only one option on my return leg for main meal, drinks service was poor and people wete getting up and going back for drinks, cabin crew were pretty rude, both flights were late departing, which a lot of people were not happy with as had connections. The overhead part of my seat and window cove was dirty/sticky as if a fizzy drink had sprayed.

Only used them as no direct AA flight from Heathrow to Houston with AA, if I have to visit houston again I'll use AA into Dallas or San Antonio, otherwise get a non direct flight with AA.

BA are just awful, used to be so good.

I've done a few longhauls with BA. It's just so sad how bad the airline has become. The food is pretty grim. The service was pretty patchy, some pleasant people but the newer ones clearly poorly trained. Such a shame. Who

My daughter flew LHR-PHX with them this summer - a pretty awful experience all around. Looking at other options for PHX next year. I did LA with AerLingus from Dublin and quite impressed.

I flew long haul with BA recently. 12 hour flights. The hot food was tasty. The sandwiches were disgusting - very very thin fillings and the bread was ruined because it had been in the fridge for hours.

Very carb heavy, low fibre, low fruit and veg. Pop an apple in your bag.

I flew long haul with BA in the summer. Whilst nothing special, the gluten free meals I had were probably the best gf airline meals I've had in years. The previous time I flew I seemed to be given fruit for every meal.

We flew from LGW to NYC in July with them having not flown them LH for decades.

was actually pleasantly surprised by food! Tasted really good, even fussy teen DD loved it. Drink was plentiful - never felt there wasn’t enough. Took plenty of drinks and snacks in case and didn’t end up touching them.

We flew Gatwick to Mauritius in May, economy both night flights. Definitely all round worse than my pre-Covid BA experience. Food was ok, only one drinks trolley round. But we really don’t care about the flights; would rather spend money when we’re there!

Plane food isn't great they add so much salt because your taste buds change at altitude and it's highly calorific to keep you fuller for longer. I never eat plane food anymore and I fly long haul twice a month.

I bring my own or grab some thing from a restaurant before boarding. BA is amongst some of the worst food I've ever had.

@WildFlowerBees
Theres way worse than BA!

I admit we fly business but I have always found everyone pleasant and efficient. Helpful and easy to talk to. I don’t keep getting up and down for drinks and we eat the food quite happily. Breakfasts are not great but I’m not at the Ritz. Eat before you go is the best plan.

Ive never seen a dirty cabin. I actually miss their magazine most! I have a lie flat bed and decent entertainment or my own. I’m nearly always perfectly happy. I’ve done being cramped elsewhere and do like to spend the money or get companion flights. Means I get to the destination in good shape.

I'm gluten free and we usually fly economy and I always take a few bits of my own to supplement whatever is provided. The main hot meal is always fine and is as substantial as the normal option, but snacks are poor and tend to just be an apple and a banana.

As for dirty cabins - I always take Dettol wipes with me on planes and I wipe down tray tables, hand rests and the wall by the window as apparently all are very dirty in independent tests. You may also want to wear a mask. ILs came over from the US in the summer and SIL seemingly caught Covid on the plane as she said several people were coughing and she got ill five days later.

Or she could have been ill queuing for the plane or in security. All on the same day. Or even several days before as 5 days isn’t set in stone. Even at this end. 3 day incubation is normal too! It’s not guaranteed a cough is COVID!

And who needs snacks all the time? I don’t on 12 or 13 hour flights. Just take breakfast bars if you are that desperate.

My youngest has just returned from San Diego with BA - she's a vegan & said that the food was awful, dry noodles and some sort of potato. The food on American /airlines on the way out was far superior apparently.

If you have a special diet it’s challenging. Eat before you fly. I doubt AA are much better really!