MORE BRITISH AIRWAYS T5 DISASTERS

There have been some negative comments on the state of the British Airways lounges at the moment, but I just thought this was down to over-fussy travellers. I have not had any cause for complaint in the past until last Thursday night at LHR, where I was simply appalled.

Clearly, there has been a major cost-cutting exercise. I was in the T5 South Lounge and arrived at approximately 1745. There was nothing, and I mean nothing on offer bar a cookie jar half full of handled, probably stale cookies (what happened to all the hygienically wrapped Walkers cookies and cakes?), another jar full of wasabi peas (which was nearly empty and due to the size of the jar you could not get at the remains with the scoop easily) and salted crisps. I kid you not, that was it.

All the food service stations and side counters that once displayed a colourful array of hot options for an early evening meal, salads, fruit, cheese and rolls were deserted. I was obviously not the only one expecting some kind of nourishment – there were many other baffled bystanders. It was not until 1800 that some salad dishes did start to slowly appear, and when they did it , the scene was like a flock of vultures waiting for the kill.

REPLIES

I was at the F lounge recently, and I thought it was fantastic (compared with F lounges at T3, JFK and LGW). The food offering was great, the missus and I enjoyed made-to-order poached salmon and a burger. There were also some hot food options readily available and various desserts. The only disappointment was the lack of Johnnie Walker Blue, which was available at the LGW F lounge only a couple of months ago. As a BA employee I am ashamed at what’s happening. I can only hope and plead with you to complain when you’re there and email/phone the European Commission. I have seen people, who are clearly not short of a few bob judging by their attire, walking out with pockets literally bulging with Walkers biscuits. I can understand the decision to put biscuits in jars – as long as there are tongs to lift the biscuits out. I’ve never actually seen anyone take an entire bottle of wine or spirits but it would certainly not surprise me if this had happened. I never cease to be amazed at what people think they can walk off with. Sadly, whenever something is nominally “free”, some people really do “take the biscuit”, if you’ll pardon the pun.