V-Flyer

Not seen this mentioned anywhere else here (specifically in the thread about the new BA marketing campaign, as I spotted this in a press release for the same)
However it seems BA are upping the ante by offering World Traveller Plus ("Prem Econ") pax a choice of 2 meals from the Club menu. As WTP previously featured the exact same menu as World Traveller (Econ), this is an obvious - and substantial - improvement. Still not on a par with Air NZ, whose catering is rather fabulous, and also offer J catering to W pax.
The VS PE catering is already a great improvement over Y, and - on occasions - I've preferred it to that in UC, but this will give them something to ponder I'm sure.
I also note that BA are reintroducing the "tuck box" in WT/Y. I don't actually remember this from before... perhaps some of you used to frequent the dark side in ye olde days more than I ...

Source: http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/preview-baa-s-ad-campaign

Link not working!

You may need to be registered with BT, the link is here. It does not mention wine, but the Club on board menu for WT+ is a great idea. Also notes lounge changes at JFK and Newark, improved check-in at LGW (Terraces could do with dumping there though) ...

Just needs separate WT+ check in and priority boarding, and then theyll be on a par with PE.

Hmmm - food for thought?:V

clarkeysntfc wrote:Just needs separate WT+ check in and priority boarding, and then theyll be on a par with PE.

I agree - if they get those two in the bag then it will be a decision purely on price and not anything else! Although, saying that, BA better get a shift on with improving the cabin first as VS still wins hands down (not on the lgw routes, though!)

Confused I am!

Petmadness wrote:if they get those two in the bag then it will be a decision purely on price and not anything else!

I agree with you but think there are two other factors as well. First is the ability to MFU to Club so cheaply from discounted WTP fares. If that stays (and maybe it won't) then it represents a substantially better option, in my opinion, than paying to upgrade a K to an S on VS, plus 40k miles.

Second is that it is currently easier to get to BA Silver than it is to get to VS Gold, and the benefits are very similar (VS better, in my opinion). If the WTP product starts to match the PE one then this will become a factor for people who travel a fair bit for work, say, but not in J -- because that's when the lounge access from your status really gets useful.

clarkeysntfc wrote:Just needs separate WT+ check in and priority boarding, and then theyll be on a par with PE.

There comes a point when there will be more people qualified for priority boarding than not!

In which case there will have to be categories of priority boarding introduced !

tontybear wrote:There comes a point when there will be more people qualified for priority boarding than not!

Good point!

The real luxury in my view is to be able to saunter up at the last possible minute and just slip into your seat before the doors are shut.

Got me thinking though, how is it decided which two club meals, and if one is not vegetarian and you are, do you go back to economy meals .

at240 wrote:

tontybear wrote:There comes a point when there will be more people qualified for priority boarding than not!

Good point!

The real luxury in my view is to be able to saunter up at the last possible minute and just slip into your seat before the doors are shut.

me too, I'm all for getting settled in and stuff, but I'd rather not be sitting around for ages.

Petmadness wrote:I agree - if they get those two in the bag then it will be a decision purely on price and not anything else! Although, saying that, BA better get a shift on with improving the cabin first as VS still wins hands down (not on the lgw routes, though!)

Confused I am!

Weird, the time I flew from LHR to NY, I was very unimpressed with PE. But in the bubble on LGW, its a completely different product...

So, I'd not fly PE from LHR myself now... Only from LGW.

Also I believe it's only the CW main course that you'll be offered, won't have the starter/cheese/desert/other snacks in flight - still seems to me that the VS PE offering is streets ahead of this!

CW mains are dire, Ive had better in WT+ this year than the swill that was served to TPA last week.

jaguarpig wrote:CW mains are dire, Ive had better in WT+ this year than the swill that was served to TPA last week.

Oh thank God a seasoned BA flyer has said that. I didn't dare complain about my CW meals on here for fear of being criticised for being too pro-VS

Sounds like VS PE (from LHR) is still one of the the best Y+ (or J minus) products then?

Perhaps Air NZ and QF come close?