New Onboard Service to commence April

Couldn't find this mentioned in any other thread so throwing it down here hoping for some info. I flew LHR-JFK last night and asked one of the crew why December's menu had not been changed. I was told that from the first week of April a brand new service is being rolled out across J and W with some changes to Y along with new menus. Most notably is that if you're flying in J - meals will be served from a trolley and no longer delivered individually.

On the A333 it's virtually impossible to wheel a trolley down the aisle in J due to lack of space, too many seats, so I'm curious as to how this will work.

Does anyone have any further info?

Thanks

The trays are laid up in J using a trolley so water wine bread cutlery etc will all be delivered at the same time and then meals are delivered by hand as usual. There is no afternoon tea service instead graze eat what you want when you want options are available from after the main meal service until top of descent (afternoon tea is one of the options) new service starts on 5th April

Thanks for the info! Does someone have any idea of the changes in W ?

new service starts on 5th April

Just in time for our flight I shall report back the end of next week.

graze eat what you want when you want options are available from after the main meal service until top of descent

At what sort of time is this before landing?

I assume on night flights back to the UK breakfast will not be a graze request?

Have you seen the new menus virginboy747?

The trays are laid up in J using a trolley so water wine bread cutlery etc will all be delivered at the same time and then meals are delivered by hand as usual. There is no afternoon tea service instead graze eat what you want when you want options are available from after the main meal service until top of descent (afternoon tea is one of the options) new service starts on 5th April

Ahh, thank you! Any idea how this works on the A333? I was told there was no trolley that accommodated the aisle. Any clues at to what's going to change in W and Y?

Ahh, thank you! Any idea how this works on the A333? I was told there was no trolley that accommodated the aisle. Any clues at to what's going to change in W and Y?

The service trolley (ie the cheese trolley/afternoon tea trolley) does fit down the aisle on the A330 (just). Infact it has "supposed" to be used by crews for the last 6 months or so to do the cheese trolley and afternoon tea service on all A330 flights.

W service is now carried out by economy crew starting in W and working down into Y. New service sees enhanced afternoon tea and breakfast offering also mugs for tea/coffee. Afternoon tea will now consist of sandwich cakes and warm scone. Breakfast will have warm pastry. There are other changes but too many to mention.
Yes breakfast in J will stay the same. Graze on day flights is available up to about one and a half hours before landing

Ahh, thank you! Any idea how this works on the A333? I was told there was no trolley that accommodated the aisle. Any clues at to what's going to change in W and Y?

The service trolley (ie the cheese trolley/afternoon tea trolley) does fit down the aisle on the A330 (just). Infact it has "supposed" to be used by crews for the last 6 months or so to do the cheese trolley and afternoon tea service on all A330 flights.

I've seen the specially designed service trolley used for the cheese & port service and the afternoon tea service on the MAN-ATL A330 route many times over the last few months. It's still tight but does get down!

W service is now carried out by economy crew starting in W and working down into Y. New service sees enhanced afternoon tea and breakfast offering also mugs for tea/coffee. Afternoon tea will now consist of sandwich cakes and warm scone. Breakfast will have warm pastry. There are other changes but too many to mention.
Yes breakfast in J will stay the same. Graze on day flights is available up to about one and a half hours before landing

Thanks so much for sharing VB747. Much appreciated Looking forward to seeing the changes up and running next week.

Jon

This is all about cost cutting, not service enhancement.

As I understand it: most flights lose two CC overall including the UC Cabin Service Supervisor (the FSM assumes their duties).

PE loses its dedicated CC and the rank of Senior Cabin Crew goes with the remaining seniors who haven't left (and hundreds have apparently) forcibly demoted.

Be interesting to see how it pans out but from what I understand VS are testing their crews' patience and loyalty to the limit.

Ahh, thank you! Any idea how this works on the A333? I was told there was no trolley that accommodated the aisle. Any clues at to what's going to change in W and Y?

The service trolley (ie the cheese trolley/afternoon tea trolley) does fit down the aisle on the A330 (just). Infact it has "supposed" to be used by crews for the last 6 months or so to do the cheese trolley and afternoon tea service on all A330 flights.

The trolley from the 340 does not fit in the aisle of the 330 but they now have a new trolley for the 330. Plus once they re-fit the new seats in the 330 that will probably resolve the old trolley issue.

[Neil]

There could be 100 crew on the flight but numbers don't equal good service, easily the best flight I've been on was when the crew numbers were down but the crew who did operate the flight were really fantastic.

It's a pretty safe bet to say people we still experience flights with excellent crew and some were the crew were not as good, but that's been the case for years.

Let's wait and see what difference the changes make before declaring it a terrible move.

"There could be 100 crew on the flight but numbers don't equal good service, easily the best flight I've been on was when the crew numbers were down but the crew who did operate the flight were really fantastic."

100% agree, its not # (or age) of the FA's its their, attitude that makes the difference

Whilst I agree with this sentiment 100%, what makes us confident that the "right" crew are the ones who have been retained?

Unless there's been some sort of deliberate selection process, just losing numbers is only going to take service levels in one direction.

[Neil]

Whilst I agree with this sentiment 100%, what makes us confident that the "right" crew are the ones who have been retained?

Unless there's been some sort of deliberate selection process, just losing numbers is only going to take service levels in one direction.

With a crew so large, it's inevitable that there will be good crew and not so good crew still on every flight.
As many of us have experienced, the best flights, with the best crew are very often a result of an excellent FSM and I think that is going to be important than ever.

With a crew so large, it's inevitable that there will be good crew and not so good crew still on every flight.
As many of us have experienced, the best flights, with the best crew are very often a result of an excellent FSM and I think that is going to be important than ever.

Could not agree more with the above - keep an open mind until you have experienced the new service flow. Some of the best business class flights I've had have been in Upper on Virgin. When you get a switched on FSM, the entire crew normally follow suit. My best ever Virgin flight was in Upper from LGW to MCO, the FSM left the J CSS to run the show in Upper and it was amazing. I hope the CSS in question has either been promoted to FSM by now or avoided the cuts (flight was a few years ago).

And my worst ever business class was on Emirates. No number of flashy new aircraft can make up for service as described in my TR - link here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=287126 . A friend who worked for Emirates not long ago advises my experience is not uncommon - get a lazy Purser (what EK call the FSM) particularly one from the UAE and the crew get away with doing zilch.

I am off to UVF on VS next weekend so I shall report back on any noticeable changes.

And re this

And my worst ever business class was on Emirates.

It really is different strokes for different folks.

[honey lamb]

And my worst ever business class was on Emirates. No number of flashy new aircraft can make up for service as described in my TR - link here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=287126 . A friend who worked for Emirates not long ago advises my experience is not uncommon - get a lazy Purser (what EK call the FSM) particularly one from the UAE and the crew get away with doing zilch.

My experience is similar. While I wouldn't describe it as the worst ever business class experience - that privilege is reserved by BA , it really was best described as patchy over the four legs I travelled on them. With regard to the best onboard service my votes go to Virgin Atlantic on a good day and Aer Lingus transatlantic any day.

new service starts on 5th April

Just in time for our flight I shall report back the end of next week.

Our flight on April 8th was fantastic. Despite a last minute aircraft change due to a tech problem the crew had set up the new aircraft and were an absolute delight to speand 10 hours with.

They did work very hardit has to be said. The FSM was FANTASTIC, a genuinely cheery individual.We had one cre member look after our row, but I think every crew member helped out in UC at some point or another. The service ran very well.

The meal I had was delicious, and the Roast Chicken with thyme jus the best course I have ever has on any aircraft.

Starters
Prosciuto Ham with asparagus
Caesar salad
Carot and coriander soup

Mains
Free range roast chicken
Fillet steak
Tomato and mozarella gnocchi
Salmon salad

Pudding
Warm brioche and butter pudding
Passion fruit and coconut slice

Cheese and port

Extra Bites
Afternoon tea
Classic gourmet beef burger
Gruyere and red onion quiche
Taster Platter

The crew did ask if we wanted anything before landing from the Quick Bites menu, and I had the Afternoon Tea which is no longer served on the tiered plates.

From a passenger persepective I was deighted with the product offered yesterday.

[buns]

Thanks for the "report from the front' Maximus

Mrs Buns was particularly pleased to lean than afternoon tea is available from the Quick Bite menu

As has already been said on this thread, having a crew that want to make the new situation work is the acid test

Enjoy florida

buns

that's good to hear, thanks for the update

i'm off to DXB in a couple of weeks, look forward to trying it on the return as for me, the afternoon teas have always been a disappointment with dried out sandwiches, the new choice sounds much more appetising

Thanks for the update was a tad concerned about my UC flight in October but the menu seems good and service too. Flying EC in the bubble in May as fancied a short 10 day Manchester to MCO so will report back if anything has changed after the flight. I've always found the VA staff top notch so hoping standards will not have slipped due to cost cutting.

Thanks for the menu update - still tempted by the Steak - my trip is only days away

Thanks for the menu update - still tempted by the Steak - my trip is only days away

I have tried the UC steak. It was not edible. Probably could have walked 1000 miles in them if I crafted them into some sort of footwear.