Mere days after British Airways banned flight crews from drinking coffee or soda in front of customers – and told them that even water had to be consumed ‘discretely’ – they’ve been forced to roll back this policy.
- It’s now permissible to drink coffee in public again – but still cannot do so walking through the airport.
- The British airline maintains that they were never actually banning eating and drinking. They just said crew could only “consume food or any other drink apart from water in designated crew rest rooms or cafeterias, hidden away from public view.”
- But it’s rare to have access to a breakroom once the duty day begins. BA frequently doesn’t schedule crew with long enough sit times between flights.
In fairness, British Airways may have tried to deny everything but water to their crews, but they actually tried to eliminate water for passengers from long haul coach (years earlier they tried charging passengers for water).
What was the reason behind this ill conceived policy in the first place?
I credit our beloved Gary Leff for shedding light on this absurd policy, and leading to its ‘collapse’… huzzah!
Not sure if you’re repeatedly spelling discrete this way because that’s how BA spelled it in their announcement, but the word in the sentence should be spelled discreet. Very different meaning 🙂
Does anyone besides me think that British Airways is seeing if they can beat American Airlines to the bottom of the ladder? Here’s a, once proud, British icon sinking to new lows thinking that by punishing their personnel with stupid, inane rules will strengthen their bottom line?
“British Airways” name is the last vestige of what used to be a wholly British company – nowadays it’s no more “British” than the multinational corporate conglomerates that own the name. These are very US influenced, hence the disregard for staff welfare or passenger retention.
To comply with British Airways’ social media policy, please refrain from posting selfies. Instead, ask another crew member or a passenger to take your picture for you. If you did not take the photo yourself, it does not qualify as a selfie or a self-portrait by definition.
The Honorable Ken A, Esq.
Do they think customers aren’t aware that flight attendants are humans? I understand if BA banned them from drinking alcoholic beverages while in uniform / in the airport. Even if they were done working for the day customers might incorrectly assume they were going to work with alcohol in their system. Banning non-alcoholic drinks, including water is just asinine though. They need to stay hydrated to function properly. Only a true sadist would refuse someone a drink of water at work. Not to mention many people require coffee to function properly at work so I doubt people would begrudge them that either.
British Airways has always been a garbage airline – worst flight attendants I’ve ever had the displeasure of dealing with. Absolute robots. Rude and always on a power trip. Couldn’t care less if water is withheld from them, they deserve nothing more.
Jeff is definitely not an expert in aviation. He has an opinion but not necessarily an expert opinion. He may fly extensively and can comment on different topics, but I often find misinformation.
Can we still take photos of our legs and feet though? For when we’re selling “pre-worn Cabin Crew shoes”
Not that I do this of course.
Darn. I was hoping for a “water from a Starbucks” cup controversy.
Did our ex Qantas CEO end up there?
I was BA cabin crew for over thirty years from 1968.There was never a problem eating or drinking in front of passengers,sometimes there was no choice.If you were at the airport already and a flight was delayed,you had no choice but to eat in front of or with the passengers on that flight.At the smaller airports there might only be one venue available for refreshments.Back then our motto was we’ll take good care of you.Passengers were more concerned with good onboard service than seeing cabin crew taking refreshments.