Prior to takeoff of my British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Austin, while flight attendants were serving predeparture beverages in business class, I tweeted that I’d been told I could not have water as my beverage.
British Airways business class pre-departure beverage, I was just denied a glass of water.
Champagne and orange juice only: “You already have a bottle of water at your seat, sir.”
A flight attendant asked if I wanted a beverage. I asked for water. They had a tray with orange juice and champagne. This was more controversial than I’d expected. There were generally 3 strands of responses.
- You’re an entitled jerk. You already had water, you should drink that before asking for more. This response primarily came from flight attendants.
Trouble makier
— Marcus Dias (@downunderdiaz) November 23, 2023
makes sense to me
— Sassy Mamaw (@rosarosso) November 22, 2023
- First world problems. Well, yes. As I wrote “Welcome to frequent flyer twitter. You must be new here.”
First world problems
— Victor Meldrew (@VictorMeldrew00) November 23, 2023
First world problems
— Richard Bannister (@noxegon) November 22, 2023
First world problem
— Carolyn Davidson (@davidsonmls) November 22, 2023
- Water is pretty basic not least of which (1) in business class, (2) while flight attendants are literally offering drinks.
The comments here tell me that people don’t drink enough water. That one little bottle should barely get you through takeoff. Also, water should be the last thing you’re denied in a premium cabin.
— Bethany Walsh (@BougieMiles) November 22, 2023
They were offering predeparture beverages. I wasn’t asking for a cocktail, or for them to brew coffee. I was asking for a glass of water.
There was a bottle already at my seat, but I was saving that for the flight. Since they were offering drinks, I figured I’d use that opportunity to get more water. On my previous flight I’d asked for a second bottle and was told no. I was told they’d run out by midflight.
Here’s why my request seemed pretty reasonable, and I felt like the response wasn’t.
- On my previous flight, and indeed on every flight in my lifetime where predeparture beverages have been offered, I’ve been able to get water.
- The flight wasn’t delayed, and was fully boarded. It wasn’t as though passengers were up in the aisle. (On the Airbus A350 they board everyone from the front of the aircraft.) The cabin wasn’t even close to full, in fact around a quarter of the seats were empty.
- The flight attendant did not apologize, or tell me that they just couldn’t accommodate the request because they were too busy. They just said no.
Note that I did not push back. I didn’t give the flight attendant a hard time. I simply asked one time for water, and accepted the ‘no’. But I shared the story because the interaction seemed odd to me. Does that make me an entitled jerk?
I did eventually get a glass of water in the air, along with my packaged nuts (such a low class replacement for the nuts BA used to serve).
Does it somehow make me “entitled” an “a-hole” or a “d-bag” as some suggested to ask for water as my predeparture beverage when a crewmember comes around offering drinks, when there’s already a bottle of water pre-placed at my seat?
Recently I was with.my husband( who uses a wheelchair) in business class. 1st row. I asked tje male flight attendant if he could help me still my overnight bag after I’d struggled with my husband.
He did,but vocally reluctantly saying” we are really not supposed to do this fir passengers ” I thought didn’t his mother teach him any respect to help.older women and disabled elderly men??
And why not give you water in a glass- not everyone likes to drink from bottles. Any different from juice in a glass? It’s more civilized,gracious and relaxing to drink from a glass.
I just flew the same plane and class back and forth from California. I’m not sure why you couldn’t have used the water bottle while the FA’s were serving the OJ and champagne.
If the flight attendants are carrying a tray with orange juice and champagne around the cabin pre-departure, how exactly do you think they would get you a glass of water? Maybe you should have offered to hold the tray while they dashed off to the galley.
@jsn55 – I had actually no idea they were only offering champagne and orange juice!
The tray was mostly empty when I was asked. They did not say “champagne or orange juice?”
Water was on offer on the tray the previous flight. Was asking for water presumptuous?
4th possibility. Antisemitism.
5th possibility. Laziness.
On longer flights I normally ask for a glass of water as well – I prefer to use the water bottle at the seat for brushing my teeth after dinner. I have encountered a few instances where flight attendants asked me to use the water bottle, however.
Bruh, you literally had a bottle of water provided by the airline. You are complaining about the means of delivery (glass vs. bottle). They literally gave you water and you are complaining that they would not give you (checks notes) water. The “saving the bottle for later in the flight” canard is precious. There is a zero point zero percent chance that BA would not give you more water once the plane was in the air. They no doubt would have given you an extra bottle of water if you asked.
I’m not a big fan of BA for lots of reasons, such as making customers in business class pay extra to select a seat assignment.
Asking for water does not make you a douchebag. Complaining about it does.
@McGee: As mentioned in the article, you might want the bottle of water for later in the flight when there is no drink service. And I’ve always assumed that that’s what that bottle of water is there for: So you have it for yourself later in the flight, not to use during boarding.
@jsn55: You have to make a conscious effort to act oblivious enough to pretend you can’t fathom the answer to that question. In an ideal world, the FAs would have had water on the tray (that’s been common on many flights I’ve been on), but, given they were past that oversight, maybe they say, “Sorry, I don’t have any water on the tray, but I will be back with some when I finish this tray”?
It is, indeed, a 1st world problem. Business class is a first world situation. Flying business class is an act of entitlement. That’s the whole nature of the situation. And after you pay the thousands of dollars to help keep the airline in business, one shouldn’t have to wonder if they can get a glass of water or not.
It is amazing to see the FAs come out in force against the idea of serving water as a PDB. You won’t be able to bid those long haul routes without the business class passengers making them financially viable.
I’m sure they didn’t understand your reasoning. I want to save my bottle of water for later. I like my water cold so if the bottle was cold I would have drank that immediately and asked for more water later. Everyone needs to keep in mind it’s important to stay hydrated. It may be a big deal in economy. Maybe farther to walk and more people to serve. It doesn’t seem that big a deal in business class.
You are right, Gary. Asking for water in a premium cabin on an international flight is not at all worthy of a “no”
The best flight I ever had was from a Pan Am flight attendant that understood how classy air travel is. I personally prefer sparkling water with ice in a glass and for FAs to not pick it up even if I fall asleep. I don’t always communicate those desires but I did on that flight and that flight attendant made sure my glass was never less than 1/2 full and with ice between meal services.
I do not like drinking room temperature water out of plastic bottles and avoid purchasing single use bottles but I get that many airlines use them for sanitation and service reasons. Even if drink the bottled still water, I ask for a glass of ice even in coach.
And I have had those requests granted in coach on some airlines, usually without the PDPs.
that said, during boarding, I usually have my own water in a reusable bottle and accept what is offered on the tray.
In defense of @Gary, if he knew from previous BA experience that they ran out of water mid-flight, it would definitely make sense to hoard the bottled water at his seat whenever he flies BA. I’ve been in J class on AF where they, also, have run out of bottled water; not so with the wine, however!
I don’t know what it is about Europe; as much as I love traveling there, it seems nobody I’ve encountered there drinks very much water, although they seem to have plenty of tea, coffee, beer and wine in abundance. However, I’m always thirsty for water in Europe.
Hi Gary, everything will make sense when you remember your own advice. (1) BA is always marketing their cabins one higher than they are (“BA First is the world’s best business class”), so being told No in flat bed Premium Economy isn’t as unexpected and (2) don’t ask the internet for their opinion unless you are doing it for sport because you’ll just get these types of replies from people that don’t understand what differentiation in travel classes is supposed to mean.
If you’re paying this much for what the airline’s website claims is a “premium experience” then there should be more expectations of service than if you were simply in a cheap coach seat. FA’s on my recent flights seem to just group everyone the same and don’t care to recognize who’s generating the flights profits (and their FA pay raise demands). Premium cabins are called “premium” for a reason, and this should be cultural to care for those paying more up front.
Gary,
I believe this is how British Airways flight attendants have been trained to respond. I have taken dozens of flights on British Airways in both Premium Economy and Business Class sine the pandemic and the response is always the same when I ask for a glass of water. They tell me I have a bottle of water which I should drink. Like you, I want to save my bottle of water for use during the flight when the flight attendants are busy. Needless to say, they only sometimes provide me with the glass of water when I push back explaining I want to save it for later. The other times they tell me to drink the bottle and they will give me another one later during the flight. Guess what, when I ask later for a bottle they always tell me they have run out.
Nothing wrong in asking for water in a glass
I do that all the time in SQ business, since I want water in a glass with ice instead of the bottle as a pre departure beverage
Some of the comments here are pretty surprising
I heard BA was pretty bad…
Ridiculous to not give you a class of water. Equally ridiculous to get on social media and complain about it.
I’m constantly surprised by frequent travelers who do not take the simple easy step of bringing their own refillable bottle of water.
Like yes, the airline should give you water. But a certain amount of self-responsibility goes a long way for something that basic.
BA clubworld PDB has always been champagne, oj or water.
A dozen flights over 30 years on BA it’s always been all 3 on the tray.
However, if you are relying on an airline, any airline, in any cabin, to keep you hydrated, you are not flying prepared. Always buy 2 litres of water after TSA. In the event of an irrop, diversion, or stranding, always have your own supply in your possession before boarding, regardless of what you paid for the ticket. When they run out, DYKWIA won’t help your predicament.
In addition, potable water on planes poured from a pitcher in to a one-use plastic cup is less sanitary and 4-5x less sustainable. The larger the volume (litre bottles) the less plastic used and tossed.
Finally, unless your A1C is over 12, a glass of OJ has hyrdration and nutrients that will do you right. Hide the bottle of water in the seatback, take the OJ, thank the FA, and ask for a bottle of water because there is no water in the seatback, which is a true statement.
They offered predeparture beverages. Water was an option on the previous flight – as it usually is.
It seemed basic enough, so was surprised by the rather hostile response when ASKED WHAT I WANTED.
Strange and to me noteworthy. And sure a ‘first world problem’.
they usually offer water in my experience. Plus they go back and forth to the galley multiple times as Business Class fills up. Seems odd to me.
Clearly the problem is you.
You booked BA one of the worst airlines with the worst service.
Dont make the mistake again – you fault for sure!
I bring extra water. Either by buying some or taking some from the lounge. I don’t think BA or VS do a full pre departure beverage service in the US.
They are too cheap to pay tax on it.
I had the same request and the same response on a recent BA flight from LAX. It rankled, especially as the FAs were not good at coming round with refills.
The fact that you are getting pushback on social media from flight attendants is fantastic. Some very lazy crybabies. I’ll bet they would have no problem providing a large bottle of water to any non-revs that board the plane.
I agree about saving the water bottle for the flight. I guess there usually is a place to get water self serve in the J cabin, self serve, but I still always try to conserve my water bottle in J as well.
Sad to hear about that service on BA. Admittedly, I’ve always loved flying BA from my experiences, but it does feel like my experiences aren’t representative of them often.
It’s BA. You cannot expect anything and am surprised a pro like you was surprised
I must also be an entitled passenger.
I save the water to drink while I am sleeping intermittently. A glass is prone to being knocked over.
It has happened to me but I just say “I drink a couple of quarts a day and need much more” than this bottle”
This is exactly why I buy an extra bottle of water before I board the plane even in business class on my outbound trips because I have been told no in the past on other airlines too. Unfortunately I can’t do the same on the inbound trips since most places have extra security at the gate for US flights and they confiscate my water and then I’m at the mercy of the flight attendants.
I totally understand your dilemma.
I’m with @Gary on this one. I’ve asked for water before on a flight as a PDB and the FA looked at me oddly because I had a bottle sitting next to me (but they gave me the water anyway).
I want to save the bottle for later. Perhaps there is turbulence and the FAs have to remain seated. Or we are mid-flight and I don’t want to have to get a FA’s attention for a refill. I always buy a bottle of water and keep it in my carry-on just in case, but I wouldn’t want to use it on flight where the galley has water.
I also do not recall a flight with pre-poured PDBs on a tray where water was not an option.
Dbag would be the person who reads your posts for the free travel advice then logs on with a fake name to call you a dbag. Same dbag who doesn’t have the balls to come up to you at an FTU event and tell it to your face.
Yes, I feel this is very entitled to even post this – it is just logical, you have a bottle of water, shown where it is, drink that first and later when you run out, you can ask for more water and if they run out of it, request for your bottle to be refilled.
I don’t see why the FA should have apologized – despite being in J.
Surprising for someone so well travelled you can create this minor issue as if you were denied your seat/other major issue.
Dissapointed with such a post.
You were 100% within your rights to ask and it should have been provided. Any Asian airline would have been more than happy to accommodate your reasonable request. Unfortunately, our choices across the Atlantic exclude them.
I’m also with @Gary on this one. In biz I should damn well be able to get a glass of water. I too hoard the bottle of water for sipping during the flight. I also bring onboard my own. I drink a lot of water, I guess.
Awhile back I was flying AC from.Homg Kong.to Toronto in business and during predeparture drink service, asked for water. The FA pointed out that I had a bottle at my seat. I politely said that I was asking for water with ice and she understood and served me what I asked for with no drama. I’d submit that those who are criticizing Gary for what I see as a totally reasonable request, we’re just looking for an excuse to be critical.
BA seems to be weirder about water than any other airline I’ve flown. I asked for a bottle of water as I drank the one placed at my seat. The response was, “wasn’t there a bottle at your seat when you boarded?” Well, yes. I drank it. I like to have more than one bottle on an 8 hr flight. I did get another bottle but it seemed like a much bigger deal than it needed to be. Passengers asking for an 8th top up of wine, no problem. Water, oddly a hassle.
@ Gary — This has happened to me on UA, AA, DL, and BA yesterday. I don’t see a problem. They always provide 4-5 bottles during the flight and for take away on landing, so it’s not like I am being forced to drink from the one and only bottle of water I will receive.
Hi Naysayers. Wow. On my last few BA flights, I’ve encountered the same no to water, and my water bottle was unseen. I was saving it for later over the Pond. BA has a long history of running out of water while over it.
I don’t drink alcoholic beverages because they don’t go well with my daily medication. The cans of OJ they use are extremely high in sugar, so I skip those. My preferred drink on planes is, yep, you guessed it, water. I stay away from caffeinated beverages on planes too.
All that said, I’ve gotten to the point that I’m avoiding BA like the plague these days. They just aren’t a very good airline anymore. If I have my druthers, I’ll fly American over them. (Oh how far BA has fallen, in my humble opinion.) At least when in business class on American, if I ask for water, I get it, and they don’t seem to every run out of it either.
We love you Gary. You’re the best travel blogger out there by a long shot.
Always interesting, clever, funny, and well written material.
I had the exact same thing happen to me a couple weeks ago flying AA J on the 788 from HNL-PHX. The FA wasn’t offering a choice of only OJ/Champagne – I was offered a cocktail, wine, soda etc – but when I asked for ice water, he responded that I had a bottle at my seat and that he would bring me a cup of ice. No big deal, but I found it odd to have a request for water rebuffed. And as mentioned above, it would have been nice to keep the full bottle for the red eye flight.
Seems like a reasonable request to me, especially in Business.. I can even recall requesting a pre departure water in Economy when I really needed to take a Tylenol. I was accommodated once the aisles cleared
Rupert Maclanahan
You are so “down” with your “bruh” talk Roopidoopi! How old are are you? 13 Bruh???! Next it’ll be Bro… Grow up!!!
Ive noticed on foreign airlines the PDB is just whatever they pour for you. At least the inconsistent PDB offering on AA/UA/DL they ask you for your choice and you can pretty much ask for anything
If any of those FAs get kidney stones, I would like to see their faces when it happens.
Fact is, yes you absolutely need the water for the risk of dehydration in the plane. Champagne is counterproductive to address dehydration. Sugar-laden orange juice is a poor hydrator. Having had four intrusive kidney stone surgeries, I am a chronically dehydrated person because of a low thirst factor. I must drink it. If I am in business class, paying around $3K to cross the pond, I should expect a glass with water and ice if requested upon boarding. The least they could do is deliver an ice-filled glass so you could pour your own.
Y’all are seriously crazy if you think asking for water as a PDB, in business class, is out of line because the passenger has a water bottle. A lot of Stockholm syndrome in these comments. Sounds like corporate cost cutting and police state to ensure compliance. Otherwise I’m sure most FAs would be happy to accommodate such a mundane request, especially in business class, when able.
Ask for a glass of ice. As yes, you are the a-hole.
I don’t know about you, but I want ice, not those room-temperature little bottles. I never drink mine at all. Maybe it’s being born in Texas, even though I haven’t lived there for almost fifty years. Why couldn’t a person have a glass of ice water in business class for goodness sake?
I NEVER want to hear the expression “It’s a first world problem” again. I live in a “first world” country and my expectations are definitely “first world”. Anyone who uses this expression in response to someone’s comments is simply a jerk.
I dont understand all the hate here towards you.
NO, you EASILY should have been given water. What does it take – 5 seconds to grab a cup and pour it? Even if ‘locked up’, they take inventory all the time, just unlock it and take CARE OF THE CUSTOMER. I dont understand why hospitality is gone with airlines. You PAID or used HARD EARNED miles for this flight and to upgrade. No you are not entitled, mean or nasty. Dont listen to these people, espeically the one who said that is why he buys water before a flight. YOU BOUGHT A PREMIUM TICKET, WATER IS FREE. Give me a break. My reaction would have been worse, I would have gotten her name and sent in a email to customer care (who doesnt care). If the airlines dont want to give out water or other EASY requests, then stop branding the cabins as ‘first’, ‘premium’ etc, and just say ‘larger seat’ cabin. Thats what it has turned into. The world is lazy, post Covid. You did nothing wrong, THEY did.
How appalling. I would also expect when crew wander qround later in flight and offer supper snacks etc that they make me a pizza, find me a prawn cocktail and make me a fresh cappuchino when i ask. Of course not. Settle down and accept they are offerring whats on the tray child
On DL they usually only have champaign and OJ (and sometimes plain water). Both of those don’t sit well in my stomach. – they are acidic. I would rather have club soda or sparkling water. After being told NO so many times (we can’t open the alcohol cart), I tell them that my stomach is queasy and I don’t want to throw up. That then gets me the sparkling water or the ginger ale.
One really friendly FA told me that there is always one cart that has sodas on it that is not “sealed” due to the alcohol rules, etc but most FA’s are too lazy to go to it.
Gosh. I fly mostly to Asia so this conversation is amazing! And the advice of many is that even when flying first you need to BYO!