While Indians finally got the opportunity to visit home from Britain following the relaxation in travel restrictions in both countries, passengers from the community have shared accounts of their travels by British Airways flights, calling the services 'not up to the mark'.
Some people who have even travelled by business class with the airline, have said that despite paying for expensive tickets, in-flight food and service have allegedly not been satisfactory, leaving them 'shocked'.
A passenger who travelled on 29 August from London Heathrow to Bangalore, India on British Airways flight 0119, informed Asian Voice that he was told by the flight attendant that only a vegetarian option was available for dinner. When the passenger repeatedly rejected the option and insisted that he be served a non-vegetarian dinner he was offered a non-vegetarian roll (meant for breakfast) and the same meal was repeated later for breakfast.
During their return journey on 1 October from Bangalore to London Heathrow in British Airways flight 0118, the passenger was astonished to know that there was no milk on the flight. Not even dairy creamer or milk powder. Left with no option the passenger was forced to have black coffee. Earlier during the flight, the passenger was given a lecture by the steward about "how good vegetarianism is". According to the passenger, the steward said to him that most Indians were vegetarians.
Another passenger recently shared his poor experience with the airline. “A first-class passenger who was left 'horrified' at the 'unacceptable' conditions on a £4,000 flight is urging travellers to fly with other airlines. Jarvis Marcos, 37, was flying first-class from to with his girlfriend, Kamara Harding, 33, when he experienced the 'shockingly bad' standards - which included dripping water from the air-con and 'sticky liquid' on tray tables,” Daily Mail reported.
Asian Voice reached out to British Airways for an official statement on this matter. A spokesperson told the newspaper, “We pride ourselves on providing the best possible onboard experience and we want all customers to feel welcome. We have invested heavily in our catering across all cabins. We have invested £6.5bn in our fleet, inflight cabin product, and catering. Like all airlines, we follow Covid travel requirements and restrictions as set by the relevant authorities at departure and arrival country. We will look into any concerns if you have any other examples.”
