British Airways mulling online meal selection for business class

British Airways recently announced it begin trial of its online meal selection service for its premium customers. The airline said that its customers traveling in first class and business class flights will now be able to select and pre-order their in-flight meals before they embark for their journey.

Adrian Jaski, Outbound Catering Manager of British Airways, said that the trials are scheduled to start towards the end of 2014. He said that the customers booking tickets in First Class and Club World business class will be able to order their dish available on the in-flight menu in advance during the pilot project.

British Airways’ online meal selection pilot project will be on similar lines of Qantas Airways’ Select on Q Eat program. Through this project UK’s flagship carrier wants to ensure that through the pre-order the customers are able to be provided their desired dish even though the said dish runs out of stock because of its popularity. Earlier, there were chances of the passengers being left out as some popular dishes ran out of stock even before it could reach them.

The airline disclosed that there will be no option for selecting special meals that don’t find place on the in-flight menu presently. However, special meals options would be considered at a later stage after the completion of the trials.

Jaski said that this will be currently a pilot project. Through this the airline wants to assess how it is being well taken up by the customers and how well it is working. He said that after proper assessment the airline will move forward and try to adapt it on its regular flights services.

Jaski also indicated that British Airways wants to take good care of its economy class customers as well and would be providing a slightly upgraded meal service which is presently not listed on its in-flight menu. The upgraded meals will however be provided for additional fee.