Is the UC Bar up for the chop?

I have been reading a number of posts on several sites that says the Upper Class bar is going to be phased out, but can find no mention of this on here. Does anyone have any firm information of this?




Rupinder

[Nottingham Nick]

There are quite a few threads where this is discussed as part of the ongoing changes and reviews at VS.

It is clear that post the strike threat, and with high oil prices, there is an awful lot of 'reviewing' going on. The possible removal of FSM's and the 'review' of the IFBT's shows how deep it is going. Add to this speculation about the bar and a rumoured review into the CDCs, then it really is a case of 'watch this space'.

At the moment (apart from the IFBTs) it is all rumour and speculation.

Nick

[preiffer]

Of course, there does come a certain point where the only thing left to 'go' are the CUSTOMERS.... [n][n][n]

Originally posted by preiffer
Of course, there does come a certain point where the only thing left to 'go' are the CUSTOMERS.... [n][n][n]

Here here [:?]

If true what does this save in money?

Surely it will not make that much difference in weight unless you're going to load less booze or charge for it!

[preiffer]

One less bar = 2 more suites... [;)]

= 50 p*ssed off passengers at yet another differentiator removed from the service.


[n]

well if the bar goes, then what exactly does VS have to brag about in its adverts compared to other 'business' classes......BA has its kitchen for the passengers

Originally posted by gingerflyer
well if the bar goes, then what exactly does VS have to brag about in its adverts compared to other 'business' classes......BA has its kitchen for the passengers

The kitchen on my flight didn't exactly look like the one in the advert. The luxury chocolate was a penguin bar, along with mini cheddars and hula hoops.

Though VS have a better bed, if they get rid of the bar, the BA product is probably better overall. Better seat, better food, better entertainment system (when it works). VS can't compete just by having a better lounge.

Will save a huge amount of money fuel-wise. Even taking off a few torches saved hundreds ofthousands of pounds a year!
I really cant see them removing it though, if they take that away as well as the IFBTs I can see J pax leaving us in droves - and who can blame them!

As others have said, if VS do remove the bar, there will be nothing that differentiates their UC product from most other J class offerings in the air. You cannot sell a J class fare on the strength of the LHR Upper Class Wing / Clubhouse alone, which is what they seem to be trying to do at the moment based on their press advertising for 'Limo to Lounge in 10mins'.

Originally posted by virginboy747
Will save a huge amount of money fuel-wise. Even taking off a few torches saved hundreds ofthousands of pounds a year!
I really cant see them removing it though, if they take that away as well as the IFBTs I can see J pax leaving us in droves - and who can blame them!

Will it ... what is the weight saving compared to two extra suites, plus passengers plus their luggage - the suites are not light ...

I would like to add, for any VS staffers in the back office lurking, the bar is the no. 1 differentiator for me - it is the sociability of it, the ability to relax and stretch at the same time, the conversations with fascinating people. If this goes, then VS is an also ran ...

Just had my haircut in the LHR CH, and I was talking with the hairdresser about the IFBT situation, and she said that she had heard a rumour about the bar going. Lets hope that this is not a self-fulfilling prophecy.

there are also rumours surfacing that the luggage allowance is to be reduced in all cabins.[:0]

[Nottingham Nick]

There are also rumours that Elvis Presley is alive and well, and living in Tahoe. [8D][;)]

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by virginboy747
Will save a huge amount of money fuel-wise. Even taking off a few torches saved hundreds ofthousands of pounds a year!
I really cant see them removing it though, if they take that away as well as the IFBTs I can see J pax leaving us in droves - and who can blame them!

Will it ... what is the weight saving compared to two extra suites, plus passengers plus their luggage - the suites are not light ...

I would like to add, for any VS staffers in the back office lurking, the bar is the no. 1 differentiator for me - it is the sociability of it, the ability to relax and stretch at the same time, the conversations with fascinating people. If this goes, then VS is an also ran ...

Yes, but assuming a couple of suites go where the bar is, on a full flight those UC passengers will be paying whereas the bar doesn't pay a penny to take up that space.

A CC member mentioned previously in another topic that they couldn't see the UC bar going since it's essential for storage and is also used as a preparation area for service.

As Nick said this is purely one of the rumours that is doing the rounds. A.net is also claiming that ORD and NBO will be axed as well. Of course none of this has any firm evidence.

I would imagine VS are seriously thinking about what they offer in all cabins. There is a very fine line between being an award wining business class airline and jsut a run of the mill business class airline. With over 7 major carriers now using a UCS inspired business class product, it would be all to easy for pax to transfer to those carriers if the USP's of VS are lost. For this reason I would imagine the bar will stay.

Yes, but assuming a couple of suites go where the bar is, on a full flight those UC passengers will be paying whereas the bar doesn't pay a penny to take up that space.

Assuming of course that they can fill those additional suites, with the VS differences being eroded that would seem increasingly unlikely.

Originally posted by McMaddog
A CC member mentioned previously in another topic that they couldn't see the UC bar going since it's essential for storage and is also used as a preparation area for service.

Ahh yes, the use of the bar instead of the galley for food prep. is one of the other things that annoys ... sometimes for a good deal of the early time period of a flight the bar is simply not accessible due to this. I used to take a quick bite at the bar on East coast flights back to the UK while my bed was made up ... simple can't anymore.

I remember the halcyon days, remember those when the bar was well stocked, during the flight delicious plates of chocolates and cakes were put out ... flowers ... this whole things has been going on for a while.

I think it will be a real shame if they do get rid of the bar, as others have said it is nice to stretch your legs and sit up at bar and have a chat with crew or pax. Also what I found on my trip back from SYD to LON was when everyone else is asleep, I used the bar to have a coffee and wake up without disturbing people around me.

Well that is my 2c worth anyway.

DMB

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by McMaddog
A CC member mentioned previously in another topic that they couldn't see the UC bar going since it's essential for storage and is also used as a preparation area for service.

Ahh yes, the use of the bar instead of the galley for food prep. is one of the other things that annoys ... sometimes for a good deal of the early time period of a flight the bar is simply not accessible due to this. I used to take a quick bite at the bar on East coast flights back to the UK while my bed was made up ... simple can't anymore.

I remember the halcyon days, remember those when the bar was well stocked, during the flight delicious plates of chocolates and cakes were put out ... flowers ... this whole things has been going on for a while.

'fraid you're right. Bar is out of bounds for about the first hour or so of the flight as the crew are too busy preparing the meal service and/or using the bar for the preparation. I learnt this the hard way. After a few years on the dark side, on returning to VS I was told in no uncertain terms a pre-dinner drink at the bar right after the seat belt signs had been extinguished wasn't part of the service. I felt like a criminal.

H

It's true that we do need to use the bar surface after take-off, as the galley is used by both upper class and premium economy crew, and there just isn't enough room (you will probably hear crew grumbling 'whoever designed the galleys on this a/c need a kick in the head' - because it just isn't practical)
However, if pax want to sit at the bar straight after take-off, I make sure there is space for them and offer a drink straightaway. All we need to set up on the bar surface are the nibbles that go with the drinks. Anything for the actual meal service should be set up on the trolleys, but I know a lot of crew use the bar for the trays and cutlery etc. They shouldn't be doing this, but then it's up to the J CSS and FSM to make sure the bar is accessible for pax at all times.

Originally posted by virginboy747
It's true that we do need to use the bar surface after take-off, as the galley is used by both upper class and premium economy crew, and there just isn't enough room (you will probably hear crew grumbling 'whoever designed the galleys on this a/c need a kick in the head' - because it just isn't practical)
However, if pax want to sit at the bar straight after take-off, I make sure there is space for them and offer a drink straightaway. All we need to set up on the bar surface are the nibbles that go with the drinks. Anything for the actual meal service should be set up on the trolleys, but I know a lot of crew use the bar for the trays and cutlery etc. They shouldn't be doing this, but then it's up to the J CSS and FSM to make sure the bar is accessible for pax at all times.

Very interesting - as you've seen, not my experience!!!

Cheers, Howard

I can also remember on my last flight back from SFO both Pete and myself got told off for sitting at the bar after belts off, and were told to return to our seats[n]

Iain

[mitchja]

I've seen this, especially on the A343's. The crew always seem to struggle for space on that A/C. They where almost falling over each other on my last A343 flight. They where using the galley, the bar and 2 fold-up trolleys next to each A/C exit. They all said the -300 is the worst A/C to work on.

It's the usual story though isn't it. These things are not designed for use by the actual people that are going to work on/with them.

If the rumour is true, I cant see how removing the bar on the Airbus A/C would allow space for 2 extra J seats though, one seat maybe but not two plus that seat would be slap-bang between 2 washrooms which wouldnt be pleasent either.

If weight is still such an issue then why dont VS remove that unused small galley unit at the front of the A346's [?]

Regards