British Airways has quickly backtracked on a controversial ban that prohibited cabin crew and pilots from drinking coffee or other beverages in public while in uniform.
British Airways Backtracks On Employee Drink Ban
Earlier this month, British Airways introduced a policy instructing employees to only drink water “discreetly” in public while wearing their uniform. Coffee, tea, soda, or other beverages were not permitted in terminals, at gates, or while walking through airports. Crew were told they could only consume such drinks in staff restrooms, cafeterias, or designated break areas. Even commuting or deadheading staff were discouraged from wearing their uniforms on BA flights.
The reaction from staff was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Unions condemned the rule as unnecessary, demeaning, and unworkable given the long hours and limited rest facilities that crews endure.
Within days, BA retreated. The airline clarified that it never intended to ban drinking outright, but rather to maintain professionalism in public. The revised stance now allows employees to drink coffee and other beverages while seated in airport cafes or gate areas. Only drinking while walking in uniform remains discouraged. The uniform ban for commuting crew has also been paused pending further review.
British Airways said the guidance had created the wrong impression and clarified that the intent was to maintain a professional image, not to prevent crew from hydrating. The airline emphasized that crew are permitted to drink when seated in cafes or gate areas, but should avoid walking with coffee in hand while in uniform.
Hey British Airways, Instead Of Banning Cabin Crew From Drinking Coffee, Why Not Give Customers Free Coffee?
This whole brouhaha is such a needless, self-inflicted wound.
The irony is also striking. Rather than worrying about whether crew are seen with a Starbucks cup in hand, perhaps BA should focus on what customers receive. Serving a consistently good cup of coffee onboard at no extra cost would improve the airline’s image far more than micromanaging staff behavior.
- Passengers notice value, including good food, drink, and service, not whether crew sip coffee between flights.
- Policing employees in this way risks hurting morale, which can harm the customer experience onboard, not enhance it.
- If BA wants to enhance its reputation, focusing on basics like punctuality, cleanliness, and hospitality would be far more impactful.
So, a suggestion to BA: bring back free tea and coffee onboard. Better yet, bring back beverages onboard so that people are less conflicted booking BA over EasyJet or Ryanair.
CONCLUSION
British Airways introduced a ban on employees drinking coffee or other beverages in public while in uniform, only to scrap most of the restrictions days later after fierce backlash from unions and staff. The new rules now permit crew to enjoy drinks when seated in public areas, though walking with coffee in hand remains discouraged. Instead of micro-managing its crew, BA would better serve its customers by focusing on improving the basics of service, including offering passengers a quality cup of coffee ot tea included in their fare.
image: British Airways / hat tip: PYOK
I absolutely love how many people think that the Euro carriers do so much better and yet all of the US carriers except for the ultra low cost carriers offer a full beverage service in general on flights over one hour and o1/2 or so and even water on all but the shortest flights.
Most people are comapring the non-seat aspect of business class when they compare American to inter-European flights (ie food served on board plus lounge access).
Tim…get help. For your sake. Your parasocial relationship with Delta is not healthy and your love for that airline is unrequited.
Almost none of the European carriers offer free coffee in ECY anymore. For a true bare bones experience, try to fly Lufthansa on intra European flights.
SAS and Air Baltic do…and SAS free coffee in economy is actually good!
KLM, AF, Aegean, LOT, ITA, Turkish all serve complimentary coffee in Y. I don’t really drink that stuff though, I am too used to espresso.
Coffee is a dangerous hot drink , which can burn and scald . Serving it in a moving aircraft can burn passengers . Better to Not serve it .
On the other hand , a nice gin and tonic , or vodka and tonic , will hit the spot without danger of burns . More than acceptable , instead of dangerous coffee .