British Airways Faces Backlash Over Controversial Crew Policies: From Drink Bans to Food Theft Allegations

British Airways has recently been embroiled in a series of controversies, sparking significant employee backlash and public scrutiny. The airline’s attempts to implement strict new guidelines for its cabin crew and pilots, including bans on public beverage consumption and reports of a senior pilot caught stealing food, have led to widespread criticism and policy reversals.

Employee Beverage Ban Reversal

British Airways initially introduced a policy that prohibited flight attendants and pilots from consuming beverages like coffee or soda in public view, even requiring water to be drunk "discreetly." This move was met with strong opposition from employees and their unions, who argued that such restrictions were impractical, especially given the limited access to break rooms during long working days.

• The policy was quickly rolled back after facing significant backlash.
• Employees are now permitted to drink coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages while seated in gate areas or airport cafes.
• The ban on drinking while walking through the terminal remains in effect.
• The airline also reversed a policy that banned employees from commuting in uniform.

Critics argued that the initial policy was poorly thought out and detrimental to employee morale, suggesting that the airline should focus on more pressing issues rather than micromanaging staff’s basic needs.

Allegations of Food Theft by Senior Pilot

Adding to the airline’s recent troubles, a British Airways Airbus A380 training captain was reportedly caught on CCTV stealing food and drinks from the company’s headquarters cafeteria. The self-serve cafe operates on an honor system, and the captain was found to be repeatedly taking items without paying.

• The captain, a veteran employee earning a substantial salary, received only a warning for the repeated theft.
• Insiders and commentators noted the stark contrast between this lenient treatment and the likely severe consequences for lower-ranking staff caught in similar situations.
• This incident has fueled perceptions of a double standard within the company, where senior staff may face less stringent disciplinary actions.

These incidents collectively paint a picture of an airline struggling with employee relations and policy implementation, leading to a tarnished public image and internal discontent.

Sources

• British Airways Tried To Ban Coffee And Water For Flight Attendants—The Policy Collapsed In Days, View from the Wing.
• British Airways A380 Captain Caught Stealing Food At Headquarters, One Mile at a Time.
• British Airways Backtracks On Controversial Employee Drink Ban, One Mile at a Time.
• British Airways Bans Flight Attendants & Pilots From Drinking Coffee In Public, One Mile at a Time.