British Airways Route To Boston Featured One Of Its Most Unpopular Bans Yet: U.S. Passengers Revolt

Some airline bans are more popular than others. Earlier in the year, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines garnered praise for cracking down on passengers who fly barefoot. The ruling does make sense, though it is still loosely enforced.

British Airways, on the other hand, has received mixed reviews for its recent efforts. Wisely, the airline didn’t commit to a complete crackdown. Instead, they took a slower approach, starting with select U.S. flights. The airline quickly learned during the trial run that passengers weren’t embracing the new strategy, despite the potential environmental benefits, such as reducing plastic waste.

In this case, it appears as though passengers weren’t ready for the bold change.

Here’s a closer look at the ban in question, and how passengers reacted to British Airways’ bold change.

British Airways Caused A Stir Over Its Water Bottle Ban During A Route To Boston

British Airways’ efforts to reduce plastic use certainly aren’t anything new. In 2020, the airline had a bold objective: to remove a quarter of a billion items of single-use plastic from its flights by the end of the year.

At the time, the airline had issued a list of several new initiatives aimed at reducing the number.

British Airways’ Plastic Reductions:

• Swapped plastic stirrers with bamboo alternatives
• Reduced plastic packaging on Club World amenity kits
• Swapped plastic wrapping for all bedding and blankets for paper wrapping (currently being rolled out across all cabins)
• Removed plastic wrapping on headsets and instead placed these inside paper charity envelopes in World Traveler cabins
• Water bottles on board are made from 50% recycled plastic
• Removed inflight retail plastic bags

Alternatives to single-use plastic cutlery, tumblers, cups, toothpicks and butter packaging on board were also on the agenda.

One of the primary keys on the list was reducing plastic in water bottles. Wisely, the airline decided against obliterating bottles and aimed its efforts at making them from 50% plastic. The effort didn’t cause a stir and was generally viewed as positive.

quick-forward five years, and the airline took a bold approach that passengers clearly did not want, omitting plastic water bottles.

That’s right, British Airways tested removing bottled water from long-haul flights. That included a test run during a route from London Heathrow to Boston in June. Other airports also took part, including Miami and Los Angeles airports.

British Airways had the goal of reducing the use of single-use plastics. However, customers had a different takeaway from the change, accusing the airline of cost-cutting.

Given the adverse reactions, British Airways wisely decided to end the test run. Bottled water has been restored to all flights, including routes to Boston, Miami, and LA.

How Passengers Reacted To British Airways’ Short-Lived Water Bottle Ban

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Let’s just say the most popular reactions disagreed with British Airways’ test-run. For the most part, passengers felt that the initiative was less about the environment and more focused on cutting costs while increasing profits.

One user wrote:

“I would recommend than anyone experiencing this trial should make their feeling knows to BA. This will likely be dressed up as an environmental enhancement of some sort but it’s definitely not that.”

Another user added, “To be honest, plastic bottles of water are a pain, they should just make it easier to fill up your bottle before you board and provide water fountains for people at the gate by forcing airports to invest.”

Others made mention that the change would put added pressure on the flight crews.

“Wow, what immediately comes to mind is do they hate their staff that much – might they need to hire a permanent water host to run around filling up cups? I would love to see the plastic bottles go but the paper cups really don’t hold much water and I think the wax means they can’t be recycled and definitely not reused.”

British Airways hasn’t said much about the failed test-run. However, they are actively trying to reduce emissions while making reductions elsewhere to limit negative impacts on the environment.

British Airways Is Committed To Sustainability Practices, Committed To Zero Carbon Emissions By 2050

British Airways refers to it as the “Flightpath to Net Zero.” The airline remains committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2025. Improvements are especially vital given that aviation continues to grow given the demand for travel rising over the years.

Because of this, major airlines need to issue changes. British Airways in particular has several targets in mind to achieve.

Sustaining aviation fuels is another primary key for the path forward. With its parent company, IAG, the company has committed $3.5 billion to SAF investments, in another attempt to reduce carbon emissions and reach net-zero by 2050.

Without a doubt, an admirable commitment. However, passengers clearly aren’t ready for all the changes.

Let us know your thoughts on British Airways’ failed ban attempt on plastic water bottles. Is it too soon? Should the airline have continued with the experiment? Chime in down below.