British Airways - not impressed
Discussion
pushthebutton said:
Oops.
I'm using my phone. I didn't notice the change in poster. BA/HAL have almost zero influence over the setting of Govt department budgets.l. It's a lovely thought though. A well organised tax payer campaign would have way more influence, but will end with the question "ok, whose budget would you like us to cut?"
Regarding T5-T3, the Govt at the time set the limits on number of movements when granting permission to build T5. I read the report a while ago, but I remember the main points. BA have no choice, but to move some flights as they're reaching these Govt imposed caps. Demand, however, has quickly outgrown those caps and hence the move of some flights to T3.
I'd humbly suggest that these/your issues lie with the Govt at the time and now.
Doesn't mean I can't be pissed that the route I use often was one of those cut from T5! I'm using my phone. I didn't notice the change in poster. BA/HAL have almost zero influence over the setting of Govt department budgets.l. It's a lovely thought though. A well organised tax payer campaign would have way more influence, but will end with the question "ok, whose budget would you like us to cut?"
Regarding T5-T3, the Govt at the time set the limits on number of movements when granting permission to build T5. I read the report a while ago, but I remember the main points. BA have no choice, but to move some flights as they're reaching these Govt imposed caps. Demand, however, has quickly outgrown those caps and hence the move of some flights to T3.
I'd humbly suggest that these/your issues lie with the Govt at the time and now.
RammyMP said:
The Moose said:
RammyMP said:
I've just returned from Miami in business, to be honest it was good and I'd fly with BA again but no way through Heathrow, it was a nightmare this morning and BA's organisation was poor. Took full advantage of the lounge though, the boy had seven bacon butties the pig!
It's one of the routes I use the most through Heathrow and it pissed me off when they move the Miami route out of T5.tim0409 said:
RammyMP said:
The Moose said:
RammyMP said:
I've just returned from Miami in business, to be honest it was good and I'd fly with BA again but no way through Heathrow, it was a nightmare this morning and BA's organisation was poor. Took full advantage of the lounge though, the boy had seven bacon butties the pig!
It's one of the routes I use the most through Heathrow and it pissed me off when they move the Miami route out of T5.I think it's very fashionable to dislike BA. No airline is perfect and BA is far from it. I tend to find that BA crew are the best in the world when they are in a good mood or complete battle axe when not. I have seen a larger proportion of younger CC on flights in the past two years. I think alot of the older unionised Doris' are going and replacing with a crew model more similar to Virgin, which I have nothing to complaint about.
Being based in the UK BA has a very good network, It flies to the major places globally with a few minor exceptions. It doesn't have a great domestic network, but thats' more in part to runway slots than anything else (bring on 3rd runway!) flying out of mostly T5 is top notch. I think it's one of the world best terminals. Galleries lounge are good but fixings starting to look a little worn in areas.
The Oneworld alliance is well rounded now. its has some partner/codeshares that compliment BA well. Iberia to South America, Finnair to Asia, Qatar plus AA. I do as much travel with them and still earn points. I am also a big fan of BA new WT+, particularly on the A380.
Yes BA keep eroding certain benefits (recently announced cutting second meals in some short long haul flights in Y) It will be interesting to see how BA reacts if and when we get a genuine transatlantic long haul low cost airline and its getting a bit ridiculous now in terms of cost cutting.
You just can't compare BA to the ME3, Qatar and Etihad openly admit they don't want to make a profit, it's purely an exercise in country brand awareness. Emirates has a slightly more profit orientated model but it has so many less regulations to deal with. Potential consequential costs like EU261 have to be accounted for etc.
When ever BA have delayed or cancelled a flight they have done a good job for me. People sometimes expect it to happen instantly, but you have to give them a little time to sort the mess, it's hard when you don't have time but sometimes you have to sort it and deal with it afterwards. They usually say weird excuses at first because they don't have the information in front of them. Once instructions come from corporate I find the staff on the ground get it done quickly.
I would take BA with happy cabin crew and a quicker travel time then flying through the UAE and transferring. Yes the TV screen might be bigger but the staff on those carriers don't have any history, their bought in for a price, it's just not the same, they don't have that pride. IFE is becoming slowly more irrelevant when people are bringing tablets etc.
Comparing to other European legacy carriers it's in the mix. One of the biggest problems it that it's club world is becoming very out of date. Having to climb over people feet just isn't acceptable when the yardstick is all seats with direct aisle access. It was the first to come up with the lie flat seat and it has to innovate again. I now much prefer the new AA J seat to the BA. I never thought I would want to fly transatlantic with an American airline but look how times change!
Being based in the UK BA has a very good network, It flies to the major places globally with a few minor exceptions. It doesn't have a great domestic network, but thats' more in part to runway slots than anything else (bring on 3rd runway!) flying out of mostly T5 is top notch. I think it's one of the world best terminals. Galleries lounge are good but fixings starting to look a little worn in areas.
The Oneworld alliance is well rounded now. its has some partner/codeshares that compliment BA well. Iberia to South America, Finnair to Asia, Qatar plus AA. I do as much travel with them and still earn points. I am also a big fan of BA new WT+, particularly on the A380.
Yes BA keep eroding certain benefits (recently announced cutting second meals in some short long haul flights in Y) It will be interesting to see how BA reacts if and when we get a genuine transatlantic long haul low cost airline and its getting a bit ridiculous now in terms of cost cutting.
You just can't compare BA to the ME3, Qatar and Etihad openly admit they don't want to make a profit, it's purely an exercise in country brand awareness. Emirates has a slightly more profit orientated model but it has so many less regulations to deal with. Potential consequential costs like EU261 have to be accounted for etc.
When ever BA have delayed or cancelled a flight they have done a good job for me. People sometimes expect it to happen instantly, but you have to give them a little time to sort the mess, it's hard when you don't have time but sometimes you have to sort it and deal with it afterwards. They usually say weird excuses at first because they don't have the information in front of them. Once instructions come from corporate I find the staff on the ground get it done quickly.
I would take BA with happy cabin crew and a quicker travel time then flying through the UAE and transferring. Yes the TV screen might be bigger but the staff on those carriers don't have any history, their bought in for a price, it's just not the same, they don't have that pride. IFE is becoming slowly more irrelevant when people are bringing tablets etc.
Comparing to other European legacy carriers it's in the mix. One of the biggest problems it that it's club world is becoming very out of date. Having to climb over people feet just isn't acceptable when the yardstick is all seats with direct aisle access. It was the first to come up with the lie flat seat and it has to innovate again. I now much prefer the new AA J seat to the BA. I never thought I would want to fly transatlantic with an American airline but look how times change!
pushthebutton said:
Fair and unemotional - thanks for posting. Sounds like you travel a fair bit?
If you haven't already, please feed this back as high up the chain as possible
Flights are like buses for me, haven't had any for two months but did 23 in the previous two months but yes I am usually on the go mostly during winter and spring.If you haven't already, please feed this back as high up the chain as possible
I've sent feedback when I can, but I can't remember when I was last asked/emailed etc for a survey by BA
I've had plenty of long layovers to think about this!
I've been writing it down and I think I've flown with 31 different airlines in the past 4 years. I would rate BA just about in the top 5, but I haven't flown on a couple of highly rated airlines (Singapore and Cathay for example) so I might not be the best judge.
LeapingDeere said:
I think it's very fashionable to dislike BA. No airline is perfect and BA is far from it. I tend to find that BA crew are the best in the world when they are in a good mood or complete battle axe when not. I have seen a larger proportion of younger CC on flights in the past two years. I think alot of the older unionised Doris' are going and replacing with a crew model more similar to Virgin, which I have nothing to complaint about.
Being based in the UK BA has a very good network, It flies to the major places globally with a few minor exceptions. It doesn't have a great domestic network, but thats' more in part to runway slots than anything else (bring on 3rd runway!) flying out of mostly T5 is top notch. I think it's one of the world best terminals. Galleries lounge are good but fixings starting to look a little worn in areas.
The Oneworld alliance is well rounded now. its has some partner/codeshares that compliment BA well. Iberia to South America, Finnair to Asia, Qatar plus AA. I do as much travel with them and still earn points. I am also a big fan of BA new WT+, particularly on the A380.
Yes BA keep eroding certain benefits (recently announced cutting second meals in some short long haul flights in Y) It will be interesting to see how BA reacts if and when we get a genuine transatlantic long haul low cost airline and its getting a bit ridiculous now in terms of cost cutting.
You just can't compare BA to the ME3, Qatar and Etihad openly admit they don't want to make a profit, it's purely an exercise in country brand awareness. Emirates has a slightly more profit orientated model but it has so many less regulations to deal with. Potential consequential costs like EU261 have to be accounted for etc.
When ever BA have delayed or cancelled a flight they have done a good job for me. People sometimes expect it to happen instantly, but you have to give them a little time to sort the mess, it's hard when you don't have time but sometimes you have to sort it and deal with it afterwards. They usually say weird excuses at first because they don't have the information in front of them. Once instructions come from corporate I find the staff on the ground get it done quickly.
I would take BA with happy cabin crew and a quicker travel time then flying through the UAE and transferring. Yes the TV screen might be bigger but the staff on those carriers don't have any history, their bought in for a price, it's just not the same, they don't have that pride. IFE is becoming slowly more irrelevant when people are bringing tablets etc.
Comparing to other European legacy carriers it's in the mix. One of the biggest problems it that it's club world is becoming very out of date. Having to climb over people feet just isn't acceptable when the yardstick is all seats with direct aisle access. It was the first to come up with the lie flat seat and it has to innovate again. I now much prefer the new AA J seat to the BA. I never thought I would want to fly transatlantic with an American airline but look how times change!
I think it's fashionable to put up with falling standards, grotty, unhygienic planes, depressing lighting etc because it's somehow patriotic. These things don't cost that much. It's the hygiene this really gets to me.Being based in the UK BA has a very good network, It flies to the major places globally with a few minor exceptions. It doesn't have a great domestic network, but thats' more in part to runway slots than anything else (bring on 3rd runway!) flying out of mostly T5 is top notch. I think it's one of the world best terminals. Galleries lounge are good but fixings starting to look a little worn in areas.
The Oneworld alliance is well rounded now. its has some partner/codeshares that compliment BA well. Iberia to South America, Finnair to Asia, Qatar plus AA. I do as much travel with them and still earn points. I am also a big fan of BA new WT+, particularly on the A380.
Yes BA keep eroding certain benefits (recently announced cutting second meals in some short long haul flights in Y) It will be interesting to see how BA reacts if and when we get a genuine transatlantic long haul low cost airline and its getting a bit ridiculous now in terms of cost cutting.
You just can't compare BA to the ME3, Qatar and Etihad openly admit they don't want to make a profit, it's purely an exercise in country brand awareness. Emirates has a slightly more profit orientated model but it has so many less regulations to deal with. Potential consequential costs like EU261 have to be accounted for etc.
When ever BA have delayed or cancelled a flight they have done a good job for me. People sometimes expect it to happen instantly, but you have to give them a little time to sort the mess, it's hard when you don't have time but sometimes you have to sort it and deal with it afterwards. They usually say weird excuses at first because they don't have the information in front of them. Once instructions come from corporate I find the staff on the ground get it done quickly.
I would take BA with happy cabin crew and a quicker travel time then flying through the UAE and transferring. Yes the TV screen might be bigger but the staff on those carriers don't have any history, their bought in for a price, it's just not the same, they don't have that pride. IFE is becoming slowly more irrelevant when people are bringing tablets etc.
Comparing to other European legacy carriers it's in the mix. One of the biggest problems it that it's club world is becoming very out of date. Having to climb over people feet just isn't acceptable when the yardstick is all seats with direct aisle access. It was the first to come up with the lie flat seat and it has to innovate again. I now much prefer the new AA J seat to the BA. I never thought I would want to fly transatlantic with an American airline but look how times change!
shopper150 said:
I think it's fashionable to put up with falling standards, grotty, unhygienic planes, depressing lighting etc because it's somehow patriotic. These things don't cost that much. It's the hygiene this really gets to me.
That's some fairly generalised, sweeping statements.I'm sure you have a few news articles to hand to highlight individual occurrences, but do you have something more substantial do back up your claims? Maybe a targeted survey using a statistically significant sample of BA flights?
How often do you travel on BA? To build up the picture that you have you must have done a lot of flights?
Which parts of the hygiene really get to you?
shopper150 said:
I think it's fashionable to put up with falling standards, grotty, unhygienic planes, depressing lighting etc because it's somehow patriotic. These things don't cost that much. It's the hygiene this really gets to me.
Cant say I've ever seen dirty plane inside, if that's the case BA ought to be checking with the cleaning company since it's out sourced.I would agree that you come off a bad flight with some witch for cabin crew and you think you've had enough of them but then they turn it round on another flight and it renews your faith. As I said before, if they don't change their club world seat soonish I don't think I will be using BA directly on any long haul if I can help it and instead use other Oneworld partners.
Looks like The Economist is none too enamoured with the recent "enhancements" according to their travel blog.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2016/08/fl...
http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2016/08/fl...
pushthebutton said:
LeapingDeere said:
I think it's very fashionable to dislike BA. No airline is perfect and BA is far from it...
Fair and unemotional - thanks for posting. Sounds like you travel a fair bit?If you haven't already, please feed this back as high up the chain as possible
I take no joy in knocking them. I hold an ATPL(A) so I know how hard airlines have it, but gash service is gash service.
Next time BA don't hire a bunch of Indians that inflated their qualifications and ability to write your computer back system and you'll get on better.
Hainey said:
I think you're allowed to dislike them when it takes them 3 days to get you and your family from the LHR to LA. That's not emotion that's fact.
I take no joy in knocking them. I hold an ATPL(A) so I know how hard airlines have it, but gash service is gash service.
Next time BA don't hire a bunch of Indians that inflated their qualifications and ability to write your computer back system and you'll get on better.
Bottom bit reads a bit 'emotionally' to me. Apologies. I take no joy in knocking them. I hold an ATPL(A) so I know how hard airlines have it, but gash service is gash service.
Next time BA don't hire a bunch of Indians that inflated their qualifications and ability to write your computer back system and you'll get on better.
I don't know the facts surrounding your journey and why it took 3 days. I can ask lots of questions and maybe offer some explanation, but I doubt it'd satisfy you; sometimes, mistakes happen. I very much doubt that BA are alone in getting passenger to their destinations later than promised. A quick Google provides loads of examples of long delays from *insert airline name here*
The new computer system definitely caused issues; as did T5 when it was introduced; as did the B777 when it was introduced. They've all turned out alright IMO.
...and, of course, these guys 'wrote' the new computer system:
http://www.amadeus.com/web/amadeus/en_1A-corporate...
not sure which country they hire their staff from though
Edited by pushthebutton on Monday 22 August 19:08
I flew a new A380 LHR/YVR in economy recently. Near brand new plane and new fitout. Economy seat headrests provide less support than the old ones and Business looked identical apart from cosmetics. The purser couldn't explain the headrests and agreed it was impossible to use them for support during sleep.
Yes it's quieter and the loo seems to stay cleaner. But for general impression, it falls way behind.
Yes it's quieter and the loo seems to stay cleaner. But for general impression, it falls way behind.
pushthebutton said:
Hainey said:
I think you're allowed to dislike them when it takes them 3 days to get you and your family from the LHR to LA. That's not emotion that's fact.
I take no joy in knocking them. I hold an ATPL(A) so I know how hard airlines have it, but gash service is gash service.
Next time BA don't hire a bunch of Indians that inflated their qualifications and ability to write your computer back system and you'll get on better.
Bottom bit reads a bit 'emotionally' to me. Apologies. I take no joy in knocking them. I hold an ATPL(A) so I know how hard airlines have it, but gash service is gash service.
Next time BA don't hire a bunch of Indians that inflated their qualifications and ability to write your computer back system and you'll get on better.
I don't know the facts surrounding your journey and why it took 3 days. I can ask lots of questions and maybe offer some explanation, but I doubt it'd satisfy you; sometimes, mistakes happen. I very much doubt that BA are alone in getting passenger to their destinations later than promised. A quick Google provides loads of examples of long delays from *insert airline name here*
The new computer system definitely caused issues; as did T5 when it was introduced; as did the B777 when it was introduced. They've all turned out alright IMO.
...and, of course, these guys 'wrote' the new computer system:
http://www.amadeus.com/web/amadeus/en_1A-corporate...
not sure which country they hire their staff from though
Edited by pushthebutton on Monday 22 August 19:08
Thanks for seeing what you can find out-I have complained to BA a week ago now and I'm still waiting on their response. If they do not come back with something satisfactory I may take you up on that as well as an offer from a national newspaper who picked up on it via a twitter referral.
The Indian comment is a repeat of what I was told by a (seemingly near suicidal) counter staff member. He also mentioned they had turned off the old system to force them to use the new system, which simply didn't work. We experienced that may be in fact true indeed as every code share partner they shuttled us to didn't have us on the system, despite BA claiming to do so on the computer. We had to pretty much organise ourselves to LA from Phoenix where they dumped us on day two.
All in, I flew 100,000 miles last year with business, much of it on BA. I'm finding another airline from now on as I just don't trust them anymore.
When I left flying for a living and went into business I quickly learned that one satisfied customer tells an average of seven people, a dissatisfied customer tells 19.
Their response to my complaint will see if I need to make a job out of raising that second number to the thousands.
Here's a warning for BA: Every single one of competing long haul airlines has a better business class product. But a lot of people, including me, still fly BA J because the flight attendants are good and it suits my schedules. Given that just about everything in J on the competitors is better, cutting the J catering and other penny pinching will just mean that J passengers fly on somebody else.
The new BA check in system is s
t. Denying boarding to passengers who have turned up at the airport on time because your new computer system doesn't work properly is unacceptable.
The new BA check in system is s
t. Denying boarding to passengers who have turned up at the airport on time because your new computer system doesn't work properly is unacceptable. Heres my CSB;
Just come back from Vietnam with BA (Heathrow to KL, then Vietnam Airlines for KL to SGN flying out, then VA from SGN to HK, BA HK - LHR).
Flying out, 'newish' plane i believe, was kept fairly clean from what i saw. Was given 100ml of Jack Daniels (didnt think id get this amount in peasant class but i dont tend to drink on flights). What i found funny though was that i asked for a free upgrade, the check-in staff said no sorry theres none available however if i was flying business class, he could upgrade me to 1st for free. BA i believe wanted circa £700 for peasant to business then to 1st. Though strangely, and the cabin crew werent sure how either, just before take off, some passengers did get bounced up to business or E+.
Flying back, again asked for a free upgrade, told none available flights full (at check-in), go through, ask at the Gate about upgrade, told sorry sir, flights full so no upgrades available, however, if sir wishes to purchase an upgrade then thats fine, £300 for E+ or £1200 for business. Then managed to get what looks like food poisoning from the breakfast they served, was fine for 17 days in Nam (ive got a weak stomach, spicest i go is a Masala in general) but for the past 36 hours, lets just say its not been pleasant.
Just come back from Vietnam with BA (Heathrow to KL, then Vietnam Airlines for KL to SGN flying out, then VA from SGN to HK, BA HK - LHR).
Flying out, 'newish' plane i believe, was kept fairly clean from what i saw. Was given 100ml of Jack Daniels (didnt think id get this amount in peasant class but i dont tend to drink on flights). What i found funny though was that i asked for a free upgrade, the check-in staff said no sorry theres none available however if i was flying business class, he could upgrade me to 1st for free. BA i believe wanted circa £700 for peasant to business then to 1st. Though strangely, and the cabin crew werent sure how either, just before take off, some passengers did get bounced up to business or E+.
Flying back, again asked for a free upgrade, told none available flights full (at check-in), go through, ask at the Gate about upgrade, told sorry sir, flights full so no upgrades available, however, if sir wishes to purchase an upgrade then thats fine, £300 for E+ or £1200 for business. Then managed to get what looks like food poisoning from the breakfast they served, was fine for 17 days in Nam (ive got a weak stomach, spicest i go is a Masala in general) but for the past 36 hours, lets just say its not been pleasant.
To be fair if someone said to me can I have something I haven't paid for for free I'd be less polite than that. If £700 got me into first from economy I'd be £700 closer to my companion voucher target.
£1200 to get into club from economy is a tad steep though. You'd think if it's got capacity they'd sell the seats at a sensible price, seems like a lost opportunity to make a few quid off the sleep deprived.
As to the stomach thing a few of my friends and my sister struggled going from Vietnamese food back to a fatty, red meat and dairy product laden diet. My sister was very ill after she'd been in Nam for 3 months and it was just her body's way of saying what the fk is this you're trying to feed me!
£1200 to get into club from economy is a tad steep though. You'd think if it's got capacity they'd sell the seats at a sensible price, seems like a lost opportunity to make a few quid off the sleep deprived.
As to the stomach thing a few of my friends and my sister struggled going from Vietnamese food back to a fatty, red meat and dairy product laden diet. My sister was very ill after she'd been in Nam for 3 months and it was just her body's way of saying what the f
k is this you're trying to feed me!lemmingjames said:
What i found funny though was that i asked for a free upgrade, the check-in staff said no sorry theres none available
Flying back, again asked for a free upgrade, told none available flights full (at check-in), go through, ask at the Gate about upgrade, told sorry sir, flights full so no upgrades available,
Ever had any success with that tactic before?Flying back, again asked for a free upgrade, told none available flights full (at check-in), go through, ask at the Gate about upgrade, told sorry sir, flights full so no upgrades available,
GT03ROB said:
lemmingjames said:
What i found funny though was that i asked for a free upgrade, the check-in staff said no sorry theres none available
Flying back, again asked for a free upgrade, told none available flights full (at check-in), go through, ask at the Gate about upgrade, told sorry sir, flights full so no upgrades available,
Ever had any success with that tactic before?Flying back, again asked for a free upgrade, told none available flights full (at check-in), go through, ask at the Gate about upgrade, told sorry sir, flights full so no upgrades available,
Some have the correct approach, some do not.
Demeanour, dress and good old fashioned manners play an important part. Staff are switched off by the 'sense of entitlement' attached to a request and are receptive to the request of an honest and genuine passenger who has a problem.
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