British Airways - not impressed
Discussion
I still fly BA when I can, because there are still decent perks with a Gold Card, and I still manage to spend the Avios.
However the long-haul business seat is really falling behind competitors. The older in-flight-entertainment system is properly terrible, the folding screen especially frustrating (you can't watch during taxi/takeoff/approach/landing) the lack of aisle access is annoying, and they really lack some of the cooler features of Emirates/Singapore etc. (e.g. personal minibar).
However the long-haul business seat is really falling behind competitors. The older in-flight-entertainment system is properly terrible, the folding screen especially frustrating (you can't watch during taxi/takeoff/approach/landing) the lack of aisle access is annoying, and they really lack some of the cooler features of Emirates/Singapore etc. (e.g. personal minibar).
brickwall said:
I still fly BA when I can, because there are still decent perks with a Gold Card, and I still manage to spend the Avios.
However the long-haul business seat is really falling behind competitors. The older in-flight-entertainment system is properly terrible, the folding screen especially frustrating (you can't watch during taxi/takeoff/approach/landing) the lack of aisle access is annoying, and they really lack some of the cooler features of Emirates/Singapore etc. (e.g. personal minibar).
Is it sad that I love flying Emirates first class so I can play with the powered mini bar? However the long-haul business seat is really falling behind competitors. The older in-flight-entertainment system is properly terrible, the folding screen especially frustrating (you can't watch during taxi/takeoff/approach/landing) the lack of aisle access is annoying, and they really lack some of the cooler features of Emirates/Singapore etc. (e.g. personal minibar).
We had a BA flight inexplicably canceled 3 1/2 hours (5am) before a flight to Venice to catch a cruise at 5pm.
The flights they offered went via Madrid and got there at 6pm, so no good.
Long story short which involved a lot of luck, a helpful check in girl, running for gates, planes trains and automobiles from Verona we got there in time.
We got compensation of £96, but would of preferred the original flight.
Apparently, we did hear rumours that if the flight hasn't sold enough seats, they just cancel it!. Don't know how true that is?.
The flights they offered went via Madrid and got there at 6pm, so no good.
Long story short which involved a lot of luck, a helpful check in girl, running for gates, planes trains and automobiles from Verona we got there in time.
We got compensation of £96, but would of preferred the original flight.
Apparently, we did hear rumours that if the flight hasn't sold enough seats, they just cancel it!. Don't know how true that is?.
Hainey said:
brickwall said:
I still fly BA when I can, because there are still decent perks with a Gold Card, and I still manage to spend the Avios.
However the long-haul business seat is really falling behind competitors. The older in-flight-entertainment system is properly terrible, the folding screen especially frustrating (you can't watch during taxi/takeoff/approach/landing) the lack of aisle access is annoying, and they really lack some of the cooler features of Emirates/Singapore etc. (e.g. personal minibar).
Is it sad that I love flying Emirates first class so I can play with the powered mini bar? However the long-haul business seat is really falling behind competitors. The older in-flight-entertainment system is properly terrible, the folding screen especially frustrating (you can't watch during taxi/takeoff/approach/landing) the lack of aisle access is annoying, and they really lack some of the cooler features of Emirates/Singapore etc. (e.g. personal minibar).
I also have so many "revive" and "sleep" snuff tins that I rattle wherever I go..!!
I enjoy flying BA - this year will fly around 30 times with them, almost all for pleasure (that number is higher than it would be due to couple of bargain ex-EU trips and the extra legs involved in those).
- Heathrow T5 and the BA lounges is probably the best facility in the country.
- They've got a great route network.
- Their frequent flyer scheme is the best in the business, and I'very managed to get some superb value from air miles tickets for the whole family in business/first class. In addition there are some really great perks with a gold card.
- I find the crews generally very good. I usually fly in club europe/world and almost always feel very well looked after.
- I'd concede that some of their planes are a bit tired with old IFE, but always take a tablet pre-loaded with viewing material anyway. 747 upper deck is still a pretty decent place to be, even on a non-refurb'd plane.
Their load levels are very high, so arguably a lot of people agree!
- Heathrow T5 and the BA lounges is probably the best facility in the country.
- They've got a great route network.
- Their frequent flyer scheme is the best in the business, and I'very managed to get some superb value from air miles tickets for the whole family in business/first class. In addition there are some really great perks with a gold card.
- I find the crews generally very good. I usually fly in club europe/world and almost always feel very well looked after.
- I'd concede that some of their planes are a bit tired with old IFE, but always take a tablet pre-loaded with viewing material anyway. 747 upper deck is still a pretty decent place to be, even on a non-refurb'd plane.
Their load levels are very high, so arguably a lot of people agree!
In business class I can't stand having to step over someones legs to get to the aisle and the seats are narrow and the food mediocre at best, also not being Gold anymore having to pay to reserve a seat. Sorry I just don't miss travelling BA. As I never travel west anymore my choices are better in that I can choose Emirates, Qantas, Qatar, Etihad, Singapore, Cathay Pacific all somewhat better than BA.
I fly BA for work and pleasure, and I've had both sides of this. Generally I find them very good, staff are polite, lounge and T5 are good. Their business class offering on long haul is far behind the competition now, when compared to Emirates, Singapore, etc. but isn't too bad really. Depends if you're flying East or West. I'm flying to NYC for a holiday next week with them, and looking forward to the flight as well as the stay.
That all being said, I have had a short notice (night before!) cancellation when I was flying to Warsaw for a wedding. I'd deliberately chosen a midday flight and opted for business so I could have a drink or 5 and enjoy the champagne on board - I'm pretentious like that.
However, I was left scrambling to get a seat for the early morning flight out there instead, to make sure I was there for the wedding. This rather spoilt the point of being in business, although I did grab a bacon roll or two from the lounge.
That all being said, I have had a short notice (night before!) cancellation when I was flying to Warsaw for a wedding. I'd deliberately chosen a midday flight and opted for business so I could have a drink or 5 and enjoy the champagne on board - I'm pretentious like that.
However, I was left scrambling to get a seat for the early morning flight out there instead, to make sure I was there for the wedding. This rather spoilt the point of being in business, although I did grab a bacon roll or two from the lounge. SlackBladder said:
Hainey said:
Is it sad that I love flying Emirates first class so I can play with the powered mini bar?
You mean the drinks holder with no alcohol in it?I cant see BA doing that tbh.
GT03ROB said:
Oh I don't know..... BA in 1st my glass is never dry .... which can be problematic at the other end!!
I've never been BA first so I admit I'm reaching with my last comment. Is it comparable to the other carriers?I'm going business to LAX with the family in a fortnight on holiday, I might see the upgrade cost. Just an upgrade for me, they can shlep it!
GT03ROB said:
Oh I don't know..... BA in 1st my glass is never dry .... which can be problematic at the other end!!
Same here. I flew to Tokyo with BA in First last year and I was pissed before we took off. It was just myself and the gf in the whole First cabin so they sent two of the crew back to help out in the other cabins and we had one lady left looking after us. She wouldn't let me do anything, gave me a right b
king when I went to get a bottle of water telling me to sit down and press the button. I'm obviously too used to travelling in economy where pressing the button earns you a death stare.Hainey said:
GT03ROB said:
Oh I don't know..... BA in 1st my glass is never dry .... which can be problematic at the other end!!
I've never been BA first so I admit I'm reaching with my last comment. Is it comparable to the other carriers?I'm going business to LAX with the family in a fortnight on holiday, I might see the upgrade cost. Just an upgrade for me, they can shlep it!
Hainey said:
GT03ROB said:
Oh I don't know..... BA in 1st my glass is never dry .... which can be problematic at the other end!!
I've never been BA first so I admit I'm reaching with my last comment. Is it comparable to the other carriers?I'm going business to LAX with the family in a fortnight on holiday, I might see the upgrade cost. Just an upgrade for me, they can shlep it!
Regarding 1st..... a lot of carriers have dropped 1st from their planes or are selective regarding the routes they use it on. In my view BA do not look to compete head on with the ME3 regarding 1st, they are selling different products. BA are generally priced lower. I would see BA 1st as a super business class. It is markedly better than Club in terms of service. In the last 18 months I've taken it to Australia, the Caribbean & the Gulf several times. I've used it either because it was cheaper than Club, used Avios or through free upgrades.
Hainey said:
I've never been BA first so I admit I'm reaching with my last comment. Is it comparable to the other carriers?
I'm going business to LAX with the family in a fortnight on holiday, I might see the upgrade cost. Just an upgrade for me, they can shlep it!
I go to LAX twice a year and always try to get on the A380 - think its the only journey that BA use it for - upper deck business is great imo and throw in some avios you can shave off a few £££'s. I'm going business to LAX with the family in a fortnight on holiday, I might see the upgrade cost. Just an upgrade for me, they can shlep it!
I have heard Air New Zealand is also great and London is their stop to LA...their prices are always cheaper via sky scanner
SteveC72 said:
The Missus and I have just booked first class tickets to Miami with BA. They've got a sale on just now and the reduced price was less than the usual business class price.
I've never flown BA first class before and I'm a little worried now.
Don't be. Miami is on the new A380 as well so very niceI've never flown BA first class before and I'm a little worried now.
Big Raff said:
I go to LAX twice a year and always try to get on the A380 - think its the only journey that BA use it for - upper deck business is great imo and throw in some avios you can shave off a few £££'s.
I have heard Air New Zealand is also great and London is their stop to LA...their prices are always cheaper via sky scanner
BA use A380's for Miami, LA, Washington, Singapore, Hong Kong, Jo'burg and probably a couple more I can't recallI have heard Air New Zealand is also great and London is their stop to LA...their prices are always cheaper via sky scanner
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