Works fine as long as the flight isn't delayed half an hour. Then what do you want? Go back up to the lounge or sit in Costa waiting?

I wasn't specifically saying it was a "problem" - I mean, I do exactly the same (get to the gate before boarding stars) when flying Ryanair, Easyjet, etc

What I was saying was that when booking a paid F class ticket from say MAN to LAX, you don't expect problems finding a place for a reasonable sized carry on.

Obviously, regular MAN flyers "know the system", and know that leaving the lounge on the first boarding call isn't enough to guarantee overhead space, even with a J ticket.

However, if I was flying the route for the first time, and was caught out, you could guarantee the next time I was flying MAN to Somewhere Else, I'd choose LH, KL or one of the other airlines with a J class cabin where you won't get this sort of hassle. Hence why I think BA are getting it a bit wrong.

Good to hear things are better at other regional airports though.