This is a question that I have been pondering lately.

From reading recent TR’s and people’s experiences on here (and other airlines come to think of it) do we simply expect too much? If we have used air miles to book First/Business, should be maybe expect less a service? If I pay £6k for a First class flight on BA, should I expect more?

I am due to get married at the end of the month in New York and as I’m moving out to the States I needed to take extra luggage. As a result I changed a US Air booking and booked First on BA. I’ve never ever step foot on a BA plane and in the back of my mind I am half expecting a substandard service. Why? Simply because of what I have read here. (Obviously I hope that is not the case).

The other side of the coin is taking a hard look at us: the traveller. Does our attitude need to be looked at? When we board the plane, is our demeanour, our attitude, our tone that triggers off the negative vibe to the staff from the off that then sets the stage for the rest of the journey?

I look back at a recent flight home from PHL in Envoy with US Airways back in the December. The old girl serving me was my grandmothers age and I felt like I was inconveniencing her throughout. I asked for a simple glass of water, it didn’t come. 10 minutes later I asked another lady who got it for me. When Nan came back 20 minutes later, I got a right snotty reply......and I’m thinking “are you serious”?

I then think of the times I’ve flown Business with Singapore, Thai etc. Stunning, attentive service, genuine service!!! To put it in simple terms, it was a pleasure to fly with them! So is it maybe a culture thing? Could the answer lie in that?

I don’t know what the right or wrong answer is here, and I’m only thinking out aloud. Maybe my thoughts are generated from reading only negative reviews when 90% of the time the service is excellent??

I am very much looking forward to Friday’s flight and the BA ‘First’ experience. I will go with an open mind. If it goes wrong, well can I really complain? I’ve only paid £300 odd!

Cheers ^

PS. As per the below, I am talking about longhaul First and Business.