I worked at the airline just after privatization for about 7 years.

I joined as a young kid of 18 years old.

My comments are solely based on working there, not as a customer.

But couple keys things stand out - safety and security was paramount throughout all at the airline of all employees whatever they did. It was before the first gulf war. So as you can imagine safety and security even more so now. One big happy family tbh.

But, for office based employees (the majority) lunchtimes were long and boozy. There were a couple of bars that employees could access at Hatton Cross that BA owned - who knows they may still be there. One was called the Concorde Club, if I recall, where managers could put wine on expenses no problem. Cor blimey, even I did as well!

Breakfast lunch and dinner were heavily subsidised.

Lunches come Friday were a couple of hours at least for even the likes of little me.

After privatisation the company transformed itself into a professional robust and world leader in commercial airline travel. Safety was always paramount still but the long boozy lunches finished.

Putting all the recent gripes about current management, BA is a much better airline since privatisation, by a mile.