Originally Posted by Gynob001

After reading Airline news and many postings in FlyerTalk, one can't help feeling that BA is a third rate airlines! Is it that bad?
To me what matters are,
1. Good seating area at the gate.

This varies by airport. Heathrow generally has an ok gate area. I find this is a weakness of Gatwick South as getting into the gate area can take time.

2. Relaxed gate agent who is cheerful and politely answers questions. Posts updated info.

BA’s own ground staff (at Heathrow / Gatwick, I can’t speak for City) are normally pretty good. You won’t find they take such an active role as US gate agents with large upgrade standby lists to process.

In my view, information about boarding status / gate information is not that good on any European airline compared to their US counterparts.

3. Easy structured boarding

BA boards by Group number. I think it tends to work well but, different airports operate it differently.

4. Convenient seating. I am neither tall or obese. Most seats are OK as long as they are supportive of my back and butt

You should be fine.

5. Decent room for storing one piece of allowed luggage

Yes on international. On European narrowbody flights, it can be a challenge on busy services.
6. I do get hungry-a light snack on domestic flights and a meal on International. I don't care for dessert etc.

You won’t go hungry on BA but you may have to pay for snacks if you fly shorthaul.

7. Prompt departure and arrival.

BA are good at punctuality. Only caveat is that when things go wrong, because of their scale, they seem particularly inept at recovering / communicating and looking after customers (ie IRROPS scenarios).

8. Doors of the plane closing/opening for easy boarding and getting off.

BA do not hang about. At London airports, BA’s own ‘Turn-Round Manager’ or ‘Turn-Round Coordinator’ (dispatchers) run a tight ship. They close their fligjts on time and at Heathrow T5 will not let you through security if you arrive beyond a certain time - so no hanging about for latecomers. On arrival, generally not too bad - as with any major airline, there can sometimes be a short wait for guidance systems to be activated or for the jetty to be positioned, but BA is not unique in that.

9. I bring my own entertainment. However, good movie selections on long distance flights.

Generally yes.

10. Important-I do like a pillow. It serves me to buffer intruding neighbor's hands. In this, all airlines have failed in economy, at least in domestic flights.

BA will fail you in economy on shorthaul and longhaul the pillow is no better than most other airlines. You can buy your own in the airport.

Has BA failed in these? Which airlines excel in these at a reasonable cost. I have had bad experience in Singapore Airlines-In my opinion they treat Asian Indians like dirt (even in fully paid business class). I like Delta, Malaysian, Air France.

I like to think that Britain in general, and certainly London where BA crew are based, is a very diverse place. Whilst I am not going to say that there are never any issues or unconscious bias / prejudice, which is an issue everywhere, I would hope you wouldn’t experience any issues on BA. Not being a member of the Asian Indian group myself, I don’t have any direct experience, however.