I just had a message from US friends who had just flown LHR-PHL on A B77W G-STBE which has yet to be upgraded to CS. It was part of a multi centre European holiday. It was only their second flight with BA and the first was in CS and so they were deeply shocked to find themselves in a ghetto, hemmed in (their words) on both sides. They described the onboard service as sporadic and lacklustre and 3 out if 4 of them didn’t get their first choice of meals and she was not at all impressed by being told to drink water from her bottle on boarding. For reference, They flew outbound in Delta One and have flown with one of the Middle East airlines in J and also VS in Upper. To add insult to injury, 3 of them didn’t get their luggage and have been assured it will arrive today.

They are also due to fly MIA-LHR-HKG with BA next spring for a cruise and return SIN-LHR-MIA with BA and she is going to phone on Monday to either change airline or cancel. I advised that there is still a 30% chance of being in CW and aircraft changes are common so they can’t rely on CS being a given. I have a large amount of sympathy because I dislike CW intensely and always have done. It made me wonder if BA CW is now the worst transatlantic J seating from the UK or, for example, does any airline still provide non flatbed seats?

I’m sat on 500K of Avios and three 2-4-1 vouchers and am price driven because we make regular trips to see our only grandchildren but I’m curious to know what’s available if price is not such a significant factor and when the expected date is for completion of the upgrade from CW to CS?