Last time we flew BA in April of this year our flight from LHR to IAD was cancelled. We were auto-rebooked to BWI which didn't work from us. Then the hapless agent at the India call center tried to rebook us to Dallas instead of Dulles. It was only 2 letters different so maybe it would work! It took 3 hours on the phone to get us rebooked on a suitable flight.

We are scheduled to fly BA 216 from IAD to LHR the last week in Sept. We're in CW. We don't have status because we only fly BA once, sometimes twice/year. Originally we were on a 777 but there was an equipment change to an A350. There's a later BA flt 292 from IAD which is a A380. In the event BA cancels 216 and BA 292 can't accommodate all the pax from BA 216, I want to be prepared with alternatives and try to avoid the mess we had in April.

United, Virgin, Lufthansa & Austrian Airlines all have direct flights which depart IAD for LHR about the same time as BA 216. I only looked at United and there are many seats available, including Polaris seats. My question is whether the call center will readily book us on one of these other flights. And if Polaris seats are available, would they book us into Polaris since we're in CW on BA 216?

In the event BA 216 is canceled, I'm trying to set reasonable expectations regarding what the call center could & should do for us.

Your insight is appreciated.