Originally Posted by
Jet Ranger
Had a mini moment on a BA flight last week that I thought I might mention as a DYKWIA moment. A very minor moment but it did make me smirk somewhat….
Boarding BA206 in MIA, and I was in WTP, on the A380, sitting in the bulkhead in 61A. With 2 side windows bins. Arrived at my seat, and put my small wheelie in the overhead, and moved my blanket and cushion from the seat into one window bin to use later, and my briefcase into the forward bin. Settled in and read my book whilst boarding continued.
A few moments later, a lady arrived and was to be seated in 61B. She popped her wheelie in the overhead, and then proceeded to decant the contents of her large Louis Vuitton hand bag onto the seat, including laptop, iPad, Bose headphones, a couple of iPhones, a neck cushion, water bottle etc.
She then said - excuse me, I need to put my things in the side bin. I said - oh I already have my things in the side bin, but I’m happy to share the space. Im sure I can find room for your laptop. She then announced very loudly, “I am entitled to use that space, I always get this bulkhead seat, and I am an American Airlines Executive Platinum. So if you don’t mind moving your bag, so I can use that side bin, I’d appreciate you doing that now!”
I was slightly taken aback, and thought to myself - ok, this it is actually a published benefit of a window seat in all cabins on the upper deck on a BA A380, that the window seat gets the benefit of the side bin. I checked later - it’s on the BA website. However, aware I have to share this space with the lady for the next 7.5 hrs, and always willing to compromise when it’s possible, I offered to remove my blanket and pillow, and stuff down the side of the seat, move my briefcase to the rear bin, and let her have the forward one.
So I moved them, and once I sat back and let her have the forward bin, she said - “that’s better”. And put all her stuff in the forward bin. No form of thanks offered.
We didn’t interact again, and ultimately no one really lost out or was affected, but the attitude at the beginning did make me think - Oh it could be one for the DYKWIA thread when I get round to it…..
I know BA states it is a window seat benefit, and I am always willing to compromise to make everyone’s life a bit easier, but it was the attitude of the demand that rubbed me slightly the wrong way, and could have been done in a much nicer way.