Originally Posted by LondSE1

Dear British Airways,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this message, echoing the sentiments of countless loyal members of the British Airways Executive Club (BAEC). For years, we have been more than just customers—we were a community, a family brought together by our shared loyalty to British Airways. The BAEC was not merely a “club.” It was a connection that transcended travel.

We defended BA against critics, rationalized the downgrading of service, and even justified higher fares compared to competitors because we believed in something deeper. We believed in British Airways, in the camaraderie the BAEC fostered, and in the promise that our loyalty would be valued and respected.

The numbers speak for themselves: a forum thread discussing these recent changes has garnered nearly three-quarters of a million views—a testament to the passion and heartbreak felt by this once-thriving community. We were not just passengers; we were advocates, ambassadors, and supporters of British Airways, even in its darkest moments.

During the pandemic, when airlines faced unprecedented challenges, we stood by you. We bought BA-branded meals and cherished items like your china and silverware, not just out of nostalgia but to show solidarity. We believed we were helping our “family” through hard times. And yet, today, it feels as though this loyalty has been met with indifference.

Your recent actions have driven a wedge between British Airways and some of its most dedicated supporters. For many of us, this feels like a traumatic divorce. Some will attempt to maintain an amicable relationship, while others may never step onto a BA flight again. The pain of feeling dismissed, of realizing that we—your most loyal customers—no longer matter, is profound.

BA should be ashamed of the cold and calculated manner in which this loyal cohort has been treated. The BAEC was a unique community where strangers became friends, and friends became family. Members flew not just for destinations but for BAEC meetups, shared experiences, and the sheer joy of belonging to something special.

I urge you to reflect on the legacy of the BAEC and the people who have poured their time, money, and loyalty into making it what it was. Loyalty is not a one-way street. It is built on trust, mutual respect, and appreciation.

British Airways, this is your opportunity to mend what has been broken. Show us that we still matter, that this "family" is not just a relic of the past but a cornerstone of your future. If nothing changes, I fear that the BAEC as we knew it will be mourned as a symbol of what British Airways once stood for and, tragically, what it has lost.

Sincerely,
A Loyal but Heartbroken Member of the BAEC Community