Thousands of passengers are abandoning British Airways. These are the best alternatives

Frequent flyers are breaking up with BA over changes to the BA Club loyalty programme. But which new carriers should they get into bed with?


A few weeks ago Telegraph Travel asked readers for their verdict on changes to the British Airways loyalty programme, the BA Club, which make it harder and more expensive to earn coveted silver and gold status.

Many of you said you felt that the near £7,500 spend required to earn silver status or the near £20,000 spend to make gold was so far out of reach that you would no longer prioritise BA when booking flights.

Michael Crooks, 60, a translator from Oxford, told us: “Travelling with BA used to be a ‘must’ to earn status but now, like many, I’ll be on Skyscanner to do a general search for all airlines.”

Mr Crooks certainly isn’t alone. Thousands of previously loyal customers will be turning their backs on BA. So how should these refuseniks use their new-found freedom? Which carriers should they choose, for which routes?

I’ve flown on almost all of the airlines that operate to and from the UK over the past 20 years and here are my recommendations.

Short-haul to Europe and North Africa

Air France and KLM will suit those who will in future choose Virgin Atlantic for long-haul routes, since those three carriers are members of the Skyteam airline alliance.

You earn Virgin Atlantic Flying Club air miles and tier points when you fly Air France or KLM. Sir Richard Branson’s airline is tempting disgruntled BA Club members to shift to its Flying Club by offering to match their BA status, giving them the chance to advance up the membership tiers more swiftly than at BA, and making more reward seats available on all flights at lower redemption rates.