I write this, because it should not be happening in 2025.

I traveled back home on Sunday to AUH. For week’s the flight had been sold out in F, J and W but I had a confirmed seat in W. Upon boarding my first departing flight from GLA I noticed that EF was showing F1 J1 and W1 and lo and behold even the BA app was selling tickets.

An hour later I landed in LHR and EF and the BA App were both still showing avail in J. it was 3 hours until my flight to AUH departed (22:10 departure) so thought I had enough time.

So I pick up the phone to GGL at 1920 hours to try to change my ticket from W to J using cash (it was a revenue booking in W to begin with).


1. The agent saw the availability but took 20 minutes to secure the seat. He then hung up on me.
2. I speak to the CCR Info Desk and ask them if I can change a ticket with them. They said no - no one has that ability at LHR
3. GGL agent calls me back. This is 1955. Explains there is a fare difference and I accept. He says he has to offload me from the flight to be able to change the ticket. I provide card details
through the secure system. He then says he will have to call through to Manchester before they close. The call disconnects.
4. GGL agent calls me back for the second time, at 2015 hours. Says that Manchester was now closed and he has to call through to India. He says this may take some time. The call disconnects, again.
5. By 2100 hours I hadn’t had any call back. So I go back to CCR Desk who then call their fares and ticketing team - they refuse to touch the ticket because India is working on it.
6. Flight closes at 2110. Still not ticketed.
7. Concorde Team step in and start calling everyone they know. They inform Ground Team that I have a ticketed seat in W and a confirmed seat in J and that I need to travel and to keep check in open for me.
8. Concorde Team then call a supervisor and ask to issue me a boarding pass without e-ticket.
9. At 2125 hours I get a call back from GGL - he confirms it has been ticketed and I am in J.
10. 2126 hours I get boarding pass issued and I’m told to run to the gate.

It’s 2025. And this is the state of BA and their IT. The Concorde Team and staff member that night worked their socks off - and said they hadn’t seen anything like it in all their years at BA. I chuckled and said it’s more common than you think.