Originally Posted by
Kiwi Flyer
You may be missing my point. It isn't possible to have every possible combination as a seamless connection, at least not unless there is limited options (eg the no interlining airline example I referred to above).
I also get annoyed when some connections are horrible (I have one coming up on same airline which switched from easy morning connection to a horrid middle of the night arrival and wait several hours with terminal shut until my onward flight). However, I still prefer the enormous flexibility that alliances offer compared to not having so many options.
Your position is well taken, but having done this trip some 20 times since April 04, I find that almost one third of the flight is full of people connecting at LHR. Others who know the baggage area at AGP can see how busy the "glass" customs area is with people waiting for their bags. BA is now running a late morning flight from Gatwick, but clearing customs at LHR and transiting by bus is not the solution. I fully understand that, in the modern airline industry, all carriers can not fit their timing 100%, but CX has a daytime flight that arrives LHR at the same time the afternoon flight leaves for AGP. On my score card that makes a LHR connection 0 for 2. I can understand BA and SQ not working out their scheduals in order for this to work, but you would think the One World Group could find a reason to make us want to travel.
But after being refused admission to the AC loung at LHR T3 last summer (Flew in SQ F transiting to MIA on Virgin C) as the Virgin Clubhouse does not open until 7am, I lost all faith in these airlines of any alliance really wanting to co operate. The ironic thing is that I am Super Elite with AC and had someone from Montreal speak to the lounge staff when I used my mobile to call them at home.