Codeshare AA-BA service issues
 

To whom is it best to approach to deal with (multiple) service and product issues on a recent AA-BA combination itinerary?

I purchased the ticket thru AA (on AA.com)

Most of the issues were relative to BA, but not all.

Thanks,

RRZ

If you want specific advice, you really need to provide specific information.

If you want general advice, it is the carrier which failed to whom you ought to complain. Bear in mind that while there is a temptation to submit laundry lists of complaints, you should pick the one or possibly two compelling issues and drop your other displeasures.

Varies.
For example, lost luggage or delayed luggage has to be dealt with the carrier operating the last segment of your itinerary and has to be handled at the airport upon arrival (even though your bag might have been lost on the first leg by a different carrier).

I'm basing my question on Delta's practice of handling all complaints for their codeshare partners (KLM/AF/Virgin in particular), especially when the ticket is purchased thru Delta. I don't know how such matters are handled on AA, therefore the inquiry. I have found (with the Delta codeshares anyway) that European carriers are comparatively poor in responding and following up to issues.

That said, this trip was so disappointing that I've certainly regretted the decision to "stray".

AA only handles AA issues. Any issues with BA need to be taken up with BA.

Would appreciate some details, if only to satisfy my curiosity. Sounds like your bad experience was on BA, not AA. I'm not too shocked, but of course everyone associates AA with poor service, and BA in general gets a pass. So I'm curious what happened.

OAK-PHX-LHR-AMS. The OAK-PHX was AA, the rest BA, and ditto in return, same routing.

At check in, AA only provided boarding pass for the first flight, I had to check in again in PHX and LHR. AA blamed BA

BA's problems included significant delays, terrible hard product (rickety 747's - broken window shade (would not close), limited/broken IFE, terrible food, non-responsive staff onboard (5x call button - ignored) and miserable security re-screening at LHR)

On the return, again boarding pass issues, but in reverse. Issued BA passes, but not AA. To get AA pass on arrival in PHX, the app didn't work, the kiosks didn't work, agents could not/would not help at luggage recheck (to get boarding pass). Had to go to the main check in counter, and wait an hour (in the kettle lane) to resolve. Just for a boarding pass....(again, AA blamed BA).

No wifi on any segment, except PHX-OAK. The only thing that "worked" was luggage - except that it took a longgggg time in PHX to retrieve bags at the intl' connection. OAK baggage retrieval was fast and easy.

Pretty sucky trip though.

The boarding pass issue is due to the fact AA uses Sabre and BA uses Amadeus. Sometimes they can issue the boarding passes, sometimes they can't.

You might complain to BA about the broken IFE and the lack of response to the call button, but everything else I would just leave alone.

Agree. Everything else is par for the course (especially assuming this is economy class), including the transit security process at LHR. Quite certifiably a PITA but there's literally nothing we can do about it.

If your BA delay was significant remember EC261 as a European based carrier EC261 applies to flights that originate anywhere (unlike non-European carriers where EC261 only applies for flights originating in Europe). More than 3 hours late to your final destination you could be entitled to compensation unless delay was extraordinary circumstances.

The security process at LHR is nothing to do with any airline!

This is why I avoid VS when having connections in Europe on DL.

Also, OP, why didn't you go to the boarding gate in PHX for your BP for the last segment? Most airports will let international travelers coming out of customs to go through security again without requiring a BP

If this applied to you at PHX the GA for your AA flight could have issued the BP too, even after check in cutoff time (as I believe BA checked you in all the way thru, they just didn't issue the AA BP)

Eh, I'm not aware of any airport, in the US at least, that will let you do that.

No airport in the US will let you through TSA security without a valid boarding pass. Even in cases where you're just accessing the terminal to use the lounge or shopping, etc. you're still required to have a dummy boarding pass.

ATL and DTW come to mind...keep in mind, I didn't say they'd let you through from the check in area. Specifically from international arrivals post-customs, they just ask for your ID and put you in a line to go through. At ATL it's in Terminal F, to the left of the recheck/need assistance desks. Don't remember where it is in DTW.

But it's wonderful if I'm terminating in ATL but want to use a SkyClub...they'll just let you through and after screening can access any SkyClub.

OP really needs to narrow his complaints to 1-2 reasonable matters. These appear to be product issued with the BA-operated aircraft and that is the carrier which ought to receive those. The rest is all minor stuff. As to WiFi, did BA advertise it?

If he was delayed at AMS by 3+ hours, depending on the reason for delay, he may be due EUR 300, if by 4+ hours, EUR 600. As noted above, the details matter and it is hard to understand why it is so hard to obtain them.

PHX does not have a separate transit security checkpoint so clearing TSA w/o a bp is not possible.