Semi-OT: Evil glares from other PAX while sat in CE
Dec 22, 2009, 8:54 am
#77
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Plymouth, UK
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By the way we had 2 fabulous legs with BA, with very friendly and professional service - going over was a super efficient lady called Wendy with a very pretty side kick, who encouraged me to partake of the champagne for breakfast. 
Although the seats might be the same there is a huge difference in the elbow room and personal space, so I think CE is worth every cent (although I did hunt out discounted CE tickets).
Although the seats might be the same there is a huge difference in the elbow room and personal space, so I think CE is worth every cent (although I did hunt out discounted CE tickets).
Dec 22, 2009, 9:01 am
#78
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When the bus had emptied and driven off, I was then boarded comfortably before the second bus arrived.NB: LX (much as I think their weight limits if enforced are ridiculous) also have the rather nice touch of 'Business Class Baggage Only' signs on the first rows of shorthaul, thus making the 'board early to nab space' argument less important ^
Dec 22, 2009, 9:07 am
#79
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 426
LX F (or connecting from it) at ZRH. Very nice it was too last time - waiting in the back of a comfy warm Merc as a bus unloaded everyone into the cold to board our A320 ZRH-LHR...with everyone trying to squint into the Merc to see what VIP or superstar was inside it. Little did they know it was plebby old me, ha! When the bus had emptied and driven off, I was then boarded comfortably before the second bus arrived.
NB: LX (much as I think their weight limits if enforced are ridiculous) also have the rather nice touch of 'Business Class Baggage Only' signs on the first rows of shorthaul, thus making the 'board early to nab space' argument less important ^
When the bus had emptied and driven off, I was then boarded comfortably before the second bus arrived.NB: LX (much as I think their weight limits if enforced are ridiculous) also have the rather nice touch of 'Business Class Baggage Only' signs on the first rows of shorthaul, thus making the 'board early to nab space' argument less important ^
Dec 22, 2009, 9:25 am
#80
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And if you have an issue with people looking at you, NEVER EVER book a LH First Class redemption. The look on the faces of the fellow passengers when a Porsche pulls up at the steps of the plane and a guy gets out holdings a board with your name on it, ready to whisk you and you alone off to the First Class Lounge whilst your fellow pax have to pile onto a bus, beats anything you will get in the front row of CE ....
What must come quite close to this is the JetQuay service at SIN. In this situation, if you take the JetQuay service, a buggy waits for you at the door with a lady with a board with your name. She then takes your baggage receipt and radios those ahead to a colleague who collects your luggage whilst you're taken to the private terminal to get your limmo into town which will have your luggage in the boot. Whilst she is radioing from the buggy, all your fellow F pax ( ...... and others) start to pile on to your buggy as though they should .... and they do not like ejection.
Dec 22, 2009, 9:30 am
#81
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Even worse (or better) is when you board a LH long-haul flight in F. They drive you across to the plane, and then ask you if they should stop the entire boarding of the plane so that you can get on, or if you want to wander to the back of the boarding queue. Choose the immediate boarding option and fellow pax will be held back whilst you board, with any hand luggage carried by a LH flunky who follows you up the stairs (assuming its a 747) and stows it away for you. Again, not for the easily embarrassed.
Dec 22, 2009, 9:31 am
#82
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When did aircraft cabins become childrens' playgrounds?
I would hope that cabin staff would immediately put a halt to a child running up and down a cabin.
There are people who want to sleep, work, or relax in peace, after all.
Dec 22, 2009, 9:36 am
#84
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Dec 22, 2009, 9:36 am
#85
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Dec 22, 2009, 9:47 am
#86
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I've got no issue with being turned back, but in this instance it was the particular manner in which it was done that irked (bit of a stroppy cow unfortunately - unlike the vast majority of LGW/BA staff).
They actually put it in writing (by e-mail) and copied in about 10 people on the BA management team at LGW. Confirmed that priority boarding for Gold and Silver should be offered without exception, and that the member of staff concerned had been talked to about both the priority boarding policy, and the manner in which she addressed premium passengers.
I agree that LGW are generally very good at pre-boarding (unlike LHR until recently...).
They actually put it in writing (by e-mail) and copied in about 10 people on the BA management team at LGW. Confirmed that priority boarding for Gold and Silver should be offered without exception, and that the member of staff concerned had been talked to about both the priority boarding policy, and the manner in which she addressed premium passengers.
I agree that LGW are generally very good at pre-boarding (unlike LHR until recently...).
Shuttle-Bored I hope you understand I wasn't having a go at you at all.
Interesting to hear how this was addressed by management. I hope they also raised it with the TRM involved.
Dec 22, 2009, 9:48 am
#87
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2-year-olds who are being held down by their parents because someone doesn't want them to wander around are emphatically not good fun for anyone within 20 metres of said child.
In general, Y on a 90 minute flight is not a place to sleep, work or relax in peace.
Nuff said.
Last edited by Raffles; Dec 22, 2009 at 9:55 am
Dec 22, 2009, 9:52 am
#88
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Spend a few quid more on the card (2 miles per £1) and Swiss F to the US is only 31,250 miles + £212 + tax one-way.
Use some BA miles to come back or buy a cheap one-way in Y.
(Lufthansa F is more expensive, unfortunately, because they don't let you do 'cash and miles' and impose a 10k each-way 'surcharge' for the 'privilege' of flying LH.)
Dec 22, 2009, 9:58 am
#89
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Whilst I remember, the easily embarrassed should also avoid picking very lightly loaded flights. You will then avoid - as I experienced once - a pan-Gatwick tannoy announcement asking you to get your arse down to the gate because everyone else on the flight has turned up early and they want to get off. (This was Air Maroc and I was in the Priority Pass lounge.)
Dec 22, 2009, 10:09 am
#90
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 426
Pandor, it is easier than you think. Get yourself the BMI Amex card. This comes with 24,000 BMI Diamond Club miles. This is almost enough miles for a one-way First Class Swiss ticket to the Middle East (eg LHR-ZRH-DXB) which only requires 25,000 miles + £225 cash + tax.
Spend a few quid more on the card (2 miles per £1) and Swiss F to the US is only 31,250 miles + £212 + tax one-way.
Use some BA miles to come back or buy a cheap one-way in Y.
(Lufthansa F is more expensive, unfortunately, because they don't let you do 'cash and miles' and impose a 10k each-way 'surcharge' for the 'privilege' of flying LH.)
Spend a few quid more on the card (2 miles per £1) and Swiss F to the US is only 31,250 miles + £212 + tax one-way.
Use some BA miles to come back or buy a cheap one-way in Y.
(Lufthansa F is more expensive, unfortunately, because they don't let you do 'cash and miles' and impose a 10k each-way 'surcharge' for the 'privilege' of flying LH.)