Why Do You Fly BA?
Dec 28, 2011, 4:18 am
#31
formerly known as lady1964
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 1,181
Initially for us it started when my hubby worked for a major courier company and we got good discounts using a travel industry travel agency. We got excellent prices for LGW-BGI direct and we got upgraded to CW 
That got us hooked and we followed that trip up with a great deal on a 3 day trip to NY earlier this year.
Now that we're moving to PEK, BA flies direct and we have accumulated lots of miles and can redeem them on flights home to the UK.
I like the HHA facility
I like their service
I love UD - have booked our seats for next 3 flights on UD
I like being a Silver member and the privileges that brings
I enjoy the lounges
I have encouraged my parents to use BA when they visit us in PEK, just a shame I can't add them to my HHA
That got us hooked and we followed that trip up with a great deal on a 3 day trip to NY earlier this year.Now that we're moving to PEK, BA flies direct and we have accumulated lots of miles and can redeem them on flights home to the UK.
I like the HHA facility
I like their service
I love UD - have booked our seats for next 3 flights on UD
I like being a Silver member and the privileges that brings
I enjoy the lounges
I have encouraged my parents to use BA when they visit us in PEK, just a shame I can't add them to my HHA
Dec 28, 2011, 4:45 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
I share the view of several/many posters ...
BA flies the routes I want.
Outstanding safety record.
BAEC/Avios/HHA/UuA.
Baggage allowances.
Priority boarding.
CW seats and the 744 UD.
Lounges [only Galleries/Terraces for us]
Anything else is a bonus. Sadly, I don't often get a bonus.
BA flies the routes I want.
Outstanding safety record.
BAEC/Avios/HHA/UuA.
Baggage allowances.
Priority boarding.
CW seats and the 744 UD.
Lounges [only Galleries/Terraces for us]
Anything else is a bonus. Sadly, I don't often get a bonus.
Dec 28, 2011, 6:15 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
Price, lounge access, destionation availability, better than budget airlines for short-haul, miles program.
If I were to compare with say SQ, my reasons for flying SQ would be price, destination availability, service.
So that shows my priorities I guess.
If I were to compare with say SQ, my reasons for flying SQ would be price, destination availability, service.
So that shows my priorities I guess.
Dec 28, 2011, 6:26 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 96
oh where to start!
1) the name says it all "British Airways", it is British and im a proud Brit
2) When you see a 744 land (or any of their planes actually) it makes me fancy a cup of tea, its flying the flag for me, which leads to 3
3) Its home in a foreign land. Like an embassy or equivalent it is home soil to me, a little bit of Blighty in every corner of the world
4) Its history and association with places
5) T5 - LOVE it. Although LGW has got a lot better of late too
6) Lounge access, always a great way to start a trip
7) Soft product isnt too bad, even down the back its got better. Not as good as some but always ok for what you pay
8) Price - its pretty much the same as a low cost carrier and always more convenient than a trek to Luton or Stansted
9) Service levels are actually not as bad on most flights as some would have you believe. Ive had some duff flights but at least i have an allocated seat, a drink and speedy boarding i dont pay for thanks to the Silver card
10) MILES! Miles miles miles, they make prizes - free trips! Thats worth a lot to me!
And now cue the music and wave that flag high.............
1) the name says it all "British Airways", it is British and im a proud Brit
2) When you see a 744 land (or any of their planes actually) it makes me fancy a cup of tea, its flying the flag for me, which leads to 3
3) Its home in a foreign land. Like an embassy or equivalent it is home soil to me, a little bit of Blighty in every corner of the world
4) Its history and association with places
5) T5 - LOVE it. Although LGW has got a lot better of late too
6) Lounge access, always a great way to start a trip
7) Soft product isnt too bad, even down the back its got better. Not as good as some but always ok for what you pay
8) Price - its pretty much the same as a low cost carrier and always more convenient than a trek to Luton or Stansted
9) Service levels are actually not as bad on most flights as some would have you believe. Ive had some duff flights but at least i have an allocated seat, a drink and speedy boarding i dont pay for thanks to the Silver card
10) MILES! Miles miles miles, they make prizes - free trips! Thats worth a lot to me!
And now cue the music and wave that flag high.............
Dec 28, 2011, 6:30 am
#36
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,213
Oh Lordy, where do we start?!
1. Airmanship. Their flight decks are the best crewed of any airline, anywhere. I've had some scary moments on various airlines, but British Airways always inspires absolute confidence in their safety first professionalism. i trust them completely.
2. Pragmatism. The cabin crew can *think*. They solve problems and they take control in a British way, not a mouthy in your face way and not in a robotic disengaged way. And I've had some brilliant conversations in the galley!
3. CW sleeper seats. Agree about the upstairs top-seats, but any window seat is great for me. I love the feeling of privacy without isolation, it's just right, and I love the drawer which houses all the clutter of travel.
4. First Class lounge at LHR. I'm not too proud to admit I love spotting great achievers of one kind or another in there (the famous and the not so famous). And the English breakfast.
5. Galleries lounges at LHR. Great views of the planes. NEVER a problem finding a cosy corner to sit.
6. Reading matter on board. Stimulating selection, not just a load of glorified advertising features about yachts or whatever other crap you find on other carriers.
7. I could go on....
They make me absolutely proud to be British, and after seven years living in America and Asia, I wish more of my fellow countrymen realised how extraordinarily lucky we are to be from our magnificent island.
1. Airmanship. Their flight decks are the best crewed of any airline, anywhere. I've had some scary moments on various airlines, but British Airways always inspires absolute confidence in their safety first professionalism. i trust them completely.
2. Pragmatism. The cabin crew can *think*. They solve problems and they take control in a British way, not a mouthy in your face way and not in a robotic disengaged way. And I've had some brilliant conversations in the galley!
3. CW sleeper seats. Agree about the upstairs top-seats, but any window seat is great for me. I love the feeling of privacy without isolation, it's just right, and I love the drawer which houses all the clutter of travel.
4. First Class lounge at LHR. I'm not too proud to admit I love spotting great achievers of one kind or another in there (the famous and the not so famous). And the English breakfast.
5. Galleries lounges at LHR. Great views of the planes. NEVER a problem finding a cosy corner to sit.
6. Reading matter on board. Stimulating selection, not just a load of glorified advertising features about yachts or whatever other crap you find on other carriers.
7. I could go on....
They make me absolutely proud to be British, and after seven years living in America and Asia, I wish more of my fellow countrymen realised how extraordinarily lucky we are to be from our magnificent island.
Dec 28, 2011, 6:56 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LUX
Programs: LH SEN, BA Silver, HH SILVER, Bonvoy PLAT, A/club PLAT, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 838
Strange but very interesting thread ^
I am based in LUX so I always need to use a hub for my intercontinental destinations (mainly Asia, the US, TLV).
I sometimes use BA because there are cheaper on some destinations, have a very good safety record and last but not least, I like the club World cabin.
I am based in LUX so I always need to use a hub for my intercontinental destinations (mainly Asia, the US, TLV).
I sometimes use BA because there are cheaper on some destinations, have a very good safety record and last but not least, I like the club World cabin.
Dec 28, 2011, 7:05 am
#39
Used to be BAWatersideGuy
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Blue, El Al Matmid, Amex Plat, PP, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, CX Gold, C.Carlson Gold, Hertz/Avis
Posts: 194
oh where to start!
1) the name says it all "British Airways", it is British and im a proud Brit
2) When you see a 744 land (or any of their planes actually) it makes me fancy a cup of tea, its flying the flag for me, which leads to 3
3) Its home in a foreign land. Like an embassy or equivalent it is home soil to me, a little bit of Blighty in every corner of the world
4) Its history and association with places
5) T5 - LOVE it. Although LGW has got a lot better of late too
6) Lounge access, always a great way to start a trip
7) Soft product isnt too bad, even down the back its got better. Not as good as some but always ok for what you pay
8) Price - its pretty much the same as a low cost carrier and always more convenient than a trek to Luton or Stansted
9) Service levels are actually not as bad on most flights as some would have you believe. Ive had some duff flights but at least i have an allocated seat, a drink and speedy boarding i dont pay for thanks to the Silver card
10) MILES! Miles miles miles, they make prizes - free trips! Thats worth a lot to me!
And now cue the music and wave that flag high.............
1) the name says it all "British Airways", it is British and im a proud Brit
2) When you see a 744 land (or any of their planes actually) it makes me fancy a cup of tea, its flying the flag for me, which leads to 3
3) Its home in a foreign land. Like an embassy or equivalent it is home soil to me, a little bit of Blighty in every corner of the world
4) Its history and association with places
5) T5 - LOVE it. Although LGW has got a lot better of late too
6) Lounge access, always a great way to start a trip
7) Soft product isnt too bad, even down the back its got better. Not as good as some but always ok for what you pay
8) Price - its pretty much the same as a low cost carrier and always more convenient than a trek to Luton or Stansted
9) Service levels are actually not as bad on most flights as some would have you believe. Ive had some duff flights but at least i have an allocated seat, a drink and speedy boarding i dont pay for thanks to the Silver card
10) MILES! Miles miles miles, they make prizes - free trips! Thats worth a lot to me!
And now cue the music and wave that flag high.............
They definitely epitomise Britishness to me, which I am very proud of.
T5 is indeed great. Can't beat a good lounge!
I feel safe on their planes and, in fact, on LHR-TLV BA is the only airline I will happily fly apart from LY for that reason.
Flight crew are undoubtedly the best breed of any other I have met.
And finally.......
They give me my payslip every month
Dec 28, 2011, 7:15 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: AA Lifetime PLT , BA Silver , BD RIP , HH Gold, SPG / Marriott PLT , EF Subscriber
Posts: 6,702
http://www.omanair.com/wy/sites/all/...class_info.jpg
Dec 28, 2011, 7:17 am
#41
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
For me, one of my problems is that convenience always comes before loyalty, hence why I rarely make Gold, but have Silver with several FFP's.
I choose BA when it's convenient, i.e has a direct flight.
When I do choose it's BA because of Flat Beds and Direct Flights.
Generally I avoid airlines with angled lie flat. When there is a choice of airlines on a route that offer Flat Beds, I tend to go with the best possible airline (i.e Oman Air, Etihad, Cathay).
I choose BA when it's convenient, i.e has a direct flight.
When I do choose it's BA because of Flat Beds and Direct Flights.
Generally I avoid airlines with angled lie flat. When there is a choice of airlines on a route that offer Flat Beds, I tend to go with the best possible airline (i.e Oman Air, Etihad, Cathay).
Dec 28, 2011, 7:39 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, ANA, BA
Posts: 201
Simple!
I have no status with BA, but since I travel to London at least once a year, I never choose an airline other than BA. Why?
1) Terminal 5 is awesome, even though it does seem like a massive mall.
2) Great on board service. Very professional and ways trying to please.
3) They seem to Op-Up me every single time on at least one leg. Perhaps they like my dashing personality and stunning good looks??? (More than likely there's room up in C for the flight back and I always choose odd days to fly to and from, but I can't help but wonder
)
1) Terminal 5 is awesome, even though it does seem like a massive mall.
2) Great on board service. Very professional and ways trying to please.
3) They seem to Op-Up me every single time on at least one leg. Perhaps they like my dashing personality and stunning good looks??? (More than likely there's room up in C for the flight back and I always choose odd days to fly to and from, but I can't help but wonder
)
Dec 28, 2011, 8:02 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Terminal 5 at LHR is near my Surrey apartment.
Ba has direct routes to the cities I want to go to.
BA had a certain prestige at LHR.
Baggage, especially when I travel with the family. They seem to need to bring half the house.
Ba has direct routes to the cities I want to go to.
BA had a certain prestige at LHR.
Baggage, especially when I travel with the family. They seem to need to bring half the house.
Dec 28, 2011, 8:41 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 343
I travel strictly back of the bus LHR<->(EWR/IAH)
but I fly BA 50% of the time. Why?
VS - lipstick on a pig
AA - the pig
UA - the thing that ate the pig
- I prefer CO's FF program because Elite status means I can get on the plane first
- I can choose seats in advance (for free) on CO and they are more comfortable.
- I like the food better on CO
- I don't like LHR-T5 but I do like EWR-TC & IAH-TE
but I fly BA 50% of the time. Why?
- CO is sometimes really good but also sometimes really bad. BA is consistent.
- HEX is direct Paddington<->T5 ( can you say homefield advantage? )
- I can't get that commercial out of my head ( love the Concorde shots )
VS - lipstick on a pig
AA - the pig
UA - the thing that ate the pig
