British Airways misses big time
May 23, 2015, 12:23 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PEK
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Posts: 373
Sorry to sound all incredulous but could the OP clarify the reasons behind the decision to pay 3,700 for BA WT+ when SQ and EY Business class to Syd are available for less?
Surely the extra shuttle to Canberra is worth it?
Surely the extra shuttle to Canberra is worth it?
May 23, 2015, 12:27 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: British Airways Silver Card
Posts: 337
May 23, 2015, 12:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA silver
Posts: 1,850
By silver class- do you mean you are a silver card holder? I am guessing not.
Perhaps you have learnt a hard lesson- research, research, research. BA clearly states width and pitch. They also tell you what to expect foodwise( ok, perhaps a little embellishment!)
If you don't fly often, I could imagine that you would expect a lot more for the price you paid but within any cabin on a flight there will be a substantial difference between the cheapest and dearest ticket.
Next time- be clear what your chosen cabin offers and don't ever think about paying that amount again for an economy plus seat! Find out what other airlines are offering as well.
Perhaps you have learnt a hard lesson- research, research, research. BA clearly states width and pitch. They also tell you what to expect foodwise( ok, perhaps a little embellishment!)
If you don't fly often, I could imagine that you would expect a lot more for the price you paid but within any cabin on a flight there will be a substantial difference between the cheapest and dearest ticket.
Next time- be clear what your chosen cabin offers and don't ever think about paying that amount again for an economy plus seat! Find out what other airlines are offering as well.
May 23, 2015, 12:34 pm
#19
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
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So BA offers the same seating configuration in premium economy as they do in regular economy? Same amount of seats per row no matter where you sit?
Qantas, on the other hand, has less seats in their premium economy rows and a small footrest.
Congratulations on your first post since you joined FT 8 years ago!
Qantas, on the other hand, has less seats in their premium economy rows and a small footrest.
Congratulations on your first post since you joined FT 8 years ago!
That's exactly what it is, and there are many resources to sort out all the details, read reviews, etc. so one can perform due diligence before purchasing. (Such as reading here in the BAEC Forum - plenty of information to suss out in nine years
.)I've flown World a Traveller Plus SHO-LHR, for instance, and I'd not confuse it with Club World nor expect to recline horizontally to sleep. These are different seats than offered in World Traveller: 2-4-2 layout across in WT+, vs. 3-4-3 in WT. 38" vs 31" seat pitch, and 18.5" vs 17.5" seat width, extended recline from WT and a small footrest.
May 23, 2015, 12:49 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Most airlines are nervous about cannibalising their business-class market, and so place premium-economy well within the economy-style product. It's essentially economy with a little extra space, no frills. It's not business-class:nowhere near. Some do it better than BA (Air New Zealand), others don't reach BA's level.
Lufthansa doesn't even separate PE from the economy cabin: in the B748 I flew on, PE was half a dozen rows of seats within the economy cabin. For reference, they sold upgrades at check-in for $250 (Buenos Aires to Frankfurt): there was an embarrassing attempt by cabin crew to sell it on-board for EUR350.
It's sad the OP paid a £1300 premium in each direction. Better to have ditched BA and spent the same money flying in C/J with another carrier.
Lufthansa doesn't even separate PE from the economy cabin: in the B748 I flew on, PE was half a dozen rows of seats within the economy cabin. For reference, they sold upgrades at check-in for $250 (Buenos Aires to Frankfurt): there was an embarrassing attempt by cabin crew to sell it on-board for EUR350.
It's sad the OP paid a £1300 premium in each direction. Better to have ditched BA and spent the same money flying in C/J with another carrier.
May 23, 2015, 12:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
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May 23, 2015, 1:04 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,286
The OP purchased a fully flex ticket (I guess fare basis W2BA). Presumably s/he did so for a reason - either that WTP was basically fully sold or the flexibility was needed. It isn't really fair to compare the benefits of a fully flex ticket with an undoubtedly cheaper non-refundable and non-changeable business ticket. As others have said, check the ticket rules and product before buying.
May 23, 2015, 2:09 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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May 23, 2015, 3:30 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
British Airways misses big time
Most people complain to BA because they've seen the marketing and feel hard done by with the experience.
This is an unusual case of someone paying £3,700 for something they didn't even research.
Why do people do this?
This is an unusual case of someone paying £3,700 for something they didn't even research.
Why do people do this?
May 23, 2015, 4:43 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AC, BA
Posts: 2
Just a clarification - I've been a road warrior for almost 20 years. Before moving to the UK I was a top tier with Air Canada (I think it's the best world airline). I do go to North America often and have had Prem Econ before with BA. I fully expected a flight, double the length of a LHR > YYZ one, to have the same or better amenities than what I experienced on the Pacific. And yes, I did look to see what was included before I booked - in the UK the advertising laws are extremely strict. BA can be charged for not supplying what they claim to offer.
May 23, 2015, 4:52 pm
#26
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
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Just a clarification - I've been a road warrior for almost 20 years. Before moving to the UK I was a top tier with Air Canada (I think it's the best world airline). I do go to North America often and have had Prem Econ before with BA. I fully expected a flight, double the length of a LHR > YYZ one, to have the same or better amenities than what I experienced on the Pacific. And yes, I did look to see what was included before I booked - in the UK the advertising laws are extremely strict. BA can be charged for not supplying what they claim to offer.
May 23, 2015, 4:53 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,774
Just a clarification - I've been a road warrior for almost 20 years. Before moving to the UK I was a top tier with Air Canada (I think it's the best world airline). I do go to North America often and have had Prem Econ before with BA. I fully expected a flight, double the length of a LHR > YYZ one, to have the same or better amenities than what I experienced on the Pacific. And yes, I did look to see what was included before I booked - in the UK the advertising laws are extremely strict. BA can be charged for not supplying what they claim to offer.
May 23, 2015, 4:54 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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May 23, 2015, 4:54 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bahamas
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 958
Just a clarification - I've been a road warrior for almost 20 years. Before moving to the UK I was a top tier with Air Canada (I think it's the best world airline). I do go to North America often and have had Prem Econ before with BA. I fully expected a flight, double the length of a LHR > YYZ one, to have the same or better amenities than what I experienced on the Pacific. And yes, I did look to see what was included before I booked - in the UK the advertising laws are extremely strict. BA can be charged for not supplying what they claim to offer.
May 23, 2015, 4:57 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
British Airways misses big time
OP, please contact the Advertising Standards Authority if you think BA misled you. At least they'll be patient and polite in telling you that you weren't misled.