If BA do get worse over time what would you do?
Jun 5, 2017, 8:44 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
For US destinations, yes (ex-DUB), and of course BA doesn't fly to the Hawaiian Islands!
Our other l/h trips are usually with BA ... this year its a sale run to ANU and a 2-4-1 to CPT. We have a weakness for the Caribbean, and BA does offer good coverage and some decent BA Holidays prices occasionally. That said, I have looked at AA options to the Caribbean, but my casual searches weren't very productive (routing/price) ... but I will keep looking!
Our other l/h trips are usually with BA ... this year its a sale run to ANU and a 2-4-1 to CPT. We have a weakness for the Caribbean, and BA does offer good coverage and some decent BA Holidays prices occasionally. That said, I have looked at AA options to the Caribbean, but my casual searches weren't very productive (routing/price) ... but I will keep looking!
Jun 5, 2017, 9:48 am
#32
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 28
If you had to choose another airline than BA to transport you all over the World who would you choose and why? based on where I have said we live 
We generally travel in Business Class with the odd treat to First using miles.
New York
Singapore
Dubai
Hong Kong
San Francisco
Tokyo
Plus several destinations within Europe.
We generally travel in Business Class with the odd treat to First using miles.
New York
Singapore
Dubai
Hong Kong
San Francisco
Tokyo
Plus several destinations within Europe.
I then fly with CX, QR or EK going East (earning Avios through QF) and AA or AC to North America with the odd LH/LX flight around Europe.
Presuming you're flying J or F, I'd fly with AA for the JFK and SFO legs, SQ for SIN, CX for HKG and EK for DXB.
Within Europe, I'm starting to enjoy LH/LX, even if I have to stop in FRA or ZUR before flying onwards.
Jun 5, 2017, 9:56 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 57
I would (and now do!) choose the best combination of flight time (both duration and arrival/departure time) and price for my route.
I've found stepping away from BA-blind loyalty to be pretty refreshing. I still use BA as it offers a great route network for me, living in the southern half of England, but it's truly liberating to fly on whoever offers the best service to where I need to go.
I've found stepping away from BA-blind loyalty to be pretty refreshing. I still use BA as it offers a great route network for me, living in the southern half of England, but it's truly liberating to fly on whoever offers the best service to where I need to go.
I do however have a 241 to St Lucia next week - when are you off? may see you in the lounge!
Jun 5, 2017, 10:29 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wales
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 147
I switched from *A to One World semi involuntarily when BMI got taken over. Miles switched etc. I stayed because I wanted a RTW ticket that included a leg to MPN and a SCL -AKL flight. Having done that trip I'm inclined to defect back to *A. I'm based up north so I have to transfer and going east I prefer to change in FRA or MUC than LHR.
Have also flown BA club to BKK and JNB via T5 in last 12 months - its a very average business experience. There is no doubt that BA is going backwards. It used to be a premium airline but the cost cutting is really showing. Sandwichgate is more trouble than it's worth and the Ryanair price/product comparisons don't look good. So I'm going to deplete my Avios and disappear.
Have also flown BA club to BKK and JNB via T5 in last 12 months - its a very average business experience. There is no doubt that BA is going backwards. It used to be a premium airline but the cost cutting is really showing. Sandwichgate is more trouble than it's worth and the Ryanair price/product comparisons don't look good. So I'm going to deplete my Avios and disappear.
Jun 5, 2017, 10:56 am
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,199
yes you have got it exactly! ^
to be honest whenever we fly we drive down to Heathrow or Gatwick whatever the night before we fly so the drive does not bother us. I am asking for advice as if they do get a lot worse and really go to the dogs I will spend my money with another airline and fly from Manchester instead or Birmingham like I say. But if BA get there act together and promise what they have said they are going to do and invest in CW I will stay put more than likely.
to be honest whenever we fly we drive down to Heathrow or Gatwick whatever the night before we fly so the drive does not bother us. I am asking for advice as if they do get a lot worse and really go to the dogs I will spend my money with another airline and fly from Manchester instead or Birmingham like I say. But if BA get there act together and promise what they have said they are going to do and invest in CW I will stay put more than likely.
I find if you're flying J it doesn't really matter a lot who you fly with. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way just to fly a supposed 'better' airline just to get a seat with a water bottle holder or a bread plate.
Jun 5, 2017, 11:05 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Mucci de l'Arbitrage
Posts: 927
Jun 5, 2017, 11:13 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,395
I know .... it's really silly isn't it....?
I often ask myself why I choose one airline over another, just because it is supposedly 'better'.
And the only reasons I can ever think of are that that the 'better' airline provides efficiently-operated priority boarding* ; more private, more spacious seating ; a higher quality, more personalised onboard service ; and superior catering. Oh and better customer support centres should you need them.
Apart from such trivial aspects, I agree that all the airlines are pretty much the same.
* a little clue there as to which 'better' airline I'm NOT talking about
Jun 5, 2017, 11:16 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Very silly. Keep taking the tablets
Jun 5, 2017, 11:45 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
We will be loyal to BA as far as getting us from JER to LGW is concerned ... 5 flights a day offers considerable flexibility and convenience, and it only takes 40 minutes so we don't really care about the F&B or legroom. That also gives us the essential BAEC sectors!
After that, we will take any oneworld option that generates TPs for renewal of BAEC status, which does offer us some meaningful benefits. I guess that makes us semi-loyal. And what matters is the destination, not the "experience" in the air or the niggles on the ground. For us, BA would have to sink a lot lower before we would (or indeed could) stop using them completely ... they're just not our l/h carrier of choice any more.
After that, we will take any oneworld option that generates TPs for renewal of BAEC status, which does offer us some meaningful benefits. I guess that makes us semi-loyal. And what matters is the destination, not the "experience" in the air or the niggles on the ground. For us, BA would have to sink a lot lower before we would (or indeed could) stop using them completely ... they're just not our l/h carrier of choice any more.
Bar mileage bonuses what do you get? Or are you talking about Gold level and above only? (Edit- oh and seat selection actually with BA! Although flying on another alliance could be 120 quid cheaper)
Jun 5, 2017, 12:10 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Jun 5, 2017, 12:15 pm
#43
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,914
Jun 5, 2017, 12:18 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937