T8191

The FLUB scenario causes much confusion, especially to infrequent flyers and irregular users of BAFT. And it is, of course, a frequent occurrence on LGW-Caribbean routes, as I know only too well.

CIHY highlighted upthread some of the internal issues involved, for which thanks.

Jed

I'm with the OP on this. It is another example of BA fobbing the passenger off. I've given up on the lottery win that appears to be required in order to be the 'favoured customer' that gets to sit in the F cabin on such flights. Iberia is much better for this particular route.

KARFA

orbitmic

Actually, one thing that I agree with here, is that I would prefer for BA to treat this as they do regular upgrades, ie not let anyone seat themselves in the F part of the cabin and upgrade people unilaterally in and as required centrally. I agree that this would be less confusing and avoid expectations or sense of entitlement. Of course, in return, I would expect/hope that all of us would stop to try and figure out how we can make our way to those precious F/WT+ seats and accept that we are due a seat in the regular part of the cabin instead and will take any advance on that as a lucky upgrade.

Mailman7

The aircraft was not changed. The plan from which I selected my original seat 3 months ago in showed J class in rows 10-15 but thanks anyway for the link to the brightly coloured pictures. If the ground staff had come up with a better lie such as a computer error had occurred and I should not have been allocated a seat in F I would have been satisfied..But I was told there was no seat 4K.
As for my attitude, determined to keep things calm I did not respond the allegation I had been rude. I was not upset. I was amused because it was obviously to be used as an excuse to offload me rather than lose face by allowing to remain in F . That apart ALL staff were unfailingly polite and friendly during and after the standoff,


In response another post C class was not even half full and there was no need to permit bookings in F BUT THEY DID.

Thats it. Enuf said. I'm grateful for responses but no more from me.

T8191

Mailman7 Oh, come on ... don’t go. I mean that seriously.

You started on a known, and contentious, issue. Unsurprisingly ‘some views differed’. That’s what Forum life is like!


BTW, never got FLUB despite 3 sectors where it might have happened if the BA Gods had smiled. I tend to agree with KARFA and orbitmic ... it seems to beg for some formalised arrangements. I will always remember (and never forget) the BA Gate Agent at LGW who assured me just before boarding that the F cabin was not being used ... when it most substantially was, leading to 10 or more empty seats in CW!

simons1

Completely agree. We should never expect more than the booked/paid for cabin but this could surely be handled in a better way and your suggestion seems sensible.

Also if as the OP says the Club cabin was half full and 2 people were allowed to remain in First then I think that is poor management by BA.....it just encourages suspicions (friends of crew etc).

UKtravelbear

The food may be bad (personally I don't think it is) but saying that to a member of BA staff could be seen as being rude. As is refusing to move to your correct seat when first asked and trying to deceive.

And that was a very rude response to someone who is trying to help you.

Sorry OP but you have very little to complain about. I'm seeing a pattern here where your behaviour is apparently above reproach but everyone else is rude

Mistakes happen but most people are gracious when mistakes happen.

bisonrav

Just as a point of detail, the captain explained there had been an administrative error, which is the "better lie" the OP wanted. Actually the probable situation is that the plane was originally allocated as a 4 class, was changed to a 3 class at the time the seat allocation was made, and then for whatever reason shifted back again leaving the OP high and dry.

I'm with CIHY on this to be honest. The language used both in the reported exchanges and here (accusing CC of lying) is indicative of a prickly attitude that probably isn't going to leave anyone on the receiving end of any discretion going. Maybe that's a good lesson - be gracious to people who can help you. No reason not to complain after the fact or ask to discuss with the CSM, but arguing with the CC isn't helpful to anyone.

Possibly something like - "Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought it would be OK because of the other passengers in here... if there's any chance of moving back later let me know, I don't need food or drink and I'd love to try the F seat", would work better than "your food has been crap for a while, I don't want it, and I'm not budging because my phone tells me I have the seat". Just a thought.

T8191

Our 100% policy when dealing with ANY customer-facing staff. THEY are doing something for ME, and I should always remember that with gratitude. Curiously, we never seem to have any trouble with staffers

NeverFirst

AlanA

I cannot believe you made so much fuss ove a seat for a two hour flight!
at the check in you were given what you paid for, but because you Phone said differently, you took up the cabin crews time and the Captaibs time.
for heavens sake!

T8191

OK, girls, “Down Handbags”!

The OP had a rant (as do many here, on occasion). Regardless of the rights or wrongs of both the scenario and his/her reactions to it, it might be nice if we stopped throwing criticisms at him/her.

I think the points have been made, eh? Let’s try to be welcoming to new posters.

Can I help you

To the OP, do you know how many times an aircraft type/configuration can change before departure, no I don’t think you do?

makin'miles

Except BA don't "do all possible to prevent this," do they?

At least every two weeks there's a new thread on this board about someone who BA allowed to select a seat in FLUB, and then moved back to the CW cabin. While I fully agree the OP got what was paid for, BA consistently raising expectations and then disappointing their customers by reassigning them back to Club seats - frequently inferior ones - makes no sense it all. Its so preventable.

While I would not have responded in the same fashion, if the gate agent did inform the OP in possession of a boarding pass for 4K that the aircraft didn't have a seat 4K, and that was the reason for reseating, that would be untrue, was in poor form, and didn't contribute to resolving a customer service issue. (Not a customer service issue that requires any compensation IMO, but a customer service issue nonetheless).