Crossing to the dark side...easyjet in this case
May 15, 2018, 1:15 pm
#76
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
easyJet are fine, as are most other airlines. So far this year I have been on Norwegian, SAS, Brussels Airlines and Swiss as well as BA, no U2 for over 18 months.
I agree about some of the terminals though, Bordeaux springs to mind but it’s not for long usually.
Most say though, had a very agreeable flight back from Brussels today on BA, might have been something to do with an emergency exit window seat, a half full aircraft and a very small overnight bag.
I agree about some of the terminals though, Bordeaux springs to mind but it’s not for long usually.
Most say though, had a very agreeable flight back from Brussels today on BA, might have been something to do with an emergency exit window seat, a half full aircraft and a very small overnight bag.
May 15, 2018, 1:23 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,751
Unfortunately, any airline on which you can regularly expect a half full aircraft isn't likely to be around for very long.
Fortunately, easyJet's load factor for the 12m to March 2018 was 93.3%, but its passengers are still very happy. ^
May 16, 2018, 2:14 am
#78
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK London / Salisbury
Programs: BA GGL, CCR, LTG
Posts: 542
Well, just boarded my return flight and it has been an interesting experience seeing to what extent eJ have closed the gap vs. it's legacy competitors (although you could legitimately argue the closing of the gap has as much to do with the evolution of BAs offering). I must say that I will on some occasions consider using eJ going forward. My EU travel is about 80% club and 20% y. I think in terms of Y, I would prefer to use eJ going forward. Assuming eJ plus (which I have purchased), the free selection of premium seats and hassle free policy of changing to earlier flights free of charge, it beats the BA Y experience for me. Have had 1C and 1D respectively. Rarely use the Concorde room at LHR or the outstation lounges for more than a few minutes so no great hardship there. But one detail was way better today than BA: boarding. We boarded from a B gate at Linate next the the gate for the BA LHR flight an hour or so later. Plane was at a remote stand. So 'speedy boarders' were put on the bus first. The bus was segregated with a barrier and subsequently, some of the general boarders were boarded in the back of the bus. The area for the speedy boarders was uncrowded. On arrival at the plane, the speedy boarders were allowed off the bus and fully aboard before the remaining passengers were. Why on earth BA can't do something similar for their Club PAX where planes use remote stands, I cannot fathom. Will still continue to do my 80% club flights with BA. Many of my flights are to ARN/HEL and the free space next to me and the vastly improved service make it on balance a product I will continue to pay for.
Anyway, on Thursday (tomorrow) I will be flying myself to Paris from Bournemouth (back Friday pm). Couple of free seats onboard. If anyone needs to fly from the s/w to Paris tomorrow...pm me!
Anyway, on Thursday (tomorrow) I will be flying myself to Paris from Bournemouth (back Friday pm). Couple of free seats onboard. If anyone needs to fly from the s/w to Paris tomorrow...pm me!
May 16, 2018, 3:43 am
#79
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
The race to the bottom is truly on.....
May 16, 2018, 12:43 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: England
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,006
If if you do decide to try them, I hope all goes well.
May 30, 2018, 4:01 am
#81
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
I'm going through a similar thing. I've recently returned to Europe from Asia, so perhaps i was a little spoiled by CX/SQ, but I'm approaching 6 months of BA flying now and it has been pretty awful. I have the first Easyjet round trip booked in a few weeks and interested to see if it fits me better although I have a suspicion regular European regional flying is now just a case of grin and bear it regardless of airline. I did enjoy my wife's comment on our first flight after we returned. 'Where are the TVs?'
Onboard - absolutely fine, probably better than BA with better/cheaper food and a more efficient cabin service.
Departure Airport - my fault perhaps for not realising Easyjet go from the awful T2 at MXP. It really is night and day from T1. Crowded, small and uncomfortable.
Boarding - At the gate we were herded into pens to stand for half an hour until the aircraft was ready for us to walk to it, in the rain. Half the aircraft had to gate check carry-ons. BA's boarding is a mess but at least you can sit somewhere and walk straight to the front once the herds of bag-tag wearing DYKWIAs have fought their way on board.
Arrival - arriving into Manchester we again had to walk outside, thankfully not in the rain, to the zoo that was T1. I realised I have only ever arrived into T1 at 6am before, when its empty. Not fun getting stuck between the holidaymakers, once a year travelers and OAPs getting stuck in the ePassport barriers.
It was the first flight i've ever taken where it truly felt like taking the bus. That's completely OK, but until Easyjet offer a proper FFP with lounge access, fast track lanes, seat selection etc. i'll be looking elsewhere.
May 30, 2018, 6:40 am
#82
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
Little bump to this thread but i took the first of these Easyjet flights, and perhaps the grass is not greener.
Onboard - absolutely fine, probably better than BA with better/cheaper food and a more efficient cabin service.
Departure Airport - my fault perhaps for not realising Easyjet go from the awful T2 at MXP. It really is night and day from T1. Crowded, small and uncomfortable.
Boarding - At the gate we were herded into pens to stand for half an hour until the aircraft was ready for us to walk to it, in the rain. Half the aircraft had to gate check carry-ons. BA's boarding is a mess but at least you can sit somewhere and walk straight to the front once the herds of bag-tag wearing DYKWIAs have fought their way on board.
Arrival - arriving into Manchester we again had to walk outside, thankfully not in the rain, to the zoo that was T1. I realised I have only ever arrived into T1 at 6am before, when its empty. Not fun getting stuck between the holidaymakers, once a year travelers and OAPs getting stuck in the ePassport barriers.
It was the first flight i've ever taken where it truly felt like taking the bus. That's completely OK, but until Easyjet offer a proper FFP with lounge access, fast track lanes, seat selection etc. i'll be looking elsewhere.
Onboard - absolutely fine, probably better than BA with better/cheaper food and a more efficient cabin service.
Departure Airport - my fault perhaps for not realising Easyjet go from the awful T2 at MXP. It really is night and day from T1. Crowded, small and uncomfortable.
Boarding - At the gate we were herded into pens to stand for half an hour until the aircraft was ready for us to walk to it, in the rain. Half the aircraft had to gate check carry-ons. BA's boarding is a mess but at least you can sit somewhere and walk straight to the front once the herds of bag-tag wearing DYKWIAs have fought their way on board.
Arrival - arriving into Manchester we again had to walk outside, thankfully not in the rain, to the zoo that was T1. I realised I have only ever arrived into T1 at 6am before, when its empty. Not fun getting stuck between the holidaymakers, once a year travelers and OAPs getting stuck in the ePassport barriers.
It was the first flight i've ever taken where it truly felt like taking the bus. That's completely OK, but until Easyjet offer a proper FFP with lounge access, fast track lanes, seat selection etc. i'll be looking elsewhere.
May 30, 2018, 6:48 am
#83
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,835
But, in terms of your other points (lounge, seat selection, fast track), generally all of these can be purchased either from the airline or the airport operator?or a third party. So in today’s unbundled world, just add the cost of these to the overall price comparison.
May 30, 2018, 6:52 am
#84
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,751
I agree with what you and CWS amongst others have said about Easyjet & Ryanair using the worst terminals/piers and the queueing on stairs and on the tarmac being the biggest downsides vs legacy carriers like BA.
But, in terms of your other points (lounge, seat selection, fast track), generally all of these can be purchased either from the airline or the airport operator?or a third party. So in today’s unbundled world, just add the cost of these to the overall price comparison.
But, in terms of your other points (lounge, seat selection, fast track), generally all of these can be purchased either from the airline or the airport operator?or a third party. So in today’s unbundled world, just add the cost of these to the overall price comparison.
May 30, 2018, 6:53 am
#85
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: South East England
Programs: Status with BA Exec Club; KrisFlyer; Hilton Honors; IHG One; Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 543
The other benefits, like lounge access , you just have to fork out and buy. If the low cost vs legacy carrier savings are sufficient you may find you get the benefits of a FFP whilst saving money — and without having to worry about qualifying.
I don’t fly U2 often any more, but I always pay for extras to make it feel less low-rent. It doesn’t have the polish of BA but it’s mainly OK. But some of the airports are terrible, and it’s avoiding bad airports that’s cut my U2 traveling as much as anything else.
May 30, 2018, 8:09 am
#86
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC: Silver. Nothing else as TopCashBack trumps all hotel programs
Posts: 801
Don't mind EZY for a domestic or short hop. Quite a decent bus.
However, often BA is only £10-£40 more expensive. And with that comes fast track security, lounge, boarding first, tier points, avios and BA staff throughout. Well worth the extra for me. (Yes you can buy these things but it's a bit of a faff. I like having access to them via status alone). Makes me (rightly or wrongly) feel like a valued customer rather than cattle. Just a nicer experience on the whole.
However, often BA is only £10-£40 more expensive. And with that comes fast track security, lounge, boarding first, tier points, avios and BA staff throughout. Well worth the extra for me. (Yes you can buy these things but it's a bit of a faff. I like having access to them via status alone). Makes me (rightly or wrongly) feel like a valued customer rather than cattle. Just a nicer experience on the whole.
May 30, 2018, 11:41 am
#87
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Arrival - arriving into Manchester we again had to walk outside, thankfully not in the rain, to the zoo that was T1. I realised I have only ever arrived into T1 at 6am before, when its empty. Not fun getting stuck between the holidaymakers, once a year travelers and OAPs getting stuck in the ePassport barriers.
Jun 1, 2018, 11:50 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
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As some others here, I do dislike being stuck in the gate corridor having ‘boarded’ but not quite with U2. That said, I’d point out that those of us who use the BRU route on BA know that BA is perfectly capable of doing the exact same when given the chance with a gate which makes this easy enough for them to organise...
Jun 1, 2018, 11:57 am
#89
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
Easyjet and Ryanair are nice enough. Sadly, if I add in the cost of a ticket on the gatwick/stansted express and lounge access with PP or the cost of a drink and snack at the airport, it doesn't make much sense to use them.
Although, I can fully understand why people would use them with priority boarding and seat selection. It just works out fine.
Although, I can fully understand why people would use them with priority boarding and seat selection. It just works out fine.
Jun 1, 2018, 12:03 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,502
Easyjet and Ryanair are nice enough. Sadly, if I add in the cost of a ticket on the gatwick/stansted express and lounge access with PP or the cost of a drink and snack at the airport, it doesn't make much sense to use them.
Although, I can fully understand why people would use them with priority boarding and seat selection. It just works out fine.
Although, I can fully understand why people would use them with priority boarding and seat selection. It just works out fine.