Enough is enough - Bye bye BA - I'm out
Oct 7, 2018, 3:11 pm
#181
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 581
I'm just off an overnight BA CW flight from BOS, having done F outbound. Earlier in Sep I also did a Middle East trip in QR, with both Q suites and the old twin seat arrangement.
My own view is that BA F when flying for leisure is great fun, and being nice to the crew goes a long way (as my growing cellar of LPGS attests). I think CW is definitely dated and showing its age, but equally for what I tend to use it for - sleep for a short flight and then revive in Arrivals Lounge, it it absolutely fine. I don't go in with huge expectations, but I do hope that the flight will be pleasant and smooth and that take-offs = landings, which is my prime concern/
QR are fine - I've flown them a few times now and had good and bad flights - the Q suite is an exceptionally good J product, but there are plenty of duff zero privacy seats still out there in J, and if stuck next to a stranger, you are still stepping over them to go to the loo.
I'm quite fond of AF, but my god CDG is enough to make me regret my decision each time I transfer there!
My own view is that BA F when flying for leisure is great fun, and being nice to the crew goes a long way (as my growing cellar of LPGS attests). I think CW is definitely dated and showing its age, but equally for what I tend to use it for - sleep for a short flight and then revive in Arrivals Lounge, it it absolutely fine. I don't go in with huge expectations, but I do hope that the flight will be pleasant and smooth and that take-offs = landings, which is my prime concern/
QR are fine - I've flown them a few times now and had good and bad flights - the Q suite is an exceptionally good J product, but there are plenty of duff zero privacy seats still out there in J, and if stuck next to a stranger, you are still stepping over them to go to the loo.
I'm quite fond of AF, but my god CDG is enough to make me regret my decision each time I transfer there!
Oct 8, 2018, 1:13 am
#182
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I think the BAsource is generally regarded as accurate, we agree. But when you measure a seat do you measure the cushion width, the gap between the arms, the outside of the arm on either side, the shoulder width?
I stand by the remark concerning fewer abreast is the only way to have more room. If you stagger the seats you are in effect having fewer abreast, think CW, detractors describe it as 8 across, it’s more 2x4 across with two overlapping rows. Narrower aisles is one way, and you say you don’t sit in an aisle, so clearly never been in an aisle seat in economy on a 787. The person in each of the 4 aisle seats can expect to be brushed and knocked by every trolley and passenger pass. You can fix the window seats right into the wall, but this means the fuselage curve intrudes at foot and shoulder for the window seat occupant, what ever the seat measurement you can squeeze out of this you’re not increasing the real amount of room a person has. Changing the arm width might increase the ‘nominal’ seat width, but you’ve no additional shoulder room.
I also said you can’t take everything you read on the Internet as fact, that’s very different to saying everything on FT is wrong. FT is a fantastic resource, and there are a number of posters whose contributions I do take as being very accurate.
The only reliable way of looking at seat density is to look at how many seats are in a given area. That debate happens regularly when people argue EK is 1-2-1 and BA 2-4-2 in business, but the overall number of seats is the same.
Oct 8, 2018, 1:33 am
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Always a factor, but not in this hypothetical case. 
Nor would I, sir! As I said, I was simply looking [briefly] to see whether I had a QR option to go in the direction I want to go. Everyone seems to enthuse about it [and the other ME3] but it clearly [and predictably] is East-orientated.
Nor would I, sir! As I said, I was simply looking [briefly] to see whether I had a QR option to go in the direction I want to go. Everyone seems to enthuse about it [and the other ME3] but it clearly [and predictably] is East-orientated.
Oct 8, 2018, 2:45 am
#184
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
The idiot is the person who flew BA, an airline they don't like, repeatedly for no apparent reason...
Oct 8, 2018, 2:59 am
#185
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Brighton England
Programs: AA Plat, various hotels
Posts: 1,220
Having just flown back from PHX in BA First, I have to say the experience was the poorest I have ever had in BA First.
I am well aware that it is not the best product out there, but there can be bargains to be had for BA First compared with other airlines and this should always be factored in when considering your options, and anyone who cant be comfortable in a BA First seat must live a very privileged life.
On my particular flight the crew were magnificent, the Gentleman that served me was polite, courteous, friendly and efficient. Sadly this was the only redeeming feature of the flight.
Boarding was a complete shambles, leading to First being boarded with about half of the plane, one of the 2 toilets in First was taped off and apparently it was sent out from LHR that way, the headphone socket had terrible static which wasn't cured by a charge of headphones and the TV monitor was jammed shut and had to be forced open so I could watch the safety video, the hanger in the personal closet was broken so clothes couldn't be hung.
The crew wrote up the faults and were clearly inconvenienced by queuing passengers for the toilet when trying to serve breakfast.
It really gave you the impression the BA couldn't care less about their First passengers.
My partner was travelling in First for the first time and commented that she thought AA Business was just as good, not an opinion I agree with but with that being her first experience of First she was totally underwhelmed with the notable exception of the crew who she said were lovely.
I really feel for the crew having to put up with the shoddy equipment and it is them alone that draw me back to BA.
I am well aware that it is not the best product out there, but there can be bargains to be had for BA First compared with other airlines and this should always be factored in when considering your options, and anyone who cant be comfortable in a BA First seat must live a very privileged life.
On my particular flight the crew were magnificent, the Gentleman that served me was polite, courteous, friendly and efficient. Sadly this was the only redeeming feature of the flight.
Boarding was a complete shambles, leading to First being boarded with about half of the plane, one of the 2 toilets in First was taped off and apparently it was sent out from LHR that way, the headphone socket had terrible static which wasn't cured by a charge of headphones and the TV monitor was jammed shut and had to be forced open so I could watch the safety video, the hanger in the personal closet was broken so clothes couldn't be hung.
The crew wrote up the faults and were clearly inconvenienced by queuing passengers for the toilet when trying to serve breakfast.
It really gave you the impression the BA couldn't care less about their First passengers.
My partner was travelling in First for the first time and commented that she thought AA Business was just as good, not an opinion I agree with but with that being her first experience of First she was totally underwhelmed with the notable exception of the crew who she said were lovely.
I really feel for the crew having to put up with the shoddy equipment and it is them alone that draw me back to BA.
Oct 8, 2018, 3:17 am
#186
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
Still it takes all sorts I suppose
Oct 8, 2018, 5:29 am
#188
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
Oct 8, 2018, 5:52 am
#189
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Programs: None
Posts: 115
Dirty seat
Dodgy IFE that needs to be reset. (Can't remember the last I didn't hear "I'll have to try resetting that" said to someone in the vicinity of my seat)
Having to wedge a piece of menu card into the IFE screen hinge to hold it in place
Foot rest that doesn't stay up
Tatty flimsy rag that is presented as "Hot towel sir"
Under catered flight so that you don't get your first choice.
Empty CW Kitchen
In fact I can't remember my last BA flight where everything was normal. I'm not applying Mrs. B levels of criticism here - just trying to think of a standard boring normal flight where everything worked..... Nope, can't remember.
But an idiot no more. To re-quote the thread title "Enough is enough". I'm off to spend my money elsewhere. People say the grass isn't always greener, but in this case it really is, it has to be because there isn't any grass left on the BA side of the fence.
Oct 8, 2018, 6:19 am
#190
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GGLfL
Posts: 1,342
Sorry,
1. Why would I give my cash to a regime that has appalling human rights and sponsors terrorism?
2. Why would I fly via Qatar when that only makes sense when heading to the Far East or Australia?
3. BA look after me very well
1. Why would I give my cash to a regime that has appalling human rights and sponsors terrorism?
2. Why would I fly via Qatar when that only makes sense when heading to the Far East or Australia?
3. BA look after me very well
Oct 8, 2018, 6:32 am
#191
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Do you have any concerns about giving a good wedge of your cash to the ‘regime’ which you seemingly find so distasteful .... ?
Qatar Airways are of course the largest single shareholder in IAG ... and so every time you (or indeed any of us) buy a ticket to fly BA, Qatar are more than happy to profit from you.
Just a thought ........
IAG - International Airlines Group - Significant Holdings
Oct 8, 2018, 6:34 am
#192
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GGLfL
Posts: 1,342
Good to hear that BA are looking after you ^
Do you have any concerns about giving a good wedge of your cash to the ‘regime’ which you seemingly find so distasteful .... ?
Qatar Airways are of course the largest single shareholder in IAG ... and so every time you (or indeed any of us) buy a ticket to fly BA, Qatar are more than happy to profit from you.
Just a thought ........
IAG - International Airlines Group - Significant Holdings
Oct 8, 2018, 7:38 am
#193
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,113
Oct 8, 2018, 7:41 am
#194
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
Yes, and I openly admit to being an idiot. But it wasn't always the case. In the early 2000s CW was a truly groundbreaking product and I was very happy to fly BA and received great service. But the industry has moved on in great leaps and bounds but BA didn't. They got worse by cutting costs left right and centre again and again. It's a gradual decline that you don't really notice but I finally got fed up with every flight having some combination of:-
Dirty seat
Dodgy IFE that needs to be reset. (Can't remember the last I didn't hear "I'll have to try resetting that" said to someone in the vicinity of my seat)
Having to wedge a piece of menu card into the IFE screen hinge to hold it in place
Foot rest that doesn't stay up
Tatty flimsy rag that is presented as "Hot towel sir"
Under catered flight so that you don't get your first choice.
Empty CW Kitchen
In fact I can't remember my last BA flight where everything was normal. I'm not applying Mrs. B levels of criticism here - just trying to think of a standard boring normal flight where everything worked..... Nope, can't remember.
But an idiot no more. To re-quote the thread title "Enough is enough". I'm off to spend my money elsewhere. People say the grass isn't always greener, but in this case it really is, it has to be because there isn't any grass left on the BA side of the fence.
Dirty seat
Dodgy IFE that needs to be reset. (Can't remember the last I didn't hear "I'll have to try resetting that" said to someone in the vicinity of my seat)
Having to wedge a piece of menu card into the IFE screen hinge to hold it in place
Foot rest that doesn't stay up
Tatty flimsy rag that is presented as "Hot towel sir"
Under catered flight so that you don't get your first choice.
Empty CW Kitchen
In fact I can't remember my last BA flight where everything was normal. I'm not applying Mrs. B levels of criticism here - just trying to think of a standard boring normal flight where everything worked..... Nope, can't remember.
But an idiot no more. To re-quote the thread title "Enough is enough". I'm off to spend my money elsewhere. People say the grass isn't always greener, but in this case it really is, it has to be because there isn't any grass left on the BA side of the fence.
Oct 8, 2018, 7:49 am
#195
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,106
Hope you found a suitable Tailor in China on your recent visit.....oh the irony
Last edited by passy777; Oct 8, 2018 at 7:54 am