BA trialling PressReader for its customers
#31
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I'll repeat the advice I mentioned upthread. The public library service in many counties now offers PressReader publications at no charge. So you can download what you like, when you like without worry about the vagaries of connecting on BA's wifi.
Check your local library service.
Check your local library service.
#32
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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just to add to the above, once you are on the BA lounge WiFi and open the app this is what you should see first to confirm the app recognises where you are and can get free downloads.
#34
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Yes, the hotspot map - which doesn't currently show BA - shows locations with wifi that offered sponsored free access. So many Accor hotels offer PressReader. So you can use PressReader at the Sofitel, and as mentioned upthread the Cathay lounge (because CX offer it), HGI and so forth. And indeed Cranforth library in Bath Road if that is somehow convenient.
#35
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
If you use the library service you don't have to be at a PressReader hotspot. You can access from anywhere, although they recommend wifi rather than mobile data.
I'm home and have just downloaded a few things to read over the weekend. I appreciate BA's "exclusive" ? offer but I'd rather get all my in flight entertainment sorted and loaded before I leave for the airport.
I'm home and have just downloaded a few things to read over the weekend. I appreciate BA's "exclusive" ? offer but I'd rather get all my in flight entertainment sorted and loaded before I leave for the airport.
#36
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 37
#37
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,864
Another hat tip for our public libraries. Many of them do have a good handful of electronic resources available including an increasing number of ebooks and other resources like pressreader so they are trying to evolve from having a bunch of books on the shelf and being told to be quiet! You probably might need to make time to physically visit to sign up if you don't have a valid ticket, but that depends on how your local library and council operates.
However due to licencing, you might find that some of the electronic resources will only work when you are in the UK, it depends on the licencing deal they can cut. So its better to download before you travel, to avoid being left on tenterhooks when you can't get the last book in that gripping series....
However due to licencing, you might find that some of the electronic resources will only work when you are in the UK, it depends on the licencing deal they can cut. So its better to download before you travel, to avoid being left on tenterhooks when you can't get the last book in that gripping series....
#40
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,864
Of course, this modern tech is predicated on there being a sensible WiFi in a BA Lounge. Unfortunately that is not the case this morning in T5 Galleries First South this morning....
Nice touch to see some Virgin branding in a BA Lounge (see broken WiFi URL). But when you can log in (getting a login session is a bit of a lottery) it's basically knackered.
and Pressreader just times out.
Nice touch to see some Virgin branding in a BA Lounge (see broken WiFi URL). But when you can log in (getting a login session is a bit of a lottery) it's basically knackered.
and Pressreader just times out.
#41
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,551
Of course, this modern tech is predicated on there being a sensible WiFi in a BA Lounge. Unfortunately that is not the case this morning in T5 Galleries First South this morning....
Nice touch to see some Virgin branding in a BA Lounge (see broken WiFi URL). But when you can log in (getting a login session is a bit of a lottery) it's basically knackered.
and Pressreader just times out.
Nice touch to see some Virgin branding in a BA Lounge (see broken WiFi URL). But when you can log in (getting a login session is a bit of a lottery) it's basically knackered.
and Pressreader just times out.
This is actually a nice offering from BA, shame the lounge WiFi (at least in T5) makes it harder to enjoy.
#44
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,094
I've been giving this a go over the last few days and I'm only somewhat impressed.
Pros:
Can't beat the price at the point of use.
Huge selection
Cons:
Missing some or all of the bigger newspapers in the market (not just UK).
Very hard to find anything as the browsing layout is poor.
No ability to blacklist things you never want to hear from so the search interface always has false positives (mind you, also a problem with the lounge paper, walking past racks of print screaming hateful lies about people like me isn't 100% pleasant).
As noted, the Times and FT are missing (I would particularly be looking for the FT, it's probably my main paper read in the lounges since I don't have regular access to it), as is The Economist.
Trying it in a Cathay lounge in SIngapore, neither the SCMP or the Straits Times were available - the SIN lounge had paper copies of the SCMP, but it's still like an old copy of the Times, if you don't want to read it you can always use it to stun any burglars who may intrude. An online version would be far handier.
So... it's a nice addon but it doesn't replace the paper copies of the most significant news organs that the lounges have today.
Pros:
Can't beat the price at the point of use.
Huge selection
Cons:
Missing some or all of the bigger newspapers in the market (not just UK).
Very hard to find anything as the browsing layout is poor.
No ability to blacklist things you never want to hear from so the search interface always has false positives (mind you, also a problem with the lounge paper, walking past racks of print screaming hateful lies about people like me isn't 100% pleasant).
As noted, the Times and FT are missing (I would particularly be looking for the FT, it's probably my main paper read in the lounges since I don't have regular access to it), as is The Economist.
Trying it in a Cathay lounge in SIngapore, neither the SCMP or the Straits Times were available - the SIN lounge had paper copies of the SCMP, but it's still like an old copy of the Times, if you don't want to read it you can always use it to stun any burglars who may intrude. An online version would be far handier.
So... it's a nice addon but it doesn't replace the paper copies of the most significant news organs that the lounges have today.