BA Still Sucks - Got seated in economy after buying a business ticket
Nov 30, 2018, 11:36 am
#61
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,093
Honestly I don't find European business so bad, especially in row one.
Of course if I can have a bigger plane anyway intra-europe (like the BA 777 to/from MAD or the AY 350 to/from HEL) I am going to choose it, and I like TK seats with IFE, but for short hops of 1 or 2 hours CE is good enough for me.
I agree non Europeans could research better the product before booking, but sometime people is so used to a "standard" that doesn't even think there could be something very different.
Of course if I can have a bigger plane anyway intra-europe (like the BA 777 to/from MAD or the AY 350 to/from HEL) I am going to choose it, and I like TK seats with IFE, but for short hops of 1 or 2 hours CE is good enough for me.
I agree non Europeans could research better the product before booking, but sometime people is so used to a "standard" that doesn't even think there could be something very different.
Nov 30, 2018, 11:36 am
#62
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
Some airlines hated that SAS was offering 16 (!) kinds of smørrebrød to passengers, which other airlines thought gave the airline an uncompetitive advantage. SAS was even fined for that following TWA's complaint. If I remember correctly from what I've read, SAS was allowed to continue serving sandwiches provided that the garnishing did not cover the entire piece of bread or something. Crazy.
That was, of course, during the times when fares were regulated and airlines were competing on 'service,' because they could not compete on price, and only ten people could afford to fly.
Nov 30, 2018, 11:53 am
#63
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,750
Honestly I don't find European business so bad, especially in row one.
Of course if I can have a bigger plane anyway intra-europe (like the BA 777 to/from MAD or the AY 350 to/from HEL) I am going to choose it, and I like TK seats with IFE, but for short hops of 1 or 2 hours CE is good enough for me.
I agree non Europeans could research better the product before booking, but sometime people is so used to a "standard" that doesn't even think there could be something very different.
Of course if I can have a bigger plane anyway intra-europe (like the BA 777 to/from MAD or the AY 350 to/from HEL) I am going to choose it, and I like TK seats with IFE, but for short hops of 1 or 2 hours CE is good enough for me.
I agree non Europeans could research better the product before booking, but sometime people is so used to a "standard" that doesn't even think there could be something very different.
Nov 30, 2018, 11:53 am
#64
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 257
Honestly I don't find European business so bad, especially in row one.
Of course if I can have a bigger plane anyway intra-europe (like the BA 777 to/from MAD or the AY 350 to/from HEL) I am going to choose it, and I like TK seats with IFE, but for short hops of 1 or 2 hours CE is good enough for me.
I agree non Europeans could research better the product before booking, but sometime people is so used to a "standard" that doesn't even think there could be something very different.
Of course if I can have a bigger plane anyway intra-europe (like the BA 777 to/from MAD or the AY 350 to/from HEL) I am going to choose it, and I like TK seats with IFE, but for short hops of 1 or 2 hours CE is good enough for me.
I agree non Europeans could research better the product before booking, but sometime people is so used to a "standard" that doesn't even think there could be something very different.
As for the "knee" incident, that's not his fault per se, but blimey, what are you doing to make your knees juggle like that in my bottom? The seats are too thin - I need to pad myself out a bit more!
Nov 30, 2018, 12:01 pm
#65
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
Funnily enough, there used to be a time when IATA regulated what airlines could offer to passenger. There even was a sandwich war in the 50s. Some airlines hated that SAS was offering 16 (!) kinds of smørrebrød to passengers, which other airlines thought gave the airline an uncompetitive advantage. SAS was even fined for that following TWA's complaint. If I remember correctly from what I've read, SAS was allowed to continue serving sandwiches provided that the garnishing did not cover the entire piece of bread or something. Crazy. That was, of course, during the times when fares were regulated and airlines were competing on 'service,' because they could not compete on price, and only ten people could afford to fly.
Some airlines hated that SAS was offering 16 (!) kinds of smørrebrød to passengers, which other airlines thought gave the airline an uncompetitive advantage. SAS was even fined for that following TWA's complaint. If I remember correctly from what I've read, SAS was allowed to continue serving sandwiches provided that the garnishing did not cover the entire piece of bread or something. Crazy. That was, of course, during the times when fares were regulated and airlines were competing on 'service,' because they could not compete on price, and only ten people could afford to fly.Actually I have just read that there was a conference in Paris about these sandwiches - what constituted a sandwich and what didn't. Incredible what one learns - but this had nothing to do with anything on the thread but in the absence of any further information from the OP, we have to quietly chat amongst ourselves.
Nov 30, 2018, 12:02 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club Blue
Posts: 969
I would normally agree, but having just had two flights this weekend in row 1, I can't believe I had a "seat hanger off-er" on one trip and a "knee up your backside" in the other. I know this is OT, but please if you are getting up from your seat, don't hang off the seat in front [regardless of cabin] that is just bad manners and if you do have to do it, understand that it means you are making my seat recline when neither of us wants it to.
As for the "knee" incident, that's not his fault per se, but blimey, what are you doing to make your knees juggle like that in my bottom? The seats are too thin - I need to pad myself out a bit more!
As for the "knee" incident, that's not his fault per se, but blimey, what are you doing to make your knees juggle like that in my bottom? The seats are too thin - I need to pad myself out a bit more!
Nov 30, 2018, 12:07 pm
#67
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,093
I find acceptable also row 2 or 3 or even 4 (not from 5 on because I see they are often delays in service and less choice in meals).
However, It's always better than Y with no middle free.
I would normally agree, but having just had two flights this weekend in row 1, I can't believe I had a "seat hanger off-er" on one trip and a "knee up your backside" in the other. I know this is OT, but please if you are getting up from your seat, don't hang off the seat in front [regardless of cabin] that is just bad manners and if you do have to do it, understand that it means you are making my seat recline when neither of us wants it to.
As for the "knee" incident, that's not his fault per se, but blimey, what are you doing to make your knees juggle like that in my bottom? The seats are too thin - I need to pad myself out a bit more!
As for the "knee" incident, that's not his fault per se, but blimey, what are you doing to make your knees juggle like that in my bottom? The seats are too thin - I need to pad myself out a bit more!
Nov 30, 2018, 12:22 pm
#68
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Nov 30, 2018, 2:51 pm
#70
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/aeg...usiness-class/
Nov 30, 2018, 3:13 pm
#71
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,130
But on an equivalent journey in the States, you get a bigger seat but the 'meal' would be crisps and snacks.
I would take a CE meal any day over that.
I would take a CE meal any day over that.
Nov 30, 2018, 3:15 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,130
Nov 30, 2018, 3:18 pm
#73
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I don't doubt the OP as I had to this happen to me.
To add insult to injury the people in front got a free upgrade to business. Six months later, so much correspondence and I still haven't received the refund in overpaid taxes. Mickey mouse doesn't describe it.
People who look down their noses and call people trolls who complain about this, well, I can't wait until this happens to you too. Get some perspective, you've paid for a service, not been compensated and had to chase for what BA should not have taken - the extra taxes. How is taking someone's money, not providing a service and not giving the excess paid back not a crime. Either way I give up, it's shameful. Shame on BA.
To add insult to injury the people in front got a free upgrade to business. Six months later, so much correspondence and I still haven't received the refund in overpaid taxes. Mickey mouse doesn't describe it.
People who look down their noses and call people trolls who complain about this, well, I can't wait until this happens to you too. Get some perspective, you've paid for a service, not been compensated and had to chase for what BA should not have taken - the extra taxes. How is taking someone's money, not providing a service and not giving the excess paid back not a crime. Either way I give up, it's shameful. Shame on BA.
If you were downgraded on a short-haul flight from CE to ET, you are likely owed 30% (possibly as much as 75%) of the base segment fare as well as any APD difference if there is a UK departure involved. Simply make the claim, wait a bit, then either go the CEDR route or MCOL (presuming you have a UK address) or file in small claims (telephonic hearings available).
Arguing with the carrier is pointless.
Nov 30, 2018, 3:46 pm
#74
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,734
as awful as TPG is, Brian Biros (who wrote the Aegean article) is particularly awful
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/aeg...usiness-class/
Last edited by krispy84; Nov 30, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Nov 30, 2018, 8:25 pm
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: United
Posts: 19
Wow, so many replies so quickly.
It was a 2 cabin flight, your typical European 3 seat across in economy that fold down to 2 seat across in business/first. The first 4 rows or so were business, I was in row 7 or so, with no empty seat next to me. Yes there was a curtain after row 4.
The guy sitting next to me had the same thing happen to him. A woman couple of rows back was complaining loudly that she had paid 1200 Euros for a business class ticket. This is the thing--why BA would treat price-insensitive customers that way, I don't understand. I never fly BA anyway so they won't lose much future business from me, but those other customers sounded like they live in the UK. The woman looked like someone who goes to South of France a lot on 1200 Euro tickets.
Yes, my ticket was 1,000+ Euros, one way. I bought it the night before because to my regret (especially now), United/Lufthansa through Frankfurt was sold out. Thank god I was booked on United LHR to SFO, instead buying a ticket going all the way through on BA.
When I checked into BA in Nice, the check-in took a while because the agents had to confer, and I now understand why, but they didn't bother to tell me they were downgrading me. This is the thing - United even if they had downgraded me - which I can't imagine ever happens, would have at least told me and apologized. And then they would have emailed me an apology with a voucher for few hundred dollars. I've gotten a $200 voucher from United when they were simply unable to turn off the lights in the cabin. They announce "Sorry we weren't able to dim the lights on the flight, please go to this website for compensation"--and they send you a voucher based on the type of ticket you have (granted, I'm Global Services and that was I think >$6K one-way ticket).
I'm having my admin contact BA, but wow, this is one of those things that is so far out of the range of possible things that could happen, I am flabbergasted. Someone said these things happen from time to time. No. I've never even heard of this happening on another airline. Ever.
It was a 2 cabin flight, your typical European 3 seat across in economy that fold down to 2 seat across in business/first. The first 4 rows or so were business, I was in row 7 or so, with no empty seat next to me. Yes there was a curtain after row 4.
The guy sitting next to me had the same thing happen to him. A woman couple of rows back was complaining loudly that she had paid 1200 Euros for a business class ticket. This is the thing--why BA would treat price-insensitive customers that way, I don't understand. I never fly BA anyway so they won't lose much future business from me, but those other customers sounded like they live in the UK. The woman looked like someone who goes to South of France a lot on 1200 Euro tickets.
Yes, my ticket was 1,000+ Euros, one way. I bought it the night before because to my regret (especially now), United/Lufthansa through Frankfurt was sold out. Thank god I was booked on United LHR to SFO, instead buying a ticket going all the way through on BA.
When I checked into BA in Nice, the check-in took a while because the agents had to confer, and I now understand why, but they didn't bother to tell me they were downgrading me. This is the thing - United even if they had downgraded me - which I can't imagine ever happens, would have at least told me and apologized. And then they would have emailed me an apology with a voucher for few hundred dollars. I've gotten a $200 voucher from United when they were simply unable to turn off the lights in the cabin. They announce "Sorry we weren't able to dim the lights on the flight, please go to this website for compensation"--and they send you a voucher based on the type of ticket you have (granted, I'm Global Services and that was I think >$6K one-way ticket).
I'm having my admin contact BA, but wow, this is one of those things that is so far out of the range of possible things that could happen, I am flabbergasted. Someone said these things happen from time to time. No. I've never even heard of this happening on another airline. Ever.
Last edited by unitedflyer007; Nov 30, 2018 at 9:15 pm