British Airways Advantages
Jun 28, 2019, 12:37 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,448
For me depends on the equipment being used, buy on board was a huge mistake, generally I find QR and AA better for long haul which is partly down to more up to date frames and on oard facilities on the routes I'm flying.
For euro hops I'll fly whoever is most convenient these days, I do try and avoid Ryan Air, but KLM, AF, SAS no better or worse than BA, AY are better.
In my opinion Alex Cruz is certainly 3rd rate.
Jun 28, 2019, 1:36 pm
#17
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,479
Is it more or less than the 82% of BA’s aircraft operating with updated IFE?
To keep this BA focused, you want consistency of a flat bed on a long haul flight, you can pick them with confidence. You want guaranteed lounge access rather than a unbundled package? You pick them.
Other airlines - take your chances. Maybe it’ll be better, maybe not.
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Jun 28, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Jun 28, 2019, 1:55 pm
#18
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,034
Jun 28, 2019, 2:06 pm
#20
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,479
Jun 28, 2019, 2:12 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
No. 8 was a tricky question. I had several thoughts in mind and had some difficulty in formulating item 8. On a couple of occasions (not necessarily in BA), a) the door wouldn't close, b) gate agent closed the door prematurely and at least 5 passengers were left out even though they were at the desk, and c) the pilot and the crew were standing at the door that the flow of passengers were restricted (a clever way of regulating traffic, perhaps). The second half of the statement concerns "opening:. On many occasions, when the plane arrived at the gate, no gate agents were to be seen. The plane was parked at the gate for over 30 minutes waiting for someone to operate the walkway and let the passengers out. In planes where there are two aisles, what is the etiquette for proper exit? Let one side get out first and then allow the other or one from each side, or...Again, these are not BA proper items but different airlines handle the situation differently.
Jun 28, 2019, 2:12 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,221
Jun 28, 2019, 2:15 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,737
Gentlemen,
Please take this behind the squash courts and inform us of the result. As to the OP’s questions, thoughts anyone?
Please take this behind the squash courts and inform us of the result. As to the OP’s questions, thoughts anyone?
Jun 28, 2019, 2:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,737
My tongue was pretty much through my cheek when I typed that, sorry it didn’t come across 😀. I have plenty of experience of kidney hatches in ships, therefore very happy to leave the windowless airframes to you!
Jun 28, 2019, 3:07 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
[My responses in Red
After reading Airline news and many postings in FlyerTalk, one can't help feeling that BA is a third rate airlines! Is it that bad?
To me what matters are,
1. Good seating area at the gate.
Airport issue, nothing ro do with BA
2. Relaxed gate agent who is cheerful and politely answers questions. Posts updated info.
May or may not be a BA employee.
3. Easy structured boarding
BA is trying, but not all gates are the same.
4. Convenient seating. I am neither tall or obese. Most seats are OK as long as they are supportive of my back and butt
Depends on cabin class and airframe, and long/short haul.Reportedly most seats on BA are survivable,
5. Decent room for storing one piece of allowed luggage
Usually available, although BA is less strict on the number of items than it should be.
6. I do get hungry-a light snack on domestic flights and a meal on International. I don't care for dessert etc.
BA provide free food in short-haul Business classes and in all classes on long-haul. Short-haul Economy (Coach) has Buy on Board.
7. Prompt departure and arrival.
BA timekeeping seems generally good. Departure time largely irrelevant ... it’s arrival time that matters (for connections etc.)
8. Doors of the plane closing/opening for easy boarding and getting off.
Yes, BA’s doors work. Ground handling agents may adversely impact proceedings.
9. I bring my own entertainment. However, good movie selections on long distance flights.
Personal preferences abound, but on this week’s long-haul the selection was massive (upgraded IFE)
10. Important-I do like a pillow. It serves me to buffer intruding neighbor's hands. In this, all airlines have failed in economy, at least in domestic flights.
BA offers good bedding in First and Business long-haul, but nothing on short-haul.
Has BA failed in these? .... <snip>.
To me what matters are,
1. Good seating area at the gate.
Airport issue, nothing ro do with BA
2. Relaxed gate agent who is cheerful and politely answers questions. Posts updated info.
May or may not be a BA employee.
3. Easy structured boarding
BA is trying, but not all gates are the same.
4. Convenient seating. I am neither tall or obese. Most seats are OK as long as they are supportive of my back and butt
Depends on cabin class and airframe, and long/short haul.Reportedly most seats on BA are survivable,
5. Decent room for storing one piece of allowed luggage
Usually available, although BA is less strict on the number of items than it should be.
6. I do get hungry-a light snack on domestic flights and a meal on International. I don't care for dessert etc.
BA provide free food in short-haul Business classes and in all classes on long-haul. Short-haul Economy (Coach) has Buy on Board.
7. Prompt departure and arrival.
BA timekeeping seems generally good. Departure time largely irrelevant ... it’s arrival time that matters (for connections etc.)
8. Doors of the plane closing/opening for easy boarding and getting off.
Yes, BA’s doors work. Ground handling agents may adversely impact proceedings.
9. I bring my own entertainment. However, good movie selections on long distance flights.
Personal preferences abound, but on this week’s long-haul the selection was massive (upgraded IFE)
10. Important-I do like a pillow. It serves me to buffer intruding neighbor's hands. In this, all airlines have failed in economy, at least in domestic flights.
BA offers good bedding in First and Business long-haul, but nothing on short-haul.
Has BA failed in these? .... <snip>.
Jun 28, 2019, 4:58 pm
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
No, I am confused. I wrote in general what I would like from an Airline. Because what I have been reading about BA in the forum, I just asked what does BA lack?
I am surprised how many defended BA and where were they in this forum about the bad bad BA!
as I also wrote, I mostly fly SkyTeam
I am surprised how many defended BA and where were they in this forum about the bad bad BA!
as I also wrote, I mostly fly SkyTeam
Jun 28, 2019, 5:38 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,269
For #1 , how much control does any airline have over the gate seating area?