Shocked at how US airlines have overtaken Club World
Nov 13, 2019, 11:08 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
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Only thing I'm confused about is your title. Surely it should be Shocked at how United have overtaken Club World rather than US Airlines considering you're compering to just one carrier?
Nov 13, 2019, 11:11 am
#32
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
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Nov 13, 2019, 11:39 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Nov 13, 2019, 11:42 am
#35
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
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Nov 13, 2019, 11:42 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
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Nov 13, 2019, 11:53 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
I think a lot of this comes down to perspective. Does BA have old cabins which they use on Premium long haul routes like LHR to NYC? Absolutely! Do they need to pack an mattress pad and tent because there is a very good chance they’ll be sleeping on a deflated J seat that has been compared to sleeping on a park bench and hasn’t been fixed for years? No because they aren’t flying AC!
Those who say the grass is greener on the other side have yet to step on the manure yet
-James
Those who say the grass is greener on the other side have yet to step on the manure yet
-James
Nov 13, 2019, 1:18 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
Well that's one difference between BA and American style J service. American business class service is more informal, down to earth and approachable. They're not so uptight as the Brits tend to be. Some people prefer this, whilst others prefer the professionalism of the British.
(A related aside. Returning BA SEA-LHR on this same trip the guy next to me on the UD gave a box of chocolates to the crew prior to take off, along with a speech about how they do such a tough job and he appreciated them. I know I am an old cynic, but that made me cringe! They do a job, I pay XXX for my ticket, they get paid by the airline - end of transaction. But I think both British sides of the equation are uncomfortable with that, while Americans "get it". Which is why I have no time for Brits who complain about American "insincerity" in service. Of course it's insincere! But it's also the right thing to do given the service relationship and both sides of the transaction understand what's going on.)
Last edited by aristoph; Nov 13, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Nov 13, 2019, 1:41 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I have to say, as a fairly formal Brit, nowadays I often find BA service to be far too familiar for my tastes. It can sometimes feel that the crew offer better service to the people they get on with, and I feel under some pressure to "engage" with them, in banter. This isn't just younger crew in my experience, nor an MF/WW question, but I think Brits are just generally more uncomfortable with offering (or receiving) service than Americans. That might just be my projection of course, but if I compare it with my recent AA flight in J LHR-ORD the crew were efficient, proactive and helpful but I never once felt that they wanted me to engage in conversation with them - which I did not! And going back to the OP, this style of service combined with the vastly superior seat, the clean plane, and the (relative) haven of T3 as opposed to the zoo of T5 means that AA will be getting my business LHR-MIA early next year, and whenever I have the option instead of BA.
(A related aside. Returning BA SEA-LHR on this same trip the guy next to me on the UD gave a box of chocolates to the crew prior to take off, along with a speech about how they do such a tough job and he appreciated them. I know I am an old cynic, but that made me cringe! They do a job, I pay XXX for my ticket, they get paid by the airline - end of transaction. But I think both British sides of the equation are uncomfortable with that, while Americans "get it". Which is why I have no time for Brits who complain about American "insincerity" in service. Of course it's insincere! But it's also the right thing to do given the service relationship and both sides of the transaction understand what's going on.)
(A related aside. Returning BA SEA-LHR on this same trip the guy next to me on the UD gave a box of chocolates to the crew prior to take off, along with a speech about how they do such a tough job and he appreciated them. I know I am an old cynic, but that made me cringe! They do a job, I pay XXX for my ticket, they get paid by the airline - end of transaction. But I think both British sides of the equation are uncomfortable with that, while Americans "get it". Which is why I have no time for Brits who complain about American "insincerity" in service. Of course it's insincere! But it's also the right thing to do given the service relationship and both sides of the transaction understand what's going on.)
Nov 13, 2019, 1:43 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
Nov 13, 2019, 1:50 pm
#42
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Nov 13, 2019, 1:52 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,992
Do you ever bring a small gift for the crew?
Nov 13, 2019, 1:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LON/NYC/SIN/Peckham
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Having done LON-NYC on several carriers many times, I have to say that I always feel the most comfortable on the US ones. Delta One and United Polaris are great products, the service I have always found attentive and nothing seems to be too much. AA J is also decent.
My recent BA experiences have left me feeling that I am an annoyance to the crew if I request another drink, either when they come around the cabin or if I push the call bell. VS is a little too much for me sometimes, so maybe there should be a service level between the two.
My recent BA experiences have left me feeling that I am an annoyance to the crew if I request another drink, either when they come around the cabin or if I push the call bell. VS is a little too much for me sometimes, so maybe there should be a service level between the two.
Nov 13, 2019, 1:54 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
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Posts: 2,274
Wow! Opinions are great - we all have them!
However, for those of us that flew a lot more in the 90s and early 2000s than now, the very idea of UA being better than BA is quite something. (Brit understatement)
UA, better than BA??? How low can BA fall? I do not mind hearing about the wonders of ME3 and CX/SQ, but UA????
However, for those of us that flew a lot more in the 90s and early 2000s than now, the very idea of UA being better than BA is quite something. (Brit understatement)
UA, better than BA??? How low can BA fall? I do not mind hearing about the wonders of ME3 and CX/SQ, but UA????