BA9 LHR-BKK, It Is What It Is
Feb 20, 2020, 11:09 pm
#91
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: A3*G,BA Silver
Posts: 2,011
Feb 20, 2020, 11:34 pm
#92
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SGN
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 149
Feb 21, 2020, 1:47 am
#93
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
i flew 4 BA flights as required last year.
I will never fly with them long haul unless absolutely necessary.
Last 3 times i have not even had a hello from the crew and the plane has been filthy
CX / QR had CSD come to say hello on boarding and come check again just before landing - both in Y and J - they even brought me a glass of champagne before taxi on QR when i was in Y!
and on UL they brought me a piece of cake and a glass of bubbly for my birthday - 5 minutes after midnight - just after we reached cruising altitude.
i'm not sure if it's the effects of the endless BA/Unions back and forth, but onboard service on BA has really has plummeted over the last 5 years
A real shame as i always looked forward to a little piece of home when boarding in the far east each time
I will never fly with them long haul unless absolutely necessary.
Last 3 times i have not even had a hello from the crew and the plane has been filthy
CX / QR had CSD come to say hello on boarding and come check again just before landing - both in Y and J - they even brought me a glass of champagne before taxi on QR when i was in Y!
and on UL they brought me a piece of cake and a glass of bubbly for my birthday - 5 minutes after midnight - just after we reached cruising altitude.
i'm not sure if it's the effects of the endless BA/Unions back and forth, but onboard service on BA has really has plummeted over the last 5 years
A real shame as i always looked forward to a little piece of home when boarding in the far east each time
Feb 21, 2020, 1:58 am
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 41
BA to the US was so far always ok alas the planes sometimes where old. IAD was super old, the screens where those tiny square ones but the A/C was clean and the service very good. LAS was brand new 777 outbound and and tiny square IFE inbound but both ways it was clean and the service was great.
Feb 21, 2020, 2:19 am
#95
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 50,000 TPs until BA GGLfL
Posts: 2,774
BA fly significantly newer products on all their leisure routes from LGW, so BA's management are being pretty clear they don't want your money on these routes. There's a reason Norwegian started flying LGW-EZE
Feb 21, 2020, 2:47 am
#96
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,328
I've skimmed this thread and haven't seen anyone mention this, so I'll try and explain a couple of issues -
As you're likely aware, BA don't offer every seat for upgrade like AA do. They'll happily fly with empty premium seats rather than let people upgrade. A lot of people like this about BA, as when you pay for CW or F you're not suddenly surrounded by last minute upgrades. Of course, the flip side is the one you're commenting from. Also, flying Y there's a cabin between you and CW - WTP. It's not always possible to make a two cabin jump at the airport - even for cash. Similarly that spare CW seat could have been allocated for crew rest.
The wifi going out for 4 hours towards the end of the flight sounds like it's probably as you flew over India. India doesn't allow any airlines to run wifi whilst in its airspace.
Other airlines such as JAL and QR are indeed fairly hot when it comes to seeking out OWEs. BA don't do this. They're supposed to make an effort to seek out pax who are Gold in BAEC, but this rarely happens - so OWEs have little chance getting much extra onboard. I'm not saying this is right; I'm just saying that's how it is on BA. Personally I find the verbal rimming that comes from QR crew when you sit down as a OWE to be cringeworthy; so I'm usually glad to be left alone on BA. That said, when AA treat me as CK key and I get SUVs to the plane, etc. as a BA GGL it's often really appreciated, so I get the hypocrisy of my comment about wanting to be left alone on other airlines.
However... clearly you've experienced some absolutely unacceptable things on this flight. As others have said, BA9 has an awful reputation, Those toilets are absolutely grim. The response for having no IFE or power is seriously lacking. And their response is derisory with a $50 voucher. I'd go back, remove the parts of the complaint that they can't help (wifi over India, no upgrades, etc.) and focus on the parts that your ticket entitle you to (working IFE, clean toilets and cabin, proactive crew when things go wrong, in seat power).
They owe you a lot more than $50, I reckon. The issue may have been that parts of your complaint that aren't necessarily complaints may be obscuring the parts of your complaint that are.
As you're likely aware, BA don't offer every seat for upgrade like AA do. They'll happily fly with empty premium seats rather than let people upgrade. A lot of people like this about BA, as when you pay for CW or F you're not suddenly surrounded by last minute upgrades. Of course, the flip side is the one you're commenting from. Also, flying Y there's a cabin between you and CW - WTP. It's not always possible to make a two cabin jump at the airport - even for cash. Similarly that spare CW seat could have been allocated for crew rest.
The wifi going out for 4 hours towards the end of the flight sounds like it's probably as you flew over India. India doesn't allow any airlines to run wifi whilst in its airspace.
Other airlines such as JAL and QR are indeed fairly hot when it comes to seeking out OWEs. BA don't do this. They're supposed to make an effort to seek out pax who are Gold in BAEC, but this rarely happens - so OWEs have little chance getting much extra onboard. I'm not saying this is right; I'm just saying that's how it is on BA. Personally I find the verbal rimming that comes from QR crew when you sit down as a OWE to be cringeworthy; so I'm usually glad to be left alone on BA. That said, when AA treat me as CK key and I get SUVs to the plane, etc. as a BA GGL it's often really appreciated, so I get the hypocrisy of my comment about wanting to be left alone on other airlines.
However... clearly you've experienced some absolutely unacceptable things on this flight. As others have said, BA9 has an awful reputation, Those toilets are absolutely grim. The response for having no IFE or power is seriously lacking. And their response is derisory with a $50 voucher. I'd go back, remove the parts of the complaint that they can't help (wifi over India, no upgrades, etc.) and focus on the parts that your ticket entitle you to (working IFE, clean toilets and cabin, proactive crew when things go wrong, in seat power).
They owe you a lot more than $50, I reckon. The issue may have been that parts of your complaint that aren't necessarily complaints may be obscuring the parts of your complaint that are.
Feb 21, 2020, 2:58 am
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SGN
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 149
I've skimmed this thread and haven't seen anyone mention this, so I'll try and explain a couple of issues -
As you're likely aware, BA don't offer every seat for upgrade like AA do. They'll happily fly with empty premium seats rather than let people upgrade. A lot of people like this about BA, as when you pay for CW or F you're not suddenly surrounded by last minute upgrades. Of course, the flip side is the one you're commenting from. Also, flying Y there's a cabin between you and CW - WTP. It's not always possible to make a two cabin jump at the airport - even for cash. Similarly that spare CW seat could have been allocated for crew rest.
The wifi going out for 4 hours towards the end of the flight sounds like it's probably as you flew over India. India doesn't allow any airlines to run wifi whilst in its airspace.
Other airlines such as JAL and QR are indeed fairly hot when it comes to seeking out OWEs. BA don't do this. They're supposed to make an effort to seek out pax who are Gold in BAEC, but this rarely happens - so OWEs have little chance getting much extra onboard. I'm not saying this is right; I'm just saying that's how it is on BA. Personally I find the verbal rimming that comes from QR crew when you sit down as a OWE to be cringeworthy; so I'm usually glad to be left alone on BA. That said, when AA treat me as CK key and I get SUVs to the plane, etc. as a BA GGL it's often really appreciated, so I get the hypocrisy of my comment about wanting to be left alone on other airlines.
However... clearly you've experienced some absolutely unacceptable things on this flight. As others have said, BA9 has an awful reputation, Those toilets are absolutely grim. The response for having no IFE or power is seriously lacking. And their response is derisory with a $50 voucher. I'd go back, remove the parts of the complaint that they can't help (wifi over India, no upgrades, etc.) and focus on the parts that your ticket entitle you to (working IFE, clean toilets and cabin, proactive crew when things go wrong, in seat power).
They owe you a lot more than $50, I reckon. The issue may have been that parts of your complaint that aren't necessarily complaints may be obscuring the parts of your complaint that are.
As you're likely aware, BA don't offer every seat for upgrade like AA do. They'll happily fly with empty premium seats rather than let people upgrade. A lot of people like this about BA, as when you pay for CW or F you're not suddenly surrounded by last minute upgrades. Of course, the flip side is the one you're commenting from. Also, flying Y there's a cabin between you and CW - WTP. It's not always possible to make a two cabin jump at the airport - even for cash. Similarly that spare CW seat could have been allocated for crew rest.
The wifi going out for 4 hours towards the end of the flight sounds like it's probably as you flew over India. India doesn't allow any airlines to run wifi whilst in its airspace.
Other airlines such as JAL and QR are indeed fairly hot when it comes to seeking out OWEs. BA don't do this. They're supposed to make an effort to seek out pax who are Gold in BAEC, but this rarely happens - so OWEs have little chance getting much extra onboard. I'm not saying this is right; I'm just saying that's how it is on BA. Personally I find the verbal rimming that comes from QR crew when you sit down as a OWE to be cringeworthy; so I'm usually glad to be left alone on BA. That said, when AA treat me as CK key and I get SUVs to the plane, etc. as a BA GGL it's often really appreciated, so I get the hypocrisy of my comment about wanting to be left alone on other airlines.
However... clearly you've experienced some absolutely unacceptable things on this flight. As others have said, BA9 has an awful reputation, Those toilets are absolutely grim. The response for having no IFE or power is seriously lacking. And their response is derisory with a $50 voucher. I'd go back, remove the parts of the complaint that they can't help (wifi over India, no upgrades, etc.) and focus on the parts that your ticket entitle you to (working IFE, clean toilets and cabin, proactive crew when things go wrong, in seat power).
They owe you a lot more than $50, I reckon. The issue may have been that parts of your complaint that aren't necessarily complaints may be obscuring the parts of your complaint that are.
Feb 21, 2020, 3:17 am
#98
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
I was about to make the same point as Wozza2404, in fact I would say that in order to have an involuntary upgrade - or even an AUP - normally I'd be expecting more than 1 spare seat. There are good reasons for having a spare seat available on departure.
For the Wifi, if you don't think you had good service, IAG readily refund complaints in full. They can check downloaded/uploaded data flows and if they look low then a refund is quickly provided, should take about 3 days.
For the problems with the seat, I agree £50 sounds too low (assuming the OP paid more than a trivial sum for the ticket), an Avios refund (if that is of value to the OP) may be easier to negotiate. However at the end of the day it's up to the OP to define what is the correct refund amount, which may well be based on the amount paid for the ticket. Some aspects don't count - failure to provide upgrade, self upgraders etc - but no power, no iFE - are definitely in scope. So the OP should work out what would be a reasonable, rational reimbursement, and then press for it. At least in the UK consumer law would largely support the OP in whatever was an appropriate determination.
Is this a routine problem on BA's services to BKK? It would seem unlikely since there are quite a few regular users, who clearly have alternative options. Equally, a set of problems like this could equally happen on a far shorter trip on a recently refitted new aircraft.
For the Wifi, if you don't think you had good service, IAG readily refund complaints in full. They can check downloaded/uploaded data flows and if they look low then a refund is quickly provided, should take about 3 days.
For the problems with the seat, I agree £50 sounds too low (assuming the OP paid more than a trivial sum for the ticket), an Avios refund (if that is of value to the OP) may be easier to negotiate. However at the end of the day it's up to the OP to define what is the correct refund amount, which may well be based on the amount paid for the ticket. Some aspects don't count - failure to provide upgrade, self upgraders etc - but no power, no iFE - are definitely in scope. So the OP should work out what would be a reasonable, rational reimbursement, and then press for it. At least in the UK consumer law would largely support the OP in whatever was an appropriate determination.
Is this a routine problem on BA's services to BKK? It would seem unlikely since there are quite a few regular users, who clearly have alternative options. Equally, a set of problems like this could equally happen on a far shorter trip on a recently refitted new aircraft.
Feb 21, 2020, 3:21 am
#99
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SGN
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 149
I was about to make the same point as Wozza2404, in fact I would say that in order to have an involuntary upgrade - or even an AUP - normally I'd be expecting more than 1 spare seat. There are good reasons for having a spare seat available on departure.
For the Wifi, if you don't think you had good service, IAG readily refund complaints in full. They can check downloaded/uploaded data flows and if they look low then a refund is quickly provided, should take about 3 days.
For the problems with the seat, I agree £50 sounds too low (assuming the OP paid more than a trivial sum for the ticket), an Avios refund (if that is of value to the OP) may be easier to negotiate. However at the end of the day it's up to the OP to define what is the correct refund amount, which may well be based on the amount paid for the ticket. Some aspects don't count - failure to provide upgrade, self upgraders etc - but no power, no iFE - are definitely in scope. So the OP should work out what would be a reasonable, rational reimbursement, and then press for it. At least in the UK consumer law would largely support the OP in whatever was an appropriate determination.
Is this a routine problem on BA's services to BKK? It would seem unlikely since there are quite a few regular users, who clearly have alternative options. Equally, a set of problems like this could equally happen on a far shorter trip on a recently refitted new aircraft.
For the Wifi, if you don't think you had good service, IAG readily refund complaints in full. They can check downloaded/uploaded data flows and if they look low then a refund is quickly provided, should take about 3 days.
For the problems with the seat, I agree £50 sounds too low (assuming the OP paid more than a trivial sum for the ticket), an Avios refund (if that is of value to the OP) may be easier to negotiate. However at the end of the day it's up to the OP to define what is the correct refund amount, which may well be based on the amount paid for the ticket. Some aspects don't count - failure to provide upgrade, self upgraders etc - but no power, no iFE - are definitely in scope. So the OP should work out what would be a reasonable, rational reimbursement, and then press for it. At least in the UK consumer law would largely support the OP in whatever was an appropriate determination.
Is this a routine problem on BA's services to BKK? It would seem unlikely since there are quite a few regular users, who clearly have alternative options. Equally, a set of problems like this could equally happen on a far shorter trip on a recently refitted new aircraft.
Feb 21, 2020, 5:21 am
#100
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
Other airlines such as JAL and QR are indeed fairly hot when it comes to seeking out OWEs. BA don't do this. They're supposed to make an effort to seek out pax who are Gold in BAEC, but this rarely happens - so OWEs have little chance getting much extra onboard. I'm not saying this is right; I'm just saying that's how it is on BA. Personally I find the verbal rimming that comes from QR crew when you sit down as a OWE to be cringeworthy; so I'm usually glad to be left alone on BA. That said, when AA treat me as CK key and I get SUVs to the plane, etc. as a BA GGL it's often really appreciated, so I get the hypocrisy of my comment about wanting to be left alone on other airlines.
Looking at how difficult it is to earn OWE flying, say, a relatively discounted LHR-HKG J class ticket on QR:
- BA requires minimum 3 round trips (plus a couple of cheap BA short-haul flights)
- QR requires minimum 5 round trips
- CX requires minimum 6 round trips
- JL requires minimum 7 round trips (actually, it's not even possible to earn it here without a lot more flying as half of this total distance needs to be on JL metal only)
Not seeking to make excuses, but it stands to reason BA will find it more of a commitment to seek out all the OWEs on a particular flight. AA is slightly more difficult to earn than BA, but still requires less flying than any of the other airlines above.
Feb 21, 2020, 6:27 am
#101
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold;BA GGL; hhonors lifetime diamond; Marriott lt Gold; IH Plat Amb; Amex Centurion
Posts: 4,738
Well here’s a data point if anyone from BA is listening. I have a business trip to BKK coming up in April. It would have born close to full fare J (although I always try to to economise for my partners!). There is no way on earth I am going to travel on that flight and I will try QR instead...
Feb 21, 2020, 7:06 am
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Regarded as total and utter snob amongst the BAEC community.
Posts: 971
A couple of alternative routes for those needing some more efficient to BKK. You have Thai who have a twice daily service and even Eva Air for a daily. Albeit not OW you should still get a far superior service and cheaper.
Feb 21, 2020, 7:17 am
#104
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA executive club
Posts: 109
No emerald deserves the flight experience the OP got from BA. But after reading all the comments above I wonder why the OP should bother to seek any further compensation from BA. The only reasonable thing to do seems to forget about BA in the short and medium term and to fly airlines with a better Y product (soft and hard) in the future. Further discussions and exchanges with BA will probably only lead to more frustration. In these days and on some routes you can still be a happy person flying BA if you keep your expectations very low. That's the whole secret.
Feb 21, 2020, 9:12 am
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
I wouldn't pre-judge an airline product solely on the negatives posted to an internet discussion forum . To be fair even positive comments can often be misleading.