What would you miss?
Oct 22, 2020, 1:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: North Wales
Programs: BAEC, M&M
Posts: 88
What would you miss?
In the sad event that BA were to succumb to the current financial crisis and disappear from our skies, what would be the one unique BA thing you would miss?
For me it would have to be that genteel throw back to a bygone age, the hot towel.
For me it would have to be that genteel throw back to a bygone age, the hot towel.
Oct 22, 2020, 1:35 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,894
Really interesting question.
When I first read it, I thought there would be loads of things I would miss - and there certainly would be some things:
I used to appreciate Fast Track Security, but even LGW normal security on school holidays is quick nowadays
I used to appreciate the better legroom in economy on shorthaul BA - it was a real differentiator from the LCCs - but that's gone
I used to love travelling on the old 767s - lots of character - especially in Row 1 CE or the old "fan" CW - all now gone, replaced by sterile Airbus clones
I'd miss the lounge access - but many airports now have pretty good space and seating, certainly better than they used to be, plus I get PP / Dragon Pass with my bank and the outstation BA people aren't really BA people any more so the interaction is now missing.
I wouldn't miss Gold for Life as I only earned it a year or so ago and have never needed to fall back on it, but I'd be well frustrated at all of that cost and effort going to waste!
When I first read it, I thought there would be loads of things I would miss - and there certainly would be some things:
- The light banter with the cabin crew when on a long CW sector or the odd extra G&T that I used to get when travelling down the back on shorthaul
- I'd miss the interaction with certain key people in the HVC team and on the GGL line
I used to appreciate Fast Track Security, but even LGW normal security on school holidays is quick nowadays
I used to appreciate the better legroom in economy on shorthaul BA - it was a real differentiator from the LCCs - but that's gone
I used to love travelling on the old 767s - lots of character - especially in Row 1 CE or the old "fan" CW - all now gone, replaced by sterile Airbus clones
I'd miss the lounge access - but many airports now have pretty good space and seating, certainly better than they used to be, plus I get PP / Dragon Pass with my bank and the outstation BA people aren't really BA people any more so the interaction is now missing.
I wouldn't miss Gold for Life as I only earned it a year or so ago and have never needed to fall back on it, but I'd be well frustrated at all of that cost and effort going to waste!
Oct 22, 2020, 1:36 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: North Wales
Programs: BAEC, M&M
Posts: 88
Oct 22, 2020, 1:39 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,520
More seriously, the network from LHR and LCY, the GGL team, the use of my GfL which would suddenly go to waste, the CCR access before flights, the life left in the often excellent memories.
Oct 22, 2020, 1:53 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,806
Oct 22, 2020, 1:56 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: North Wales
Programs: BAEC, M&M
Posts: 88
Oct 22, 2020, 1:59 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC, AA, Emirates, Hilton, Hyatt, Taj Hotels
Posts: 2,343
64A or 64K.....oh dear 
That ice cold G and T on leaving Riyadh or Jeddah
CCR at T5 and JFK - and the ability to use Avios to get into F.
But yes, a lot of the 'soft touches' that made BA so special, with a special mention for those BA staff at outstations and the more senior cabin crew, have of course now disappeared. Willie and Alex really hollowed out the airline from a passenger perspective in many ways. Before anyone shouts ''Club Suites...'', my answer is that they should have done that at least 5 years ago.
That ice cold G and T on leaving Riyadh or Jeddah
CCR at T5 and JFK - and the ability to use Avios to get into F.
But yes, a lot of the 'soft touches' that made BA so special, with a special mention for those BA staff at outstations and the more senior cabin crew, have of course now disappeared. Willie and Alex really hollowed out the airline from a passenger perspective in many ways. Before anyone shouts ''Club Suites...'', my answer is that they should have done that at least 5 years ago.
Oct 22, 2020, 2:11 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
The truly great BA people: those who possess that wonderful mixture of experience, enthusiasm, people-savvy and gentle humour that can make a bad flight easily bearable and a good flight a memorable joy, both in good times and bad times for the company as a whole.