Assigned Middle Seat in Club Europe
Mar 31, 2022, 2:33 pm
#46
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
This suggests that the airline could move your seat from long-haul business to coach but still provide you a business class meal and lounge access and free checked bag and weasel their way out of the EC261 downgrade compensation. I hate the term, but it is a slippery slope here. IMHO, the seating/personal space is the ONLY thing that should be factored into defining a downgrade. I do think someone should file for a 75% refund, particularly an elite who has a free bag, priority security/boarding, and lounge access already and thus the only benefits of J are space and a meal, and the space was taken away. I think it's a pretty good case...
And no I don't think it is a pretty good case, but yes I think you are due something back from BA to reflect the loss of this element of the service.
Mar 31, 2022, 4:51 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,072
One idea is for BA to go all Economy and offer options like Economy Light no checked bags seats assigned at checkin or airport, Economy Regular 1 Checked Bag and 1 Carryon plus Beverages and Economy Extra All this plus a Light Meal and alcohol depending on length.
Me personally I will not pay for Club Europe just to have the middle seat blocked.
Me personally I will not pay for Club Europe just to have the middle seat blocked.
Apr 2, 2022, 2:38 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex
Programs: BA; IHG; LHW; Hilton
Posts: 786
Making the headlines
I see the daily mail has picked up on this – although doesn’t go into much detail, just the fact that it happened and people had paid several hundred pounds more for a supposed business seat. The airline told the newspaper that everything was back to normal now.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...h-Airways.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...h-Airways.html
Apr 2, 2022, 2:42 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 259
Try flying on Cathay in Business from Hong Kong to Shanghai for £250 return...If you want a "proper" business class seat in Europe you'd have to pay a lot lot more. There isn't the market for it. Why would airlines provide that just to appease the mileage vultures redeeming for "pennies on the dollar"...
Apr 2, 2022, 3:00 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: IHG Spire Elite,Star Alliance
Posts: 121
One idea is for BA to go all Economy and offer options like Economy Light no checked bags seats assigned at checkin or airport, Economy Regular 1 Checked Bag and 1 Carryon plus Beverages and Economy Extra All this plus a Light Meal and alcohol depending on length.
Me personally I will not pay for Club Europe just to have the middle seat blocked.
Me personally I will not pay for Club Europe just to have the middle seat blocked.
Apr 2, 2022, 3:41 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
One idea is for BA to go all Economy and offer options like Economy Light no checked bags seats assigned at checkin or airport, Economy Regular 1 Checked Bag and 1 Carryon plus Beverages and Economy Extra All this plus a Light Meal and alcohol depending on length.
Me personally I will not pay for Club Europe just to have the middle seat blocked.
Me personally I will not pay for Club Europe just to have the middle seat blocked.
Don’t forget the product also includes another major benefit: lounge access for those otherwise not entitled. So you’re not just paying for a seat block and a meal!
Apr 2, 2022, 4:05 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Try flying on Cathay in Business from Hong Kong to Shanghai for £250 return...If you want a "proper" business class seat in Europe you'd have to pay a lot lot more. There isn't the market for it. Why would airlines provide that just to appease the mileage vultures redeeming for "pennies on the dollar"...
Apr 2, 2022, 4:14 am
#53
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
It's a mixed bag when you compare Europe and US business class, even before you get to price. Contrast things like lounge access, provisions of meals, and seats. Somethings are better in the US, some better in Europe.
Apr 2, 2022, 4:31 am
#54
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Gold Card
Posts: 324
The problem is for many they are not getting multiple parts of the deal. The queues are so long they have no time for lounges, the seating is changed to 3-3 so they get no empty middle seat and then often food choices are not available at the best of times, then you land and BA say you can have your luggage in a week. Maybe a slight exaggeration but the carrier is falling apart it seems.
Apr 2, 2022, 5:21 am
#55
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 858
Cash price LHR-EDI today in ET £329, CE £457. Avios availability in CE!
So FTV your cash ticket and buy one of the Avios ones, then you'll get everything except tier points:
Lounge access, food, middle seat - rather than aisle or window!, etc
Claim for compo and 10,000 avios back!
Might work on other routes?
So FTV your cash ticket and buy one of the Avios ones, then you'll get everything except tier points:
Lounge access, food, middle seat - rather than aisle or window!, etc
Claim for compo and 10,000 avios back!
Might work on other routes?
Apr 2, 2022, 6:05 am
#57
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
The problem is for many they are not getting multiple parts of the deal. The queues are so long they have no time for lounges, the seating is changed to 3-3 so they get no empty middle seat and then often food choices are not available at the best of times, then you land and BA say you can have your luggage in a week. Maybe a slight exaggeration but the carrier is falling apart it seems.
Apr 2, 2022, 6:23 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 259
Apr 2, 2022, 3:01 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 31
if it's a regular occurance doesn't it become a Trading Standards and Advertising Standards Authority issue due to missleading marketing?
Apr 2, 2022, 3:12 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
If you go on a train in first class the better seat is all you get. BA not providing that is not providing what was sold. Sure, if things have become disorganised one doesn't want to leave people stranded. But club should just be cancelled, and passengers compensated back to economy fare.
If you buy business class you can get out your laptop and documents and work. You can't do that when 3-across and your elbows even when sat up straight are up against your neighbours. It's not what you purchased.
If you buy business class you can get out your laptop and documents and work. You can't do that when 3-across and your elbows even when sat up straight are up against your neighbours. It's not what you purchased.