BA LHR-PRG club Europe
Nov 28, 2019 | 10:26 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: CAMRA GGL (Gold Card Holder/Lifetime membership)
Posts: 897
Flew this route tonight. Compared to AA domestic F (now rebranded business) I will comment on the following observations:
1. Flight attendants were very friendly, efficient and overall wanted to make you feel taken care of. They were asking me if I needed a refill, “more beer” etc.
2. I can’t comment on food because I didn’t eat. The offerings were a roast beef salad or veggie. Both were cold options and looked like something you’d get on a domestic F envoy/175 flight I’m the US.
3. I was in 1C and yes it’s a couch seat but I had plenty of legroom at the bulkhead. No complaints.
4. BA’s 320 was a dinosaur. No power outlets and non functioning WiFi
5. Flight attendants in upper galley close the curtain as they prepare their service. I liked this and reduced light glare.
6. In flight moving map on flip down overhead vid screens were circa 1998.
7. CE cabin was 60% full. No one in 1A.
8. Passenger behind me in 2C taps me on the shoulder: “excuse me, do you mind raising your seat? There is no leg room here”. I instinctively did such only to lower it 10 minutes later but he never rebutted. I was ready for to lay out the “I’m sorry but your lack of planning isn’t my concern” spiel but wasn’t necessary.
10. Flight was on time. Despite moderate rain fall we pushed back and took off quickly. This wouldn’t happen typically with an AA flight at DFW. The rain would delay it.
11. The cross check announcements to the flight attendants upon being marshaled into the gate was called as the plane was rolling in. Here it isn’t until the plane has come to a full stop.
12. Very positive experience despite the 320’s lack of power or IFE.
1. Flight attendants were very friendly, efficient and overall wanted to make you feel taken care of. They were asking me if I needed a refill, “more beer” etc.
2. I can’t comment on food because I didn’t eat. The offerings were a roast beef salad or veggie. Both were cold options and looked like something you’d get on a domestic F envoy/175 flight I’m the US.
3. I was in 1C and yes it’s a couch seat but I had plenty of legroom at the bulkhead. No complaints.
4. BA’s 320 was a dinosaur. No power outlets and non functioning WiFi
5. Flight attendants in upper galley close the curtain as they prepare their service. I liked this and reduced light glare.
6. In flight moving map on flip down overhead vid screens were circa 1998.
7. CE cabin was 60% full. No one in 1A.
8. Passenger behind me in 2C taps me on the shoulder: “excuse me, do you mind raising your seat? There is no leg room here”. I instinctively did such only to lower it 10 minutes later but he never rebutted. I was ready for to lay out the “I’m sorry but your lack of planning isn’t my concern” spiel but wasn’t necessary.
10. Flight was on time. Despite moderate rain fall we pushed back and took off quickly. This wouldn’t happen typically with an AA flight at DFW. The rain would delay it.
11. The cross check announcements to the flight attendants upon being marshaled into the gate was called as the plane was rolling in. Here it isn’t until the plane has come to a full stop.
12. Very positive experience despite the 320’s lack of power or IFE.
Nov 28, 2019 | 11:16 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 4,056
Back in the day I used to travel to Prague quite a bit and would take the evening flight there and lunch time flight back in Club Europe. This was when it was a band 3 flight and the hot meal served was pretty decent. This was before my days of status so I’d lounge hop (Qantas wasn’t open then) based on cabin.
This year I’ve been to Prague 4 times and taken the morning flight. I’ve gone to BA CX and AA F lounges with QF not being open and I’ve flown CE twice and Euro Traveller twice. The breakfast in CE is well breakfast tasty enough and fills a hole however I’ve been happy with ET with a couple of purchased bloody Mary’s and some tea accompanied by some pastries and a yoghurt (ahem liberated from lounges).
having travelled in the US on American a few times in Domestic First or Internstional Business on similar flights whilst the extra space and seat comfort is amazing, to get some nuts, a fig roll or a pack of popcorn and a couple of drinks is u derehelming so the jury is out on which is my preference.
CE when done well can be a great experience. Glad you liked it.
This year I’ve been to Prague 4 times and taken the morning flight. I’ve gone to BA CX and AA F lounges with QF not being open and I’ve flown CE twice and Euro Traveller twice. The breakfast in CE is well breakfast tasty enough and fills a hole however I’ve been happy with ET with a couple of purchased bloody Mary’s and some tea accompanied by some pastries and a yoghurt (ahem liberated from lounges).
having travelled in the US on American a few times in Domestic First or Internstional Business on similar flights whilst the extra space and seat comfort is amazing, to get some nuts, a fig roll or a pack of popcorn and a couple of drinks is u derehelming so the jury is out on which is my preference.
CE when done well can be a great experience. Glad you liked it.
Nov 28, 2019 | 11:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 5,243
Why would this be rude? Yes it is not that nice but I would not find this rude, I've purchased the seat and if it reclines and I want to recline for whatever reason isn't it the person's right to do so? Yes pitch might tight, but seeing this as rude is unjustified in my opinion. Just to be clear - I normally do not recline on these SH, but if someone before me reclines, I don't think I have the right to judge.
When you purchase a seat, and if the seats recline, so be it - you should board with certain expectation and not certain privileges especially imposing it on other people. If you don't want someone to have their seat recline into your face, than purchase/select a bulkhead or whatever row that will not have a seat in your face.
The same goes for the OH cabin, if you have a rollerboard and a backpack, i feel that your expectation is one rollerboard above and your personal item below the seat - rude would be if pax stuffs all their belongings up there and therefore taking other pax space above.
I know above comments might bring this topic OT....
but this is my view - yes I too would not like it, but to label someone rude is a bit too far. Maybe you should start flying Ryanair (I believe all seats don't recline there?)
Cheers!
When you purchase a seat, and if the seats recline, so be it - you should board with certain expectation and not certain privileges especially imposing it on other people. If you don't want someone to have their seat recline into your face, than purchase/select a bulkhead or whatever row that will not have a seat in your face.
The same goes for the OH cabin, if you have a rollerboard and a backpack, i feel that your expectation is one rollerboard above and your personal item below the seat - rude would be if pax stuffs all their belongings up there and therefore taking other pax space above.
I know above comments might bring this topic OT....
but this is my view - yes I too would not like it, but to label someone rude is a bit too far. Maybe you should start flying Ryanair (I believe all seats don't recline there?)Cheers!
Nov 28, 2019 | 11:57 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold for Life (GGL), TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 8,360
No, it is not. The seat comes with that option. Don't think about the space as yours but that of the passenger in front of you. I never understood some people's desire to control what other passengers can or cannot do. If one does not want for someone to utilize the option of reclining their seat they should buy a ticket with an airline that does not offer that option.
Nov 29, 2019 | 1:34 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,230
Must admit that I find BAs CE meals to be of a pretty good size now that Do&Co have taken over catering. But then again I always have to remind myself not to order a starter when in North America, otherwise my main course will be entirely wasted!
Nov 29, 2019 | 3:46 am
#21
Moderator: The British Airways Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 17,354
Reclining the seat on a short flight is ….
Nov 29, 2019 | 12:20 pm
#22
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
Is this a new food caterer? Who did this before? Gate Gourmet? I'm traveling on the beluga tomorrow from heathrow to IAD and looking forward to the food!
Nov 29, 2019 | 12:33 pm
#23
Moderator: The British Airways Club, Iberia Club, Airport Lounges and Eco-conscious Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,593
Nov 29, 2019 | 1:20 pm
#24
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
On long haul, Do&Co provide the catering on routes to Abuja, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Charleston, Chicago, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Lagos, Moscow Domodedovo, Moscow Sheremetyevo, New York JFK, Pittsburgh, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Tokyo Haneda, and Tokyo Narita. Now if you could just reschedule your IAD to March...
Nov 29, 2019 | 1:25 pm
#25
Moderator: The British Airways Club, Iberia Club, Airport Lounges and Eco-conscious Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,593
Nov 29, 2019 | 2:27 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,830
I'll make the point again that the only planning most can do to get row 1 is to be BAEC Gold or OW Emerald. Telling people they are not planning well enough would be a tad unfair if they can't select seats that are blocked up until a particular time.
Nov 29, 2019 | 11:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
Nov 30, 2019 | 3:35 am
#28
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
Very enjoyable flight back to heathrow this morning. I was back in 1C and this time no one said anything as I reclined.
The omelette with mushrooms was tasty.
The flight attendants (2 — usually only 1 is working a AA domestic F cabin) kept asking if I needed anything more.
Upon approach to LHR I heard a first, possibly the biggest whopper out there. “ladies and gentlemen the pilot has informed us that we are landing with reduced visibility and will be using auto-land. Please ensure your electronic devices are switched off”. What?? Lol
Oh another point/comparison. The seatbelt sign came off during climb out. I like this rather than AA’s approach (and probably US pilots in general) keep it on almost entirely and turn it off only for a few minutes.
The omelette with mushrooms was tasty.
The flight attendants (2 — usually only 1 is working a AA domestic F cabin) kept asking if I needed anything more.
Upon approach to LHR I heard a first, possibly the biggest whopper out there. “ladies and gentlemen the pilot has informed us that we are landing with reduced visibility and will be using auto-land. Please ensure your electronic devices are switched off”. What?? Lol
Oh another point/comparison. The seatbelt sign came off during climb out. I like this rather than AA’s approach (and probably US pilots in general) keep it on almost entirely and turn it off only for a few minutes.
Nov 30, 2019 | 3:42 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,830
Very enjoyable flight back to heathrow this morning. I was back in 1C and this time no one said anything as I reclined.
The omelette with mushrooms was tasty.
The flight attendants (2 usually only 1 is working a AA domestic F cabin) kept asking if I needed anything more.
Upon approach to LHR I heard a first, possibly the biggest whopper out there. ladies and gentlemen the pilot has informed us that we are landing with reduced visibility and will be using auto-land. Please ensure your electronic devices are switched off. What?? Lol
Oh another point/comparison. The seatbelt sign came off during climb out. I like this rather than AAs approach (and probably US pilots in general) keep it on almost entirely and turn it off only for a few minutes.
The omelette with mushrooms was tasty.
The flight attendants (2 usually only 1 is working a AA domestic F cabin) kept asking if I needed anything more.
Upon approach to LHR I heard a first, possibly the biggest whopper out there. ladies and gentlemen the pilot has informed us that we are landing with reduced visibility and will be using auto-land. Please ensure your electronic devices are switched off. What?? Lol
Oh another point/comparison. The seatbelt sign came off during climb out. I like this rather than AAs approach (and probably US pilots in general) keep it on almost entirely and turn it off only for a few minutes.
Nov 30, 2019 | 3:46 am
#30
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
Entitled? What? No idea what youre talking about there. Anyway, yes of course I switched off my phone. Ive just never heard an auto land reason.