iraqi

Recently I travelled BA Club class from Dubai to Toronto.
This is the first time I take BA for this route as I have always flown with Emirates on the superb A380.
Unfortunately, due to a meeting in London, it made more sense to go with BA.
To say I was disappointed with the whole experience would be an understatement.
On the DXB-LHR leg, they used an ageing B777, the seats were filthy, the entertainment was horrible... I was forced to watch the movie when they wanted to play it and not when I chose to see it.
The staff kept on calling the Asian lady, opposite me "Sir", which was extremely embarrassing for her and me as we faced each other for the whole 7 hour flight.

LHR-YYZ was a newer B777, oddly enough they had the exact same menu as on the DXB-LHR leg... again the entertainment was lacking... They don't even bother to show British comedy on their comedy channel, which I found strange...

On the YYZ-LHR they used a 20 year old 767... (registration no. for those that want to check :GBNWR)... I honestly don't know how BA can still use this an old plane. Old no problem, but inside it was shabby, with many things broken and a very bloody noisy engine... but the funny part, as I was checking in, the checkin person told me that "as this a night flight no food will be served" this made me laugh and I though how cheap can BA get.

The LHR-DXB flight was nondescript other the an old B747.. with a 7" or so TV screen which I could hardly see anything on because of the sun coming through.

What did I miss out by doing this flight with BA as opposed to Ek?
1. Limousine service both ends
2. On Board Bar
3. Excellent lounge at DXB
4. Best on board entertainment
5. Brand new planes
6. Young energetic cabin crew...

I am sure lots of you will have an opinion that is totally opposite to mine, or some may agree with me...
Would love to hear all...

thanks

manintheback

Skytrax tends to differ with Emirates consistently rated well below BA in the main due to woeful 10 across seating in the back as opposed to 9 on BA and the CC (in my Emirates CC always appear to look absolutely shattered - not sure what their work patterns are but suggests they have it tough)

BAs lounges at LHR better then Emirates at LHR - home bases and all that

BA Sleeper service does offer food. Full meal before you board due to short flight time so you can sleep or snack if preferred. Full breakfast service is offered. I prefer it, much easier to eat on the ground in comfort than crammed into a space with re-heated whatever.

Entertainment - BAs is poor, no question. I've heard rumour they intend going the IPAD route. Air Canada used to do similar with portable DVD players. I didnt think much of that offering but IPads can clearly offer so much more

BAs fleet is a bit tired mind.

I flew Emirates to Dubai this year, and will be flying BA next. Emirates didnt impress me enough so its a route I look at and fly on schedule and cost.

Hotel Tango

My son recently flew BA in WTP on two different B747s (G-BNLW & G-CIVU) and he too commented on how "tired" the cabins were. In addition, the cabin service was very average to say the least, and certainly not BA of old.

pwalhx

I have through no choice of my own flow BA several times to Hong Kong in the last 12 months and concur totally with the opening post, tired old aircraft, tired ol entertainment and tired old crew in most cases.

The fly BA rule has gone next 2 trips to Beijing this weekend and Hong Kong in January booked on EK, picked up, flown from my local airport (MAN), new superb A380 and excellent in flight entertainment.


Unless I have to I am unlikely to fly BA again.

Skipness One Echo

Unless it's one of the B777s that was delivered the same year as the oldest BA ones. We can all be selective when we like. I have yet to board an aircraft that wasn't ageing yet!

GROUNDHOG

This makes me really sad, supported BA for many many years and they have always been my favourite airline. Flown twice with them recently in WTP LHR/YVR and both flights were at best average but generally poor. Outbound 747 last flight was awful, No IFE, aircraft filthy and falling to bits but BA did give me some miles as compensation so credit for that. Inbound 747 much better but the service wasn't.

My lasting impression is that they have gone too far in cutting corners and it shows, yes, these are hard times and savings must be made but c'mon guys there is a limit.

Virgin are starting the route next year so there will now be an option. Recent VS flights I have found the catering poor but the IFE and service good plus the aircraft have at least been clean.

I might just vote with my feet!

iraqi

Thanks for the opinions guys, all appreciated...
@skipness, no harm a plane being old, but the airlines should have pride and make sure the cosmetic stuff is taken care of... i am sure even an old BA plane is 100% safe (will not expect anything less from BA) but as a passenger that paid over £3500 for my flight i think the stuff i mentioned are important. Thanks again

theshed

All valid points and BA are very much aware of the issues of ageing aircraft.

They are in the process of a major fleet renewal combined with an extensive refitting program designed to bring the cabin of the more ageing airframes up to standard.

New 777's are arriving and the company has already begun preparing for the entry to service of the 787 and the 380(to add to this BA have very wisely chosen to let other companies work up these two new types and iron out any problems while generating knowledge to ease the entry much better than being poor Qantas with the bad press it's experiencing). An old exRAF guy once said to me as a young bright eyed pilot, "try not to end up flying a mark 1"

The 767's are having a refit as they rotate through on the maintenance schedule.

As for IFE iPads are rolled out on many of the flights with first on it and the company may well roll this out further back the aircraft but lets face it money isn't growing on trees these days.

Here's hoping the economy changes. Because everyone in the company wants to give the customers the best experience possible.

crewmeal

It's sad to think that someone has to bring this old chestnut in to the debate. We all have to grow old, most of us gracefully thankfully. But please don't bring agism into the forum.

fireblade2000uk

Ageism, hmmm, so as a 52 year old, if I were to line up with the crew and the oldest cabin crew members were to stand to the right in some form of age order and I was the first in line on the left, would that be ageism or merely making the point that on my last flight I would have been the youngest if I were to be cabin crew?
I too am a regular frequent flyer and had the misfortune recently to fly on one of BA's more "senior" 767's. The passengers call button chime accompanied us for what seemed like the entire journey, the IFE might have been working but it was impossible to see through the screen offered (I think my phone has a bigger screen). Surprise surprise on the return leg and due to technical reasons the aircraft was replaced by one of the newer 777's (assumed on the basis of new first class installed). I think BA should use these all the time on this route!

pwalhx

My comment was not ageist in any way, look at my age, it was a euphimism for the way they behave and not thier actual age.

crewmeal

With all the above comments about the shabby state of the fleet, have they got a refurbishment programme planned for the future. Sounds like the mothballed aircraft in Cardiff are in better condition!

malcolm380

hello everyone; this is my first post in pprune. I have to agree with the above comments about BA. I am a regular (leisure) passenger from the UK to EWR and recently made my first flight in several years with BA, in WTP, spending 75,000 exec club miles and a companion voucher (and north of £660 in taxes, etc...some free flight). I have recently flown with Continental for those years as Bristol is my local airport. The service on BA was inferior to Continental in almost every respect, particularly on our return from EWR in a very tired old 777, G-VIIG. The AVOD wasn't; we had a choice of a few films but not their start times; a tiny screen, no CDs, and no games. Its back to Continental for me; my preference on the flight across the pond is to make a playlist of 50 songs that I like, from a choice of 150+ CDs, sit back and listen. What a waste of my 75,000 miles. I should have spent the £660 and a bit more on 2 economy class tickets with Continental. No way BA.

BAOREY

I live in Dubai and do my level best to avoid Emirates as I find them overpriced and with the exception of the A380 the business class layout is very hit or miss. In economy the 10 across on a T7 is just hideous if you are tall or broad.

BA is certainly behind what it was ats its best but I still enjoy the experience and they remain my first choice when going East, then its CX for going West

Must change my name as no longer in Abu Dhabi

Tulsablue

Rercently flew LHR-DFW on 747 aircraft, club was good for seats, food average, beverage service good, entertainment only average, crew execellent. Overall a good experience but would not pay the full price (got a good deal).

grassy

Back from Bermuda in Club - same 777 as the way out so the crappy old entertainment system. Opted for the Express meal which was the most revolting panini i've ever had.

Wife just got back from Singapore on the 380 with SIA and couldnt speak highly enough.