British Airways-2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beyond the Blue Horizon
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The flights were free courtesy of AMEX and points apart from UK tax.The comment on Bacon roll is a comment on the food not on anything else. The comment on Champagne is the same as every lounge I and she has been in operated by an airline rather than franchise offers this, it’s not a perk it comes with the ticket and to be frank is expected.
I am sorry that some feel that this is some social commentary or what ever but I was asked to give feedback and that is what I did. Overall she was quite positive of the flight and she pointed out quite small stuff that can be fixed, apart from the getting up early for the flight.
She actually worked in aviation and her views on service etc are probably more valid than some keyboard warriors who may not have the same insight.
Anyway I will see what I find going North and will let you know.
PS
I also dislike Ketchup on a Bacon roll and think Champagne should be available in a World class airline Hub which BA says they are.
I will get back to you post flight with my own observations and would hope that I don’t have to put up with some of the above rather unbecoming comment’s as to be frank I would have expected better, but hay ho !
Cheers
Mr Mac
Last edited by Mr Mac; 3rd Dec 2023 at 18:58.
Honestly one of the most entitled things I’ve read in my life. Having to ask for the champagne at the bar being portrayed as an unbelievable hardship really is off the charts. Sounds like a thoroughly normal flight with nothing to complain about. Have a look in the news if you want to see what real world problems are.
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beyond the Blue Horizon
Age: 63
Posts: 1,257
Received 168 Likes
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103 Posts
Honestly one of the most entitled things I’ve read in my life. Having to ask for the champagne at the bar being portrayed as an unbelievable hardship really is off the charts. Sounds like a thoroughly normal flight with nothing to complain about. Have a look in the news if you want to see what real world problems are.
There is no bar you help yourself with with Wine , Spirits, Beer etc you are not served as such. Therefore you have to find someone who is clearing tables to go back of house to get said beverage. She only found out about this by asking a table of 4 where they got theirs from 😂😂 There is not a sign saying Champagne this way !
As an observation if your competitors offer it why would you not, as the customer has a choice, and looking at the demise of BA passenger numbers outside the SE, I think they may have made it in the UK anyway.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Last edited by Mr Mac; 4th Dec 2023 at 10:58.
May I ask which lounge was used at MAN? The old BA one has been closed for a while. Is there another in T3 or one in T1 that domestic pax have access to?
Also, for the record ketchup on a bacon butty is an abomination! HP or nothing. 😁
Also, for the record ketchup on a bacon butty is an abomination! HP or nothing. 😁
Along with a nice cuppa tea rather than a bucks fizz 😉
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Turin
It is the Escape lounge which is what was the old BA lounge in T3. There is a section facing into the centre of the building given over to BA. I use the same lounge but in T1 with LH.
The best for me in MAN is T1 EK lounge partly as you have a good view of Runway.
As for Bacon butty , good Bacon needs no sauce, but HP would be the one if I had a Bacon butty, but it’s been at least 3,years since I had one, as bread is a Sunday treat
Cheers
Mr Mac
It is the Escape lounge which is what was the old BA lounge in T3. There is a section facing into the centre of the building given over to BA. I use the same lounge but in T1 with LH.
The best for me in MAN is T1 EK lounge partly as you have a good view of Runway.
As for Bacon butty , good Bacon needs no sauce, but HP would be the one if I had a Bacon butty, but it’s been at least 3,years since I had one, as bread is a Sunday treat
Cheers
Mr Mac
Last edited by Mr Mac; 4th Dec 2023 at 10:56.
As Senora A points out the goodies aren't "free" - they're "included" so if BA are hiding the Champagne out of sight one could say they're ..... cutting corners? 
The whole point of top class service is that you don't have to ask - the people providing the service anticipate your every whim eg the Mandarin in HK
The whole point of top class service is that you don't have to ask - the people providing the service anticipate your every whim eg the Mandarin in HK
Last edited by Asturias56; 5th Dec 2023 at 07:42.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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As Senor A points out the goodies aren't "free" - they're "included" so if BA are hiding the Champagne out of sight one could say they're ..... cutting corners?
The whole point of top class service is that you don't have to ask - the people providing the service anticipate your every whim eg the Mandarin in HK
The whole point of top class service is that you don't have to ask - the people providing the service anticipate your every whim eg the Mandarin in HK
Cheers
Mr Mac
Don’t be cowed, Mr.Mac. This is a free country - say what you think ! All decent people will respect it. No slight implied towards anyone.
Last edited by kcockayne; 4th Dec 2023 at 19:59. Reason: Extra comment
Join Date: Jun 2007
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I am not known to be cowed so will see what I/ we found. Mrs Mac was quite favourable over-all in the cabin, but her comments were about airports and ground staff and facilities which she knows a lot about.
I arrive get on an aluminium tube and will judge my journey on that experience. She looks at infrastructure and cleanliness and ease of charging for upgrades, it’s a business not a hobby , when she worked in aviation, and I suspect for many posters re this it has been the later.
Hence my comments will be as SLF as that is what I am, but if something is grubby etc I will say so.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Does anyone know what the plan is around the 320 series?
in the last 18 months, multiple aircraft of all 320 variants have been withdrawn and stored. Now many are returning to service months later.
Was this the plan or are other issues causing their unexpected return?
in the last 18 months, multiple aircraft of all 320 variants have been withdrawn and stored. Now many are returning to service months later.
Was this the plan or are other issues causing their unexpected return?
Join Date: Sep 2007
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A few retirements are planned for the A319s and a few more A320s are scheduled to go to Euroflyer but generally, the ones currently stored that were flying during and after covid have simply run out of hours and are waiting for hangar space/engineers.
Some of the A321s that were stored during Covid have had corrosion issues as well as finding suitable buyers. Landing charges at LHR have made them uneconomical so a lot of the ex-bmi ones are going for freighter conversion and onwards to other operators.
Some of the A321s that were stored during Covid have had corrosion issues as well as finding suitable buyers. Landing charges at LHR have made them uneconomical so a lot of the ex-bmi ones are going for freighter conversion and onwards to other operators.
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The last BA delivered A321ceo G-EUXI which is not yet withBA Euroflyer is in maintenance/ storage in Budapest. I believe this will go to Euroflyer in a few weeks time probably via Heathrow for a few flights with mainline before transferring over to Gatwick. This will be aircraft 21 for Euroflyer. A320 G-MEDK is also said by sources to be going to Euroflyer in time for the summer season which will be number 22.
I do not know if aircraft 23 and 24 will happen or not. However with 10 A320/A321neo deliveries planned for LHR in 2024 there is scope to send a couple more A320ceo to Euroflyer at Gatwick.
The other G-MEDx series aircraft have all left the fleet, some going for freight conversion.
I do not know if aircraft 23 and 24 will happen or not. However with 10 A320/A321neo deliveries planned for LHR in 2024 there is scope to send a couple more A320ceo to Euroflyer at Gatwick.
The other G-MEDx series aircraft have all left the fleet, some going for freight conversion.
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Rivet Joint
There is no bar you help yourself with with Wine , Spirits, Beer etc you are not served as such. Therefore you have to find someone who is clearing tables to go back of house to get said beverage. She only found out about this by asking a table of 4 where they got theirs from 😂😂 There is not a sign saying Champagne this way !
As an observation if your competitors offer it why would you not, as the customer has a choice, and looking at the demise of BA passenger numbers outside the SE, I think they may have made it in the UK anyway.
Cheers
Mr Mac
There is no bar you help yourself with with Wine , Spirits, Beer etc you are not served as such. Therefore you have to find someone who is clearing tables to go back of house to get said beverage. She only found out about this by asking a table of 4 where they got theirs from 😂😂 There is not a sign saying Champagne this way !
As an observation if your competitors offer it why would you not, as the customer has a choice, and looking at the demise of BA passenger numbers outside the SE, I think they may have made it in the UK anyway.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beyond the Blue Horizon
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Well I came North with BA Monday night from Nairobi, and would make the following comments on the experience on that route and aircraft which was a 3 year old A350. I do quite a bit of time in them with LH and prefer them to 787.
BA use Kenya Airways Pride lounge, which has good views, but I would have to say I would prefer the Turkish lounge used by EK, but there is little in it though view probably better from Kenyan lounge, though as we were there late night little to see but Giraffe graphics on glass looked good and funny with a 787 behind them.
In bound flight was running late by circa 20min which is nothing to do with closed airspace in Sudan , Libya but late departure from LHR. Interestingly our North Bound route was out over Uganda, Congo, Central African Republic, Niger , Chad , Algeria to the Mediterranean. Never been that way before, could be winds, or issues with airspace over Egypt but no comment either way from FD so not sure why.
Boarding a little chaotic as airside lounge space available for around 230 not a A350 so a little tight. Boarded late as a result but not unduly so for African airport.
Business class, so drink before push, and it’s not a long taxi at Nairobi as generally you take off East facing, but this time sharp turn South then heading West as route above. Service was prompt with take off drinks served (order requested and placed pre take off). Food for myself was Lobsters/ Beef/ Cheese. Lobster ok Beef a bit of a miss and Cheese ok, though Blue a little strong for some at height given amount back in galley later. Wines were mostly New World, and pre Dinner drinks pretty standard offer. I would say mixers given BA patriotic drive,would be better with Fevertree, and maybe an offer of low Sugar rather than just Schweppes full fat, after all Jet 2 do !
The inflight entertainment offer wise ok, but music choice appeared to be more mixed compilations rather than individual albums, and not as good a# EK / SQ in that regards, but again arguably first world issue.
Slightly late into LHR but everything typical LHR morning rush ie misplaced Mrs Mac on hop between terminals but caught up in A ! Lounge was I would say, as she described ie very tired with poor clearing of tables, and toilet with cracked sink and well worn tarnished taps and general ironmongery. No champagne but offered Prosecco, but at least on the bar. Many will say first world problems or observation’s, but if you do this a lot, it’s the stuff you notice especially, if involved in construction or facilities management.
Flight up to Manchester pushed on time, and was on newish A320 and inflight Pork Loin was good and checked bag arrived with us.
As for crews Mrs Mac said down bound crew we’re slightly better, but with a Redeye for both passengers and crew it is never going to be their finest hour and the crew I interacted with were fine. They did have an issue when they had to de- plane a young women on the immediate opposite side of the A/C in Business Class post boarding. She was quite vocal against some CC from my observation which is sad.
So overall a bit mixed, and given connection issues from North I could not highly recommend LHR or BA at the moment when flying due partly to this if outside SE. If based in SE UK then LHR is your local airport and some issues go away but have to say it would stress a better experiment SQ/ EK.
I hope the above comes across fairly with not a mixed agenda, but from a observation point of view
Cheers
Mr Mac
BA use Kenya Airways Pride lounge, which has good views, but I would have to say I would prefer the Turkish lounge used by EK, but there is little in it though view probably better from Kenyan lounge, though as we were there late night little to see but Giraffe graphics on glass looked good and funny with a 787 behind them.
In bound flight was running late by circa 20min which is nothing to do with closed airspace in Sudan , Libya but late departure from LHR. Interestingly our North Bound route was out over Uganda, Congo, Central African Republic, Niger , Chad , Algeria to the Mediterranean. Never been that way before, could be winds, or issues with airspace over Egypt but no comment either way from FD so not sure why.
Boarding a little chaotic as airside lounge space available for around 230 not a A350 so a little tight. Boarded late as a result but not unduly so for African airport.
Business class, so drink before push, and it’s not a long taxi at Nairobi as generally you take off East facing, but this time sharp turn South then heading West as route above. Service was prompt with take off drinks served (order requested and placed pre take off). Food for myself was Lobsters/ Beef/ Cheese. Lobster ok Beef a bit of a miss and Cheese ok, though Blue a little strong for some at height given amount back in galley later. Wines were mostly New World, and pre Dinner drinks pretty standard offer. I would say mixers given BA patriotic drive,would be better with Fevertree, and maybe an offer of low Sugar rather than just Schweppes full fat, after all Jet 2 do !
The inflight entertainment offer wise ok, but music choice appeared to be more mixed compilations rather than individual albums, and not as good a# EK / SQ in that regards, but again arguably first world issue.
Slightly late into LHR but everything typical LHR morning rush ie misplaced Mrs Mac on hop between terminals but caught up in A ! Lounge was I would say, as she described ie very tired with poor clearing of tables, and toilet with cracked sink and well worn tarnished taps and general ironmongery. No champagne but offered Prosecco, but at least on the bar. Many will say first world problems or observation’s, but if you do this a lot, it’s the stuff you notice especially, if involved in construction or facilities management.
Flight up to Manchester pushed on time, and was on newish A320 and inflight Pork Loin was good and checked bag arrived with us.
As for crews Mrs Mac said down bound crew we’re slightly better, but with a Redeye for both passengers and crew it is never going to be their finest hour and the crew I interacted with were fine. They did have an issue when they had to de- plane a young women on the immediate opposite side of the A/C in Business Class post boarding. She was quite vocal against some CC from my observation which is sad.
So overall a bit mixed, and given connection issues from North I could not highly recommend LHR or BA at the moment when flying due partly to this if outside SE. If based in SE UK then LHR is your local airport and some issues go away but have to say it would stress a better experiment SQ/ EK.
I hope the above comes across fairly with not a mixed agenda, but from a observation point of view
Cheers
Mr Mac
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So looks like:
BKK leisure route from LGW 3/wk 772
KUL from LHR daily 789
New Seats in A320/1 Neos, J mid table back!
Free iMessage/WhatsApp for Exec Clubs pax
New F seat for A380
… perhaps some more to be announced
BKK leisure route from LGW 3/wk 772
KUL from LHR daily 789
New Seats in A320/1 Neos, J mid table back!
Free iMessage/WhatsApp for Exec Clubs pax
New F seat for A380
… perhaps some more to be announced
BA blouses
Looks like they’re not happy with the new blouse for females. No white or frilly bras to be worn in case the customer gets an eyeful
. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2...ting-the-mark/
. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2...ting-the-mark/