Musings On BA
Paxing All Over The World
Curmudgeon, why do you think that is? When on VS, I am usually in Premium Econo but the last time I was in Upper, I did get called. Also, having just booked Upper for JNB in October, what are your tips to be 'on the list'!!
Also, what is your view on the new Upper seating? My last Upper was in the previous generation so am looking forward to the new.
Cheers.
Also, what is your view on the new Upper seating? My last Upper was in the previous generation so am looking forward to the new.
Cheers.
Join Date: Sep 2000
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PAXboy
I haven't a clue as to why I didn't get the call. I'd like to know the % of pax who do get the massage - I'd presume it to be 50% or so, therefore statistically I should be in for a run of luck soon.
Most of the time my employers paid the full fare until they wised up, so it wasn't because I was on the cheapest ticket. I don't think my behaviour was off putting either.
For my tips as to how to be on the list - if I recommended anything, its probably in your best interests to do the opposite!
I haven't been on the new seats - last time I flew VS on that route was about a year ago. BA had upgraded me to first previously so on the basis of good luck with BA and bad luck with VS, I prefer to go BA unless there are other random factors coming in. Marketing departments may wish to take note that the lack of a VS massage and BA being nice to me once has meant that the GBP 4,000 per trip has been going to BA. Wife and 3 kids (2/3 full fare times 2, and 1 infant fare at 10% full fare) have also been told to go BA where I have the choice.
I suppose it will be like that until BA screw up and I go back to VS.
cur
I haven't a clue as to why I didn't get the call. I'd like to know the % of pax who do get the massage - I'd presume it to be 50% or so, therefore statistically I should be in for a run of luck soon.
Most of the time my employers paid the full fare until they wised up, so it wasn't because I was on the cheapest ticket. I don't think my behaviour was off putting either.
For my tips as to how to be on the list - if I recommended anything, its probably in your best interests to do the opposite!
I haven't been on the new seats - last time I flew VS on that route was about a year ago. BA had upgraded me to first previously so on the basis of good luck with BA and bad luck with VS, I prefer to go BA unless there are other random factors coming in. Marketing departments may wish to take note that the lack of a VS massage and BA being nice to me once has meant that the GBP 4,000 per trip has been going to BA. Wife and 3 kids (2/3 full fare times 2, and 1 infant fare at 10% full fare) have also been told to go BA where I have the choice.
I suppose it will be like that until BA screw up and I go back to VS.
cur
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London, UK
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Yes, passengers can be rather unforgiving when airlines screw them!
For me, Virgin Atlantic have remained unforgiven since the time I arrived 1 hour 45 minutes early for a LGW-UVF flight in Upper and was subject to an involuntary downgrade - and, despite two letters, to this day I have not been reimbursed the difference between the Upper Class and Premium Economy fares, which was several hundred pounds. I just didn't have time to pursue the matter, wrote off the loss and gave up on VS as a hopeless case.
The biggest beneficiary has of course been BA, who have had most of my business - and, on leisure trips, that of my accompanying girlfriend (whose ticket I usually pay for). Excluding short haul routes where VS is not an option anyway, BA has probably benefitted to the tune of £20,000 a year for the last two years.
But naturally I'm as fickle as the next punter, and of course a major uncorrected screw-up by BA would lead me into the hands of the competition very rapidly!
For me, Virgin Atlantic have remained unforgiven since the time I arrived 1 hour 45 minutes early for a LGW-UVF flight in Upper and was subject to an involuntary downgrade - and, despite two letters, to this day I have not been reimbursed the difference between the Upper Class and Premium Economy fares, which was several hundred pounds. I just didn't have time to pursue the matter, wrote off the loss and gave up on VS as a hopeless case.
The biggest beneficiary has of course been BA, who have had most of my business - and, on leisure trips, that of my accompanying girlfriend (whose ticket I usually pay for). Excluding short haul routes where VS is not an option anyway, BA has probably benefitted to the tune of £20,000 a year for the last two years.
But naturally I'm as fickle as the next punter, and of course a major uncorrected screw-up by BA would lead me into the hands of the competition very rapidly!
Join Date: Jul 2002
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having restarted my flying after a change of role I find that things have changed.
Flying out of LHR t1-t4 ( it makes no difference)
BA - as an ex gold card holder, to give an indication that I used to fly BA a lot; the level of service on LHR-GLW and LHR-MAN is a waste of time, europe routes, the all day deli is getting close to the " Trades Description Act", and on the last three long haul LHR-SFO, well that last one I PAID to change to virgin on the return leg.
the ony good BA thing I have done is use the rapid check in at T1
My best carrier at the moment ... dont have one but Swiss, BMI and Thai are dammed close. Virgin have gone down , but are still good. BA well they are per the initails.
.... and why does it take so long to check in the person in front
Flying out of LHR t1-t4 ( it makes no difference)
BA - as an ex gold card holder, to give an indication that I used to fly BA a lot; the level of service on LHR-GLW and LHR-MAN is a waste of time, europe routes, the all day deli is getting close to the " Trades Description Act", and on the last three long haul LHR-SFO, well that last one I PAID to change to virgin on the return leg.
the ony good BA thing I have done is use the rapid check in at T1
My best carrier at the moment ... dont have one but Swiss, BMI and Thai are dammed close. Virgin have gone down , but are still good. BA well they are per the initails.
.... and why does it take so long to check in the person in front
Too mean to buy a long personal title
mainfrog2: I know this is going to bore the pants off everyone. The Scone and Clotted Cream was afternoon tea and about the only catering we did that was ever half decent.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: LGW - Hub of the Universe!
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Hey Everybody!!!
I just flew on my hols with Continental Airlines and on the LGW-IAH leg, I got the biggest Scone with Clotted Cream (in a dainty china pot) and Jam that I have ever seen.....I also have to say, sadly, that their Business First catering on that sector is very probably the best airline food (and the best in-flight service) I have ever encountered!
(I'm sad to say it, 'cos I work for BA and it is not pleasant to see that we are being overhauled by carriers that were in the "also ran" category a few years ago!
So Gwyn, (and anyone else who hates the "Sarnie bag") PLEASE write to BA's Customer Relations and let them know what you really think!!! The company will not take notice until the mail sacks arrive full!!!)
I just flew on my hols with Continental Airlines and on the LGW-IAH leg, I got the biggest Scone with Clotted Cream (in a dainty china pot) and Jam that I have ever seen.....I also have to say, sadly, that their Business First catering on that sector is very probably the best airline food (and the best in-flight service) I have ever encountered!
(I'm sad to say it, 'cos I work for BA and it is not pleasant to see that we are being overhauled by carriers that were in the "also ran" category a few years ago!
So Gwyn, (and anyone else who hates the "Sarnie bag") PLEASE write to BA's Customer Relations and let them know what you really think!!! The company will not take notice until the mail sacks arrive full!!!)
Delay? What delay?
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, England
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To balance things a bit, I'd like to give BA a round of applause for the all day deli bag. Living in Switzerland and flying back to the UK every couple of weeks, I travel with BA, Swiss and easyjet (only when I absolutely have to!). The catering on Swiss is nothing short of appalling, obviously easyjet doesnt really do catering unless you want to get a mortgage for a tiny tube of pringles. BA catering is far and away the best. Also at least they know how to make a sandwich, which is more than can be said for the Swiss. Until two years ago I used to travel weekly in C class from LON (LHR and LGW) to ARN on BA, and, in my opinion I thought the service and food were excellent. Do you fellow ppruners think that this has changed for the worse? I still dream about the summer pudding they served, and limitless G and Ts. A very nice way to relax on the way home. I will always try to chose BA whenever possible. (next on the list come other British Carriers, then American, then the rest.) Saying that I am off to South Africa on Swiss this weekend. So thats how much I stick to principles when a cheap fare is on offer
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Incidentally, for the much flaunted Virgin massages in upper class, I've only had about a 10% sucess rate in getting one despite being asked to be woken up if my turn came. My wife's sucess rate is about 15%, and she's got the Virgin gold card.
having said that I've only ever been on Upper Class once, and that was an upgrade....
Join Date: Aug 2001
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With regard to Continental, a friend of mine travelled LGW to Newark during 1999 in Tourist and was allegedly charged fifty pence to hire the inflight headphones! The policy might have changed. Would you say this was penny pinching?
Join Date: May 2002
Location: LGW - Hub of the Universe!
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Egg Mayo - CO's policy of charging for headphones in Economy is, apparently, due to the sheer number that go missing from the tourist cabin. Apparently, they charge a small amount but the passenger is welcome to keep the headphones to use on future flights.
They now charge $4 for in-flight alcoholic drinks in the Tourist cabin, but that money is being used to improve catering.
Penny pinching it may be, but the proof of the pudding is that CO's finances are the strongest of any US or European carrier at the present time!
They now charge $4 for in-flight alcoholic drinks in the Tourist cabin, but that money is being used to improve catering.
Penny pinching it may be, but the proof of the pudding is that CO's finances are the strongest of any US or European carrier at the present time!
