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British Airways Centenary Becomes A PR Nightmare

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British Airways Centenary Becomes A PR Nightmare

Old 30th Aug 2019, 02:31
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Originally Posted by Icerefugee
Couldn't agree more. I am ashamed and embarrassed to be associated with this organisation. Once upon a time, I was proud to work for BA. Customer Service is a thing of the past. To Fly, to serve? Who are we serving? We have lost touch with those who pay our wages. Across the range of products, look at LH, KL, AF....... we are a poor runner up in each case.
We are now an increasingly US run business, with US standards which isn't always what is wanted elsewhere. Let's look again at OUR culture.
Whinge over.
How so?!

Your CEO is European, thanks for blaming the US for your problems though, I have to be honest, last I checked the domestic service on Delta, United and even AA was much better than BA's, I used to love BA as well, and I feel for you guys with this management, but lets not blame the US for your boy Willie...

Free snacks, sodas on even the worst stateside mainline flights, not so on BA or Iberia...
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Old 30th Aug 2019, 10:14
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Is it some kind of a modern trend of formerly successful airline CEOs with next to iconic status crashing and burning when times are actually good? Walsh brought BA to profitability and now does things that we expect only from creatures like Michael O'Leary. Including ordering 200 airplanes that are currently considered unsafe to fly.

Tim Clark made Emirates No.1 long-haul airline in the world from next to nothing, but his recent blunder with airplane orders is destroying not only his reputation but the airline's relationships with the plane makers.

When will those people understand that once you've achieved something grand, you have to just step down and retire in a blaze of glory.
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Old 31st Aug 2019, 08:59
  #23 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by TCU
I commute between CPT and LHR 3 or 4 times a year

Mostly fly BA Y these days (either direct or via JNB) as the cracking EK Business Class fares of a few years ago are a distant memory. My Silver card has been cast into history, but I survive (used to fly this route a lot with BA in C).

BA is mostly on time. I nearly always bag a reasonable fare. Service is normally fine and even though the 744's are old in the tooth, I'm always pleased to be on a blue, red and white tailed G-reg plane when over the heart of darkness.

Living in Africa with its daily ups and downs, when I arrive back in the UK, I get the sense most Brits have gone soft, lost there sense of place and adventure and think they are entitled to something they can't afford.

So fellow snowflake Brits, keep on moaning. I'll keep boarding my BA flight from Africa to Blighty as I am sure it will get me home to my family safe, without too much drama and at a reasonable fare.
TCU - Your comment is the best of them all. The blue, red & white tailed aircraft have taken me safe to the most distant places in the world, there have been times when I sighted in relief when I saw these trails before going home. My return to Europe after the Iceland volcanoe erruption, the care by staff and the comradeship of the crew
will never be forgotten. On hundreds of flights I have never been starving, or feel thirsty. Blue, red & white aircraft have brought stranded passengers home, who had travelled on airlines which went bankrupt while they were abroad. Thanks for reminding us of the good sides of the company. Yes, there are managers, who shouldn´t
work in this business, soul less bean counters, as I have experienced myself. But I still get my pension, without which I couldn´t survive. Still have my travel concessions, which are more than generous.
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Old 31st Aug 2019, 19:57
  #24 (permalink)  
 
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I'm with you TCU, whilst things have gone down the pan a bit at BA, the recent improvement in catering is actually GOOD. I'm happy BA set a high standard of safety, Flight Deck & Engineering still good and Cabin seems to be past the nightmare of a few years ago.Sure, it's not perfect but I position 15 or more times a year and its a damned sight better than Vueling/Air Malta/Ryanair/Eurowings/Wizz etc.... Though sadly as a Brit not as good as Lufty or KLM.
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Old 31st Aug 2019, 20:55
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Originally Posted by beamer
BA has not been an airline of choice for some time. If there is no choice then you are stuck with them.
ABBA, mate. Anybody But British Airways. Shoddy service and fares that are too high.

Luckily, I've not flown on BA since 2012, and have no desire whatsoever to do so.
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Old 1st Sep 2019, 06:15
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After a few flights with BA I realised that they are now a no frills airline at a full cost price. Mind you they were very generous when I flew BA from Heathrow to Singapore with a corpse in 1F while I was in 3A (me and the unfortunate man in 1A both got an upgrade).
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Old 5th Sep 2019, 20:29
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Originally Posted by quietfrog
How so?!

Your CEO is European, thanks for blaming the US for your problems though, I have to be honest, last I checked the domestic service on Delta, United and even AA was much better than BA's, I used to love BA as well, and I feel for you guys with this management, but lets not blame the US for your boy Willie...

Free snacks, sodas on even the worst stateside mainline flights, not so on BA or Iberia...
Mr Cruz is European. Agreed. But with a US education, and before being with Vueling and its predecessors, was with American. US standards. Also, loads of US shareholders - both institutional and private, few of whom will have an interest in UK culture and values.
Lovely comment earlier. Ryanair without the charm.
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Old 6th Sep 2019, 04:01
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Originally Posted by TCU
I commute between CPT and LHR 3 or 4 times a year

Mostly fly BA Y these days (either direct or via JNB) as the cracking EK Business Class fares of a few years ago are a distant memory. My Silver card has been cast into history, but I survive (used to fly this route a lot with BA in C).

BA is mostly on time. I nearly always bag a reasonable fare. Service is normally fine and even though the 744's are old in the tooth, I'm always pleased to be on a blue, red and white tailed G-reg plane when over the heart of darkness.

Living in Africa with its daily ups and downs, when I arrive back in the UK, I get the sense most Brits have gone soft, lost there sense of place and adventure and think they are entitled to something they can't afford.

So fellow snowflake Brits, keep on moaning. I'll keep boarding my BA flight from Africa to Blighty as I am sure it will get me home to my family safe, without too much drama and at a reasonable fare.
God forbid we should want to actually improve something we're passionate about right? I mean let's all bow down and go home because you get your reasonable fares without too much drama. What a standard we should all be striving for! Thank you for such insight and perspective.

Passengers like you are what keep BA going. You're willing to accept the mediocrity and your stiff upper lip mentality because complaining would put you in with the "snowflakes". Cruz and Co love people like you. Nobody is entitled to something they can't afford but don't be under any illusion that you're getting a value based service for what you're actually paying for.
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Old 6th Sep 2019, 08:11
  #29 (permalink)  
 
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SUGGESTED READING.

Start with reading the book and/or watching the film;

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/b...iABEgIhQfD_BwE

Then muse over the following psychological traits;

https://www.healthyplace.com/persona...the-difference

Hopefully then will you appreciate why they're all behaving in such a manner and you'll be able to sleep easy?

My dealings with the CEO of a major UK utility supplier confirms all of the above.

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Old 6th Sep 2019, 08:20
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Alex will be gone soon...off to do something else...
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Old 6th Sep 2019, 15:44
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Symptom of the times

I am about to fly BA long haul and some of the comments here and elesewhere have been very off putting. If I had a choice, I might have used another airline but the flight is part of a package. However, I still have confidence in the professionalism of the staff and expect to get to my destination safely. Recent comments about the impending strike that it is not about absolute levels of pay but about creeping inroads into terms and conditons whilst the directors pocket millions which nobody but them thinks they deserve, chime with other social issues and the pilots have my sympathy, although personally I hope issues are resolved before the strike b*****s up my holiday. But this is a symptom of our times - the greedy get greedier because they can and the rest of us pay.
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Old 6th Sep 2019, 22:23
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Not sure there's much wrong with BA long-haul, apart from the majority of the aircraft not being the latest and greatest, but their short-haul service in Europe is a joke.
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Old 7th Sep 2019, 00:03
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I used to champion BA for their comfort and service. However, following several recent experiences, I was not left impressed. The service is really suffering now as a result of the low-cost, pay-for-everything approach. This is what used to set BA apart from most of the other U.K. choices and I didn’t mind paying a little extra to receive the complimentary service. The knock-on effect is a sub-standard offering, at high cost and the service is VERY slow as a result. It took well over an hour after take off in the Euro Traveller cabin to be able to order two Gin & Tonics - at the price of £6 each, which is a crazy price for BA. (We weren’t even right at the back of the a/c either). On the way back, we bought our own drinks in the airport and brought our own sandwiches with us, something I never thought I’d ever do on a BA flight! This same slow service with all cabin lights on gone 11pm at night and numerous PAs during flight back meant that instead of being able to get the sleep we expected in order to drive home slightly less weary at 1:30am in the morning, we got none. And that’s without mentioning the uncomfortable seats on the tatty G-MIDx fleet that have been relegated to Gatwick. ONE check-in bag increased our fare by £30 each way too - excessive. Based upon this experience, I would not differentiate the service offered by BA to that offered by EasyJet/Ryanair, etc (in fact their checked-bag prices are lower). I realise I wasn’t flying in Club Europe, but I wasn’t before either. Lufthansa have a great economy service which is simple, yet appreciated. I’m sorry to say that BA have cheapened their once special brand, and I’ll no longer select BA over any other low cost carrier based upon these recent experiences.
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Old 7th Sep 2019, 10:40
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Usually fly emirates, family used their BA airmiles to shout me biz class ticket BNELHR return. First leg tto London wwas ok,however return was scabby. The biz lounge food ar LHR was gruesome and the loo a throwback to 60s motor way standards,broken seat and greasy hand basin. The staff were surly white wine warm and the red cold. An extra 4000 quid for this, a return to the days of British Ashtrays. Never again . FFS, Emirates from now on.
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Old 7th Sep 2019, 11:01
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Originally Posted by reefrat
... white wine warm and the red cold...
Looking at your post I guess the refill rate was ok then

Last edited by golfyankeesierra; 7th Sep 2019 at 11:54.
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Old 9th Sep 2019, 01:48
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reefrat.

British Airways have not flown the Brisbane route for at least 15-20 years.... Not sure the relevance to the current discussion.
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Old 9th Sep 2019, 06:28
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Originally Posted by aml125
reefrat.

British Airways have not flown the Brisbane route for at least 15-20 years.... Not sure the relevance to the current discussion.
Yes, BA quit the route in October 2000, I believe.
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Old 9th Sep 2019, 06:31
  #38 (permalink)  
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Originally Posted by aml125
reefrat.

British Airways have not flown the Brisbane route for at least 15-20 years.... Not sure the relevance to the current discussion.
maybe just woke up?
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Old 9th Sep 2019, 10:42
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Transitory Profits

We can imagine that the huge increase in the profitability of British Airways is almost entirely due to the fall in the value of the pound. Parasite managers who, in fact, did nothing to achieve this will receive huge bonuses. Of course this is all transitory , but manager's bonuses, unjustified as they are at this time, are only one time. Pilots salaries once increased will continue at the increased level into the indefinite future.
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Old 9th Sep 2019, 11:08
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In the British Army, up until a few years ago, the first response to a mutiny was to sack, punish, or otherwise deal with the mutinous unit's officers, on the certain grounds that it was their fault.

Now, while we can all say with total truth that what BA has is a bunch of whingeing, overpaid Nigels cynically using their muscle to screw BA for more than they are worth by making hundreds of thousands of their customers (aka "salary payers") suffer, the blame for allowing the situation to get this far lies fairly and squarely in the IAG boardroom, who evidently have no clue about how to deal effectively with the said Nigels, who seem unable to understand that profits, just like losses, are for shareholders (aka "investors taking risks") to share, as opposed to Directors and other employees whose share of the gross profits is called "remuneration". Mind you, the Directors don't seem to understand that either.

Last edited by old,not bold; 9th Sep 2019 at 12:11.
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