British Airways-What are they like?

paleoboy

Hi, Im thinking of flying British airways to Joburg! I wanted to fly emirates and still can but that means having to go from Dublin to Heathrow, then to Dubai then to SA.

Thats prob a bit mad... What are British Airways like to travel with?!

Cheers

Lump

Was going to start a thread earlier about BA. I am currently sitting in Gatwick Airport waiting for my BA flight to Pisa to leave. I got to the airport at 8am - Having checked in online, I headed straight to security, only to be told to go back to check in. I wandered over to a random BA person (Happened to be next to the first class desk) Anyway, she imformed me that the 9am flight had been cancelled. Great! Apparently the fog had grounded the flight, I asked why it wasn't delayed instead of cancelled.

They explained that to avoid confusion they cancel flights. The fog lifted about 8.30 so probably would have been in the air around 10.

Anyway, long story short I am currently booked on the 14.35 flight to Pisa, a lovely Irish lady sorted me getting in to the first class lounge (After I asked) and now sitting here on my laptop waiting to leave. So So So happy I was geeky enough to bring the computer with me

To sum up - BA aren't that great IMHO. But then I get the perk of 1st class lounge. However I would be really annoyed if I was sitting in the regular departures area. I don't understand why they didn't just delay the flight.

blah

I flew with them to Chicago, thought they were very good, plenty of free drink, seat-back entertainment systems, much better than aer lingus anyway (not that they go to J'burg)

paleoboy

Comfort wise though I wonder what are they like? Do you have own tv etc like Emirates?!

Lump

No idea, as I'm only going short haul I doubt I'll have a TV to myself. Do a goodle search for Seat Guru - Then put BA in and look at the plane type you'll be flying on.

TestTransmission

flew with them from LA to Heathrow,found them to be ok.Qantas are much better.

Tabnabs

I flew with them from Capetown to London in 1999 and even then they had seat back entertainment etc.

I also flew with them to JFK and our flight (British Midlands) had been delayed leaving Dublin because of a fault to the plane. When we arrived at Heathrow we had missed our connection to JFK. BA had seen this delay and automatically booked us onto the next flight. Top marks for service.

jahalpin

Flew with them from LHR - SFO and back last week.

I was very impressed. They had seat back TV's with Video on Demand. The seats were quite comfortable and the service was very good

I was on a connecting flight from Dublin via LHR and my bags didn't quite make the SFO flight, so when I arrived at SFO they gave me a $50 Visa giftcard to buy essentials and they delivered my bags to my hotel in Las Vegas the next day

FlutterinBantam

Lump wrote: »

Was going to start a thread earlier about BA. I am currently sitting in Gatwick Airport waiting for my BA flight to Pisa to leave. I got to the airport at 8am - Having checked in online, I headed straight to security, only to be told to go back to check in. I wandered over to a random BA person (Happened to be next to the first class desk) Anyway, she imformed me that the 9am flight had been cancelled. Great! Apparently the fog had grounded the flight, I asked why it wasn't delayed instead of cancelled.

They explained that to avoid confusion they cancel flights. The fog lifted about 8.30 so probably would have been in the air around 10.

Anyway, long story short I am currently booked on the 14.35 flight to Pisa, a lovely Irish lady sorted me getting in to the first class lounge (After I asked) and now sitting here on my laptop waiting to leave. So So So happy I was geeky enough to bring the computer with me

To sum up - BA aren't that great IMHO. But then I get the perk of 1st class lounge. However I would be really annoyed if I was sitting in the regular departures area. I don't understand why they didn't just delay the flight.

probably because they are not God, and did not know when the fog would lift.
They were most likely acting on a forecast,and in that situation its better to make a decision early rather than drag things out for a long time.
This frees up an aircraft rather than having it committed to an indefinite delay going to Pisa. Its an individual call on the forecasts given.Sometimes they get it right,and sometimes wrong.Either way the passenger is never satisfied:rolleyes:

flaka

I've flown BA more times than I can remember. For long haul they are as good as the rest. To US, Africa, Middle East. Never been to SA.

Depending on the route - competition - you might get a newer plane with better in flight entertainment - digital rather than VHS.

Food is always fine. Friendly staff, nice pleasant accents. They wander around with trays of water and juice to keep you hydrated.

I've never had a bag go lost or arrive late with BA. Flew Emirates from Dubai once, bag didn't even get on the plane. That’s the only luggage problem I've ever had, and only time I flew Emirates.

Plus with BA you're dealing with UK company - so there is no cultural difference with staff/expectation.

quickstitch.ie

Have had 4 flights wit them and I find them quiet good, the staff I've come across more than helpful, food fairly decent, seats not too bad for a person of 6'3" and the IFE is great, in nov in sfo flight return there was about 30 films or more I'd say in the back of the seat, with hours of sport, comedy and a few other catagories as well... pleny of viewing to keep you someway occupied... it'll be displayed on the website what will be on your particular flight if you check it out...

RuggieBear

The few flights with BA have been great. Comfortable and decent entertainment options on seat back display units

Only bettered by QANTAS who upgraded me to business class on a flight from Auckland to LA when i told them i had a bad leg.

Third_Echelon

BA are very good for long haul. I'd generally take them for flying to US with work. Really good service.

Ruu_Old

Flew with them from Dub-Heathrow-Chicago and found them very friendly, individual telly screens and I also noticed they make sure everyone is comfortable with drinks.