Poor old British Airways, no longer enjoying the position of Brits first choice for air travel. It all seems to have gone downhill for them since Thatcher tried to cover their modern art tail design with a hanky she produced from her gigantic bag. I don't know why she didn't just concentrate and melt it with her demonic powers.
Anyway things have been going considerably worse since the twin towers toppled and BA have announced their decision to ground 10% of their planes and sack 7,000 staff. The recent terrorist attack had an obvious effect on their business, several days of no crossAtlantic flights followed by weeks of reduced custom as people readjust to the tightened security. Not to mention the devastating effect of irresponsible media hysteria discouraging people from flying.
However on top of this they have had severe pressure from the new budget airlines. As Ryanair and Easyjet compete to make the lowest profit possible on certain popular flights, BA suffers the consequences. The
difference between the two levels of service is huge, like the difference between taking a bus and taking a train.
I have used BA a few times, most recently for a flight to Paris. Due to late booking I had to get a flight from Glasgow changing at Birmingham before finally reaching Charles De Gaulle airport. The flights cost £180 for two adults, which I thought was fairly reasonable at short notice. The check-in was easy and involved no queueing at all, we handed over our suitcase and were then left to wander round the airport shops and waste some money.
We were surprised when, as we went to enter the terminal, we spotted the Scotland football team ready to depart for Belgium. This helped put us in a good mood, in particular I was delighted to meet Paul Lambert who also plays for Celtic. If we had known the result they were about to get we may not have been so friendly but nevermind, awful football at international level is something you get used to as a Scot.
In high spirits we boarded the plane, each of the bright orange, caked in make up air stewardesses were welcoming and said hello. The plane was relatively empty and we sat in the allocated seats. Plenty of leg room, leather seats provided serious comfort and no strangers sat next to us.
On this flight, which lasted an hour, we got given sandwiches. Deli style sandwiches with pastrami and turkey, the only criticism is that they had put some sort of foul relish all over it. The choice of two was poor, I think egg was the other choice. Both had butter on them, which my wife can't eat, even although this was not listed as an ingredient on the packaging (a bit dodgy for those with allergies). You also got a drink of your choice. By the time the trolley had gone round we were landing in Birmingham.
We changed planes and set off an hour or so later for Paris. Again sandwiches were provided, tuna this time and again covered in some sort of horrible relish. I actually thought the food would have been good if they had made a bit more plain, strange relishes aren't to most people's tastes. Anyway enough about the sandwiches. Again the second plane was very comfortable, the staff were professional and the flight was smooth and short.
Returning was a different matter, but as it was just after the events in the USA kicked off, I don't suppose it was really anything to do with BA. Again the staff were all professional and apologetic about the extra security measures which forced them to open my bag and pull out those dirty pants that were shoved in as we had rushed to leave the hotel. Not even a grin passed across the face of the poor unfortunate grappling with my pants as she calmly repacked them and motioned for me to move along, I guess they find worse.
The flight back was packed and it brought home the advantage of leg room and comfortable seats. Similar snacks were brought round, again none without butter on them, although this time the stewardess supplied my wife with some packets of pretzels to keep her going. The flight was again smooth and trouble free apart from the extra time taken up by the added security measures, which meant getting off, getting our bags at Birmingham and then getting back on the same plane to Glasgow. Still it could have been worse and the BA staff remained helpful.
The planes used for both flights were modern and well-equipped, the seating was excellent, curtains seperated sections of the plane and a small screen came down from above to show us the safety info and the course and speed of the aircraft.
Overall I was pleased with the flights, they involved much less waiting time to check in than Easyjet flights I have been on. The food was better and was even laid on for short flights, the staff were more helpful and there was more room and privacy on the plane. I guess you get what you pay for and scheduled flights are always less busy and more comfortable than the big chartered ones. But can BA compete as the budget airlines steal more and more of their custom and the revenue from Atlantic flights is diminishing? We shall have to wait and see.
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I've always had good service with BA, on a recent flight from Munich to Manchester I even got those large seats behind business class all to myself! It seems as though I've been luckier with the food though!
Connoisseur_Haggler 02.10.2001 19:04
I think it will be tough for any airline to competenow, as most have axed jobs and cut schedules and flights..I dont think they will be too competitive. BA recently cut/stopped the LHR to Belfast route too! I think theyw ill have to take a long hard look at their main BA airline and I think they sold off their budjet part 'GO' ? anyway, a thought provoking and informative opinion, thanks.
Versatile 02.10.2001 18:55
Great op ~ BA will have to lower their prices if they don`t want the likes of Ryanair taking their customers ~ As you say , we will just have to wait and see what happens to BA ~ Thanks Versatile :O)
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Advantages: Terminal 4 of LHR is well kept, interesting and clean - fantastic kids lounge Disadvantages: Expensive, can be inflexible, complacent. Can't book UAs on the web
mattygroves 15.07.2002 (03.09.2002)
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Review of British Airways - BAW
Advantages: Check-in was a breeze. Comfortable seating and decent service. Disadvantages: Poor punctuality meant we were nearly diverted to a different airport.
andymcf 11.12.2002 (11.12.2002)
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Review of British Airways - BAW
Oct 2nd, 2001
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