[HBHLondon]

The idea of this forum, I suppose, is to share experiences and get helpful information. Yet every time I mention a bad experience flying with BA I get a barrage of abuses. I do not want to see BA go under –its FAs going on strike are doing a very good job to that end– and for my convenience I prefer it to continue to operate. Yet when one pays an enormous amount of money for a service and does not get it or it is mediocre, well one does have the right to complain and criticise.

Like most people, I also have had very good times flying BA but do not write about them here. I always use the BA site to make good comments about the flight attendants who make a difference to my flight. Yet, not all FAs offer a professional and memorable service and this applies to BA and all other airlines (I have had appalling experiences flying with Singapore Airlines and Emirates, both rated as excellent airlines in service).

I do stick to my point that I do normally know where my seat is in F on BA but in only 1 out of 10 times I get escorted to it. It is no big deal, I was only asking HonestCrew his opinion on this matter as I think it is strange that it keeps happening to me. I also see other people in First not taken to their seats. I think an experienced FA like HonestCrew is more in a position to answer my questions. Let’s see what he says. Perhaps I am just unlucky to board at the wrong time.

[bacrew1]

HBH
I’m not the same person as honestcrew but would like to answer your question. Usually we do have 2 crew at the door for boarding. If we are boarding from 2 doors (which most crew hate doing, there will usually only be 1 crew member at each boarding door)… I can’t answer why you weren’t taken to your seat but am happy to provide reasons why this may not have happened:
– another first class passenger may have boarded just before you, removing the “free” crew member from the door to escort them (we are not permitted to leave any open door unattended)
– a crew member who was boarding may have been helping a passenger with special needs to their seat (for example a wheelchair passenger)
– CSD may have been called away from the door to deal with a passenger, or have a ground staff request, or even to see the Captain.
-As already mentioned you may have boarded a flight where boarding was at door 1 left and 2 left..where there is usually one crew member only.
– some First passengers do actually sometimes say “I know where it is, I can go myself”

If none of these apply, I have no idea why this didn’t happen on the day and apologize… From my personal experience I always escort First passengers to their seat, as long as the boarding door is covered by another crew member. Thanks

[NTarrant]

Somehow I find it hard to beleive HBH that all the things that bacrew1 has said could have happened, happened on nine out of ten flights. Once would be unfortunate, twice again unfortunate, but nine times!!

If you think that is bad try Yorkshire Airlines, Alan Bennett class, you have to put up and shut up.

By the way who is this VC bloke? Perhaps VintageCucu?

[RoadKing]

This is probably way out of line…

But it strikes me…

When you do so to the very extent of it, feel that you do not get the bang for the buck you deserve when flying First, Club…

Why not try something cheaper, say World Traveller for instance?

Perhaps not the service level you are used to, but it might serve well as a reminder what you actually get?

At the very least you would travel at a tenth of the price, should be making you feel you landed a bargain!

[MartynSinclair]

did u hear someone say they werent shown to there seat ….. again…….in F…………..thought so.

[JonathanCohen09]

Hello everyone,

Roadking, not out of line at all in my humble opinion. you actually make a very good point. It never does any harm to get a dose of reality, unless you are someone who is lucky enough to travel only in F or J cabins.

Nigel, what are you suggesting about VK? Also, Tartan Airways SNP class is much worse than Yorkshire airlines Alan Bennett class, please remember that in the future.

Finally, only 3 more days until my retuen to BA, i can hardly contain my excitement!!!

Safe travels everyone,

Jonathan

[RoadKing]

Thanks for your support Jonathan.

I am soon back on BA myself, just 10 days now :-). Taking my beloved one to attend a wedding in LAS (going via SFO though, bachelor party there, sounds odd, doesn’t it? Should have been the opposite). We both look forward to enjoy BA service.

[NTarrant]

Sorry Jonathan, I’ll consider myself told!!

Enjoy your BA flight.

Nigel

[austline]

Interesting reading these threads, to say the least!

Being at the end of the world, Aussie’s have to fly long distances and we can be a critical lot, but I love joining BA in LOS, on a recent flight I was escorted to my seat by a charming middle aged attendant, offered PJ’s and suggested that I should change and said, when you get back I will have a cold glass of champagne waiting for you!
When BA are good they are the best.

[MartynSinclair]

……..aha, back to being shown to ones seat…………..has someone previously complained…………again……!

[VintageKrug]

I think the new F will be splendid, but it is after all only a seat in a metal tube which despite all the illusory glamour is a very workaday method of getting round the planet.

Some more staged pics of the cabin here give more of a feel of the differentiating factors from New Club World:

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/exclusive-new-british-airways-first

[MartynSinclair]

Hi VK

Maybe my views will change when i have tried it out, but from what i have seen so far – apart fromn the linen, big windows, gourmet (unecessary food – personal choice i know) a wardrobe, which assists cabin crew for storage and ‘fresh coat of paint’ – I dont get it. Club world is not that much different – ok, so you dont get shown to your seat (did i really bring that subject up again!!).

SOmebody made a commnet about the cubicals reducing the feel of space – i stil think that club world shoul dbe enhanced at the expense of First. But may be I am the minority on this subject.

[Inquisitive]

Most of the Airlines has rules to escort F passengers to seat including BA. I have seen this in SQ, BA, QF, AI and JAL. However some regular travellers knows every corner inside a F cabin of his FF airline and struds towards their seat like home bathroom! Poor crew does not get a chance – also they know this type from the aerobridge itself. In other times, the situation is as bacrew1 described.

[MartynSinclair]

wow – up comes this take me T M T Y S syndrome (thats take me to your seat syndrome). …….. i cant believe that people think this is soooooooooo important.

For those that dont know the way – down the arbridge, turn left and when you hit a small pointy bit at the front or enter a strange room with loads of buttons, youve gone too far.

[Dade451]

Hi – do you recall what flight number you were on CHI/LON as I believe the new aircraft is dedicated to the ORD route. BA have 2 daily flights and I am about to travel to LHR and would like to try the new aircraft.
Many thanks
Gregory

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