[Binman62]

@10/02/2012 16:42 GMT and others,

I made the point in my first post on this thread that BA was the probably the best thing on offer ex LHR. It should be no surprise therefore that I would choose to fly BA, particularly as I hold a gold card and was using air miles so the flight was free.

Being a fan does not stop anyone offering constructive feedback, the point about the noise was that in comparison to the Concorde room it was noticeable and intrusive. Of course i moved and it was very nice but it was noisey! The original poster asked what differentiated the two and I commented that noise was one are where the Concorde room differs.

Being a First lounge I think it is reasonable to expect an enhanced level of service, it is also reasonable to differentiate the service between lounges.

I feel that BA have long rested on their laurels both in first and club world. Steps have been taken to improve food in club world and club Europe catering has changed significantly.

The commitment to First remains questionable. 14 seats against some who now have just 6 or 9. A hugely variable product, awful IFE and inconsistent service.

The original poster highlighted the chasm that exists between LH and BA. Sadly for passengers and fortunately for BA,it is not yet possible to fly LHR long haul non stop from LHR.

For the fares being charged, especially if paying yourself, the product is not what is should be.

The shorthail domestic flight was late, but the crew cheerful and coffee hot. 2 otard helped

Whole new thread…….isn’t me or have seats got smaller……….!

[FlyingChinaman]

Binman62: I totally agreed with your 22:40 GMT post.

Since BA has started improving the catering on Club World, I hope my next HKG-LHR BA flights in March would be a surprise.

I still think it is wrong for any airlines (petty really) to make premium passengers to select the main course and worse still not getting their choice. Most Asian airlines would carry ample food choices and the cabin crew consume the unchosen dishes.

[DisgustedofSwieqi]

FC

You are right that it is petty to make premium pax choose their food, unless it is beforehand and then everyone gets their choice.

But my experiences of dealing with BA over the years have taught me that it is not a very customer oriented company (apart from the ‘People First’ years following privatisation) and seems to take pleasure in being petty, e.g. the removal of ‘anytime access’ from Gold card holders.

[FlyingChinaman]

Dis: BA better wake up to the fact that they don’t OWN their customers! Just see how many of their British (loyal) customers in this forum are migrating to other quality air carriers with either keen pricing or simply better services.

[LuganoPirate]

Agree that the F lounge in FRA is far superior to BA’s, if you can find it and provided the arrival staff know how to direct you correctly, which has not been the case on my last two transits.

Couple that with immigration officers who shout at you, security that is akin to a certain branch of the German army you can no longer mention, truly massive distances that have to be walked – even if travelling F – and you can keep FRA and give me LHR anyday!

[rferguson]

I really thought that BA would have massively improved the ground services for FIRST passengers upon the move to T5. It offered a blank canvas. Perhaps an exclusive entrace with porter/valet service. A discreet ‘sit down’ check in area. And seperate transport to the aircraft when they are parked off-stand. And an escort to the aircraft when they are on a jetty.

I find it hugely embarassing that when we are parked at a remote stand the FIRST passengers are packed like sardines in a bus with everyone else. That should not be the case. Seperate transport should be provided for FIRST (AND perhaps CLUB).

But at the end of the day, FIRST is the cabin that generates the lowest profit onboard the aircraft. Which when I found this out at a BA internal presentation I was suprised by. I thought it would have been Economy.

The reality however is that only around 20% of passengers in FIRST are paying those crazy fares you see on ba.com when you select ‘FIRST’ from the drop down menu. The overwhelming majority are on miles upgrades, free mileage flights or passengers that have a corporate account with BA and pay much under the published F class fares.

Its mainly for these reasons that BA retains a FIRST cabin. 1) for the prestige. 2) rewards for mileage pax. and most important 3) It gives BA more leverage in negotiating corporate contracts as many companies stipulate their CEO’s and top execs travel FIRST.

[RichHI1]

I agree with all the comments about LH airport service. It is far ahead of BA though the in flight offering will only compete after the upgrades. I have to say though my favorit First Lounges are CX at HKG and NH at NRT. This I think is due to the expression of national culture. Germany is first and foremost a highly efficient country where the unexpected is rare. So you get a consistently high level of service. HK and Japan are both cultures where fine hospitality and service is buit in. They can deliver excellent service without appearing fawning or creepy.

[Henkel.Trocken]

It’s a wet Saturday afternoon and I’m just looking back through a few old threads…

I was through FRA in LH F earlier this week and I would have to say that I think the views of the OP in this thread still hold good and if anything even more so since the review of the BA offer in the lounges.

For F ground service, LH really are the leaders in Europe by a very significant margin.

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