British Airways...what do you think?

[Disneymad]

Hey all, I'm aware I'm about to ask an impossible question as ultimately no one really knows the answer to this but would appreciate your thoughts regardless

After looking since January for flights I have today finally seen a price that I'd be happy to pay (after resolving myself to the fact that prices in general are higher this year than I'd originally wanted *grumbles*) - but as you may have guessed, it's with BA.

I'm aware that Orlando flies out of Gatwick and that theoretically it should be relatively unaffected by strike action but I also think it's likely that if a strike was to hit on my dates there would still be an element of disruption to consider due by them juggling staff and passengers around to compensate.

So I guess what I'm really asking is...would you still fly with BA in the current climate, well, flying in September.

 

[Dollyrar]

I am flying Gatwick to Tampa on the 1st of October this year. Obviously I've been keeping an eye on things, and there doesn't seem to have been any problems with this route so far. I know many people will just say to completely ignore BA right now, but the truth for me was that the seats were £250 less each than Virgin, which adds up with 4 people going. Considering that the strikes have not affected this route in a major way so far, I am more than happy with my decision still

 

[wayneg]

Don't think it would affect me booking with them but its not been a choice I have had to make. We prefer to fly indirect from Manchester as we are only 50 mins away from there. Odd times we have been from London BA prices have been way out of my price bracket.
I am sure if I saw a great deal with them for next May or August I would book it.

 

[kristieuk]

BA have managed to run the vast majority of their longhaul flights during the recent flights, including all Gatwick flights. I have been watching the flights and they don't seem to have been subject to much disruption. We are flying to Tampa on 27 October, and I keep this in mind by way of reassurance.

I would go ahead and book.

 

[Steve and Sarah]

We flew with BA from Gatwick to Tampa last month. Seriously could not fault BA for their service, aircraft, IFE etc. We are regular (3 or 4 times per year) travellers with Virgin (Mostly from Manchester) but BA's service and aircraft were way way above Virign in quality and professionalism.

The only issue we had was immigration in Tampa. They are not a truly 'international' airport in the sense of Heathrow or MCO and it took over an hour (with a 2 year old) to get through immigration as they only had 5 or 6 desks open - oblivious to the fact that 300 people had just got off a 777. When we moaned they just shrugged and said it happenned every day....

However apart from that it was great and Tampa on the way out was great (kiddies play area airside in the terminal). We got our flight for less than £300 each too.

Steve

 

[nemmie]

As far as a strike goes Gatwick (and London City) pax have nothing to worry about. The BA crews at these airports are on different contracts therefore have not and will not strike with the Heathrow crews. We recently flew out to Europe with BA during one of the 5 day strikes and everything was as normal.

Like a PP we could not fault BA's service from start to finish. Albeit short haul it gave us a warm fuzzy feeling that we had made the right decision about flights later in the year. We have always flown Virgin but after a couple of dud flights and a huge sale fare from BA are giving BA a chance in Sept.

 

[Disneymad]

Thanks everyone, especially Nemmie as I found it very useful hearing about your experience as you flew when a strike was taking place. Will book it soon as I get home tonight I think.

It was pretty much the way I was leaning as I tend to take the view that there's all manner of things that can go wrong and no point trying to 2nd guess everything but just wondered if I was being a tad too reckless for my own good this time

Thanks again

 

[torsie24]

Normally this wouldn't phase me and I would book with BA, it might disturb your trip a bit, but my parents have now been hit three times with BA strikes (they fly a lot) and haven't gone without any trips or anything.

That being said, for our trip next year we cannot afford to be more than a day or two late, and so have booked Virgin, even my parents booked virgin and they are BA club members.

So it has put some of us off.

 

[Rascal1003]

Very reassuring replies.

We have also booked BA to Tampa late Sept this year. Like those already posted, price was a factor and the savings are worth it. BA to Tampa are hard to beat.

We went with the theory that we are travelling in the off-season and this is not as likely to be a strike period as the impact of the walkout would be minimal.....I hope !

 

[Disneymad]

Well I've bitten the bullet and booked Fate will now decide the rest

Phew, so glad to finally have those pesky flights sorted though - been looking since January!