How good are BA? Can you choose your seats like VA

[angel659]

I will be booking some flights with ba to NYC. I was wondering how good are they? I flew to Aberdeen with them and they were good then, but cant really compare to a long haul.

any advice would be great.

 

[Pootle]

BA have recently changed their policy so that apart from a few select groups, most seat allocation can only be done with online check in 24 hours before departure for those without children.

Passengers with infants (under 2) can have a seat pre-assigned at booking and those with children 2-11 can be pre-assigned 3 days before departure.

Gold and Silver executive club members can also book their seat at time of booking.

Can't answer for how good they are in economy since I wouldn't travel in economy with either Virgin or BA, but I am sure they are similar.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately for us its a stretched holiday anyway so we cant upgrade would love to. We enjoyed our VA economy seats were good.

 

[Haworthfamily]

Hi we always fly BA - my DH would love to work for them.
It's worth joining the exec club - doesn't cost and you can apply online when you book a ticket - you get BA miles to collect and yes you can choose your seats.

We always choose seats and then do the fast check in at LGW which just involves swiping card you booked on and then confirming seats and boarding passes are printed and then just fast baggage drop!

Sarah X

 

[Groovee]

I flew in Sept to NY with BA and found it much more pleasant in world traveller than I expected it to be. I had my own TV and the meals were ok and I had enough room after I told the guy in front he couldn't lie on me. For some reason he seemed intent on laying his seat so far back that I was getting squashed.

 

[angel659]

I flew in Sept to NY with BA and found it much more pleasant in world traveller than I expected it to be. I had my own TV and the meals were ok and I had enough room after I told the guy in front he couldn't lie on me. For some reason he seemed intent on laying his seat so far back that I was getting squashed.

Hi

I hate that. I am always reluctant to recline my seat at all, but I have to. If I do is minimal. I always ensure my seat is upright for dinner. For some reason the lady in front of me didnt so I asked her to put her chair upright for dinner, which she did but as soon as she finished she put her chair back and got up to use the toilet???? So I pushed it back. I have young children, so after sorting them out I did not finish mine. Apparently you can buy these chair recliner stoppers, but I could never buy that. I think reclining is fine as long as you respect the person behind or at least ask is this ok? Some people have no manners.

 

[disneydaft]

We flew BA to Newyork in November. We flew in to JFK and out of Newark.

The flights were great and on time. The entertainment and food were good as well.

The price was fantastic though. £150 return

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I travel with BA quite a lot, They are OK, but are rather "schoolmarm/Nanny knows best" in their attitude to passengers.
Willy Walsh also seems determined to bring them down to the level of Easyjet.
BACON now sold, less flights from regional airports and mostly B & S from Gatwick.

Have lost their original quality levels and I am not impressed at all with the New, new Club World seats. Very dark cabin and you still have to climb over your neighbour to get to the loos.

But, Like everyone else, its all down to pricing these days. Quality comes second to cheap fares its seems

 

[kristieuk]

We always travel BA as we fly to Tampa. I think the service is pretty good, and there's not that much to choose between them and Virgin in economy. Their customer service is good too. If I had to choose and the price was the same across the board, I probably would choose BA.

They have recently changed their policy in terms of booking seats - as Pootle says, unless you have children or infants, seats are assigned at check-in, so only as early as 24 hours before the flight.

This is something that does concern me - I hate flying and have to sit by the window, and I won't relax about this until we get our seats. I would much prefer to have that peace of mind when we book. As an Executive Club member, you can indicate seat preference either window or aisle, so we'll see how that works out when we fly in November.

Good luck with your choice