Looking at loyalty scheme, BA exec club, you get free seat selection as a perk. The same in the alliance as a sapphire member. Its pushing for making seat selection a perk rather than free for all
Becoming normal for a lot of airlines now, not just BA. And it makes it more of a perk for those that have status with them. Now I know I can always get a decent seat.
2nd!!! Great video Max!!! Thanks for upgrading the Aspire Lounge in SAN, it's barely mediocre if you ask me but the customer service is GREAT!!! lol I always use the PGA Golf Grill as it's part of the Priority Pass restaurant. Good to know there are 2 flights from SAN. I'll try to fly this soon. Thanks again Max!!!
I can explain why BA food is so bad compared to other superior airlines (After being a manager at BA) So the airlines tell the catering company how much they budget per passenger for food and drink (dependent on class).. Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad give a budget of approx £200 per passenger in First/Business class for the food/drink per customer…. BA however set a budget of only £18 per customer in Club world..
Just flew from London to Boston in Worldtraveller Plus. This is a regular route for me and I was shocked how poor the meal was. It made me realise how important the meal is to making the experience an enjoyable one (or not). Our outward trip was good and the BA staff were uniformly great.
Good data point if I ever fly BA in the future! Personally never experienced a "bad" Business class experience until just this past year flying United Polaris back from Asia on their 777-200... Maybe it was a one-off but had much higher expectations haha
Wife and I flew polaris FCO to EWR last year. Had breakfast and a few hours later wife and I were hungry. Asked FA if they had anything to eat and she basically said, "...not really...here's some chips I found in a cupboard!" Fortunately second meal service was served about 1.5 to 2 hours after that discovery. This was directly compared to TK business class from ORD to FCO we took the previous week. I guess we should've tried Polaris outbound with TK on the return to dampen expectations.
Hey Max, I have a question in regards to redeeming Chase points for travel. I have the Chase preferred card and have gotten my bonus points that Chase offers. I want to book a flight from PDX to Cape Town for June next summer. What is the best way to explore options of flights this early? I want to book a nice seat for the long flight but have troubles finding options this far out. Thank you!
I was just reading about Washington DC flight to London that have emergency forced to land in Boston, MA. What are British airways passengers options? Need to rebook flights to London and find hotels until next available flight?
If the plane is still operational they’ll refuel and continue on which it sounds like was not the case. BA would need to re-book everyone on another BA flight or a partner flight to get them to their destination. BA is should cover any delay cost including hotel and meals for stranded passengers but whether that’s enforceable or not varies. The U.S. doesn’t have strict consumer protection laws like the EU does when it comes to flight delays and cancellations. The DOT has been trying to improve that and making airlines more responsible for situations like the one you mentioned. Worst case scenario if the travelers are savvy with their credit card and credit card benefits, their credit card should have trip delay or trip cancellation insurance that would cover any costs the airlines aren’t willing to cover
Not a fan on having a 3 course meal for a single meal service. A lot of calories for just seating on a long flight. I would rather them just concentrate on a really good single course meal with a simple desert afterwards.
The fact that BA charge seat selections for all business class fare, unless you have mid tier OW status. Other airline would have lite fare that charge for seat selection, it is common these days that airline is trying to cash cow from passengers and maximise the profit as much as they can.
You mentioned that the food was better on the LHR to SD route, could if be that the American catering is of a lesser standard than the UK standard and quality?watching other reports of the food offering on US airlines that have a departure from the US the food never seems to be that good even in premium classes.
It sounds like the catering out of SAN could use some improvement. I do wonder if booking international flights through LAX or SFO (or even a major hub east) maybe worth it over a direct flight from SAN on points, if club access and food would be better.
I just booked SFO-LHR for 6/2024, and they are still using the old CW. Thinking of repositioning to SAN, but I've been burned with product changes before, so just my luck, I'd probably just get pc'd to the old CW.
Catering company they use in SAN must not be good. Recently flew BA economy from LAS to LHR and I was pleasantly surprised because the meals were quite "nice."
The meals are not the airlines fault. It is the catering company the airlines use in the US, which definitely is not very good. I would not fly with BA. There are a lot of other airlines that are much better.
I’ve had some good meals from US airports so good catering from the U.S. does exist. It’s more of if the airline chooses the right catering or not. JetBlue Mint service has great catering throughout the U.S. domestically and internationally. So I would disagree and say it’s partially the airlines fault because they choose who caters their flights
I've flown BA quite a bit these last couple of years and my business class flights are usually LAX-LHR-BLR and then back BLR-LHR-LAS. When I'm lucky and get a Suites-equipped plane instead of the older hard product/seat, I'm happy...BUT the catering is always mediocre, at best. The food on BA flights needs a major upgrade and improvement. Not every starter needs to be some sort of salmon and cream cheese dish. The mains (IF you even get your primary choice) are usually better flying out of India. The proper British breakfast (which you seemed OK with) is too damned salty. So, all-in-all, BA business class trips are ok on suites equipped flights, but if you get the old seat and the lousy catering - the experience is miserable and not worth it.
Actually, you can choose seats free if flying BA business class so not sure why you had to pay. But I would avoid flying BA after your honest review. Better airlines out there.
You can select seat for free when you check-in 24 hours before your flight or if you have OneWorld or BA status. Otherwise it’s $100+ for each flight to select your seat in advance.
@@MaxMilesPoints I ran a dummy booking as I am planning a trip and was able to choose seats free for trip in December. And I have no OneWorld or BA status. It actually says "Choose seats for free" and showed no extra charge for seat at the end of booking.
@@ileshpatel390I just did a dummy booking SAN to LHR (not logged in, no status , cash booking and Avios booking) the same route I flew in the video. Business class seat select starts at $123 per passenger and can be as high as $158 This is a good article outlining the fees www.headforpoints.com/2024/02/01/does-british-airways-charge-for-seat-selection-3/ And this is BA’s website with more info on seat selection www.britishairways.com/content/information/seating/reserving-your-seat?clickref=1101lyJfcnkP&DM1_Channel=AFF&DM1_Campaign=UKI_GB_EN_PHG_ALWAYSON&DM1_Site=PHG&dclid=CNyznoKRm4cDFWIl0AQdJ9cJjA
I have been an avid supporter of BA since 2002. Nearly 95% of my long haul and short haul flights have been with them. But in past 4/5 years I have started flying Qatar and Emirates as their premium product blows BA away as it does most other airlines. BA`s club europe is simply an economy seat with a white cloth on the headrest and the First product has really gone downhill. Club World, I havent flown in some years but I see many reviews of disappointed travellers. First was once a full on prestigious experience, now its being beaten in style, service, food and quality by Qatars Q suite. The Concorde room is nice but I truly dislike how BA`s service to "certain" routes is way worse than their premium US destinations. I wish them well as they are still BRITISH AIRWAYS for christ sake and that alone should mean travellers have some expectation and confidence on what to expect, be it to the USA, INDIA, CHINA, AUSTRALIA etc.....
Just flew in this morning, seat 2A. The pad was ill-fitting and kept bunching up when I turned around in my sleep. The blanket was old and horrible. Premium Eco blankets are actually much nicer. It's just so weird.
BA charging for business class seat assignments is absolute BS!
💯 agree and it’s not cheap either it’s like $100+ to pick your seat
everything has a "fee" these days, it is out of control.
Looking at loyalty scheme, BA exec club, you get free seat selection as a perk. The same in the alliance as a sapphire member. Its pushing for making seat selection a perk rather than free for all
Reason I actually have not tried BA biz products. Passing so many fees to the customers
Becoming normal for a lot of airlines now, not just BA. And it makes it more of a perk for those that have status with them. Now I know I can always get a decent seat.
Thanks, a good and informative review. I will definitely look for an alternate carrier than fly the BA old 777.
Good hard product (seat) but the soft product (food and service) needs some improvement 🥲
The airbus seating is worse. Would still recommend this config.
2nd!!!
Great video Max!!!
Thanks for upgrading the Aspire Lounge in SAN, it's barely mediocre if you ask me but the customer service is GREAT!!! lol
I always use the PGA Golf Grill as it's part of the Priority Pass restaurant.
Good to know there are 2 flights from SAN. I'll try to fly this soon.
Thanks again Max!!!
I can explain why BA food is so bad compared to other superior airlines (After being a manager at BA) So the airlines tell the catering company how much they budget per passenger for food and drink (dependent on class).. Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad give a budget of approx £200 per passenger in First/Business class for the food/drink per customer…. BA however set a budget of only £18 per customer in Club world..
Good to know thanks for sharing! That’s a big difference and it shows
Just flew from London to Boston in Worldtraveller Plus. This is a regular route for me and I was shocked how poor the meal was. It made me realise how important the meal is to making the experience an enjoyable one (or not). Our outward trip was good and the BA staff were uniformly great.
Good data point if I ever fly BA in the future! Personally never experienced a "bad" Business class experience until just this past year flying United Polaris back from Asia on their 777-200... Maybe it was a one-off but had much higher expectations haha
Wife and I flew polaris FCO to EWR last year. Had breakfast and a few hours later wife and I were hungry. Asked FA if they had anything to eat and she basically said, "...not really...here's some chips I found in a cupboard!"
Fortunately second meal service was served about 1.5 to 2 hours after that discovery.
This was directly compared to TK business class from ORD to FCO we took the previous week. I guess we should've tried Polaris outbound with TK on the return to dampen expectations.
Thought United Polaris meals were pretty bad but this seems worse. Good to know. Thanks!
Catering on BA flights out of the USA is always terrible. Flights leaving London are far better!
Catering out of the States is terrible full stop regardless of airline!
Great genuine review as always ❤
Hey Max, I have a question in regards to redeeming Chase points for travel. I have the Chase preferred card and have gotten my bonus points that Chase offers. I want to book a flight from PDX to Cape Town for June next summer. What is the best way to explore options of flights this early? I want to book a nice seat for the long flight but have troubles finding options this far out. Thank you!
Your face expression in the beginning tells me your not too thrilled with BA product 😅
I was just reading about Washington DC flight to London that have emergency forced to land in Boston, MA. What are British airways passengers options? Need to rebook flights to London and find hotels until next available flight?
If the plane is still operational they’ll refuel and continue on which it sounds like was not the case. BA would need to re-book everyone on another BA flight or a partner flight to get them to their destination. BA is should cover any delay cost including hotel and meals for stranded passengers but whether that’s enforceable or not varies. The U.S. doesn’t have strict consumer protection laws like the EU does when it comes to flight delays and cancellations. The DOT has been trying to improve that and making airlines more responsible for situations like the one you mentioned. Worst case scenario if the travelers are savvy with their credit card and credit card benefits, their credit card should have trip delay or trip cancellation insurance that would cover any costs the airlines aren’t willing to cover
I’m going to london for a connecting flight on Tuesday, did you visit any lounges?
Not a fan on having a 3 course meal for a single meal service. A lot of calories for just seating on a long flight. I would rather them just concentrate on a really good single course meal with a simple desert afterwards.
You can request one less meal if you prefer, but for some of us 6ft people. Those 3 meals are appreciated
The fact that BA charge seat selections for all business class fare, unless you have mid tier OW status. Other airline would have lite fare that charge for seat selection, it is common these days that airline is trying to cash cow from passengers and maximise the profit as much as they can.
Yeah unfortunately…it’s becoming more and more popular, it’s called “unbundling” the fare and charging info for everything 🫠
You mentioned that the food was better on the LHR to SD route, could if be that the American catering is of a lesser standard than the UK standard and quality?watching other reports of the food offering on US airlines that have a departure from the US the food never seems to be that good even in premium classes.
I can confirm the food from LHR to SD on my return flight was slightly better but still pretty bad
It sounds like the catering out of SAN could use some improvement. I do wonder if booking international flights through LAX or SFO (or even a major hub east) maybe worth it over a direct flight from SAN on points, if club access and food would be better.
I flew on the same route in business on the return from LHR to SAN and the food was not any better 🫠🤦🏻♂️😕
I just booked SFO-LHR for 6/2024, and they are still using the old CW. Thinking of repositioning to SAN, but I've been burned with product changes before, so just my luck, I'd probably just get pc'd to the old CW.
Catering company they use in SAN must not be good.
Recently flew BA economy from LAS to LHR and I was pleasantly surprised because the meals were quite "nice."
Got it. Looks like BA catering out of San Diego is subpar.
I also found it sub par on the return flight from LHR to SAN too
Which air carrier and aircraft do you recommend to London? Thanks
Jet Blue Mint get good reports
BA are much better than Virgin Atlantic (in my view)
The meals are not the airlines fault. It is the catering company the airlines use in the US, which definitely is not very good. I would not fly with BA. There are a lot of other airlines that are much better.
I’ve had some good meals from US airports so good catering from the U.S. does exist. It’s more of if the airline chooses the right catering or not. JetBlue Mint service has great catering throughout the U.S. domestically and internationally. So I would disagree and say it’s partially the airlines fault because they choose who caters their flights
I selected my seats on a points business class ticket with BA..
You used your desert spoon with the cous cous!
I've flown BA quite a bit these last couple of years and my business class flights are usually LAX-LHR-BLR and then back BLR-LHR-LAS. When I'm lucky and get a Suites-equipped plane instead of the older hard product/seat, I'm happy...BUT the catering is always mediocre, at best. The food on BA flights needs a major upgrade and improvement. Not every starter needs to be some sort of salmon and cream cheese dish. The mains (IF you even get your primary choice) are usually better flying out of India. The proper British breakfast (which you seemed OK with) is too damned salty. So, all-in-all, BA business class trips are ok on suites equipped flights, but if you get the old seat and the lousy catering - the experience is miserable and not worth it.
Actually, you can choose seats free if flying BA business class so not sure why you had to pay. But I would avoid flying BA after your honest review. Better airlines out there.
You can select seat for free when you check-in 24 hours before your flight or if you have OneWorld or BA status. Otherwise it’s $100+ for each flight to select your seat in advance.
@@MaxMilesPoints I ran a dummy booking as I am planning a trip and was able to choose seats free for trip in December. And I have no OneWorld or BA status. It actually says "Choose seats for free" and showed no extra charge for seat at the end of booking.
@@ileshpatel390 route and paying cash or Avios?
@@ileshpatel390I just did a dummy booking SAN to LHR (not logged in, no status , cash booking and Avios booking) the same route I flew in the video. Business class seat select starts at $123 per passenger and can be as high as $158
This is a good article outlining the fees
www.headforpoints.com/2024/02/01/does-british-airways-charge-for-seat-selection-3/
And this is BA’s website with more info on seat selection
www.britishairways.com/content/information/seating/reserving-your-seat?clickref=1101lyJfcnkP&DM1_Channel=AFF&DM1_Campaign=UKI_GB_EN_PHG_ALWAYSON&DM1_Site=PHG&dclid=CNyznoKRm4cDFWIl0AQdJ9cJjA
@@MaxMilesPoints SFO - LHR, free seats for paying cash. I don't have Avios so couldn't proceed with booking to confirm.
Hmm..i thought the new BA business was going to be good, both hard and soft products. No afternoon tea? Have they axed out this option already?
The best advice I can give anyone about the BA. DO NOT FLY WITH THEM.
I'm not gonna lie I hate all in flight meals for the most part. Doesn't matter what class I get. 😩
I have been an avid supporter of BA since 2002. Nearly 95% of my long haul and short haul flights have been with them. But in past 4/5 years I have started flying Qatar and Emirates as their premium product blows BA away as it does most other airlines. BA`s club europe is simply an economy seat with a white cloth on the headrest and the First product has really gone downhill.
Club World, I havent flown in some years but I see many reviews of disappointed travellers. First was once a full on prestigious experience, now its being beaten in style, service, food and quality by Qatars Q suite. The Concorde room is nice but I truly dislike how BA`s service to "certain" routes is way worse than their premium US destinations.
I wish them well as they are still BRITISH AIRWAYS for christ sake and that alone should mean travellers have some expectation and confidence on what to expect, be it to the USA, INDIA, CHINA, AUSTRALIA etc.....
Thanks for the review. The food looked pretty underwhelming.
I think I'll wait for a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic than roll the dice with BA. 🎲
Trash as usual....The only reason I have BA account is to transfer points to Qatar🤣🤣🤣
Everything about Britain these days makes me sad. 😢
Advanced to the final in Euro2024 though 😅
First
Yeah, no, I'll fly other airlines, thank you.
The mattress pad and blanket look like hospital linen…not very high quality
The blanket was ok the mattress pad if you can even call it that was pretty useless lol
Just flew in this morning, seat 2A. The pad was ill-fitting and kept bunching up when I turned around in my sleep. The blanket was old and horrible. Premium Eco blankets are actually much nicer. It's just so weird.
BA sucks big time
If you were not happy with your meal, you should ask to change it. Nothing worse than jumped up RUclipsrs
Give a positive review people say I’m too nice. Give a negative review people say I’m too mean 😂 really can’t win thanks for watching! 🫡
Nothing worse than jumped up RUclips commenters.