Why I Stopped Flying British Airways
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Date: 2025-12-12
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Comments and reviews: 20
ÜberTired
Have to partially agree, and partially disagree. Much akin to yourself, except I'm a dual national rather than a expat, so I fly to the US at least 4-6 times a year. BA had taken a fall from grace for sure (even if they are genuinely improving the customer experience as they have taken the feedback to heart, and it's nowhere near as good as it used to be; but United
Their customer service (for those who aren't a aviation influencer who will always get preferencial treatment, and who's crews are warned when they are booked on their flights, ask me how I know that) is pretty average, their dispatch reliability is currently lower than BA, their treatment of flight crews is abysmal, and their staff are leaving in droves.
Honest answer (personally, your mileage may vary): Virgin Atlantic kicks them both out of the equation and is the preferred choice for something that doesn't require getting the first available flight I can find.
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Have to partially agree, and partially disagree. Much akin to yourself, except I'm a dual national rather than a expat, so I fly to the US at least 4-6 times a year. BA had taken a fall from grace for sure (even if they are genuinely improving the customer experience as they have taken the feedback to heart, and it's nowhere near as good as it used to be; but United
Their customer service (for those who aren't a aviation influencer who will always get preferencial treatment, and who's crews are warned when they are booked on their flights, ask me how I know that) is pretty average, their dispatch reliability is currently lower than BA, their treatment of flight crews is abysmal, and their staff are leaving in droves.
Honest answer (personally, your mileage may vary): Virgin Atlantic kicks them both out of the equation and is the preferred choice for something that doesn't require getting the first available flight I can find.
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iainhunneybell
I used to do UK-US a lot and east coast departures home are horrible. Nothing to do with the airline, but there’s not enough time in the air to get much sleep. Better is you are Club/business and can eat in the lounge before you get on and then sleep, but in cattle class the lights are on and then sleep bang and crash around serving dinner and then duty free, before putting the lights out for a few hours only to wake you for an orange juice and a cold roll. So, I would much rather fly direct from IAH/LAX/SFO/SEA than via NWK/JFK/BOS etc. Best flight east’ was LHR-SIN which was long enough and timed so you got a good rest, up, a few hours to organise yourself once arrived, sleep again and then be pretty good. But US east coast to UK would just kill me about 3 days after getting back, no matter what sleeping/not sleeping pattern I tried
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I used to do UK-US a lot and east coast departures home are horrible. Nothing to do with the airline, but there’s not enough time in the air to get much sleep. Better is you are Club/business and can eat in the lounge before you get on and then sleep, but in cattle class the lights are on and then sleep bang and crash around serving dinner and then duty free, before putting the lights out for a few hours only to wake you for an orange juice and a cold roll. So, I would much rather fly direct from IAH/LAX/SFO/SEA than via NWK/JFK/BOS etc. Best flight east’ was LHR-SIN which was long enough and timed so you got a good rest, up, a few hours to organise yourself once arrived, sleep again and then be pretty good. But US east coast to UK would just kill me about 3 days after getting back, no matter what sleeping/not sleeping pattern I tried
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artgreen6915
In the comments are people actually satisfied with this video If not why don't they say so Comments should be a place to comment on THE VIDEO. I'm sure he could have backed up his conclusions, but this video provided only the vaguest generalities. And apparently nobody cares, they just want to chip in with their view of BA. Does evidence and supporting argument matter I think it does.
Also is he with someone or a royal we I don't care if he's running a bit late. Unless he's saying that's linked to BA statistics, as a one-off it tells me nothing about why United are superior to BA, but little he's saying here does.
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In the comments are people actually satisfied with this video If not why don't they say so Comments should be a place to comment on THE VIDEO. I'm sure he could have backed up his conclusions, but this video provided only the vaguest generalities. And apparently nobody cares, they just want to chip in with their view of BA. Does evidence and supporting argument matter I think it does.
Also is he with someone or a royal we I don't care if he's running a bit late. Unless he's saying that's linked to BA statistics, as a one-off it tells me nothing about why United are superior to BA, but little he's saying here does.
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mdhazeldine
I've heard lots of bad things about United and Newark, but my personal experience of many transatlantic flights with BA has been mostly very positive. The food and staff are always excellent. The seats range from outdated to amazing (depending on which plane you get. I agree they are stingy when charging for WiFi but that is changing in 2026 and they're pretty generous on their baggage policy. The worst thing is their call centre in India that you have to use when something goes wrong. Apart from that, I've found them to be consistently very good and definitely better than Air Canada and Air Transat.
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I've heard lots of bad things about United and Newark, but my personal experience of many transatlantic flights with BA has been mostly very positive. The food and staff are always excellent. The seats range from outdated to amazing (depending on which plane you get. I agree they are stingy when charging for WiFi but that is changing in 2026 and they're pretty generous on their baggage policy. The worst thing is their call centre in India that you have to use when something goes wrong. Apart from that, I've found them to be consistently very good and definitely better than Air Canada and Air Transat.
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markwaite5265
Come on Noel, you can do better than this!
Obviously a short video edited from a much longer trip report BUT what exactly are the reasons you’ve stopped flying BA!
You mention cost cutting but the edit does not include the detail of the cuts that have taken place. Is it the English Tea service which has been in place now on the westbound day Transatlantics for as long as I can remember Is it the delayed departure from LHR If so - why was there a delay and for how long! Most airlines have delays and don’t result in people turning their backs
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Come on Noel, you can do better than this!
Obviously a short video edited from a much longer trip report BUT what exactly are the reasons you’ve stopped flying BA!
You mention cost cutting but the edit does not include the detail of the cuts that have taken place. Is it the English Tea service which has been in place now on the westbound day Transatlantics for as long as I can remember Is it the delayed departure from LHR If so - why was there a delay and for how long! Most airlines have delays and don’t result in people turning their backs
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nibzee
I used to fly BA transatlantic first for years and they used to o be great but over time the service got gutted. Their customer service became nonexistent and a lot of their older staff seemed to get disheartened when you remind them of the old days.
I know that some will bash me for complaining about first class but why should you pay for a seat when you have already paid a small fortune to fly in the premium cabins.
I stopped flying London to Edinburgh and chose to take a train because you get much better service.
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I used to fly BA transatlantic first for years and they used to o be great but over time the service got gutted. Their customer service became nonexistent and a lot of their older staff seemed to get disheartened when you remind them of the old days.
I know that some will bash me for complaining about first class but why should you pay for a seat when you have already paid a small fortune to fly in the premium cabins.
I stopped flying London to Edinburgh and chose to take a train because you get much better service.
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noel_philips
BA were massively behind with their biz class cabins but their latest offering is much better, though still not up to Emirates or Qatar. The issue is their staff. Some are really good, attentive, bring extra drinks without being asked, help with duvets etc. Others are absolutely shocking; don’t give a monkey’s, surly to the point of rudeness etc. Oh and having to get on a bus to a plane at your home base (t5 LHR) is frankly taking the piss.
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BA were massively behind with their biz class cabins but their latest offering is much better, though still not up to Emirates or Qatar. The issue is their staff. Some are really good, attentive, bring extra drinks without being asked, help with duvets etc. Others are absolutely shocking; don’t give a monkey’s, surly to the point of rudeness etc. Oh and having to get on a bus to a plane at your home base (t5 LHR) is frankly taking the piss.
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slamtilt01
I flew from JFK to London on BA as a codeshare for another airline. It was ok, nothing to write home about. Sure they included a meal service on board but I didn’t feel special about it. 20 years earlier I flew Virgin Atlantic on the same journey. They gave out amenity kits in the shape of the tail fin, even in economy. I still have mine somewhere. I still talk about that flight all these years later.
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I flew from JFK to London on BA as a codeshare for another airline. It was ok, nothing to write home about. Sure they included a meal service on board but I didn’t feel special about it. 20 years earlier I flew Virgin Atlantic on the same journey. They gave out amenity kits in the shape of the tail fin, even in economy. I still have mine somewhere. I still talk about that flight all these years later.
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Montanaman-j6l
I guess that’s a plus for United Airlines. Your opinions mean a lot to many. I’ve always enjoyed my BA flights but I am not the multi seasoned traveler that you are. I certainly enjoy your videos! Big hello’s to you, your wife & kids from Big Sky Country MONTANA! You’re a pleasure to watch and travel vicariously with you and your flying adventures! Thank You Noel!
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I guess that’s a plus for United Airlines. Your opinions mean a lot to many. I’ve always enjoyed my BA flights but I am not the multi seasoned traveler that you are. I certainly enjoy your videos! Big hello’s to you, your wife & kids from Big Sky Country MONTANA! You’re a pleasure to watch and travel vicariously with you and your flying adventures! Thank You Noel!
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Yas768
lol low cost airline they are far from being a low cost airline. Absolutely horrendous that they claim they are the world’s favourite airline. Shouldn’t be using that slogan anymore as I don’t think anyone considers them the world favourite airline. Sad to see the national carrier in such a terrible position
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lol low cost airline they are far from being a low cost airline. Absolutely horrendous that they claim they are the world’s favourite airline. Shouldn’t be using that slogan anymore as I don’t think anyone considers them the world favourite airline. Sad to see the national carrier in such a terrible position
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ndegepilot
I'd have to say I agree. Talk about Penny pinching. Not only do they charge to pick a seat, even in Business class, but they can't even track luggage like most US airlines and regularly lose luggage, from my experience, and are not very helpful to find it
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I'd have to say I agree. Talk about Penny pinching. Not only do they charge to pick a seat, even in Business class, but they can't even track luggage like most US airlines and regularly lose luggage, from my experience, and are not very helpful to find it
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noel_philips
I'd rather avoid any US airline: subpar service, awful food, old planes, horrible hubs, always get the feeling of being nickled and dimed, horrible customer service, total lack of protection during irops (courtesy of their lobbyists in DC.
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I'd rather avoid any US airline: subpar service, awful food, old planes, horrible hubs, always get the feeling of being nickled and dimed, horrible customer service, total lack of protection during irops (courtesy of their lobbyists in DC.
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zckls
My biggest problem is that BA don't clean their planes. They're always full of trash, crumbs, mysterious stains, other people's bogeys etc. I don't mind crap food, but having to wear a hazmat suit every time i get in the plane is a bit tiresome.
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My biggest problem is that BA don't clean their planes. They're always full of trash, crumbs, mysterious stains, other people's bogeys etc. I don't mind crap food, but having to wear a hazmat suit every time i get in the plane is a bit tiresome.
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voicelag
I think the BA hate is too much
Fly with them regular never an issue
Always been very accommodating
Maybe ive just had good experiences in the past
Worst thing is the pasty thing they gieb you before landing thats boggin
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I think the BA hate is too much
Fly with them regular never an issue
Always been very accommodating
Maybe ive just had good experiences in the past
Worst thing is the pasty thing they gieb you before landing thats boggin
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gottagetupandgo
I flew BA from EZE to GIG in May 2025 in Business. I was shocked there was no preflight drink was offered. The FA said the onward flight from Rio to London would have one, but GIG was my Destination. Cheap. no more BA for me
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I flew BA from EZE to GIG in May 2025 in Business. I was shocked there was no preflight drink was offered. The FA said the onward flight from Rio to London would have one, but GIG was my Destination. Cheap. no more BA for me
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Maserati7200
I guess I’m one of the 7 people still boycotting United for beating up and dragging that passenger off the flight in 2017, how quickly you people forget. I’ll take BA and those sandwiches 10/10 times
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I guess I’m one of the 7 people still boycotting United for beating up and dragging that passenger off the flight in 2017, how quickly you people forget. I’ll take BA and those sandwiches 10/10 times
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noel_philips
Not to mention the really horrible surcharges they have on award tickets. I would still rather put up with the headaches of Iberia then pay those really crazy surcharges.
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Not to mention the really horrible surcharges they have on award tickets. I would still rather put up with the headaches of Iberia then pay those really crazy surcharges.
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raefamily3141
After they served me a leather steak in business class, I gave up. Once got upgraded to first and that was nice. Million miler on United - not going anywhere else now.
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After they served me a leather steak in business class, I gave up. Once got upgraded to first and that was nice. Million miler on United - not going anywhere else now.
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matthiashartge5520
Wonder how they stack up against Lufthansa Maybe Noel can make the big Trans Atlantic challenge and test a few big European and American airlines to compare them: )
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Wonder how they stack up against Lufthansa Maybe Noel can make the big Trans Atlantic challenge and test a few big European and American airlines to compare them: )
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peanutseller
I couldn’t agree more BA has dramatically gone down hill, the actual flight experience and the customer service from them is incredibly poor now
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I couldn’t agree more BA has dramatically gone down hill, the actual flight experience and the customer service from them is incredibly poor now
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