British Airways are a Disgrace [Never Fly with Sporting goods Guns]

[gordon kings langley]

BA are a disgrace. Pre booked gun sporting goods on a return flight from London to Johnnasburg.
I was at the check desk for hours, if the flight was not delayed we would have missed the flight.
It was the same on the return leg, and they charged me for my check in bag.
If BA Engineering is as bad as the check in staff. BA will lose an aircraft.
Only BA think they are the best airline.
A member of BA staff was on the flight home, and he said BA is F————G Usless

 

[BRICKBURN]

Did you ever get an explanation?

 

[gordon kings langley]

Unfortunately you can only complaint via BAs web site.
if you telephone, you are on hold for hours, then the cut you off

 

[BRICKBURN]

Unfortunately you can only complaint via BAs web site.
if you telephone, you are on hold for hours, then the cut you off

Complaint resolution by frustration. It's the same everywhere.

 

[wesheltonj]

Is BA having problems at Heathrow and Gatwick, yes. But so is every other airline. Delta just sent a 777 just to pick up bags from Heathrow. Is BA short staffed, yes just like every other airline. I willl grant you at the BA staff in JNB leaves much to be desired, but they are contractors and not employees.

 

[gordon kings langley]

That may be but BA took my money for the return ticket.

 

[Hogpatrol]

They're not called a bus with wings for nothing.

 

[R.M.C.]

Thanks for the heads up and sorry to hear about your troubles. I'm flying United out of NJ next month so we'll see how it goes. Some people have no trouble, the next guy spends hours dicking around with uninformed staff. I think it's a crap shoot nowadays, depends on the individual behind the counter. Unfortunately there's no end in sight with all the staffing shortages. I'm just gonna stay flexible, I've got a week off work before and after the scheduled dates for my safari in case anything crazy happens.

 

[gordon kings langley]

I wish you a happy hunt

 

[Puddle]

I knew something was amiss when the aisle seat armrest was secured with duct tape.

Last time I flew with that outfit...

 

[gillettehunter]

They have an extremely poor reputation on the other network as well. They are an airline that I will continue to avoid......
Bruce

 

[leslie hetrick]

second trip to africa i flew BA, stick a fork in me, i,m done.

 

[wesheltonj]

I am not sure why all the hate for BA. BA is better than any US airline. Of course, Emirates is better than BA.

 

[Red Leg]

I am not sure that I hate BA. Their business class is usually a good ride. HOWEVER, I genuinely loathe having to transit Heathrow. The only place as bad is O'Hare, and it takes entirely too refined a taste in discourteous and disorganized mayhem to say which is worse.

 

[wesheltonj]

@Red Leg O’Hare is bad, we agree.

I will have to agree to disagree about Heathrow. I like T5. It’s efficient for the volume of passenger it moves. T3 on the other hand leaves much to be desired and I can’t wait for them to tear it down. And T4 is just bad. Why anyone thought they could take a terminal that was built for domestic flights and turn it into an international terminal is beyond me. Small, hard to get to, etc. But, when Heathrow is rebuilt, it will be more efficient at moving volumes of passengers.

Frankfort is not any better and just a old as Heathrow T3. Charles DeGaulle is probably the worst of the large airports in Europe, IMO.

 

[cajunchefray]

Interesting discussion on travel on British Airways. They were my go-to airline when I traveled for work from DFW to Europe, Middle East, Africa. A grand tradition of British travel, now ruined by corporate takeovers, and other BS.

To the group, what is your recommendation for travel from either IAH, or DFW, for a route to either Joburg or Namibia? Emirates? Quatar? Delta? (No desire for a 17-hour flight)

Seating Economy Plus, but Business if it's a good deal.

Now that I live back home in Louisiana, I would journey to either of these 2 International airports, for the big ride.

I'm 20 years past regular international travel, and appreciate the input of current travelers, for comfort, convenience traveling with rifles, and price.

Looking to travel from late May 2023 to September 2023.

Appreciate It

CR

 

[wesheltonj]

Interesting discussion on travel on British Airways. They were my go-to airline when I traveled for work from DFW to Europe, Middle East, Africa. A grand tradition of British travel, now ruined by corporate takeovers, and other BS.

To the group, what is your recommendation for travel from either IAH, or DFW, for a route to either Joburg or Namibia? Emirates? Quatar? Delta? (No desire for a 17-hour flight)

Seating Economy Plus, but Business if it's a good deal.

Now that I live back home in Louisiana, I would journey to either of these 2 International airports, for the big ride.

I'm 20 years past regular international travel, and appreciate the input of current travelers, for comfort, convenience traveling with rifles, and price.

Looking to travel from late May 2023 to September 2023.

Appreciate It

CR

I still like BA. I also like Emirates (but have now become too pricey in Business with a carry on). No experience with Qatar, but you now earn Avios on Qatar, as such I would now fly Qatar over Emirates. And Turkish, frankly Turkish does beat BA and ties Emirates except for Fight Attendants and snacks and are usually much cheaper in Business. No experience with long haul Turkish in coach.The Istanbul Airport is very efficient.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Interesting discussion on travel on British Airways. They were my go-to airline when I traveled for work from DFW to Europe, Middle East, Africa. A grand tradition of British travel, now ruined by corporate takeovers, and other BS.

To the group, what is your recommendation for travel from either IAH, or DFW, for a route to either Joburg or Namibia? Emirates? Quatar? Delta? (No desire for a 17-hour flight)

Seating Economy Plus, but Business if it's a good deal.

Now that I live back home in Louisiana, I would journey to either of these 2 International airports, for the big ride.

I'm 20 years past regular international travel, and appreciate the input of current travelers, for comfort, convenience traveling with rifles, and price.

Looking to travel from late May 2023 to September 2023.

Appreciate It

CR

I have flown Delta (2 trips) Qatar(1)
United (1). All out of Houston.
Qatar is the best for comfort and service. Longer travel time( only about 4 hours tho if you can get timely connections)
United is second in my book even going thru Newark.
Delta last place for comfort and service for me.
Planning on 2023 already and figuring United Polaris again. Qatar is just to expensive right now.

 

[xbr897]

I had flown BA for my flights to JNB last month. Delayed on 3 of my 4 segments by multiple hours. Submitted for UK261 delay compensation and it's been 5 weeks now with no response. They were also horrible about handing a firearm. First it took way to many calls and messages to have them deign to allow me to take one. But when my plans changed and I ended up not taking the rifle they still stopped me at every airport & check-in to ask about the rifle. And each time I told them I didn't actually bring it they were all relieved and admitted they were crap at dealing with them so they were glad I didn't have one.

Will be flying Qatar for my hunt next year. Even if they seem to be a few hours longer, the travel on them would have taken less time than all the BA delays.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Good information. Following.