prwatts

Hi, I wanted to poll everyone and see what you think about me using BA to come back from Blighty at the end of the month. Have they finished all this strike stuff or is there still a risk?
They are the cheapest...but that's no ue if I can't get back for work.
Thanks Peter

lionheart

Personally I don't give two hoots which airline you use. Its hardly important enough to justify its own thread, let alone a poll, surely?

prwatts

Sorry - I never realised this was the wrong protocol. Please tell me how best to find the answer to my query. I thought this was the way to find out things from fellow-expats. Can you say which method I should use?
Peter

prwatts

BTW it is not a poll in the strictest sense - it is just that if 5 people tell me using BA is a risk in their opinion I won't book with them. People ask similar seemingly unimportant questions on other things. Do you give them a rocket too?

moneypenny20

I wouldn't fly with BA if someone else was paying. As the old saying goes - 'you get what you pay for'. If they're the cheapest, it's because they're rubbish and the cabin crew obnoxious rude people.

Can't think who they remind me of.

Grace O Malley

Agree they are crap. Rather pay extra then fly with them.

Grace O Malley

Where are u based???? If AD then go Etihad, far better than BA.

prwatts

Sorry, I should have said - Riyadh, which for direct flights gives one the option of BA, BMI or Saudia.

norsk

It depends on the alternative airlines flying to your destination. To Bahrain for example I have only two options flying direct from London; Gulf Air and BA. BA can be unreliable with this striking business (although they sorted me out big time when I was stranded in London in March), but Gulf Air is probably the worst airline in the world so I usually risk it...

Flying Emirates/Qatar/Etihad is an option if you don't mind a stop-over but it adds minimum 4 hours to a flight to Bahrain. Probably similar to Riyadh.

Are you sure BMI is flying their own planes? They offer flights to Bahrain as well, but it's a codeshare with Gulf Air. As for Saudia I wouldn't fly them unless you love KSA! No booze of course, and male only crew...

prwatts

I only care about the cost and certainty of getting there. I prefer direct because it takes less of my precious 'away time'
Thanks

Victor Meldrew

If you definitely want direct, I guess BA is your only option. At least you can have a couple of drinks on the way home.

Alternatively, if you don't mind a changeover, go Emirates and you can have a couple of beers in the Irish Village while you wait for your connection.

When I worked in Riyadh, some people used to go through Cyprus, spend a weeks holiday there, then fly on to UK.

The Dean

I rarely fly direct - being willing to change planes somewhere usually offers a better selection of timings and fares.

I haven't used BA for years either; I was so angry with them last time I never even bothered to take them up on a complementary business-class flight that they had offered me as compensation for their 'indiscretion'. I don't need their charity; I just wanted to prove my point, and get them to admit they had screwed up - revenge, if you like.

Best BA customer service story: Google "British Airways" and "Gorman". The story is a few years old now, but it's still a cracker................. "Have I Got News For You" had great fun with it........

This gives you the flavour...............

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/di...p-1251584.html

typical

I'm not with the majority view here - BA, when they do it right, are a very good airline, and it's reassuring to fly with an airline that takes safety somewhat seriously...

On the RUH-LHR route I'd be happy with any of the options, though Saudia give more legroom and no booze.

Fugative

I flew BA last month to jeddah, rubbish out but had new plane back in, staff were good. Just joined saudi airlines frequent fliers with discount prices were closer to ba. So im back with them in july. Think Ba always suspect in summer months.

Purdey

Well, their next 'scheduled' strike is due to start on August 3 so if you are out and back before then you should be fine.