Sunday 31 May 2015

Dear British Airways...

I know you're trying to costs. I know you face competition from the Aldi and Lidl of airlines. All this I know. But....

Was it really necessary to remove one of the only two lavatories on certain of your aircraft, and fit in two seats instead? Have you even tried out these seats yourselves? If not, let me tell you what it's like.

 Imagine sitting in a dark cupboard, with two people in front almost lying on your lap. There is no window, so the nervous passenger doesn't know when to feel really nervous as he doesn't know whether he's up or down. You cannot recline your seat, so if you  happen to have a bad back (some of us have had nasty horse-related accidents, for example. We need to be able to recline) you just have to suffer. Your knees are tucked just under your chin, your bottom is numb, and as for the brace position - well, you can forget that. You'd knock yourself  out on the seat in front before you'd even started. Artificial light is essential for reading, as there's minimal daylight, and the only other occupation available is counting the number of people entering and leaving the remaining lavatory (around 42 on a short haul flight), and watching them struggle with zips and skirts and other obstacles as they emerge half-dressed. There are also the interesting clattering sounds made by the cabin crew as they prepare their trolleys just behind you.

So. Please give it a try, and see what you think. You might just decide that this kind of treatment is incompatible with any kind of travelling comfort, as we did. Just to remind you, the seats to go for are 25A and 25B. You'll find them at the very back of the plane. Enjoy.

Yours etc.

21 comments:

  1. I hope you posted or emailed this letter Frances, otherwise they'll never know. Oh, and welcome home, it's nice to have you back.

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    1. Thanks, Maggie. We are certainly going to write to them!

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  2. I have experience those seats. My sympathies.

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  3. welcome home and remember there is no such thing as a bad flight if you walk off the plane.
    You should have asked the cabin crew to help re-seat you or r-mount you or whatever term you use.

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    1. Adrian, the cabin crew were marvellous, and very understanding, but the plane was completely full.

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    2. Nothing wrong with there business model then.

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    3. PS I used the wrong "There" . I meant the one with an Yh In, It's written "I".

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    4. Don't worry. I noticed of course, but sometimes one has to make allowances...?

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  4. Oh no! I can only hope the flight did not last more than 2 hours, which is about the maximum time I'd agree to this type of seat if really nothing else was available and I absolutely HAD to take this flight.

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    1. It was under two hours, but John has back ache today!

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  5. Ask for an upgrade. My youngest was recently given one on a medium length flight, simply because he looked right. Personally I can put up with a 60 min flight in discomfort, but there's a very good reason why I don't visit family in Oz.

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    1. Cro, you couldn't travel,far in those seats. You'd never unbend again.

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  6. What an awful experience, Frances. I hope you let British Airways know. xxx

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    1. Joanna, the lovely cabin crew almost begged us to,write, and we certainly shall.

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  7. I hope that the actual holiday was better than the flight home. Where did you go? We are off on a french river cruise soon. ( Lyons to Avignon)

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    1. It was the Med, Frances, and it was wonderful. Enjoy yours!

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  8. As someone who used to fly BA so often he felt like a commuter I used to be one of their ardent supporters. Unfortunately now they seem to be trying to prove correct people who think BA stands for Budget Airline or Bloody Awful.

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    1. It's all cost cutting, Graham. But they would do better to stop feeding passengers rubbish and let them bring their own snacks.

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  9. Oh dear - I don't particularly enjoy flying at the best of times so this sounds unbearable! Hope the holiday itself was good.

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