British Airways V Budget airlines

[cookelad]

Just booked my flights for my old clubs annual Spain trip - I'm flying from London they're all flying from Manchester/Liverpool so I've had to book my own!

What a refreshing change from Ryanair/Easyjet type airlines I put in my start and end locations to be told it would be £94 "ok" clicked continue "it's still saying £94, where do I add my golf clubs" clicked on a sports equipment button - golf clubs can be your check in luggage "hmmm no extra charge for golf clubs???" continued on came to the payscreen (now saying £93.16) entered VISA Debit as my card of choice - no surcharge - confirmed payment of £93.16.

I think I've spent too long flying Ryanair (they're the only "people" that fly locally to Wroclaw) every time I clicked something I expected an additional fee/charge /levy to be added but no £94 quoted £94 paid, Amazing concept!

Why can't these budget airlines do this. Last year booked a £5 each way flight to Wroclaw that ended up being £60 - still great value you've got to admit! - but I shutdown the computer feeling totally aggrieved with all the charges etc that kept being added forgetting the fact that it only ended up being £60 I felt completely ripped off - especially £6 each way admin charge for using a debit card!

Anyway big thumbs up for BA who turned out to be cheaper than the budget airlines fair enough I'm well in advance but still even booking early with Ryanair you have to add £40 each way for the golf clubs!

 

[Snelly]

Nice. BA are really good for flights around Europe and definitely compare favourably on cost with the budget airlines, especially if you have golf or ski stuff to take with you.

I don't mind easyJet but refuse to fly with Ryanair. I would rather not go than get on one of their planes.

BA are okay but long haul in Business Class is not as good as their rivals. Their 747 fleet is old and very tired and they are not improving them as they are soon to receive the first of their A380's as replacements.

Best airlines that I have used in the last couple of years, especially for business class are Singapore and Emirates. Both brilliant and both on A380's for a lot of the routes. Highly recommended.

 

[JustOne]

Really don't see the need to worry too much for a short haul flight... if I'm only going to be in my seat for 2-3hrs (reading an issue of Golf monthly of course!) then I couldn't care less who I was flying with, I'd probably book the cheapest and not whinge about it. I've flown business class practically my whole life (family work for British Airways) and I can go without hot towels and a couple of drinks.

There's too many people who are still so amazed to be flying (and that they are sooooo cool to be doing so) they think they need to be treated like James Bond sipping G&T's and pretending they're interested in the Rolex in the inflight magazine. Get a grip... it's a flying bus!!!!










Long haul flight - totally different ballgame... I need pampering!!!

 

[bladeplayer]

Anyway big thumbs up for BA who turned out to be cheaper than the budget airlines fair enough I'm well in advance but still even booking early with Ryanair you have to add £40 each way for the golf clubs!

Yep and Ryanair are toying with the idead of charging for carry on luggage now too ... i see your point id rather they tell me its €60 and pay that than all the add ons , ya feel ripped off when it totals up.. all about geting you intrested in the 1st place ..


Flew to Birmingham for the GM Centenary thing last year .. €76 return for the 2 of us .. €80 for the clubs.. been cheaper to get the clubs a seat of their own ha .. ( i do understand handling charges etc )
On their defence tho , if you stick within the terms & conditions set down , they do have their uses

 

[cookelad]

Really don't see the need to worry too much for a short haul flight... if I'm only going to be in my seat for 2-3hrs (reading an issue of Golf monthly of course!) then I couldn't care less who I was flying with, I'd probably book the cheapest and not whinge about it. I've flown business class practically my whole life (family work for British Airways) and I can go without hot towels and a couple of drinks.

Totally agree! I'll be in the air for about 2 1/2 hours if I end up in the wrong part of the plane I'll just be starting the meal as we begin our descent!

My point was more about the booking process differences between budget and BA - today I finished the booking feeling like I'd got a good deal (which I have) when I've used Ryanair I've always felt slightly ripped off because they start off telling you it's a fiver each way - then they tell you there's a levy for this and a charge for that and then there's fee for the other thing and before you know its £60-100 still a good deal but compared to the £10 you were originally quoted.

I know to expect it (I've flown enough times with them now!) but it still leaves a bitter taste and I know the taxes/fees etc are still there with BA but I knew what I was paying from the outset and wasn't lured in with false promises!

 

[chrisd]

British Airways for me every time!

Ryanair = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM

 

[cookelad]

€76 return for the 2 of us .. €80 for the clubs.. been cheaper to get the clubs a seat of their own ha

Had the same situation flying to Poland and was tempted to give it a try a couple of years back!

 

[JustOne]

Yeh, I did go a bit off topic there.... started to rant which is unusual for me so early in the day

Agree that the booking process is convoluted and can feel like you've been stung but cheaper is cheaper and even the supermarkets follow this process with 'loss leaders' just to get you in the door. I've always found BA to be more expensive and did hear that they are going to start charging for things such as golf clubs etc... don't know when though.

 

[JustOne]

British Airways for me every time!

Ryanair = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM

Awesome!

Me Irish wife'll love that.....

Does have that ring to it of many forum posts!!! Not mine of course

 

[chrisd]

Awesome!

Me Irish wife'll love that.....

Great entertainers, I went and saw them last week ....... utube their song "dogging"

 

[cookelad]

did hear that they are going to start charging for things such as golf clubs etc... don't know when though.

Even if they charge £50 on check in I'll still be ahead of the budget airlines! and it'll be nice to fly with someone else for a change!

 

[Val]

Been flying BA for years on long haul, pity the don't fly to anywhere directly other than London from Scotland though.