I would like to draw your attention to our recent experience with BA. In June my partner and I flew to Rome on BA2542, and had reservations to return on BA8844 a week or so later at 5.30pm.
When we tried to change our return flight we were told this was not possible, as BA was no longer responsible for our booking. It had been transferred to a company called Vueling, a low-cost, no-frills Spanish airline – despite it still having a BA flight number.
Surely there is something not right about this? We paid for BA standards and service, but what it actually delivered was far short of this quality. We did not get what we paid for – instead, we had to pay for refreshments on board, arrived at Gatwick at the low-cost airlines end of the airport ,which is miles from the arrivals hall, cheap aircraft fittings and seats … No explanation was given and we were left wondering: how does it get away with this? PT, by email
Go on to the BA website to book flights and you are now offered a choice of several flights that, if you look closely, are not actually operated by BA. They have BA flight numbers but are offered with partner airlines – those in the IAG group. In the trade it’s known as code sharing. If you are not paying close attention when booking, it is easy to miss this.
Normally, partner airlines are to a similar standard – think BA v American Airlines – but as you point out, Vueling is very much in the low-cost bracket and, among other things, doesn’t offer drinks and snacks as you would expect, has a lower checked bag allowance of 10kg, doesn’t allow use of the BA lounge prior to flying and, if you have an onward connection, you have to collect your bags and go through security again.
A post on the TripAdvisor forum shows that you are not the only person to have booked a Vueling flight on BA’s website. BA told us such deals are now the norm across the industry and that the website makes it clear what passengers are booking.
So other passenges beware, and make sure you are getting what you expect when making a booking.
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