BA 6430
Posted by Rich...! under Uncategorized on March 27 2007 at 11:25 PM
I fly at least twice a fortnight, yet I’m sitting here on board British Airways flight BA 6430 from Cape Town to Jo’burg, and felt compelled to stop everything and write this post. This has been without a doubt the nicest domestic flight experience I’ve had in not-so recent memory.
It started at the check-in counter where the guys that were there smiled at me and said that although my bag was pretty big, I was the only guy in Club and would I not rather take it on board with me. I was cool to check it, more smiles all around, a joke about being able to play one-man musical chairs (and win every game), and I was off to the lounge.
There I was spotted looking at the hot chocolate machine that was off for refilling. I said that it was fine but they insisted on getting it back on in a hurry for me. However just when they were nearly were done my flight was called. I got up to leave and was met the hostess coming back up the stairs with the take away cup she’d managed to find for me elsewhere, the other hostess phoned the gate and told them that I’d be down in two minutes. Again, big smiles, and minutes later I was boarding, steamin’ cup of hot chocolate in hand.
Awaiting take off, I was chatting to one of the cabin crew about his goal of becoming a pilot, and the steps it would take him to get into the cadet program, when another cabin attendant came from the back of the plane, saw me alone, laughed and asked if I’d like her to to fill up Club with all the hot ladies from the flight. Not wanting to appear ungrateful, I of course said yes (sadly though I’m still alone). The meal was wicked cool, I was brought three piping hot dishes to chose from, and the meal was served in courses, as opposed to the crammed tray that SAA and Nationwide give you. Finally, when I was done, the Cabin Controller popped by and sneaked me some extra Sally Williams nougat, with a smile and a wink.
The key word here: Smiles, and not the fake Americanised ones, genuine smiles at every interaction. Wicked. Seriously, an all round kick-ass team effort by BA, much respect.
Really makes me regret being the Voyager mile whore that I am…!
March 28th, 2007 at 12:02 am
u lucky bastard !!!!!
March 28th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Twice a fortnight. Very nice. Is that like once a week then?
March 28th, 2007 at 8:01 am
I usually get great service when I’m the only person being served.
As soon as things get busy the employees lose sight of individuals and start treating customers as one big mob, and they stretch themselves to try and cover everyone rather than focusing on each person in turn.
March 28th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Sounds like heaven when compared to my weekly flights to CT.
Fucking Paparazzi!!!
March 28th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Rich, it must be your smile.
But it’s important not to forget Derek Zoolander’s words of wisdom – “I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to life than being really, really good looking.”
March 28th, 2007 at 9:38 am
I quite enjoy flying BA too. I fly about twice a month and have always had good service from them. I’m not a big fan of SAA and Nationwide either, although I like the way SAA seem relaxed about listening to an iPod when taking off… I really don’t understand that rule.
March 28th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Its coz they heard about the Lexus.
March 28th, 2007 at 10:07 am
David, it’s not luck, I just started off by flashing my big willy.
Haha, Tyler, not really, one return flight every two weeks
Vaughn, yeah, you could be right, buy I was the only person in Business on my flight down on Nationwide on Sunday, and while it was good, it wasn’t nearly blog-about-it-good.
Scott: No bro, it’s all about my million dollar smile.
Sharny: The price of fame I’m afraid.
Kevin, I hear you but it really does depend on the crew you get.
Billy, you know it bro…!
March 28th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I think the way you act has a lot to do with the service. When I’m expecting bad service I seem to get it, and when I’m expecting great service it magically happens.
March 28th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
BA is great.
At one stage I flew at least once a week (while working on projects out of town / out of country for about four years).
SO I was usually knackered on the flights. I’d fall asleep before take off.
So one of the attendents stopped me as I was disembarking and said, “Sir, the staff are really worried about you. Is everything OK? We’ve noticed you fall asleep even before your seat is reclined!”
Even the check-in staff are chatty, “Gee sir, you fly a lot!”
But the New York BA staff are the best, “Wow! South Africa! That’s a long trip, let’s see if we can upgrade you…”
Whenever I’ve flown economy out of New York, I think I’ve been upgraded every time. Not once the other way (JHB-JFK), however…
I agree with Crusoe though. I often feel like drawing some sourpuss’ attention to the fact.
March 28th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
delayed on two separate flights, had my luggage lost twice, was refused complimentary accomodation when said flight was cancelled, shelled out over 100 quid for a taxi at 3am and other bits and pieces, and all in the space of two weeks. 3 months later, having submitted receipts and claims along with scathing letter, issued with £50 for Heathrow duty free. does it sound like i was after another fucking bottle of perfume? i think not. never ever flying BA again.
March 28th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
All my experiences with BA have been like Rich’s.
Hell, every time I fly to California or back, they upgrade me from business to first, and the smiles, service and attention to detail are sencond to none.
I get seriously unhappy whenever my company tries to make me fly anything other than BA!
March 29th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Your report on your flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg has inspired me. I’m a travel blogger, and I find I’m more likely to blog about a bad experience than a good experience. A more balanced focus sounds like a better idea.
March 30th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
That’s it. After a little episode with SAA, I’ve been toying with the idea of a shift in carriers.
Only problem is, BA will only let you get a loyalty number if you buy a ticket, which I think is a little mean.
But if there are smiles….
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Dont know if you heard about the one (its a little different than your flight from cape town to johannesburg ordeal) where the person working for BA would make a deliberate mistake/error with a customer, and then when the customer got angry, would solve the problem immediatly. The reasoning being the customer would talk about how the airline solved his/her issue quickly rather than the issue itself.