British Airways....What do you think?

I am in the process of booking tickets from Atlanta to London for myself, baby and seven year old.  I have never flown British Airways, if you have or know anything about the postives or negatives, let me know.

Thanks, Danielle

Love 'em! I've flown them a few times both to the US and India. Never had a complaint. And my friends in the US prefer to fly them if they are coming here.

I am in the process of booking tickets from Atlanta to London for myself, baby and seven year old.  I have never flown British Airways, if you have or know anything about the postives or negatives, let me know.  Thanks, Danielle

A friend who has flown both Virgin and British Airways -- prefers Virgin.  Didn't think the coach class service was as nice on British Airways & seem to remember him complaining something about the seats (he's a skinny person).  From Atlanta, I woud probably fly Delta but then my brother works there.   (Delta has skinny-butt seats though unless you're in Business Class--believe me, I notice such things. )  My favorite so far is British Midlands (BMI) -- for both value and standard of coach class service, but I usually fly into Manchester (not London).  Not sure about BMI's flight schedule for London as I think it's more of a northern carrier.

Carolyn B

I've flown to the UK 6 times and I didn't really like BA , esp if you're flying coach... the seats were harder, smaller and closer together, the attendants weren't as nice or accommodating ( something I would look for when traveling with a baby) and the food isn't very good.
  
   I'd have to say that AA was the best.. more leg room, better service and better entertainment options ( even video games for the kids.. in coach).    
  
  I usually fly with NorthWest now, because I can get a direct flight, from Detroit (which I HIGHLY recommend) and great frequent flier miles.

I have found BA & Virgin to be of a similar standard. I've flown all over the world with BA.  I have never had any problems with them and found their staff very helpful on board (although I didn't have a baby then) and the food was very nice too.

Love BA! I took my two sons when they were 3 and 5 months by myself from North Carolina to Venice. The staff were very helpful, the planes nice and clean and they were on time!

Have never had any problems with BA- they even bumped me up to business class when I had to go home quickly. Virgin is in the same category......no problems. We'll be flying them with the cats in Aug/Sept...hopefully the same good service will be had by both them and cargo

I've flown Atlanta to London with Delta and would choose them again over BA; I think those are the only two direct airlines on the route, aren't they?   Both BA and Virgin (who don't run on this route) seem to be airlines that people either love or hate.  Personally, I've had delays and problems with both (hey, I'm bound to have problems because I've flown so much) but I've had Virgin treat me as a human being in the case of delays and problems, and BA - well - after their second "offense" they became my airline of last choice and occasional flights with them since haven't made me think again.

Well I prefer BA (biased as I have a lot of frequent flyer miles with them) and have been bumped to business class a few times with them.  I haven't had any delay issues with them as such, so can't really comment on that.  I flown Virgin a few times and have been impressed with them as well, but mostly fly BA to get miles.

I don't prefer flying US airlines at all.

bvamin

We always use BA. We used their frequent flyer program and were really happy with the returns we got from them, such as free flights. Also, they were fantastic with me having a very small baby on the flight - the only time we had a problem was when they were short staffed for some reason. We have been upgraded several times just for being loyal to them, and have always been really, really happy with their service.

We have flown numerous times with and without babies, twins, toddlers and even grandparents with BA, BMI, Virgin and United from Heathrow/Manchester to Washington/New York ....

Virign WINS every time - the most helpful staff at check-in and on board - they actually seem to enjoy their jobs - great in flight entertainment, good food etc, etc ... they make the best of what's a pretty awful experience of being stuck in a metal tube for 8 hrs, hurtling along at 500 mph - UGH I HATE FLYING!!!!

As for the others, well, they've all been pretty good too.

BA has a better schedule than Virgin, the service is great when it's great but we have come across the odd BA snotball (I think they had big union problems a couple of years ago?) - they lost our luggage once, but they have upgraded us a number of times (No idea why - we usually look like a pair of deadbeats).

United - ditto above but they used to have a great frequent flyer program - we had a lot of free trips to Paris on the Eurostar.

BMI are 'quaint' - nice staff - they only recently started flying Transatlantic and still seem excited about it!!

Oh, I think what can affect a flight is the airport experience - I have to say Heathrow is just about the worst airport ever - it's SOOOOOOOOOO overcrowded and stuffy - Manchester is 100 times better and puts me in a calmer mood before flying.

Thanks for all the info.  Still figuring out what flight/airline to take.  I usually fly Delta as I have flight benefits, though it is stand by travel and it is Spring break.

I am a big BMI fan.  I have flown them several times.  Twice long haul and the service is second to none.  I prefer to fly them over Virgin and becuase they have only started flying transatlantic in the last few years the prices are reasonable.

We are flying with them on Monday to Paris.

Believe it or not  - US Airways has pretty comfy coach class w/ decent food and great service.

I just missed getting bumped and getting an upgrade for my way back to the States yesterday. I would have done it in a heartbeat if it meant getting business class and another night w/ my beloved. Something to keep your eye on for any airline.

Danielle, if you want direct non-stop (and I'm assuming you do with the kids in tow), DL and BA are your only options out of ATL to LON.  Personally, I'm not a huge DL fan.  BA is normally quite accommodating.  Perhaps you can join their frequent-flyer programme, as it's normally free to join, in case you end up using them again.  Good luck