I'm so angry at BA after our long-haul flight with a 5 month old - anyone else?

[townsender]

I've just had the worst flight experience on a long haul return flight with BA, the first with our 5 month old baby.
In both directions, we got moved at checkin from the bulkhead bassinet seats which we had reserved months in advance. On the way out, we both got moved to normal seat positions, and on the way back then my husband got moved, leaving me with the baby and bassinet sitting next to a stranger (and I am still breastfeeding - not fun with limited elbow room). Both times it was people who had paid for extra legroom who got our seats, not other people with infants.
I have complained to BA and asked for an explanation, but just got a load of generic waffle back from their customer service center.
Has anyone else had this experience, or was I just very unlucky to get it twice in a row? I don't think it is BA's official policy to prioritize customers who pay extra for legroom over customers with infants, but in my experience this seems to be the case.

I think, as you are not seeking compensation, what is worth chasing is BA allowing people travelling with an infant to be able to PAY to reserve the bulk head seats and bassinets so that people paying for extra leg room can't then be prioritised above you.

NC as identifying to my family.

I've a flight with BA coming up travelling with my DP, baby, toddler, DF, DM, FIL and MIL. We have bulkhead seats both ways booked at no cost because of the infant but parents and PIL have all paid to sit by us (£60 each FFS). It is my wedding. Your post has me pretty worried that our group has wasted £240 and worse still that I'll be stuck on my own with baby and toddler . I'm wanting to tweet them a link to this thread but I'm not really sure how to do that.

I find this really odd. Last year we flew long haul BA to Phoenix and the seats in front of the tables for the cots were blocked out every time I looked at Manage my Booking. We didnt need them, I just remember they were, we were travelling with a child under 12 so BA chose our seats for free 3 days before the flight. When online check in opened 24 hours before the flight I went in to change them for free as I didnt like where we were, and those seats with the cots were available - so we booked them for free. Speaking to someone at BA about it they said they block them off until on- line check opens in in case anyone with a baby needs to reserve them. No-one did on our flight so we got them.

Of course the people who paid extra were prioritised over you confused. The "but I've got children" card doesn't work here; you had the option to pay extra for those seats yourself

BA told us the seats were prioritised for people that needed cots i.e. babies. I dont think this is playing any sort of card at all but getting something that is handy for a baby on a long haul flight, a cot. And the OP didnt get the option of paying for them either.

I've just returned from a short-haul flight with BA and I must say the service was shoddy. The plane was dirty (tray tables had crumbs on them - person next to me; my tray table had the ring marks from a previous cup). The head rest was wonky and loose and there were wires hanging off and dangling. I'm not looking forward to my next flight next week, again booked on BA.

OP, if you can find the strength, do continue to complain - tweet them if necessary. Not sure where you flew long-haul to, but perhaps consider an alternative airline. We flew Lufthansa long-haul at Christmas and although it was fine, it wasn't great.

Best experience is still on Singapore Airlines. I flew long-haul on Singapore Airlines with 2 children (aged 3 years, and 4 months) and they were fab. The best bit of the holiday was on the plane! The staff cooed over the children and were very helpful (I flew alone). Lots of children's movies, toys and stuff that they gave and generally a great experience. No faffing around the bassinet either.

I am intrigued to know why you had to travel long haul with a 5 month old? None of my friends would travel long haul with a baby so young

You and your friends need to get out more.