Bad experience on a flight- worth complaining?

[Laura2121]

I recently had a bad experience on a long-haul flight from British Airways, regarding poor customer service from a couple of the cabin stewards. After patiently putting up with the way that one steward was treating me and my elderly parents for a few hours, I raised my voice and complained to her about her level of customer service, only to then get a telling off from the cabin manager for raising my voice in the cabin- no accountability or apology for my experience at all. In fact I was even made to apologise for raising my voice, as if I was the problem. I have never had such an appalling experience on a flight before.

A quick Google search afterwards revealed that BA had recently made some policy changes as to protect their staff from customers expressing annoyance at them, so it could be that my loud complaint was ‘pounced on’ disproportionately given that the new policy had just come into force. But I am frankly appalled at the treatment I was subject to on board the flight.

I am soon taking the return flight back, and not feeling too keen about this after the poor experience I had on my outbound flight last month. I was going to complain to BA after getting back home, but it would help to know that they want to make things right before my flight home. An upgrade wouldn’t hurt either if they offer this! Has anyone had experience with something like this? Thanks!

Hahahaha! Hilarious! You’ll be lucky if they’ve not already bumped you off their return flight for being shouty at cabin crew.
What did they do that was so awful it made you shout at them?

I believe you, whatever it was. We haven’t flown BA since Covid, we would rather do indirect on a Middle East flight than direct with them. Their service and facilities are absolutely shocking!

Many people agree with this:
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-worst-airline-which-survey-b2704160.html

You sound aggressive. I would leave it otherwise you might not even be allowed on the flight.

It is almost always unreasonable to raise your voice on a flight (the only exception would be an emergency) and I would be pretty unsympathetic if you did that in the vicinity of me or my family.

But what exactly happened?

If you want an upgrade you need to either pay cash or avios.

Also can’t understand what would warrant shouting on a flight - more context needed

An upgrade! I once saw a chap getting cable tied to his armrests for causing a disturbance.

If you have raised your voice to the crew, you might get black-balled rather than upgraded.

Believe what exactly? That she shouted at a member of cabin crew and then got spoken to by their manager?

You definitely will not get an upgrade for complaining so I would get that out of your mind right away.

Most I have ever got was a few air miles or a £50 voucher. I can’t even remember what that was for to be honest.

Also bear in mind your passenger record has probably been marked as a rude passenger for shouting at the cabin crew, so you’ve probably just been labelled difficult.

Difficult to tell how bad your experience was because you haven't said what happened to make you raise your voice. What is your complaint? Something they did, something they didn't do, just a general feeling of not being helpful? Did you expect extra consideration for your elderly parents?

I fly BA an awful lot. So much so, I’m GGL. They’re shit. But do you really think you’ll get a free upgrade because you shouted at economy cabin crew for being useless? They will have already submitted your report and you’ll find yourself on the wrong end.

Absolutely bonkers you think you’ll get an upgrade out of this. Very few things are worth an upgrade for BA as compensation and you shouting is not one.

Be grateful you have never flown Lufthansa.

You will not get an upgrade. What you will get from BA is a stock, 'thank you for sharing your views, we have passed these on so learning can be shared, we hope you enjoy your next flight' email. Id forget it and move on.

BA service is perfunctary - you get a product, its pretty minimal in economy, accept it and don't ask or expect more is the way to approach it.

Years ago I flew air Canada. The flight attendant spilt hot coffee all over me when passing the cup (no turbulence at the time), shrugged and said ‘that happens’. No apology, nothing. I never flew with them again. The attendants are tenured, practically can’t be fired, and don’t care about the paying public.

so you yelled at cabin crew? classy

You lost all your credibility when you shouted at a crew member rather than complaining to their supervisor in a civilised manner

Why is this in UK travel if it's about a long haul flight?

This is going to be one of those threads where the OP doesn’t come back or won’t be clear with what actually happened.

I can’t imagine how it could ever be appropriate to raise your voice at cabin crew (!).

You're lucky they are flying you back tbh.

BA is pretty terrible. I am more surprised when the staff aren’t shit but shouting is equally ridiculous.

My wish is that at some point someone from BA flies on another airline (practically any at this point) to see the difference. I genuinely don’t know if they are terrible intentionally or have no idea how bad they are in comparison to other airlines.

How was you being treated? I think you need to give information because so far you look like you’re in the wrong. I also can’t see what information you could give us that would make you raising your voice at cabin crew acceptable.

after shouting at cabin crew you would like an upgrade…it’s an interesting strategy!
I don’t rate BA; Cathay and Singapore are much better.

Plenty of people at BA or who have been at BA have flown with other operators, both as passengers and as employees...they've seen what goes on.

It maybe worth bearing in mind the likes of the ME3 have some massive advantages over the European airlines (not just BA) when it comes to the cost of labour/labour market at home base and possible/rumoured level of state support.

That doesn't excuse poor service but it might explain why BA( and some other operators) find it tough to close to impossible to match the product the likes of Qatar/Emirates/Ethiad can provide.

You lost the high ground when you raised your voice

in all the years I’ve flown when your on a flight the interaction with cabin crew is minimal even on long haul getting a meal and that’s about it

you won’t get an upgrade! I’m ex crew (BA franchise) and I would’ve spoken to you had you shouted at my crew, there are many other effective ways like talking to the purser/cabin crew manager.
id be interested to know what they did to warrant being shouted at?

Flying is an endurance test. I travel with zero expectations and everything after that is a bonus. Complaining is largely futile.