‘Anyone but British Airways’: turbulent times at the nation’s flag carrier

Buffeted by computer meltdowns, strikes and — gasp! — the end of free G&Ts, can “the world’s favourite airline” soar again?

The Sunday Times
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James Anderson used to look forward to jetting off every July or August on British Airways. Like many of us, he felt BA was a cut above the competition. Boarding and enjoying a cheeky G&T before lunch, even in the cheap seats, it felt as though our holiday had already begun. Now, like many of us, he flies ABBA — “anyone but BA”, he frowns.

He made his decision after the flag carrier “completely ruined” an eight-day holiday to Barcelona with his wife, Marguerite. “We flew business class to treat ourselves, but it was just like economy. They lost my luggage for three days and my wife’s for 10 days. We couldn’t get through to BA to find out where our bags were. When we