In defence of British Airways – even after this weekend’s performance

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue – and what it means for you

Full disclosure: due to the latest IT meltdown at British Airways, I spent most of Friday afternoon and evening at London Heathrow airport. Mine was one of more than 200 flights between Thursday and Saturday that were grounded by BA. My booked flight to Prague was cancelled, and the next was late. I finally reached my hotel room in the Czech capital at 1am.

BA also downgraded me: exceptionally, I had booked a business-class flight. All the prices to Prague this weekend were alarmingly high, and when a single Club Europe seat came up on the Avios frequent-flyer site I grabbed it. But when finally I flew, I was moved from a posh window seat to an economy middle seat.

To continue the demotion theme: after decades of clinging on by my fingertips to “Silver” status in the British Airways Executive Club, I have finally been relegated to “Bronze” – losing all kinds of benefits, from lounge access to free seat selection.

So what do I think of BA? Rather more than Which? magazine does. This month, “the UK’s consumer champion”, as the organisation describes itself, published its assessment of the best and worst airlines of 2023. British Airways is described as “a thoroughly mediocre airline”.

The survey continues: “On long haul, the story is simple. Fly anyone but British Airways and Lufthansa.” I find that a bizarre statement, presumably from someone who has never experienced the “Caribbean configuration” on Air France, for example. While I would do almost anything never to travel on the French airline again, the prospect of an intercontinental flight on BA appeals.

For almost 40 years, British Airways has had an annoying long-haul rival in the shape of Virgin Atlantic, keeping the “legacy” carrier honest and competitive. BA has a formidable safety record, and thousands of professional staff who strive to deliver good service even when the tech lets them down.

The “Best and worst airlines in 2023” survey gets weirder. No doubt to the relief of Ryanair, the Which? choice of worst airline this year is its arch low-cost rival: Wizz Air.

“Quite simply, it is to be avoided at all costs,” says Which? of Wizz…