Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I recently used the British Airways business class lounge in Cape Town. I must say I was fairly shocked. Many people associate all sorts of luxury with business class lounges, which luxury generally does not exist, but this one was much worse than what I expected.
There were two meals available to choose from, which is not too bad, but not much, and they decided to take chips, which are normally available in packets, out of their packets and put them in a bowl. I guess that is to encourage you to take less, especially when they supply you with a small side plate to put them on. That does not really allow you to take many.
That was not the biggest issue though for me. The biggest issue was that they don’t have their own Wi-Fi, they seem to have an arrangement with a commercial company and so they limit you to 30 minutes or 50Mb. Have you ever heard of a business class lounge or any service to members of the public, where the Wi-Fi is limited to 50Mb? It is the only time I have ever come across a business class lounge that does that and when I asked them about the problem, other than buying myself some Wi-Fi, they told me no there was not, but they are aware of the problem and are planning to change it in due course!
It is the kind of thing that just basically guarantees the next time I am in Cape Town I will make sure that I am not flying in on British Airways or out on British Airways!
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 07-Mar-18
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Comments
Thabitha said:
on Thursday 12-Apr-18 10:12 AM
I have noticed lots of places nowadays they offer you 30 mins of Wi-Fi usage banks and shops you name them, for British airways it bad they must improve they are big company.
Helen said:
on Thursday 29-Mar-18 07:41 AM
Shocking to hear that British Airways is giving such as pour service, I would never expect from them. I have been flying before with Turkish airlines and Emirates, and I loved the services they were providing though.
Sharne said:
on Tuesday 27-Mar-18 08:03 AM
50mb is absolutely nothing. Would've expect them to put a little more effort into a Business class lounge.
Liz said:
on Monday 26-Mar-18 07:56 AM
This is terrible. There are so many foreign travelers that would be making use of that lounge and it is a very bad reflection not only of British Airways but the Cape Town airport as well. This should be rectified as soon as possible.
Jadine E said:
on Monday 26-Mar-18 07:54 AM
Hardly take the time to connect to Wifi. As long as you get to and from destination such things as wifi is the least bit of worries.
Tamaryn said:
on Friday 16-Mar-18 01:41 PM
I find a lot of these airline lounges to be more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. Banks now days say if you have a certain type of check or credit card you have access to airline lounges, slow lounges and the like. Each time I have wanted to use the service there has been some or other hurdle that has just made it not worth the fuss. I think they bank on the fact that people are over-tired from travelling or too excited to get to their destination to care and that they can get away with being sloppy.
Jadine Richards said:
on Friday 16-Mar-18 12:38 PM
It makes me cringe to think that there are international travelers going through this lounge on a daily basis...I can imagine what they must think of us! One would definitely expect a lot more fro, British Airways...this is shocking.
Ashleigh said:
on Wednesday 14-Mar-18 09:07 AM
For me, I will probably never know what business class feels like. For me a flight is a flight as long as I reach my destination safely.
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Tuesday 13-Mar-18 12:35 PM
I have never been to a business class lounge. I am shocked they do not have their own Wi-Fi .You would think they would actually put in more effort
Sarah said:
on Tuesday 13-Mar-18 12:33 PM
That limit of 30 minutes or 50 Mb you are unable to do anything. I just laughed when i read that part. The British Airways lounge does looking stunning tho , while the photo's I saw on google.
Megan said:
on Friday 09-Mar-18 03:16 PM
I think WiFi is an amazing and necessary invention especially for those who are travelling and need their laptops to do business or correspond with people. The fact that any restaurant offers more mb's than a Business Class lounge? I don't think it's worth it.
Michelle said:
on Friday 09-Mar-18 11:05 AM
Sadly this is what you get in South Africa. Problems like this seldom happen in other countries. The problem is also now British airways get bad mouthed when I think it’s actually just the branch situated in CT. It is very sad because ‘business’ people using the ‘business’ lounge surely needs to use the internet and after only supplying 50MB they will not get very far. Hopefully this will soon change. I truly hope so.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Thursday 08-Mar-18 11:41 AM
I had a giggle - so embarrassing. Better off sitting with the "unwashed masses" buy yourself a data bundle and whatever snacks you want. Sounds like it would be cheaper anyway.
Melissa said:
on Thursday 08-Mar-18 09:58 AM
I have never been to a Business class Lounge. This is definitely not a luxury lounge and this is a disgrace. You need to get what you paid for.
Jolene said:
on Thursday 08-Mar-18 08:55 AM
Wow 50Mb? That is shocking, one would definitely expect more from British Airways, they are clearly not keeping up and it will cost them customers in future.
Michelle D said:
on Thursday 08-Mar-18 08:14 AM
I can't say I've ever been to a business class lounge, but I'd imagine if I was spending that much money on going into one I would eat the entire bowl of chips and expect better Wi-Fi.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Thursday 08-Mar-18 08:14 AM
I have not had the pleasure of being within a Business Class Lounge, but I suppose that if you are paying for better quality - you should be receiving it, especially within a city like Cape Town that sees frequent International travelers.
Prishani said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 04:49 PM
This is not really my idea of a luxury lounge! I have never been in a business class lounge, but by this description it seems like I am not missing out on much. I think what would have disappointed me more than the Wi-Fi would be the poor selection of meals to choose from!
Liat Grindler said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 01:06 PM
Sounds pretty useless as you are paying to get served with quality. I am shocked they do not have their own WIFI, the business class lounge should definitely provide WIFI, this is be reported.
Daniella said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 12:54 PM
I have never been in a business lounge, however if that was first experience I would be extremely disappointed! Firstly I'm sure that they can spare the extra money to get chips in separate packets for each person, also I wont even comment on the Wifi because whats the point of them even having any if they going to limit you. Any way doesn't sound worth it to me.
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 12:32 PM
When I was in Dubai I went to the Emirates lounge as I had a layover
I got free food and drinks and Uncapped Wi-Fi and the service was amazing
If you have a friend who is not a skywards member you can pay R1100 and they can come with you and also get all the luxuries and stay as long as they want
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 10:35 AM
Sjoe, to have such an experience. If you want people to use your service etc, best to make an effort. It does seem very limited and I would not, because of the blog, ever think of using British Airways Lounge in Cape Town.
courtney said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 09:32 AM
That really is ridiculous. They must definitely work on it because I know there's a few people complaining about this.
Bianca R said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 09:28 AM
Wow, that is embarrassing customer service and accommodation by British Airways - a very successful and reputable company - lowering the standards at their passenger's expense! I too, would make a choice to not fly with the airline again after an experience like that. A Business class lounge where business people would feel happy to be sharing chips from a communal bowl, where everyone has left their germs and scratched through to take their "allowance." Basically the airline saying, thanks for the money but sort yourself out in terms of doing some work and a decent meal, we'll be here not worrying about the basic needs of our elite passengers!
Nina said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 08:49 AM
That is quite shocking. BA is a very big and well know airline across the world. You would think they would actually put in more effort when it comes to the small things, like a lounge at an airport. I'm sure if enough people complain, they might try to do something about it.
Natasha said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 08:39 AM
That is ridiculous, like really wow that is like nothing. I hope they change it,although business class looks very fancy they are not all that. The chip thing would bother me.. because that mean you have to share with other people,and who say maybe they are sick and then they take chips from the bowl and then you have to take as well, or maybe they went to the bathroom just before that. No thank you that is not for me although it looks very nice. But after this I don't think that i will use British Airways EVER.
Clare said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 08:31 AM
Wow that is hectic 50mb Wow I think one update on one app that all you will be able to get done with that amount of free Wi-Fi. I always thought that there is no limited on a First class facility but now I am surprised.
Bianca N said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 08:30 AM
It is really disappointing when big airlines such as BA don't live up to one's expectations and you end up not wanting to use their services again, because that first impression lasts. I have heard that the Emirates Business Lounge at OR Tambo is really nice and offers a lot more that BA.
Zindy said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 07:41 AM
Wow a whole 50mb. Maybe your able to download a few attachments if your lucky. That is really shocking. When tourists come to South Africa a lot visit Cape Town and with it being a luxury or business class lounge that's actually just embarrassing!
fikile said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 07:07 AM
they have got to be joking cause their Wi-Fi is lower done the ones in the malls cause at the mall they mostly give you 500MB for 30mints and that is for free if you want more then you'll have to pay for it. they have got to put their game and fast
david said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 07:06 AM
how delicious free beer tastes.
david said:
on Wednesday 07-Mar-18 07:04 AM
i recently discovered that my credit card gets me into the slow lounge. I have always sat with the unwashed masses, and paid for my food and drink. you can imagine my shock to discover the food and drink is free. Nowadays i get to the airport hours before my flight and make sure that i am hungry and thirsty. you have no idea how delicious tastes, and how much of it i can drink in an hour or 2...
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
