I had to travel to Europe in Summer 2022 and was trying to find different ways to travel. At the time of booking, the best method was utilizing miles so on the outbound I used Star Alliance miles and on the return I used OneWorld miles on British Airways from Geneva to New Orleans via London. I am based out of New Orleans and British Airways had recently started direct service to the city so I was excited to travel on this route.
As I said, I booked my travel using miles on American Airlines's website. It is very easy to book awardtravel through AA's website and I have previously booked many oneworld partner flights through AA.com (in fact, I booked a SriLankan flight on AA.com and it was very simple). This flight was no different and I booked the British Airways flight from Geneva to London and from London to New Orleans. Once the flight was booked, I called British Airways to manage my flight including seat reservations and special meal request. When I had originally booked my flight, premium economy was available for the same mileage amount but my dates had to change and in my revised dates unfortunately premium economy was not available. In premium economy, the seat selection was complimentary and the luggage allowance was greater; in regular economy there was a charge for seat selection and the luggage allowance was the standard.
I was able to check into my flight 24-hours in advance but I could only receive my boarding pass at the airport due to passport check-in. My flight departed from Geneva at 11:50a and arrive at London Heathrow at 12:35pm and then my ne7xt flight departed at 3:40pm and landed in New Orleans at 7:30pm. Because I was connecting internationally, and during this time it was the summer of European travel meltdown, I got to the airport 3-hours in advance; however, the check-in desks were not open at that time. Apparently the check-in desks open 2 hours in advance but I was glad they were even opening as British Airways had cancelled almost all flights that day except 2 - the one we were on and then an afternoon flight. I checked my luggage in, received my boarding pass, and proceeded to the gate. My first flight was operated by an Airbus A319 in a 3-3 seat configuration. The airplane had a Euro business class section followed by Premium Economy and then regular Economy. We boarded through stairs and after manual safety demonstrations we pushed back and took off for Geneva. I was seated in a window seat in regular economy. The seat itself was basic and contained a moveable headrest, slimline seats, a tray table, and a literature section uptop for the magazines and pocket below the tray table for safety cards. The seat comfort was alright but the seat pitch was very tight and even though the flight was only 1h45 mins, the uncomfortable seat made the journey feel longer. Once airborne, inflight service commenced in which complimentary water and a packet of crisps were distributed; it was nice to get something complimentary as I was told that previously British Airways did not give anything complimentary in economy class. You could purchase other food or beverage items if you wanted. There was no wifi on the plane nor access to inflight entertainment so it was bring your own entertainment or enjoy the views. We landed in Heathrow and then had to clear security and transfer terminals before my next flight out.
The next flight departed at 3:40pm but because U.S. bound flights require extra security we had to get to the gate extra early for additional security screening. After the security screening, we were bused to the gate to board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which would take us to London. The Dreamliner was also configured with a Business Class, a Premium Economy Class and a regular economy class. I was in regular economy where the seats were 9 across in a 3-3-3 configuration. On the seat were a blanket, pillow, and change for UNICEF pouch. The seat itself had an adjustable headrest and cushion. The seatback had a PTV screen, a remote underneath, a tray table that could be half opened or fully opened, a USB port to charge your phone, and a pocket underneath. The PTV screen was small and seem a bit outdated and while the seat pitch was decent, the legroom underneath was blocked by the huge metal box which contained the wires for the entertainment. Because of the extra security, bus boarding, and issues with luggage loading at Heathrow Airport, it took a while for all passengers to board but once boarded, safety video was shown and we pushed back and took off for New Orleans. Once we reached cruising altitude, a drink service plus pretzels were served and this was followed by the meal service. The meal service was average and this is definitely an area where British Airways can improve. After the meal service, the lights were dimmed for passengers to rest. About half-way through the flight a mid-flight snack was served and then right before landing another snack was served. While I appreciate the quantity of food, the quality and taste of the food was to be desired. The service onboard was also average - they were nice and decent when they were in the aisles but in between service they cabin crew were not seen; they were not walking through the aisles with water nor checking on the passengers; if you wanted something you had to search for the crew. The seat itself was alright but you could feel the wear and tear after the 7th hour and the big metal box which took up a lot of space really hampered the legroom - so you felt the 10hr+ flight time after the 7-8th hour. Even though we left late, we landed on-time in New Orleans and quickly got to our gate and deplaned.
Overall, it was an interesting flight with British Airways. They advertise themselves to be a very good to great airline but everything I experienced it made them out to be a decent to good airline. Instead of 4-5 stars I would rate them 3-4 stars; they are decent when they are on their game but its the little things and the additional items that make other airlines standout - such as crew available in the aisle throughout the flight; better catering; a more updated fleet; and other such little things. I appreciate the direct flight to New Orleans as I know not many international airlines fly direct to the city, and as someone from the city I really appreciate that. I just think that New Orleans and the public deserve what British Airways was - I have flown with them when I was a child and I got the Britishness they were trying to achieve; on this flight I got that they were trying to be a step above RyanAir.
I had to travel to Europe in Summer 2022 and was trying to find different ways to travel. At the time of booking, the best method was utilizing miles so on the outbound I used Star Alliance miles and on the return I used OneWorld miles on British Airways from Geneva to New Orleans via London. I am based out of New Orleans and British Airways had recently started direct service to the city so I was excited to travel on this route. 
As I said, I booked my travel using miles on American Airlines's website. It is very easy to book awardtravel through AA's website and I have previously booked many oneworld partner flights through AA.com (in fact, I booked a SriLankan flight on AA.com and it was very simple). This flight was no different and I booked the British Airways flight from Geneva to London and from London to New Orleans. Once the flight was booked, I called British Airways to manage my flight including seat reservations and special meal request. When I had originally booked my flight, premium economy was available for the same mileage amount but my dates had to change and in my revised dates unfortunately premium economy was not available. In premium economy, the seat selection was complimentary and the luggage allowance was greater; in regular economy there was a charge for seat selection and the luggage allowance was the standard. 
Overall, it was an interesting flight with British Airways. They advertise themselves to be a very good to great airline but everything I experienced it made them out to be a decent to good airline. Instead of 4-5 stars I would rate them 3-4 stars; they are decent when they are on their game but its the little things and the additional items that make other airlines standout - such as crew available in the aisle throughout the flight; better catering; a more updated fleet; and other such little things. I appreciate the direct flight to New Orleans as I know not many international airlines fly direct to the city, and as someone from the city I really appreciate that. I just think that New Orleans and the public deserve what British Airways was - I have flown with them when I was a child and I got the Britishness they were trying to achieve; on this flight I got that they were trying to be a step above RyanAir. 
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