There were were at the airport on Monday, June 4, 2001, standing in the check in queue at British Air. Alas, it was my daughter who was departing to spend the summer in France as an au pair. I was not going this time. <BR>All at once I realized that I knew one of the guys at the check in counter taking tickets and checking bags and then I noticed a woman directing traffic who I also knew. The two of them work with me but work second jobs as well. I looked at the woman and said, "Can you get her an upgrade?" Boom. She did. It was that simple. <BR> <BR>My daughter was probably the only 21-year-old in World Traveler class (British Air has 3 upgraded classes: World Traveler, Business and First; World Traveler was described to me as a sort of business class with another name). <BR> <BR>My daughter emailed me today. "Thanks for the upgrade. The seat was larger." That was it? Hoo boy, wish it were me! My daughter has the rare ability to go to sleep immediately on airplanes. I bet she slept through the entire flight and missed the upgraded hoopla. <BR> <BR>I am also crossing the Atlantic this summer. I am flying Delta. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone at their ticket counter. Not much hope of an upgrade for me, I'm afraid.

To be honest - the extra legroom is about the only extra thing about World Traveller Plus (World Traveller is just standard economy). There are a few rows of seats at the front of the economy cabin with more space. I believe you get the same food and drink as economy passengers, so your daughter probably didn't miss anything by sleeping. <BR> <BR>Can I ask you a question? Why is that that many Americans call British Airways: "British Air"? I've often wondered. It's something lots of Americans do, but I've never heard anyone of any other nationality do it.

Anna: I think its just an abbreviation. We call all airlines air- short for airlines. For example: Delta Air but usually will just call them Delta or Lufthanza etc. If we just called British Airlines "British" one wouldn't know that you were refering to the airline as opposed to something else British. Thus as examples American Air, Alaskan Air or British Air. Make sense? <BR> <BR>Gerry

Makes sense I suppose Gerry - it's just always sounded odd to my ears, and I've only ever heard Americans use it, so I wondered if there was some other reason. I suppose I'm more used to hearing it abbreviated to BA.

If you said "I am flying BA to France", this could be interpreted as meaning something very different from British Airways. Its an abreviation for something not so nice. Also thing of Swiss Air vs. say Swiss cheese.

BA makes airplanes. <BR>

Also short for Bank of America

nope, that's BOA (but wasn't BOA also an airling once?)

Don't go BA when traveling to Europe. Wear your shorts.

I always fly BA. I don't care what you think. My comfort comes first.

And then there are those of us who still think of BA as BOAC

My university gave me a BA. Should I be insulted? Should I take that piece of paper off the wall?

Cindy: <BR> <BR>Trade it in for a BS. That's about what mine's worth.

Is that it?

SALLY-- <BR>I always say BOAC too... guess that makes us "of an age!!!"

Hmmm. At first read, I didn't think Lauren was American because she used the word "queue". Those in America commonly refer to it as a "line".

Will someone take pity on a poor English girl and explain what other meaning BA has that is so bad?

"Bare Assed", "Big Assed", "Balls Akimbo" "Balls Aloft", "Buggered Again", "Bloody Airlines" etc. <BR> <BR>Any More ?

Bad Ass

But anon, what's so bad about a recalcitrant mule?