He is very, very upset.

Brian May is no stranger to air travel, so I guess he knows what he’s talking about when he goes off on a rant.

That’s exactly what his blog post from last week is, and the title “British Airways Spoilt the View” sets the ball rolling:

Over to Brian for that rant:

Travelling on planes has for years been something I have had to do, as part of my job, but I never got bored with enjoying the views . As soon as I’m up there above the clouds, I feel lucky and excited – like a kid on a treat.

I also, very childlike, I’m sure, never tire of trying to take the perfect sequential stereo picture as the plane surges forward, giving me an instant baseline for 3-D photos of clouds, glaciers, mountains, cities, canyons, and volcanoes. But – as I fly today with British Airways – I wonder if I am the only person left in the world who likes to relax in a comfortable seat and dreamily turn my head to the window and get lost in the ever-changing wonders of the planet, as they drift by ? I wonder this because I’m not aware of anyone except me complaining about the new way the seats are configured in BA First Class. I hate it. It costs an arm and a leg to travel this way and I feel that we no longer get our money’s worth. In the old days you sat right next to the window and the view was wide and spectacular. Now they sit you about three feet from the window and so low down all you can see from your seat is a small patch of sky. It’s boring – frustrating.

Even if you make an effort to clamber closer to the window to get a better view you’re totally thwarted. They’ve put all sorts of junk between the seat and the window – a table, a ledge, an annoying cubbyhole which holds almost nothing – and finally – a massive inner screen containing the blinds which stops you getting any closer than nine inches to the actual window. It completely sucks !!

I ask you … what would you rather see from your seat … this ?

This picture followed:

And then the question “Or this?”

Oh Brian – the horror.

Back to his blog:

It’s horrible, guys. And I hope at least someone in your vast organisation will see this and give it some thought. And if anyone out there agrees please let me (and British Airways) know – OK ?

Who designs this stuff ? Did they lose their mind ?

Happy Travels.

Bri

They’ve gone bloody crazy, Bri. Can we call you Bri? It’s happening.

You can bet the former guitarist of a megaband like Queen is going to get a response, with this from the Standard:

A spokesperson for BA addressed May’s dislike – and couldn’t resist dropping in a Queen lyric.

In a statement they told Standard Online: “Brian May is a fantastic guitarist and it’s great to welcome him on board. Very many customers praise our spacious and luxurious First cabin and we hope that Brian in time will still feel we are somebody to love.”

Finish with a Queen lyric – cheeky.

I believe there is a term for all of this – First World Problems.

[sources:brianmay&standard]