British Airways
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: southern spain
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Have just realised the DM does not like any ´foreigner´s´. The civilised world ends at the English Channel you see. Strangely though it is the most widely read national English language newspaper in Spain and probably in Europe!
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: United Kingdom
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Long Haul Expansion
When BA/IAG purchased BMI, all the talk was of new long-haul destinations. However, we've only seen 4 new routes by my count (AUS, KUL, Seoul, Chengdu) + a few frequency increases. BA itself also has routes now that it didn't used to operate but BMI did (Almaty, Beirut) but these aren't truly "new". 4 routes in 4 years is hardly break-neck expansion, so why is this?Slots (or lack of) is less of an issue for LH, and BA have plenty anyway. A daily rotation only requires 1 slot-pair, there are plenty of them they could find from their vast SH network. Maybe a lack of suitable aircraft/crew? 787 and A380 deliveries have been almost like-for-like replacements for 747/767 frames. Maybe the reduction in fuel price offers opportunities to delay retirements, freeing up aircraft for new routes?
Finally, maybe there just aren't that many opportunities. Is there really a list of 5-10 cities BA could launch immediately? Slow and steady growth with the odd new route here and there might be the only way. Realistically where could they fly?
SJC and MSP have long been rumoured in the US and will surely happen soon, SCL & BOG in South America, maybe Durban, Guongzhou, Manila?
Finally, maybe there just aren't that many opportunities. Is there really a list of 5-10 cities BA could launch immediately? Slow and steady growth with the odd new route here and there might be the only way. Realistically where could they fly?
SJC and MSP have long been rumoured in the US and will surely happen soon, SCL & BOG in South America, maybe Durban, Guongzhou, Manila?
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Slough, UK
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The answer is simple - lack of aircraft. The 787s and A380s were ordered many years ago and have been delayed multiple times. The 747s have to be retired as the new aircraft are delivered. Some of them are ancient!
Also, there's no point launching a new route just for the sake of it. It has to be profitable.
Champ
Also, there's no point launching a new route just for the sake of it. It has to be profitable.
Champ
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LV
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most of the 747s are bought out right and have at least 5 years service particularly with lowish oil prices so dont think there is an issue there. The issue is that a 747 is probably too big for most new start routes and not required outwith those currently with them.
I wonder if the cost of refurbishment of the 747's to 787/380 standards is money well spent as many of these beasts will have to soldier on for the next few years. I guess the 767 is in the same boat.
Reading around the various forums there seem to be many complaints about comfort of these aircraft.
Reading around the various forums there seem to be many complaints about comfort of these aircraft.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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For Euro flights the 767s are fine , except the terrible overhead space, the long haul ones will be restricted when the new TransAtlantic navigation upgrades come into force - which the BA767s are not getting.
Yeah to go on the NAT tracks now you need to be fully FANS/ADS/CPDLC equipped to use to best levels, FL320-FL400 I think. No point in upgrading the 767s if they aren't long for this world. Only a handful of their 747s haven't been given the upgrade
Join Date: Oct 2011
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The 789 deliveries later this year will allow the final LH 767 routes to transfer over. Generally, my guess is BA has a more routes that suit the 789 than the -8. Places like Austin, Seoul and Chennai have flipped between 787 and 777 recently, so maybe the 789 can strike the right balance? Slightly "thinner" long-distance routes such as KUL, SAN and BKK could also be a good fit. These transfers could then free 788 frames to launch a new route or 2.
767s
Yup, My trip to Calgary later this year would have been on a clapped out 767, so have chosen shiney new Air Canada metal.
When you look at the offerings from Emirates, Qatar & Etihad then the option of a BA 744 or 767 isn't on. Flew on a 744 from Vancouver last year, whilst I loved those old birds....never again.
When you look at the offerings from Emirates, Qatar & Etihad then the option of a BA 744 or 767 isn't on. Flew on a 744 from Vancouver last year, whilst I loved those old birds....never again.
Was definitely a 767 last week when I worked it. I always notice the BA 767s when I have them because I see so few of them. Baltimore, Nassau and Calgary are the only ones I see off the top of my head.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Was definitely a 767 last week when I worked it. I always notice the BA 767s when I have them because I see so few of them. Baltimore, Nassau and Calgary are the only ones I see off the top of my head.
Almaty - 3 x weekly
Baltimore - Daily
Calgary - Daily
Entebbe - 4 x weekly
Nassau - 5 x weekly (continues to GCM 4 x weekly)
Philadelphia - Daily (BA066/BA067 rotation from mid August)
One aircraft will be used to cover for 787 fleet
The 789 deliveries later this year will allow the final LH 767 routes to transfer over. Generally, my guess is BA has a more routes that suit the 789 than the -8. Places like Austin, Seoul and Chennai have flipped between 787 and 777 recently, so maybe the 789 can strike the right balance? Slightly "thinner" long-distance routes such as KUL, SAN and BKK could also be a good fit. These transfers could then free 788 frames to launch a new route or 2.
The 787-9's will enter service in a four class configuration. BA's flights to SAN, BKK and MAA are operated by 3 class aircraft. BA have tried offering First on these routes before and found that there was no market for the product making the introduction of the 787-9's on these routes very unlikely.
Seoul is switching from a 4 class 777 to a 3 classs 787-8 from the start of the S15 schedule. This is due to very dissappointing pax numbers in First. Most flights operate with between 0 and 2 pax in First.
BA is expected to announcing what routes will be operated by the 787-9's in the next few months. BA is also rumoured to be planning to launch two or 3 new routes in late 2015/early 2016.
Join Date: May 2003
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Almaty
Any news what will happen to Almaty? I am currently travelling every 2 weeks back and forth, the loads seem light, but CW is more or less very busy and I understand it's a heavy cargo route.
In the past it's been operated by 767's out of Gatwick, 320s and 321s via SVX or GYD (BMED), 752s and 330s (BD).
In the past it's been operated by 767's out of Gatwick, 320s and 321s via SVX or GYD (BMED), 752s and 330s (BD).
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Aksai Oiler
One reason I use LH on that route as well as not wanting to transit LHR. I also did that trip on a similar rotation a couple of yeas ago, happy days, well at least the money was good , but cold cold winters.
Regards
Mr Mac
One reason I use LH on that route as well as not wanting to transit LHR. I also did that trip on a similar rotation a couple of yeas ago, happy days, well at least the money was good , but cold cold winters.
Regards
Mr Mac