Cheap Concorder Flights
British Airways staff could find themselves increasingly popular in the coming week - as the troubled airline offers friends and family of employees £950 flights on Concorde.
But the offer may not be as popular with beleaguered British Airways shareholders - who will fear that the bargain basement prices are a sign that profitable corporate customers have continued to desert the struggling airline.
Shares in BA have slumped in recent months from a high of over 250p to close this week at 140p. In May British Airways reported its worst results since privatisation 15 years ago, as the group went from a pre-tax profit of £150m to a pre-tax loss of £200m.
Friends of BA staff can pick up a return flight to New York on Concorde - which would normally cost between £7,000 and £9,000 - for just £1,650. Those willing to slum it and return on a jumbo jet can fly to New York for just £950.
"It's a complete bargain," admitted a spokeswoman. "This time of year is a particularly quiet month for business passengers and August is the quietest month for Concorde."
There were no criteria for defining a friend, she explained, although staff can only buy 10 discounted flights a year. "You can be my friend - but you will have to take me out on a few dates first," added the spokeswoman.