BACitiExpress The final solution!
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
As somebody who used to work on the ATR'S and RJ 100's at LGW for Cityflyer not City Express they were ideal for the short hops such as AMS, DUB, ORK, SNN, NCL, some destinations , however nobody seems to know what BA are planning with Aircraft maybe their waiting to get an offer from Boeing/Airbus , who knows!!
Rebel PPRuNer
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
Funny how EI are acquiring new 320s hand over fist while BA play the poor mouth. I know they're paying down debt but surely some expansion can be done.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
People seem a bit obsessed with the idea of large aircraft being more popular than small. I would rather be in the back row of a 49 seat EMB145 than a 190 seat 737. In my experience the valet service on BA Connect together with rapid deplaning means you can be out of the airport much quicker than on a loco.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
I agree, I fly BACX a number of times per year and I have to say that it is ALWAYS a much quicker and smoother flow from airport to aeroplane, and vice veras than with other Locos. I personaly prefer the EMB 145 to most other aircraft I have flown too, for me there seems to be more room, and I for one tend to decline the currently served hot meals as we all know what they are like, they are something to do rather than something to eat...and I would prefer the option of a nice sandwich, or simply a tea. I think that this change is not all bad.
Further there are times currently where I would change my flight to an earlier one / later on to accomodate my meetings in Europe, but I do not as the ticket is not transferable. Now that it will be, I will, I suspect, change my flights from time to time and therefore free up my seat on other flights, hence more capacity - I realise that you need more passengers for this increased capacity, but hopefully a clever marketing campaign could sort that out.
Further there are times currently where I would change my flight to an earlier one / later on to accomodate my meetings in Europe, but I do not as the ticket is not transferable. Now that it will be, I will, I suspect, change my flights from time to time and therefore free up my seat on other flights, hence more capacity - I realise that you need more passengers for this increased capacity, but hopefully a clever marketing campaign could sort that out.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
Why do people think that the 145 is cramped? Ok when you're standing up it may be, but when you're in your seat (and you should be whilst airbourne) you'll find that the cabin is quite spacious. Most people seem to have a little joke when they get on the Barbie jet about the size of the a/c, but you get few compliants.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
I'm glad someone else said that - I thought I was just weird. The 145 is great inside - quick to board & exit & no middle seat. What the 145 doesn't have is a business class seat - now it doesn't pretend to. But the customers still get the lounge access, executive points and flexible tickets. And we hopefully fill the rest of the plane with cheap tickets.
Is that stupid?
I'll get my coat.....
Is that stupid?
I'll get my coat.....
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
positive comments about BA Connect!!!!! whats going on here?? after deliberating for a few days and seeing the presentation roadshow i think it could work i just wish they would clear out the dead wood at the top management level and bring in some fresh people to really make a GO of it
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
Hey Jenks, that's not quite accurate! The Airlines of Britain Group used to comprise, BM, Loganair, London City Airlines and Manx. London City couldn't make money, and was closed. (Ahead of its time really!) Loganair was chosen to expand, but couldn't, and the emphasis was placed by Bish on expanding via Manx Airlines, a highly successful regional venture. This was built all on the back of a highly profitable IOM - LHR route, using slots acquired from BM. The profits built and built, and enabled develoment of a whole tranche of routes, even using the horrible J41s only there because of the ineptitude of Loganair (goes back to 146s in fact, but that's a long story!) Anyway, Manx then formed BRAL, which cut a deal with BA to operate unprofitable BAR routes, 9bit of a theme here!) and made even more money from BA since these were not straight franchises, but earned a minimum seating guarantee from BA. Now, Ayling screwed up, and his successor decided to expand. For geopolitical reasons, involving various American airlines, BA needed more LHR slots, so to acquire the six daily Manx slots, they bought the newly floated Company for a song. They are thus relatively unconcerned with the Company's performance, since that wasn't the idea of the purchase in the first place.
Where we go from here though - let's just hope it all works; though I echo the concerns of many, not just the equipment but the leadership - HOW THE F#CK does Evans keep his job???
Where we go from here though - let's just hope it all works; though I echo the concerns of many, not just the equipment but the leadership - HOW THE F#CK does Evans keep his job???
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
According to Ryanair BA Connect 'is using British Airways oldest, smallest and slowest aircraft.'
Coming for an airline which up until very recently used the 732, one of the loudest aircraft around, and up until 1994 operated the ROMBAC 1-11 and currently operate underpowered 738s?
I thought the 145s are from 2001 so they're not really that old?
Christ, pot calling the kettle black springs to mind.
Coming for an airline which up until very recently used the 732, one of the loudest aircraft around, and up until 1994 operated the ROMBAC 1-11 and currently operate underpowered 738s?
I thought the 145s are from 2001 so they're not really that old?
Christ, pot calling the kettle black springs to mind.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
The Bendy jet is as quick as anything Ryanair have, smaller yea, ok flight deck you may now discuss the speed differences between the two types!!!!!
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
Flying on a barbie jet, may or may not be a pleasant experience. That much seems to be personal preference.
I have to say though, that being on board a small aeroplane may be fine when it's half full with people paying premium prices for their tickets. However, when it is completely full (we hope!) with the 'stag' and 'hen party' brigade, it may be a slightly different experience!
However, the only 'truth' that is important in this case, is whether 'no-frills, low prices' can work in a business model based on a 49 seat a/c.
As I think I have said before, this will be a very interesting experiment.
Maybe BA Con are onto something? I hope they are.
I have to say though, that being on board a small aeroplane may be fine when it's half full with people paying premium prices for their tickets. However, when it is completely full (we hope!) with the 'stag' and 'hen party' brigade, it may be a slightly different experience!
However, the only 'truth' that is important in this case, is whether 'no-frills, low prices' can work in a business model based on a 49 seat a/c.
As I think I have said before, this will be a very interesting experiment.
Maybe BA Con are onto something? I hope they are.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
I understand that ladies travelling alone like the barbie because they have the option of the single seat thus taking away any risk of being trapped against the window by some smelly greasy perv with wandering mitts.
The cabin divider curtain was rather silly though and I am so glad that it has gone.
Only problem is the lack of locker space, but the vallet service is good when it works and the baggage handlers turn up. Having said that, when it has gone wrong, I have seen pilots climb into the hold to retrieve hand baggage. Bags delivered to the customer at the bottom of the steps by the captain! That's the BACX service.
The cabin divider curtain was rather silly though and I am so glad that it has gone.
Only problem is the lack of locker space, but the vallet service is good when it works and the baggage handlers turn up. Having said that, when it has gone wrong, I have seen pilots climb into the hold to retrieve hand baggage. Bags delivered to the customer at the bottom of the steps by the captain! That's the BACX service.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
If its caught the attention of Ryanair and Flybe amongst others then it's done the trick. BA Connect will make money and prove that you can have low fares and quality without all this 'lo-cost' brainwashing. I'm still convinced that there is and has never been a 'lo-cost' anything. This has been the most successful marketing gimmick known to man - BA already have cheap fares and are competitive but the public couldn't see that - once BA Connect is up and running we can give French and O'Leary a run for their money. Bring it on!!!!
ps. If we can also knock ailing BMI for six then jobs a good-un
ps. If we can also knock ailing BMI for six then jobs a good-un
Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
dash 7 lover. i dont work for Ryanair but do you really think that ryanair are going to be troubled by BA Connect when Ryanair have i believe several hundred million pounds tucked away in cash in the bank. They could buy BA connect several times over and barely notice any difference in their bank balance. that said i think that hurting flybe on competing routes is a possibility but only a slim one.
it is sad to see one of my previous employers seemingly, in my opinion, in the last chance saloon. i sincerely hope that i am proved wrong and this works for them.
it is sad to see one of my previous employers seemingly, in my opinion, in the last chance saloon. i sincerely hope that i am proved wrong and this works for them.
Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
I hope that this latest plan does work but I believe that CX gave up too many routes and bases as part of the early cost-cutting measures instead of going head-to head with the likes of flyBE. The surrender of Southampton is a prime example; CX pulled out of Newcastle and Easy are in befroe the last light is turned out in the CX crewroom. BACON may be too little and far too late.
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Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
It must have needled Ryanair somewhere for them to have made the announcement they did.
I tried to book BRS-DUB on Ryanair at a week's notice for a 24 hour trip - it was £226. Ended up flying Flybe from SOU which was £100 cheaper but still over £100. The LCCs are only cheap if you book in advance & when business people don't want to travel.
There is a gap in the market for sensibly priced tickets with some customer service that the LCCs do not fill. The challenge is can we fill it? I think it's worth a try.
I tried to book BRS-DUB on Ryanair at a week's notice for a 24 hour trip - it was £226. Ended up flying Flybe from SOU which was £100 cheaper but still over £100. The LCCs are only cheap if you book in advance & when business people don't want to travel.
There is a gap in the market for sensibly priced tickets with some customer service that the LCCs do not fill. The challenge is can we fill it? I think it's worth a try.
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smelly greasy pervs
Kirkwall,
Sounds like the flight-deck of an Embraer is no place for innocent young ladies.
However, if you're refering to an RJ100 skipper then he's returned to BA.
... trapped against the window by some smelly greasy perv with wandering mitts.
However, if you're refering to an RJ100 skipper then he's returned to BA.
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Let's put this in perspective a little from a operating cost culture
1) taxy on stand at BHX in your 145/RJ
2) Shutdown
3) get met by BA employed cleaners on final salery pensions(your not)
4) go to crew room to check disruption payments so far this month
5) go to staff car park after maybe doing only one sector
It ain't like that any place else! The need for radical change at BACX/Connect is huge my friends and you all need to participate.
1) taxy on stand at BHX in your 145/RJ
2) Shutdown
3) get met by BA employed cleaners on final salery pensions(your not)
4) go to crew room to check disruption payments so far this month
5) go to staff car park after maybe doing only one sector
It ain't like that any place else! The need for radical change at BACX/Connect is huge my friends and you all need to participate.