BA Connect
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Utter Bolleaux
The truth is that ticket sales are up and most sectors are seeing punters buying all the food. Extending the BACON model elsewhere within mainline is a much more likely scenario.
If the Marketing boys and girls over at BACON are allowed to promote the product inside the "Griefrow & Tatwick" catchment area attracting customers to the Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton hubs then BACON could become a cash cow for big BA.
Bigger jungle jets within the next 18 months ???????
The truth is that ticket sales are up and most sectors are seeing punters buying all the food. Extending the BACON model elsewhere within mainline is a much more likely scenario.
If the Marketing boys and girls over at BACON are allowed to promote the product inside the "Griefrow & Tatwick" catchment area attracting customers to the Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton hubs then BACON could become a cash cow for big BA.
Bigger jungle jets within the next 18 months ???????
Any news about the MAN-ZRH returning. This hopping through LHR is a right pain in the proverbial.
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It was in the MEN last week WW saying he has been very happy with the performance of BA Connect in the last few weeks (very early days still but a sign of thins to come?). Far more bums on seats than before. Anyone want a wager on how long LGW will last in its present full service form on EF?
If BA Connect can become profitable then there is no point in selling up. £xxxxxx is better going in BA's pocket than BMI's, Jet2's etc.....
If BA Connect can become profitable then there is no point in selling up. £xxxxxx is better going in BA's pocket than BMI's, Jet2's etc.....
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In probability every bit of speculation on this thread is true or has some basis. However, I don't believe any actual decisions have yet been taken. That will depend on how well the next 12-18 months go. Moving the RJs to EDI makes a lot of sense for both possible scenarios. LCY is a winner for BA be it BACON or mainline. The EDI base keeps it subtly out of the firing line of the "There is only one London Airport" wing of BA management and Unions. By making BHX, SOU and BRS single type bases costs are lowered.
Now I can't believe that DE and his mob have thought this up and pushed it through. BACON has come from WW and it's the way he sees BA short haul going. Where better to try it out. Take a company that isn't working anyway and give it a shot. If it doesn't work well then you were going to sell it or close it anyway ! Now if BACON works (and it might lets not be completely negative here!) WW will have a low fares (lets not kid ourselves about low cost !) airline within the BA group. He may be tempted to introduce the Connect product at LGW and on some of the less profitable LHR short haul routes and probably the shuttle. It's only what he's done before. Where that leaves the actual BA Connect company I'm not sure but it would have a stronger position to ask for investment in it's business.
Now if BACON doesn't work then the LCY work is nicely placed in one base with one set of pilots and CC who can be eased quietly into mainline. Imagine the fuss if BHX was split down the middle with half the crew getting mainline contracts and the other half cut adrift. With the RJs gone there won't be that type of tension and the EDI base will be all for it ! EDI 145s will move to BHX.
You can then sell what is left bit by bit. BRS & SOU to Air Southwest (Welcome to Brymon), MAN 145s and D8s to Eastern (Welcome to BRAL) with BA Connect maybe soldiering on at BHX until someone wants it or all the leases run out.
Either way BA don't lose. What we musn't forget is that I genuinely believe no final decisons have yet been made. The future is still up for grabs. As an employee I just wish we had more agressive management where it counted, fighting the competition and not their own staff !
Now I can't believe that DE and his mob have thought this up and pushed it through. BACON has come from WW and it's the way he sees BA short haul going. Where better to try it out. Take a company that isn't working anyway and give it a shot. If it doesn't work well then you were going to sell it or close it anyway ! Now if BACON works (and it might lets not be completely negative here!) WW will have a low fares (lets not kid ourselves about low cost !) airline within the BA group. He may be tempted to introduce the Connect product at LGW and on some of the less profitable LHR short haul routes and probably the shuttle. It's only what he's done before. Where that leaves the actual BA Connect company I'm not sure but it would have a stronger position to ask for investment in it's business.
Now if BACON doesn't work then the LCY work is nicely placed in one base with one set of pilots and CC who can be eased quietly into mainline. Imagine the fuss if BHX was split down the middle with half the crew getting mainline contracts and the other half cut adrift. With the RJs gone there won't be that type of tension and the EDI base will be all for it ! EDI 145s will move to BHX.
You can then sell what is left bit by bit. BRS & SOU to Air Southwest (Welcome to Brymon), MAN 145s and D8s to Eastern (Welcome to BRAL) with BA Connect maybe soldiering on at BHX until someone wants it or all the leases run out.
Either way BA don't lose. What we musn't forget is that I genuinely believe no final decisons have yet been made. The future is still up for grabs. As an employee I just wish we had more agressive management where it counted, fighting the competition and not their own staff !
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Originally Posted by CheekyVisual
He may be tempted to introduce the Connect product at LGW and on some of the less profitable LHR short haul routes and probably the shuttle..
The truth is that ticket sales are up and most sectors are seeing punters buying all the food
As for the on-board service, my experience so far (4 flights) is that cabin crews are somewhat slow with the new process. The other day it took the cabin crew almost 40 mins to reach me in row 17 of a just under 50% loaded RJ100 on a 60 minute sector! We'd just started initial descent by that time! First lesson I've learned is that if I want to be fed and/or watered within a comfortable time frame, I'll opt for a seat in the front. I imagine that the crews will improve their speed with time and experience.
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Apparently it's true.
BACON now officially sell more in flight pizzas, than any other airline!
Sadly nothing else has improved.
Wonder if they've thought about closing the airline, and opening a pizzeria?
Has anyone else noticed how the ticket prices in this "New low prices, same great service" airline appear to have actually increased?
I reckon it's frequently cheaper to go via LHR or LGW if ever your destination allows!
BACON now officially sell more in flight pizzas, than any other airline!
Sadly nothing else has improved.
Wonder if they've thought about closing the airline, and opening a pizzeria?
Has anyone else noticed how the ticket prices in this "New low prices, same great service" airline appear to have actually increased?
I reckon it's frequently cheaper to go via LHR or LGW if ever your destination allows!
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BA Connect @BHX
My brother is a senior manager on the ground at BHX. The ARJ-100s are to stay at BHX. The three routes started this summer at BHX (TXL and GVA are selling very well BHD not so)these routes are to be joined by two more in the winter. BA at BHX has its biggest programme ever.Passenegers are commenting very favourably about the catering onboard too.
Daza
Daza
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Originally Posted by Daza
BA at BHX has its biggest programme ever.
Under the BA code, Maersk flew from BHX to quite a few destinations which BACon isn't serving.
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Towser
Cheers that's where they have all gone! Most of our flights operate around the 50% mark now even dropping as low as 10%
. Frequency used to be our selling point but Connect has now found the jugular vain.
. Frequency used to be our selling point but Connect has now found the jugular vain.
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Article in Travel Trade Gazette has DE indicating booking figures are up 10-15% on last year, so there maybe hope yet. The grub seems to be going down well, usually very little to sell on the return leg. The only thing that bothers me is how many flight deck are looking for jobs elsewhere. If they all get jobs in this market then we maybe in trouble.
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Maersk/Duo
Originally Posted by Cyrano
That'd be "biggest programme since the demise of Maersk Air UK/Duo." Under the BA code, Maersk flew from BHX to quite a few destinations which BACon isn't serving.
Under the BA code, Maersk flew from BHX to quite a few destinations which BACon isn't serving.BA have their biggest programme ever at BHX this summer and plan to expand aggressively at several bases this winter and next summer.
Daza
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Originally Posted by Daza
Maersk were an independent airline, BA only marketed and provided ground handling for them. DUO were never part of BA in fact they actively sought to leave the BA umberella-a big mistake!!
BA have their biggest programme ever at BHX this summer and plan to expand aggressively at several bases this winter and next summer.
Daza
BA have their biggest programme ever at BHX this summer and plan to expand aggressively at several bases this winter and next summer.
Daza
It is good to see that bookings are up 10-15% but it just seems so
unusual for a low fares airline (yes I understand it is not a LCC) to use a
49 seater as the basis for such plan.
The only other ones I really know are (or should it be were) DUO &
Independence Air
I fully understand that new aircraft is not an option if BACX was such a loss making airline but 49 seats?If it is a matter of offering the first 4 or so fares at low prices then
surely this is no different to what was on offer before and all they
have done is make you pay for your food.
I have done my little bit and booked Barca via Airmiles at a reasonable
price. I could have got it cheaper from EMA (to GRO) or Luton or
Bristol but I am prepared to pay a bit more for convenience but I know many have looked at Connect and chosen the trip down the motorway to save £££.
OltonPete
BACON.....OR BA CON?
Booking MAN- BRU with less than 48 hours notice will set you back £400-£450
return with BACON, & you will need to stump up for the sarnie & vino. Whereas, of course from LHR you can still get a return for just over a £100 at short notice, & get all the frills & mileage too !!!
Dick Turpin obviously operates oop north
return with BACON, & you will need to stump up for the sarnie & vino. Whereas, of course from LHR you can still get a return for just over a £100 at short notice, & get all the frills & mileage too !!!
Dick Turpin obviously operates oop north
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BA have their biggest programme ever at BHX this summer and plan to expand aggressively at several bases this winter and next summer
I'd like to think the initial expansion of 7x daily LCY and HAM is the start of something bigger at EDI.
