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British Airways - 2

Old 19th May 2007, 18:43
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Anything beats the appaling state of the LGW based BA B737 fleet that I have flown recently.
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Old 19th May 2007, 18:59
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Agreed - many of the 737s are in a shocking state inside.

Various conspiracy theories about BA and GB abound. Has anyone considered that there might be an alternative option? BA LGW has 33 737 hulls, of which 19 are owned 737-436s and the other 14 are a mixed bag of leased 737-300s and -500s. Surely there is a more simple explanation that the 14 Airbuses will replace the 14 leased 737s?
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Old 19th May 2007, 21:22
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Spoke to JG the other day and from the sounds of it, this will be "the big announcement" that GB are taking over from BA at Gatwick, even although he wouldn't commit.
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Old 19th May 2007, 22:01
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Jim Kirk

If that does prove to be the case then i really feel for everyone in Gatwick. Now the regions have been closed down it would seem like they fancy a go elsewhere.
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Old 20th May 2007, 02:20
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GB taking over LGW?
WTF - OK so I've had a few beers but surely you're taking the p*ss.
My understanding of GB fianances suggests that GB might not be doing too well. Manchester lack of investment (no new a/c per year as promsed) a prime example.
Are BA to hand over the LGW operation now that it is reportedly making a profit?
GB guys would do considerably better if they were to become mainline, and so if this is wishfull thinking maybe that would be a better wish!
As pilots, we're all at the mercy of commercial pressure, same as the rest of the world, so what will be will be, whatever we may summise here.

Always interested in the rumours though (more interesting than the truth), so keep them coming.

Cheers
PBR
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Old 20th May 2007, 06:35
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PBR

GB guys would do considerably better if they were to become mainline

Don,t flatter yourself. GB on much better T&C's than new starts at BA. Also wouldn't be good for our guys waiting for command.

Good profits announced recently and all staff to receive Profit Share.

Manchester, a white elephant, was the brainchild of our esteemed previous MD who was told this would be a failure from the start. The new MD is a breath of fresh air and has his head screwed on properly. The business is being focussed at Gatwick to cope with the extra work from BA.
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Old 20th May 2007, 08:59
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If BA were to pass routes/ planes / staff to GB then might it not be that BA will pick up the costs for a number of years, often negating any risk to the other company in this case GB. Is this not exactly what BA did for FLYBE, in that case giving them £30 millions to take Connect and paying off long term leases on EMB145's.
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Old 20th May 2007, 19:28
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If what is said in previous posts is true ie GB taking over at LGW then whats the problem?

BA have shown their interest in the UK aviation industry, sorry, the LHR aviation industry... I cannot think of anything better than GB taking over LGW, building up a route network and making money, albeit in a BA colourscheme. The LGW staff deserve better and BA isnt interested one bit. All this about LGW being important... Of course it is, but why have BA left it so long without a proper Eurofleet investment program... All the cash goes to BigBrother at LHR...

Open skies is just the beginning! BA hasnt much left to 'sack' or 'disgard'. LHR and T5 are being promoted as the saviour of BA - Well well well... I for one am going to sit back and watch it all happen! Should have enough fun over the next 18 months to last a lifetime!!!

As the most excellent album by Marillion was titled 'Clutching at straws'
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Old 20th May 2007, 23:00
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The 14 319's will replace the 737 - 500 & 300's as the 436's will be staying !

Has anybody thought about BA taken routes back from gb , who knows !! You just have too look at some of the adverts in the papers now saying "operating as an independent carrier" !

It is good news for all at lgw and lets hope the base prospers and flurishes especially with the open skies !
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Old 22nd May 2007, 08:24
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British Airways has confirmed that it is part of a consortium looking at bidding for Spanish airline Iberia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6679067.stm
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Old 22nd May 2007, 17:57
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Who knows what will happen at LGW we will have to wait and see!
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Old 22nd May 2007, 20:07
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Looks like BA could be expanding into the 'MaxJet, Eos and Silverjet' sector!

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heat...ws-210507a.htm

It is said that they are looking at using 752s and 763s on the routes. I've got a feeling that if they can get this to work from T5 and LHR, the three LoCo business/first class airlines may be under some big competition!

What you you do? STN with thousands of people, or the most advanced terminal in the world with the 'world's favourite airline' with connections to most of the world?
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Old 22nd May 2007, 21:14
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I believe those new business flights will be operating from Europe and not the UK. The idea is to take business away from the the likes of LH,AF, KL, etc.
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Old 22nd May 2007, 21:58
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What I have noticed is that many people are thinking that BA are taking airlines on that are too big for themselves, which I think is rediculous!

LH and AF are very good on European flights. They are very powerful in this sector, mainly due to little competition from LCCs unlike BA and BMI, but they are starting to feel EZY, AB and FR getting under their skin.

When it comes to long haul service, and especially NYC, BA are simply the best. They can provide some of the best service of any airline on any route from NYC and can offer excellent frequecies.

If they were to launch from NYC, then I think AF and LH need to watch out - BA are loved by the Americans for their 'traditional feel,' and more destinations from JFK to EU from BA may mean LH and AF have to start looking at their prices!

BA are coming to town - LH, KL and AF better watch out!
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Old 22nd May 2007, 22:26
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BA expansion

French people are extremely patriotic. I very much doubt that many of them will want to be seen on British Airways when they could travel on Air France
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Old 30th May 2007, 08:26
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BA going Boeing?

British Airways has given its strongest indication yet that it may snub the giant A380 superjumbo being built by Airbus - and partly constructed in Britain - in favour of a new model from US arch-rival Boeing.
The flag carrier has said it needs to spend up to £5bn upgrading its ageing fleet as it begins retiring as many as 34 of its aircraft. That fleet upgrade is mainly long-haul.

Despite the superjumbo programme running two years late and billions of pounds over budget, Airbus has remained upbeat that BA will order as many as 10 555-seater A380s.
However, latest orders from BA suggest the carrier may yet stay with Boeing as its longhaul aircraft supplier of choice.
Rather than commit to the troubled A380, there is growing speculation BA will sign up as a launch customer for Boeing's proposed 747-8, a stretched version of the original jumbo jet and capable of carrying 475 passengers.
Industry observers say BA appears to be opting for a twotier fleet: Boeing for long haul and Airbus for short haul.
Its acquisition earlier this month of eight 150-seater Airbus A319s will be used to replace similar-sized Boeing 737s, with BA saying that is the first step toward a single shorthaul fleet.
When BA ordered four Boeing 777s in February, commercial director Robert Boyle said its long-haul pilots and crew were used to handling Boeings.
Quizzed about the forthcoming major order, chief executive Willie Walsh said: 'We have not made our minds up yet.'


Personally, I think this is quite a story! How can you compare a small Boeing order for 4 B777s and say that that is going to become the long haul fleet?!

If BA decide not to buy any of the A380 models, then they are surely going to loose some of their trans-atlantic market to the other EU carriers such as LH and AF. They have had A380 gates built at LHR, surely QS can't fill them all, which could give a clue to what will happen.

I personally think that the airline will have A320 series for short haul. B787 for B767, B772 for older 772 and A380 for B747. I would like to say the airline would order A350, but can't see it. Unless Gordon Brown has anything to say about it! Politics...Politcis...tut tut tut!
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Old 30th May 2007, 10:31
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What has Gordon Brown or politics got to do with what BA equips itself with?
Ummmmm, he could actually have alot to do with it!!!!, You take it Airbus is a european company, Air France, Lufthansa, the main Airbus componenets countrys besides britain and Spain have all orderd the flagship A380, Would one asume that it could be politically damaging, and incorrect not to have your flagship carrier (one could argue London Central) not order the A380?
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Old 30th May 2007, 10:44
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If BA decide not to buy any of the A380 models, then they are surely going to loose some of their trans-atlantic market to the other EU carriers such as LH and AF.
Why? Are the fussy passengers going to refuse to fly on anything other than a A380? Or will BA just not have enough Transatlantic capacity without the Whalejet (in which case it will be the lower yielding economy pax who BA 'loose').
BTW, where do Smartwings come into the equation???
Would one asume that it could be politically damaging, and incorrect not to have your flagship carrier (one could argue London Central) not order the A380?
Not nearly as politically damaging and incorrect as it would be for the Prime Minister to start interfering in a purely commercial decision by a private company. Gordon Brown, incidentally, is actually very pro-US and doesn't share his predecessors enthusiasm for all things European. I believe he takes his holidays in the USA every summer.

Last edited by Andy_S; 30th May 2007 at 11:33.
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Old 30th May 2007, 11:28
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If BA decide not to buy any of the A380 models, then they are surely going to loose some of their trans-atlantic market to the other EU carriers such as LH and AF. They have had A380 gates built at LHR, surely QS can't fill them all, which could give a clue to what will happen."
Don't be silly. Just like AA looses out due to only having 767's/777's compared to the European carriers 747's on transatlantic?

I know some people reckon BA will order a bit of both but I can't personally see this happening. I can see them waiting for the 747-800 myself, but then again WW was all airbus at Aer Lingus so maybe this will impact the decision? It certainly is a tricky and interesting one to call!
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Old 30th May 2007, 11:30
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Another thing I forgot to mention, just because there are A380 gates doesn't indicate anything. LTN has gates capable of holding 767's/a330s although it doesn't mean EZY will go out and order them!
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