British Airways

[LadyL2013]

BA being a full service on short haul has been one of the only things that's kept me loyal when the price difference is negligable.

[AvGeek1]

I was just thinking that with all of the changes to British Airways' Middle Eastern operations would it be viable for the airline to get rid of the current two night flights to Dubai that depart within 1 hour of each other and replace it with one A380 night rotation? So instead of being 1 daily 747 and 2 daily 777 it could be 1 daily 747/777 and 1 daily A380, even if it's just in the peak season. It could also free up some 777 aircraft that could be utilized better elsewhere. Here is an example schedule:

LHR 13:10 - 23:15 DXB 744/777 x7
DXB 01:35 - 06:15 LHR 744/777 x7
LHR 21:25 - 07:25 DXB 388 x7
DXB 09:20 - 14:05 LHR 388 x7

[BAladdy]

BA has seen a considerable increase in the number of passengers using there DXB service. This was one of the reasons for it going 3 x daily year round. With the afternoon departure from DXB proving very popular.

BA don't really have a spare A380 at present based on the current schedule for W16/17. W16/17 will see BA increase the number of A380's operating to JNB increase from 7 to 10 x weekly. During W16/17 BA will op the A380 on the following routes


HKG - BA031/BA032 - Daily
IAD - BA217/BA216 - Daily
JNB - BA055/BA056 - Daily
JNB - BA057/BA054 - 3 x Weekly (Days 1,3,6 ex LHR 2,4,6 ex JNB)
LAX - BA369/BA268 - Daily
MIA - BA209/BA208 - Daily
SFO - BA287/BA286 - Daily
SIN - BA011/BA012 - Daily

[StoneyBridge Radar]

Originally Posted by LadyL2013

BA being a full service on short haul has been one of the only things that's kept me loyal when the price difference is negligable

So nothing to do with BAEC, the ability to build status, enjoy Fast Track, use airport lounges including the impressive array at LHR, cross-alliance benefits with other airlines in OneWorld..?

For the sake of having to buy your Piri-Piri Chicken wrap on the odd occasion you're peckish, you're prepared to go to a stand alone lo-cost non interlining, non-connections carrier which gives none of the above?

Bonkers!

[davidjohnson6]

I'm with LadyL on this. A large number of people with professional jobs who live in south east England fly almost entirely for leisure and just in Europe. Building status has little or no meaning as they don't fly enough within Europe to get to a higher tier before a 12 month period starts again. Without status, lounges are of no value. The range of European destinations served direct from London's airport system is vast and frequency is high - connections are unnecessary when there's most likely a direct flight at a comparable time.

BA will have a hard time regularly competing on cost against Easyjet from Gatwick. Thus, there needs to be something to persuadd these people not to go solely on flight time and price - providing a nicer experience (in return for a higher fare) is one way to attract these customers.

[crewmeal]

Coupled with the fact that the A3XX fleet is being fitted with the extra slim seating which is causing grief regarding the lack of comfort. (as stated elsewhere in this forum).

[cornishsimon]

How long do we think till we hear of a top up A388 order for LHR and some additional second hand A320/321s for the LGW operation ?

cs

[Andy_S]

BA have reportedly been considering purchasing 5-6 secondhand A380's.

[vctenderness]

Thought Malaysian had their A380 fleet up for sale and they are a OneWorld partner.

[BAladdy]

BA to SCL

BA are launching a new 4 x weekly service from LHR too SCL on 3rd January 2017

BA251 LHR 22:00 SCL 09:40+1 789 x146
BA250 SCL 18:45 LHR 12:05+1 789 x257

Once it begin this will be BA's longest non stop flight, with westbound flights scheduled for 14hrs 40min and eastbound 14hrs 20mins

[Fairdealfrank]

BA to SCL
BA are launching a new 4 x weekly service from LHR too SCL on 3rd January 2017

BA251 LHR 22:00 SCL 09:40+1 789 x146
BA250 SCL 18:45 LHR 12:05+1 789 x257

Once it begin this will be BA's longest non stop flight, with westbound flights scheduled for 14hrs 40min and eastbound 14hrs 20mins

Excellent stuff, and not an "add-on", about time! Good to see some of the BD acquired slots being used for new long haul at last.

Particularly good as LA doesn't do SCL-LHR, this will eliminate changing at MAD (or GRU/EZE).

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by Fairdealfrank

Good to see some of the BD acquired slots being used for new long haul at last.

BA seem to have been long reluctant to expand their long haul fleet for many years. Although they have taken delivery of an increasing number of new long haul aircraft in recent times (787s, 777-300ERs and A380s) they seem to zealously reduce their active fleet by one of the 747 and 767 fleets for each new one delivered, or even before the arrival, leading to some periodic shortages if there is even one aircraft u/s overall.

[Letsflycwl]

Just returned to LGW with BA, excuse the ignorance but why do LGW cabin crew not wear the hats as they do at LHR ?

Is this because BA at LGW are operating and competing against the likes of EasyJet ?

Just felt like the BA experience at LGW is not as "professional" as it is at LHR

[rutankrd]

The draft hat signifies whether the crew is in mixed fleet (as all are at Gatwick) or mainline - Rankings and pay terms and conditions differ.

[crewmeal]

The draft hat signifies whether the crew is in mixed fleet (as all are at Gatwick) or mainline - Rankings and pay terms and conditions differ.

So really you can tell who is on which contract by the hat or lack of so to speak?

[spacedog]

Mixed fleet are required to wear the hat on all their flights.
Mainline Crew wear the hats on A380 and 787 flights.
Why only on those 2 fleets I don't know.
But you can't assume that all crew in hats are mixed fleet.

[brian_dromey]

It did used to be that all MixedFleet and no EuroFleet / WorldWide fleets wore hats, but on the introduction of the new generation 787 and A380 WW also wear hats - just marketing really, to signify the A380/787 as something special. They also had special tasting menus in F on the A380, since discontinued.

I don't think females under MF contracts are offered trousers as a uniform option, its skirts only, I think.

[Preon]

Originally Posted by brian_dromey

It did used to be that all MixedFleet and no EuroFleet / WorldWide fleets wore hats, but on the introduction of the new generation 787 and A380 WW also wear hats - just marketing really, to signify the A380/787 as something special. They also had special tasting menus in F on the A380, since discontinued.

I don't think females under MF contracts are offered trousers as a uniform option, its skirts only, I think.

I guess airline fashion has meandered around over the years , fellow IAG carrier 'Aer Lingus' cabin crew don't appear to wear hats either not sure about Iberia or Vuelling.
Looking back a tad in comparison BOAC and BEA crew wore hats as a normal pre and post war military image of the two national carriers & uniformed staff had rank markings too.

[Off Stand]

I believe the LGW crew operating the JFK route from LCY also wear a hat.

[Preon]

Originally Posted by Off Stand

I believe the LGW crew operating the JFK route from LCY also wear a hat.

Think you are correct 'OS' I've seen publicity shots with A318 crew so attired.
BA001 must be the most swank, bespoke service since Concorde and 'daylight Monarch' days tailored for the City of London & New York clientele.
I wonder if Bloody Mary's are still a popular request on the route?