BA Cityflyer-3

[richardwpprn]

With Fridays very likely to be a very popular WFH day, are BACF likely to have more leisure flights on Fridays in the winter timetable?

[WHBM]

This was ever the way on BACF, which the schedule reflected; the demand was different on different weekdays. A lot of travelling consultants went out Sunday evening, spent Monday to Thursday with the client, returned Thursday evening (peak fares), and did Friday in their home office. Well known that MPs do the same (there were always a couple from Scotland/N Ireland in the departure lounge on Thursday evenings). There were other combinations. Business day returns were less usual on Fridays than on other days. The departure peak in the evening was a couple of hours earlier (people worked until 5.30, and got home at 9pm. But not on Fridays). Etc. BACF knew their market very well and have always been better than some others at differential scheduling on different weekdays.

[richardwpprn]

I've been at LCY departure airside at 5.30pm on Fridays in November 19 and it was very busy with business travellers, I really don't see that level of business travel returning, BACF may have to park or do more leisure flying.

[BA318]

The network was already heading that way. In 2019 LCY stats showed leisure had overtaken business for the majority of travel at the airport.

At the moment however it’s impossible to guess the schedule next week let alone next season.

[WHBM]

Yes indeed, there is everyone who has come over Monday through Thursday who are all going home. There's also apparent "business" travellers who are going off for the weekend, who have come straight from the office. A bit like those in suits at London theatres nowadays. Nobody "dresses up" for the theatre any more, but some come straight from their day job.

[CabinCrewe]

Pre-covid, I am not sure I can convince myself that was my experience?

[Alteagod]

I have to say a considerable number of passengers on the BHD legs appear to be more industrial in there dress code as opposed to business suit types.

[tictack67]

Good in-depth factual analysis with evidence, well done.Clothes means nothing to ticket price paid. I've been in a suit BA LCY to EDI paid £39 Handbaggage only.

I was on Club World to JFK with BA in Jan '19.
Guy in front was in sports shorts and flip-flops.

[ATNotts]

Very few people wear business suits these days. Dress is no longer a marker for the wealthy or influential.

[Alteagod]

You miss my point

[CabinCrewe]

Sorry my point was in relation to ‘theatre goers’. I should have quoted.

[richardwpprn]

BA318

I'd look at Fri LCY-ACE-LCY and possibly a sat/sun LCY-ACE-SOU-ACE-LCY

[BA318]

Canary Islands have never been done from LCY so would be a first. The focus has been on the Balearics and Greek islands previously. I’d suspect maybe Malta or Madeira might be possible.

[cavokblues]

ACE might be pushing it from LCY, can it be done to be commercially viable? JMK occasionally sees pax and bags offloaded and that's 200 miles or so closer.

[davidjohnson6]

Would ACE from LCY be possible on a winter-only basis instead of summer, or would the runway still be just a bit too short for anything profitable ?

[richardwpprn]

BA318

Yes MLA, FNC sound a better idea.

[Del Prado]

<Sorry for the off topic>

I’ve been looking for EGC-SOU at the end of next month (22/08) and although the outbound (SOU-EGC) is scheduled, I can’t get a ticket for return leg that day.
I’m pretty sure it’s not full, any ideas why the tickets aren’t on sale/available?

[Snr]

Look like that aircraft then heads to LCY rather than SOU. Only one arrival from LCY into EGC, but two departures. Will be to have the aircraft in London for first thing Monday morning.

[Del Prado]

Thanks! Hadn’t thought of that.

[richardwpprn]

It seems the planned Tuesday summer W routing LCY-EGC-SOU-EGC-LCY has now gone.