Even if mix is poor, I struggle to believe that the GRU/EZE route is not extremely profitable for BA at the moment, as its fares are so high compared to its other routes and also to other airlines to Latin America.

For example, from London, even off-peak the lowest BA economy return fare to GRU is £720 (£800 to EZE), and there are absolutely never any promotional offers. To the west coast of the US, roughly the same distance, in winter you can fly for about £300 return.

BA's business class fares are also much higher than any other airline operating Europe-Latin America flights. For example, from LON to EZE return, the minimum return fares I can find are:

BA - £2600
Iberia - £2000
Air France - £2100
Aerolineas Argentinas - £1600
Lufthansa - £1700

Despite BA's high fares, CAA stats show that the planes are full. High load factors and high fares together implies that demand is not being adequately served at the moment - and so there should be a gap in the market for TAM, and perhaps a second UK carrier, to fill.

Interesting this one. Has been discussed in the VS rumourmill. I did hear some staff from RG mention 2008. However right now we couldnt handle it at LHR its at saturation point already.
Personally I would love us to do it. It would be sooo virgin. Yes i did travel out there in May and the loads were very high on BA on the way back ended up being kicked off in GRU. Managed to scrape the last seats on the LH service to FRA. Economy in Rio is supposed to be on the up and up im sure it would be profitable.

Brgds

SJD

BA schedules to Brazil increase
 

A British Airways press release from this week stipulates that LHR-GRU-LHR will go to 10x times per week from 3rd December. There is a new daytime flight LHR-GRU on Tue/Thur/Sun's from December with a night return.
It doesnt say what aircraft will be used on the additional frequencies (or the flight number). This will be in addition to the daily BA246/247 returns flying LHR-GRU then which continues GRU-GIG/GRU-EZE alternate days.

Boosted BA Brazil, JFK and a new Calgary services will be worked by aircraft coming from a reduced MIA & IAD service plus conversions of at least 2x existing B763 to long haul configuration.

This then utilises the bilateral slots which are currently available.

Does that mean the shuttle that LHR crew do to Houston is no longer being done ?

The Houston shuttle that operates via Chicago is being moved to Detroit from the winter schedule and is being operated on the 767

markeyd

it used to operate via IAD before ORD though right? Did they move it when BA kept getting threats against IAD services?

Looking at the GC distances DTW looks like a very good option - shorter than via IAD or ORD (though that takes no account of actual routings obviously)

Quite surprised by the timings for BA's additional LHR-GRU frequencies (which the website now says will be with a 744). A 12 hour day flight won't be very popular with business passengers, and if it's the leisure market they are after, Rio would have seemed a more logical destination.

Also this still leaves 4 weekly UK-Brazil slots for someone else - but a happy side effect for BA is that this stops VS or BMI providing a daily service, which they would need to compete for business pax.

Let us not forget the cargo capacity made available with a B744.
It is a lucrative cargo route between UK & Brazil & vice versa, coupled with the potential demise of RG MD11 belly capacity ex-UK, this is also likely to generate good yields for BA World Cargo.

B767-300 ON LHR SERVICE
 

Fun & games last night, VRG using B767-300 on LHR-GRU service VRG8757 PP-VOJ.
Is this a first of Varig 767 at LHR?
Seems as LHR & FRA services remain operational at this time.

Pluna serving Madrid with B763. Is Pluna part of Varig? I seem to think so.

No, they used a 767 last Wednesday 5 July at least, same airframe. It came through twice, to and from Copenhagen. As they had an MD-11 come through once last week as well as the 777s they have a truly mixed operation at the moment.

pluna
 

ALLDAYDELI

Varig still own 49 or maybe 50% of Pluna

Shareholding may be sold shortly to Conviasa of Venezuela if they can agree a price