“Yesterday British Airways A321 G-MEDN positioned London Heathrow – Prestwick for maintenance at Chevron, after arriving as BA148 from Beirut. The aircraft will be converted from 23J/131Y configuration to become the first “densified” European A321 in CY218 configuration”

Great - I look forward to my usual GLA - LHR trips on these!

This series of 321's are used on medium haul flights with the longest sector to AMM 5 hours I believe.

The refitted aircraft won't be scheduled to be used on the 'mid-haul' routes. However in very unlikely circumstances they could be used as a last minute cover. I'd personally expect that the remaining 4 mid-haul A321s will be converted into the short-haul European config within the next couple of years.

SO does this mean the mid-haul routes are doomed? Or will they be replaced with something different. I flew recently with LH to ASB in J, it was on a Euro 321 and not worth the price, if BA want to do the same thing to AMM and BEY, I would rather fly with other carriers

Wonder why the GLA maintenance facility couldnt do the work, or perhaps theyre busy enough with standard check heavy maintenance.

Routes not necessarily doomed, but a potential for them to be operated using the Euro config / product in the future. As you point out, this will only bring them inline with the likes of LH, AF etc... It will enable a more streamlined fleet with more operational efficiency.

Any of the routes that do have a high premium demand or what BA may still deem to require a long haul product, could well be served by one of their widebodies even just on specific times / days... For example - similar to the current the Moscow services. If anything, the Moscow services would actually greatly improve with the introduction of a shorthaul style service, particularly in economy (World Traveller). The current "complimentary" food and drink offering on these services is pretty appalling.

Non-recline seats being fitted on all the NEO`s.

how classy

Good, the sensible approach now in industry wide narrow seat pitch and low(ish) fares. If you want recline and pitch- pay for it (J cabin Pinnacle seats at front will keep it I understand)
I dont want someone leaning back in my face when the majority dont and know its inconsiderate.

I guess thw whole fleet will be fitted out this way. Wouldn't surprise me to see similar seats fitted to 787's a la Qantas 789.

probably got the non-existent seat cushions as well.

Interesting that GWR have fitted similar v hard seats to all their new trains out of Paddington.

Never bothered me as I recline and hence distance is er....maintained. How big must your face be to get that close?

Why does that not surprise me... 🙄

Cos it’s not a problem if the person in front reclines for me. Genuinely not an issue unless long haul meal times and cabin crew ask people to sit up for the duration.

Sorry but if you're over 6 foot then the recline is a problem, and one I don't put up with. I don't pay hundreds of pounds to have my knees crushed for 10 hours.

The sooner reclinable seats are removed from economy, the better.

Totally agree the economy seat pitch is so bad on most carriers nowadays that fixed seating is essential.This avoids a lot of disputes in the cabin.The product is amazingly cheap considering the cost of production but how squalid air travel has become! Stampe

So you are insisting people in *long haul* economy have to sit bolt upright? Ten hours ain’t short haul, but relax, it’s probably Alex’s next “enhancement”.

I agree certainly for short haul. The vast majority of people don't recline in economy, there isn't enough room, and most are considerate to others, the sooner they're removed the better.

I used to love BAW and go out of my way to fly with them, but not so much at the moment. It is just not good enough to provide seats pitch (upright or reclined) less than an average bum to knee distance. The new unreclined seat pitch leaves nowhere, but your neighbours' seat areas to put you knees. Perverse incentives to fill the cabins with baggage also increase the chance of being forced to put your one bag in the footwell too.
It’s probably about time the regulator got involved to enforce a basic minimum.

Yes. If somebody reclines in front of me, my knees have to go to the side of my seat. It's not my fault, so why should I put up with it just so somebody in front can lie at a 3-5 degree flatter angle?

In BA's defence (heaven forbid), on 90% of flights the cabin crew see me getting on and try to find an exit row seat for me, without me even asking.