British Airways

[rog747]

Thanks -

Re the 380
Lufthansa are ditching six A380 out of their 14

There are hints in an article that BA may again go back to look at taking some more 380's - not sure how true that maybe

Meanwhile the only 380 secondhand that has been placed is the ex SQ Hi fly example.
The other 2 ex SQ 380's WFU may well end up as a spares source.
plus the 5 ex MAS a/c are still orphaned...

[crewmeal]

Perhaps the A350's will go to Iberia to replace the ageing 340's which will make the carrier an all Airbus fleet, while BA longhaul will be an all Boeing fleet. Interesting to note the rollout of the 777 X was an employee only event due to the 737 Max crisis.

[PDXCWL45]

Perhaps the A350's will go to Iberia to replace the ageing 340's which will make the carrier an all Airbus fleet, while BA longhaul will be an all Boeing fleet. Interesting to note the rollout of the 777 X was an employee only event due to the 737 Max crisis.
Iberia have their own A350 order replacing the A340.

[Cazza_fly]

Perhaps the A350's will go to Iberia to replace the ageing 340's which will make the carrier an all Airbus fleet, while BA longhaul will be an all Boeing fleet. Interesting to note the rollout of the 777 X was an employee only event due to the 737 Max crisis.

No. Iberia already have A350-900's on order / being delivered for A340-600 replacements. The A350-1000's are specifically for BA. As mentioned above, it's not all that to have a single/streamlined fleet. There are benefits outside of that, particularly with an operation and network like BA have.

A new Club World seat will be unveiled today which will be launched on their new A350-1000's.

[kcockayne]

Perhaps the A350's will go to Iberia to replace the ageing 340's which will make the carrier an all Airbus fleet, while BA longhaul will be an all Boeing fleet. Interesting to note the rollout of the 777 X was an employee only event due to the 737 Max crisis.
Some pilot crew have already been selected to fly the BAW A350s.

[LiamNCL]

Will the A350 be going on any training circuits at the likes of EDI / NCL like the 787 did ?

[wiggy]

Perhaps the A350's will go to Iberia to replace the ageing 340's which will make the carrier an all Airbus fleet, while BA longhaul will be an all Boeing fleet.

Like some others here I am somewhat confused by the fact you see to be thinking or are at least expressing an opinion that even at this stage the A350s might somehow go to Iberia.

I know things can change but BA are very committed to the machines arriving later this year. The A350 Entry into service Manager has been in place at BA for quite some time now, the initial batch(s) of pilots have been informed they have courses, and I suspect some of them have already had sight of (electronic) manuals.

[Cazza_fly]

Like some others here I am somewhat confused by the fact you see to be thinking or are at least expressing an opinion that even at this stage the A350s might somehow go to Iberia.

I know things can change but BA are very committed to the machines arriving later this year. The A350 Entry into service Manager has been in place at BA for quite some time now, the initial batch(s) of pilots have been informed they have courses, and I suspect some of them have already had sight of (electronic) manuals.

More to the point, all the specs are complete and the first routes are on sale to Toronoto and Dubai. Oh, not to mention the first frame is being assembled right now as we type... Chatham Historic Dockyard livery and all !

[ImPlaneCrazy]

Out of interest, what's the difference between the Chatham Dockyard livery and the current one?

[Cazza_fly]

Out of interest, what's the difference between the Chatham Dockyard livery and the current one?

Chatham Historic Dockyard. That's the official adopted name of the current livery...... so no differences.

[FFHKG]

Interesting story in British media today about BA flight from LCY to DUS landing in EDI by mistake.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47691478

[rog747]

Interesting story in British media today about BA flight from LCY to DUS landing in EDI by mistake.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47691478

Incredible ! beggars belief that not one passenger noticed that they were flying North and never went over the water (Channel) durrrrr
ACMI lease from WDL aviation Gmbh of DE. (146??) - nice views lol

Still nice load of EU compo 361 - This is def not extraordinary circumstances - its a stuff up.

Worst we ever did at BMA LHR was MME bags put on the LPL and LPL bags on the MME
2 x DC-9's parked next to each other
I think we did it at JER as well - wrong bags and pax on wrong a/c but don't think pax ever ended up in wrong place

[crewmeal]

I'm surprised the crew didn't know their north' from their 'east' by looking at the compass. I'm even more surprised that air traffic didn't say 'oi you're going the wrong way to DUS'

So will every passenger who boards a BA flight ask if they knoiw where they are going?

[virginblue]

As per the Daily Fail:

At no time has the safety of passengers been compromised. We flew the five passengers on the flight with number BA3271 to Düsseldorf after the involuntary stopover in Edinburgh.'

Not unlikely that non of the five pax had sufficient geography skills to raise an alarm, given the totay lack of orientation of the majority of folks without a sat-nav nowadays.

[mustrum_ridcully]

Incredible ! beggars belief that not one passenger noticed that they were flying North and never went over the water (Channel) durrrrr
ACMI lease from WDL aviation Gmbh of DE. (146??) - nice views lol

Still nice load of EU compo 361 - This is def not extraordinary circumstances - its a stuff up.

Worst we ever did at BMA LHR was MME bags put on the LPL and LPL bags on the MME
2 x DC-9's parked next to each other
I think we did it at JER as well - wrong bags and pax on wrong a/c but don't think pax ever ended up in wrong place

PIC and FO had a flight plan for EDI? So they flew to EDI because that was where they were told to go.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

It would appear that a flight plan was filed and correctly flown from LCY to EDI, the fact that the aircraft was scheduled to fly to Germany is a question for operations and whoever filed the plan. I would imagine the despatcher also has some questions to answer, as every boarding card would have disagreed with the destination, the fuel planned, the alternates etc.

Most of us on here know better than to suggest they got "lost". There was an NWA DC10 filed to, and landed at BRU a few years back, which should have gone to FRA.......

[BAladdy]

Incredible ! beggars belief that not one passenger noticed that they were flying North and never went over the water (Channel) durrrrr
ACMI lease from WDL aviation Gmbh of DE. (146??) - nice views lol

Still nice load of EU compo 361 - This is def not extraordinary circumstances - its a stuff up
It won’t be just the passengers who were on the aircraft that landed in EDI that will getting a nice EU 361 payout. The WDL aircraft was planned to operate another 3 sectors for BACF after arriving in DUS. All of which are now delayed over 3hrs meaning that passengers on those flights will also be getting a payout.

BA3272 - Scheduled to arrive LCY at 10:30. Landed 4hrs 40 mins late at 15:10

BA3273 - Scheduled to arrive DUS at 13:15. Now estimated to land 5hrs 55mins late at 19:10

BA3274 to LCY - Flight Cancelled

​​​​​​

[rog747]

PIC and FO had a flight plan for EDI? So they flew to EDI because that was where they were told to go.

I never said the FD crew stuffed up - but someone in Ops, FP, and load/traffic control etc obviously did lol

[virginblue]

If the other flights were as busy as the flight in question (five pax!!!) that will be pocket money.

[Pringle_]

I never said the FD crew stuffed up - but someone in Ops, FP, and load/traffic control etc obviously did lol

Nothing to do with ATC, they got them to EDI as per the flight plan.

[rog747]

Nothing to do with ATC, they got them to EDI as per the flight plan.

I never said ATC ! I said traffic (part of ops and/or load control)

[Alteagod]

Like all good news stories I think there is probably more to this story than simply put forward in the press.

[hurumbara]

As per the Daily Fail:
Not unlikely that non of the five pax had sufficient geography skills to raise an alarm, given the totay lack of orientation of the majority of folks without a sat-nav nowadays.

So they take a 96-seater fourjet to fly 5 passengers somewhere. 91 empty seats. Does this make profit?

[DaveReidUK]

So they take a 96-seater fourjet to fly 5 passengers somewhere. 91 empty seats. Does this make profit?

If it's full on the return leg, then probably yes.

[BAladdy]

So they take a 96-seater fourjet to fly 5 passengers somewhere. 91 empty seats. Does this make profit?
I believe the reference about the onboard passenger figure mentioned above was taken from a article published online by that Daily Mail. The article has since been edited and the reference to there being 5 passengers onboard has been removed.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6852163/Hilarious-moment-air-steward-realises-flight-Dusseldorf-wrongly-landed-Scotland.html

This is because there was 61 passengers and 5 crew onboard.

[virginblue]

Indeed. The Daily Mail initially provided a quote mentioning five passengers, but has since removed the figure. I posted that older quote in this thread. Pictures taken onboard the aircraft show a rather busy cabin.

You can still read the older version of the article on this copycat site:

https://www.habaritoday.online/2019/03/26/ba-passengers-board-plane-to-fly-to-dusseldorf-but-the-pilot-takes-them-to-edinburgh/

[vctenderness]

Got to laugh. Reading this thread and right in the middle is a pop up advert for Specsavers. Maybe someone should have gone to..........

[NWSRG]

How many 77Ws are BA still to recieve? There seems to be an order for 4 in the works with Boeing, but there was also talk of them taking 3 second hand ones to replace the ZZZ airframes...anyone confirm anything?

[spacedog]

BA have 4 on order from Boeing not sure about any second hand airframes though.

[Fly757X]

How many 77Ws are BA still to recieve? There seems to be an order for 4 in the works with Boeing, but there was also talk of them taking 3 second hand ones to replace the ZZZ airframes...anyone confirm anything?

I've read that the B77W order is to replace the ZZZx frames.

[PAXboy]

This may well have been answered before: The 744 fleet - what is the final (final) end date?

[OntimeexceptACARS]

2024 I heard.

[KelvinD]

G-BYGC/BOAC:
Is it just me or what? Having photographed G-BYGC on arrival from the paintshop in horrible weather in February, I thought I ought to try to get some shots in better weather. Today was an excellent opportunity and I caught it arriving around mid-day in full chat sunshine. Smashing! Except the blue used on the paint job seems wrong to me, but it could just be a duff memory. I am thinking back to the bad old days when BOAC started flying the VC10 into Aden and I would swear the blue on those aircraft was dark enough to be almost black. Similarly, if you look at the example at Duxford, that too is a very dark blue. The current shade on G-BYGC seems virtually washed out to me and not at all how it used to be.
Or is it just me...?
Which reminds me; about a year ago in this thread, people were discussing how BA got to Karachi from Heathrow, noting all the various aircraft types and routings. Nobody seems to have remembered the VC that used to go via Jeddah to Karachi. My first trip on that service was mid 1978 when taking up a post in Jeddah and the aircraft was going on to Karachi before returning to Jeddah to collect the next batch of 'escapees' for the hoeward trip to London!

[WHBM]

G-BYGC/BOAC:

Today was an excellent opportunity and I caught it arriving around mid-day in full chat sunshine.
I arrived into T5 a few hours later, it was on a stand at the north end of the remote pier as we taxied in, and notably caught the attention of several older pax on the left hand side as we passed.

[VickersVicount]

LGW-FLL gone as of end of summer 19

[Low Cost Eng]

LGW-FLL gone as of end of summer 19

Just a little surprised at this. Any ideas why? Have they plans for a more lucrative route from LGW? Travelled on the route earlier this year and the aircraft was full both ways. I know 'bums on seats'
is not an accurate indication of profit on a route but the fares were a par with those into MCO and TPA.

[Tamii]

What are your thoughts on applying as a cabin crew.?

[DaveReidUK]

What are your thoughts on applying as a cabin crew.?

I'm too old. :O

[Tamii]

ohhh comeee onn haha

[goldeneye]

Just a little surprised at this. Any ideas why? Have they plans for a more lucrative route from LGW? Travelled on the route earlier this year and the aircraft was full both ways. I know 'bums on seats'
is not an accurate indication of profit on a route but the fares were a par with those into MCO and TPA.

Well DY have moved to MIA from LGW. Maybe going to be a new flight to MIA.

[SealinkBF]

Just a little surprised at this. Any ideas why? Have they plans for a more lucrative route from LGW? Travelled on the route earlier this year and the aircraft was full both ways. I know 'bums on seats'
is not an accurate indication of profit on a route but the fares were a par with those into MCO and TPA.

It was a spoiler flight to compete with Norwegian, but IAG/BA are hard nosed when it comes to profitably, I would say it was loss making, and BA probably are now just going to play the waiting game with Norwegian.

[WHBM]

For the first time, I used the "Self Bag Drop" at T5 when travelling with the family. Three of us. Two previously stated at check in as having a bag. Picked up boarding passes first at the separate PYOBP machine, entered my booking details, all three BPs came out together. Then on to the bag drop.

Entered my BP for recognition, it says "Load heaviest bag first". So I do, and process that. It then says "Is there another bag ?". Answered "Yes".

Immediately it displayed "Pay £65", and lit up the credit card reader. Thought about it, it evidently can only work with one BP at a time, and doesn't do groups on a reservation at all.

Now I can only think that either the programming of these was done by interns who had just completed unit 1.01 of their IT course at the local Tech, or alternatively someone is hoping for the Alex Cruz "Employee of the month award for the most sneaky way to stiff our less-informed customers". I wonder which it is ?

[rog747]

I never try to use the automation as much as possible - I will always go to the check in at T5 - the staff are usually very nice, and then toddle off to the Galleries Lounge for some victualling.

On my way back I hate the E passport gates and will go to the human interface Q lol

[BACsuperVC10]

G-BYGC/BOAC:
Is it just me or what? Having photographed G-BYGC on arrival from the paintshop in horrible weather in February, I thought I ought to try to get some shots in better weather. Today was an excellent opportunity and I caught it arriving around mid-day in full chat sunshine. Smashing! Except the blue used on the paint job seems wrong to me, but it could just be a duff memory. I am thinking back to the bad old days when BOAC started flying the VC10 into Aden and I would swear the blue on those aircraft was dark enough to be almost black. Similarly, if you look at the example at Duxford, that too is a very dark blue. The current shade on G-BYGC seems virtually washed out to me and not at all how it used to be.
Or is it just me...?
Which reminds me; about a year ago in this thread, people were discussing how BA got to Karachi from Heathrow, noting all the various aircraft types and routings. Nobody seems to have remembered the VC that used to go via Jeddah to Karachi. My first trip on that service was mid 1978 when taking up a post in Jeddah and the aircraft was going on to Karachi before returning to Jeddah to collect the next batch of 'escapees' for the hoeward trip to London!
The VC10 is still my favourite aircraft, I never had the chance to fly on one, I do remember as a young travel agent consulting the BA timetable in early to mid 80s to see where the VC10 operated to, there weren't many destinations from memory.

[VC10man]

The VC10 is still my favourite aircraft, I never had the chance to fly on one, I do remember as a young travel agent consulting the BA timetable in early to mid 80s to see where the VC10 operated to, there weren't many destinations from memory.

Agree with everything you say. The VC10 was a magnificent aircraft and I wasn't lucky enough to fly on one, I wish I had though.

I was cross when BOAC having told Vickers what specs they required, such as being able to take off with a full load in a hot and high airport, then decided they would rather have 707s. No wonder we didn't sell many VC10s when our nationalised airline didn't want them.

[PAXboy]

British Airways is to scrap its daytime flights from Johannesburg to Heathrow in order to cash in on the collapse of Jet Airways.

The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-ba-heathrow-south-africa-johannesburg-mumbai-jet-cancel-a8888881.html)

[PAXboy]

This is a smasher: British Airways criticised for selling ‘afternoon tea’ that doesn’t include any tea
Independent via Yahoo (https://uk.style.yahoo.com/british-airways-criticised-selling-afternoon-101005490.html)

I do like the comment from one directed at BA;
Let me guess, BA, you removed the tea from afternoon tea based on customer feedback in order to enhance the afternoon experience?
:D

[VickersVicount]

I am glad, i don't like tea.

[wondrousbitofrough]

I am glad, i don't like tea.

Call yourself an Englishman??

[VickersVicount]

Call yourself an Englishman??
Infact, no....

[PAXboy]

If they offerred Tea or Coffee with the scone, then I think it reasonable. As it stands it smacks of Ryan Air pricing. Nothing wrong with FR pricing - but don't pretend it's something else. I suspect there is a specialist department at BA whose only job is to hand mistakes out on a plate (pun intended).

[VickersVicount]

Kiev and St Petersburg gone from BA network as of W19/20

[kingston_toon]

Kiev and St Petersburg gone from BA network as of W19/20

Really?! Oh that's tedious. Replaced with more flights to Palma and Ibiza no doubt. Well done BA.

[VickersVicount]

very iffy in terms of loads, yields, sanctions, business etc, so sound decision and can be easily reinstated should circumstances change. If punters want higher class non low cost sun and brings in profits... why not. The empire-style legacy routes are no longer obliged.

[DaveReidUK]

Really?! Oh that's tedious. Replaced with more flights to Palma and Ibiza no doubt. Well done BA.

Can we take it that you're not a shareholder, then ?

[ATSA1]

The VC10 is still my favourite aircraft, I never had the chance to fly on one, I do remember as a young travel agent consulting the BA timetable in early to mid 80s to see where the VC10 operated to, there weren't many destinations from memory.

I am a bit puzzled by this, as BA stopped flying the VC10 in March 1981...

Maybe the RAF would have been a better bet?

I flew in a RAF VC10 home from Ascension in May 1984....lovely!

[kildress]

[QUOTE=ATSA1;10474249]I am a bit puzzled by this, as BA stopped flying the VC10 in March 1981...
/QUOTE]

Which would be within early 1980s

[WHBM]

Kiev and St Petersburg gone from BA network as of W19/20Really?! Oh that's tedious. Replaced with more flights to Palma and Ibiza no doubt. Well done BA.
Can we take it that you're not a shareholder, then ?
St Petersburg just a few years ago ran to a daily A321. Furthermore, returns within the working week would price up to £900 (Y) or even more. A significant proportion of the pax also were through connections from the USA. How did BA just lose that market. They're not going to get yields like that on Palma/Ibiza.

[VickersVicount]

St Petersburg just a few years ago ran to a daily A321. Furthermore, returns within the working week would price up to £900 (Y) or even more. A significant proportion of the pax also were through connections from the USA. How did BA just lose that market. They're not going to get yields like that on Palma/Ibiza.
Which competition are getting said St Petersburg yields now?

[A320ECAM]

An absolute vile company to work for. At least the CEO knows how to wear a hi viz in an office environment when dealing with their IT errors caused by outsourcing to India!

. . . and don't get me started on how they treated Peter Burkill after the triple 7 crash at LHR! Even the poor crew of the 777 LAS fire incident were treated poorly!

[pax britanica]

As someone mentioned BA seem to have a lets do something minor but eye catching that makes us look stupid and cheap and nasty .

And being BA under Cruz they are just nasty and not cheap- very sad , but as the old adage goes if you pay monkeys you get peanuts (that 'll be 2.99 for the nuts sir)..
my personal rule of thumb of late being that having flown LHR to CDG more times than I remember I have done 3 trips in last 6 months 2 AF one BA and AF were far far better experiences which never ever used to be the case. It seems to a management 21st Century style oprtation, let the airline get on wth itself and we as managers will run a round salami slicing things off the edges on the assumption the core stays intact-

[magruder1980]

Used to fly LHR CDG a lot but switched to the Eurostar - faster door to door if there is business in either cit , normally cheaper and a lot pleasanter and more comfortable seating (they have CUSHIONED SEATS rather than wooden benches..........)

When I connect through either I've taken to AF more and more - I'm not sure they've got any better but BA have certainly gone a long way downhill I'm afraid - it seems a non-stop struggle every time

[VickersVicount]

A350 seen in full colours. Still don't get why with all their existing winglet aircraft they've opted to paint the slimmest sharklet style ones on this delivery. Looks weird like a FlightSim model

[El Bunto]

As someone mentioned BA seem to have a lets do something minor but eye catching that makes us look stupid and cheap and nasty .



Like putting the three Retro 747s onto domestic routes for specials in August, taking incredible bookings at eye-watering prices* and then... cancelling them a week later and refunding.

When I phoned BA to obtain my refund yesterday ( 2x £170 for Glasgow to Heathrow! ) the clerk said that BA were planning 'something else' for their 'centenary'. Probably something Heathrow-based and underwhelming.

* enthusiasts were desperate to book and when I last looked at the Glasgow tickets they were over £360 one-way in economy, for 25 August. Business was £471.

[EGAC is Better]

Like putting the three Retro 747s onto domestic routes for specials in August, taking incredible bookings at eye-watering prices* and then... cancelling them a week later and refunding.

When I phoned BA to obtain my refund yesterday ( 2x £170 for Glasgow to Heathrow! ) the clerk said that BA were planning 'something else' for their 'centenary'. Probably something Heathrow-based and underwhelming.

* enthusiasts were desperate to book and when I last looked at the Glasgow tickets they were over £360 one-way in economy, for 25 August. Business was £471.

On pricing, I nabbed a Club Europe fare very early on, one way from GLA to BHD via LHR for £350. Turned out somewhat cheaper than what others were paying for economy before they sold out. It seemed the fares went north, very quickly based on demand as everyone began to hear about it.

Refund in progress.

[PAXboy]

Good to hear that BAs forward planning is up to it's usual heights ...

[2Para]

Like putting the three Retro 747s onto domestic routes for specials in August, taking incredible bookings at eye-watering prices* and then... cancelling them a week later and refunding.

When I phoned BA to obtain my refund yesterday ( 2x £170 for Glasgow to Heathrow! ) the clerk said that BA were planning 'something else' for their 'centenary'. Probably something Heathrow-based and underwhelming.

* enthusiasts were desperate to book and when I last looked at the Glasgow tickets they were over £360 one-way in economy, for 25 August. Business was £471.
why get a B747 LHR-GLA whwn u cud het B747 LHR-JFK for similar money??

[Albert Hall]

This seems like a tremendous own goal. They have found a formula which - for a limited time - people will pay above the odds to fly on a 747 in a BA retro livery on domestic routes but have cancelled it!

If operational delivery was the issue, a programme which committed two of the three 747-400s to each doing two domestic round trips from LHR each that day - and perhaps the A319 too - would surely have been deliverable with the third 744 in the fleet as flexibility to cope with any disruption issues.

As it is, they’ve lost revenue and disappointed people. Just what you surely would not want ?

[AirportPlanner1]

why get a B747 LHR-GLA whwn u cud het B747 LHR-JFK for similar money??

You can get to GLA and back on your day off. Not quite true for JFK, at least not comfortably and without raising questions by US Immigration

[jensdad]

why get a B747 LHR-GLA whwn u cud het B747 LHR-JFK for similar money??
Because some people don't live in South East England, possibly.

[El Bunto]

why get a B747 LHR-GLA whwn u cud het B747 LHR-JFK for similar money??

Well, because it was definitely a 747 and it was in a retro scheme and it was a daytrip and if it all went pear-shaped I could get a National Express coach home.

Have you actually priced EGLL-KJFK-EGLL? In March 2020, the cheapest month loaded, the outbound trip is about £150 on Virgin, but the inbound leg for that day or the one following is about £1,200. You need to wait for two days for the fare to drop to a sane level.

So, you decide to add a hotel room for two nights... suddenly that cheap trip is becoming expensive.

[22/04]

If operational delivery was the issue,

There was considerable adverse press from environmentalists about these flights - could that be the reason?

[116d]

This seems like a tremendous own goal. They have found a formula which - for a limited time - people will pay above the odds to fly on a 747 in a BA retro livery on domestic routes but have cancelled it!

If operational delivery was the issue, a programme which committed two of the three 747-400s to each doing two domestic round trips from LHR each that day - and perhaps the A319 too - would surely have been deliverable with the third 744 in the fleet as flexibility to cope with any disruption issues.

As it is, they’ve lost revenue and disappointed people. Just what you surely would not want ?

Firstly, BA never specifically announced these flights would use the trio of retrojets. The booking engines did say it would be 747's as I saw that myself, but the use of retrojets in the absence of an official announcement somehow became fait accompli from reporting by blog news pages. I don't know their sources though and they could well have got their info from BA, but when you take a step back why would BA not announce something like this themselves? Other airlines who have done something special in the past such as KLM with the MD-11 farewell pleasure flights out of AMS and Monarch turning the LGW-BHX positioning flight of their final A300 into a farewell special seemed fine with making an official announcement about it.

Secondly, BA are a business and with the greatest of respect, I doubt BA will be losing sleep because a small number of enthusiasts who had booked on it because it was scheduled for a 747 and under the false impression it would be a retrojet are upset about it, especially when compared to some of the major issues they've had in the past such as IT failures, LHR T5 opening teething problems. At least BA have offered refunds when they could have easily hid behind their T&C's and claimed they always reserve the right to change planned equipment prior to the flight taking place.

It may have demonstrated to BA there is demand to do something special and hopefully there will be, but I expect anything special to be announced in a more official manner as that would be more fairer than just quietly slipping it in there and others running with it.

[SWBKCB]

Handling agents had been informed - the specific a/c had been allocated to the three routes.

[edi_local]

Firstly, BA never specifically announced these flights would use the trio of retrojets. The booking engines did say it would be 747's as I saw that myself, but the use of retrojets in the absence of an official announcement somehow became fait accompli from reporting by blog news pages. I don't know their sources though and they could well have got their info from BA, but when you take a step back why would BA not announce something like this themselves? Other airlines who have done something special in the past such as KLM with the MD-11 farewell pleasure flights out of AMS and Monarch turning the LGW-BHX positioning flight of their final A300 into a farewell special seemed fine with making an official announcement about it.

Secondly, BA are a business and with the greatest of respect, I doubt BA will be losing sleep because a small number of enthusiasts who had booked on it because it was scheduled for a 747 and under the false impression it would be a retrojet are upset about it, especially when compared to some of the major issues they've had in the past such as IT failures, LHR T5 opening teething problems. At least BA have offered refunds when they could have easily hid behind their T&C's and claimed they always reserve the right to change planned equipment prior to the flight taking place.

It may have demonstrated to BA there is demand to do something special and hopefully there will be, but I expect anything special to be announced in a more official manner as that would be more fairer than just quietly slipping it in there and others running with it.

With all due respect, they have 3 retro 747s and planned to fly 3 747s on 3 routes on the 100th anniversary. I think it was pretty safe to assume the 3 747s were the retro colours. I don't know why you seem to think this wouldn't have been the case or that people booked under false expectations. They would have no reason to run 747s on these routes if it wasn't going to be the 3 specific planes that have been painted to mark the 100th anniversary on an event that was specifically being done to mark the 100th anniversary.

[Mister Geezer]

St Petersburg just a few years ago ran to a daily A321. Furthermore, returns within the working week would price up to £900 (Y) or even more. A significant proportion of the pax also were through connections from the USA. How did BA just lose that market. They're not going to get yields like that on Palma/Ibiza.






The trouble with LED is that since there is only one flight a day, this results in a number of connecting options facing a nightstop in LHR on either the inbound or outbound. Both KL and LH have an aircraft night stopping in LED, giving an early departure to connect with the first wave of connections at AMS and FRA, which will be well timed for transatlantic travel too. Also, to add insult to injury is that Rossiya price their LED-LGW route very competitively for point to point traffic, with an example being that a Business class ticket with Rossiya often costs similar to what one would pay to travel with BA in Euro Traveller.

As an aside, BA actually do well on PMI with there being a generous uptake for Club Europe, especially in the summer. On the rarer occiaions when it is operated by a 320, it's not uncommon for half of the cabin to be Club.

[116d]

With all due respect, they have 3 retro 747s and planned to fly 3 747s on 3 routes on the 100th anniversary. I think it was pretty safe to assume the 3 747s were the retro colours. I don't know why you seem to think this wouldn't have been the case or that people booked under false expectations. They would have no reason to run 747s on these routes if it wasn't going to be the 3 specific planes that have been painted to mark the 100th anniversary on an event that was specifically being done to mark the 100th anniversary.

I only said it was a false impression because prior to the cancellation there was nothing in the public domain from BA themselves to say that the retrojets would be used - use of 747's yes, but nothing about retrojets was there? Compare that to the announcement about the BOAC 747 being used at next month's Royal International Air Tattoo to perform a flypast with the Red Arrows. It seems strange nothing was announced officially regarding these. When the e-mail went out to passengers announcing the change of time and equipment, it referred to anything special happening on those flights as "speculation on aviation websites". Having been shown what was sent out, I will admit it contradicted itself slightly when it said it will no longer be operated by a 747 despite booking engines in the public domain (including BA's own website) saying it was allocated a 747, which most observers would have noticed is a rare occurrence on a BA domestic flight.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm gutted for those who had booked tickets. I know a few people who booked on because it was a 747 whom got more excited when it was reported on websites it would be the retrojets. I nearly did so myself if only for the opportunity to sample a 747 on a domestic UK flight and any 747 would have been good enough for me.

All that said, besides the refunds (which I felt was good of them to do as no doubt they realised many wouldn't have booked on if it was the normal Airbus equipment) I think it could have been handled a bit better. I don't know the full story behind all this and what led to 747 use on these being scrapped and flight times changing, but hopefully if something like this happens in the future on a special basis it will be announced more officially in good time.

As an aside, I see the Landor-liveried 747 has been ferried back LAS-LHR after being on the ground there for a few days.

[SealinkBF]

With all due respect, they have 3 retro 747s and planned to fly 3 747s on 3 routes on the 100th anniversary. I think it was pretty safe to assume the 3 747s were the retro colours. I don't know why you seem to think this wouldn't have been the case or that people booked under false expectations. They would have no reason to run 747s on these routes if it wasn't going to be the 3 specific planes that have been painted to mark the 100th anniversary on an event that was specifically being done to mark the 100th anniversary.

BA did no marketing of this apart from the aircraft type on their website.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some travel blogs were given a heads up and that seems to be where the hype came from.

Given the fares they achieved, it's a shame that the flights aren't going ahead with 747s. Assume BA need them elsewhere...

[The96er]

BA did no marketing of this apart from the aircraft type on their website.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some travel blogs were given a heads up and that seems to be where the hype came from.

Given the fares they achieved, it's a shame that the flights aren't going ahead with 747s. Assume BA need them elsewhere...

The Handling agents were informed and the RWY slots were filed at the respective airports for 747's, so yes they were happening, and no, it wasn't just Plane spotter tittle-tattle.

[SealinkBF]

The Handling agents were informed and the RWY slots were filed at the respective airports for 747's, so yes they were happening, and no, it wasn't just Plane spotter tittle-tattle.

Which I acknowledged as the aircraft type was on the website. As far as title tattle and the aircraft type, care to disclose where BA announced these special flights?

[Asturias56]

why else would they schedule a 747 on those routes on a one off?

AS EDI says - 3 retro 747#'s, 3 747 flights on the same day - which just happens to be the (spurious) 100th Birthday.................

[PAXboy]

Television presenter Sophie Morgan is calling for airlines to offer concessions for disabled travellers after being left without any means of moving “short of dragging herself along the floor” on a British Airwaysflight.
This link may be subject to restrictions: The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-sophie-morgan-disabled-passengers-flight-concessions-air-travel-carers-a8954261.html)
Ms Morgan, who was paralysed in a car crash when she was 18 and uses a wheelchair, was left unassisted for 45 minutes during a 12-hour flight from Buenos Aires to London Heathrow, with no means of contacting a flight attendant.

The Paralympics presenter said she called repeatedly for help on the 9 June service, to no avail. “Two to three hours into the flight, I rang the call button as I needed a glass of water to take some medication,” she told The Independent.

“No one responded, so after half an hour I was left with little option. I started sliding headsets down the aisle to get someone’s attention – all in the hopes the cabin crew might see them from behind the curtain. “I started to get really frustrated and upset. Eventually a flight attendant wandered out and after 45 minutes the cabin manager finally came over and asked what was wrong. “I was in distress and she told me to calm down; she told me it wasn’t their fault.

“I know they weren’t deliberately ignoring me, but the fact is they knew I was sitting in that seat, they knew I was solely dependent on them for help, and they were aware of my needs and still didn’t meet them.”

Ms Morgan, who was travelling alone, said that when she subsequently went to make a complaint to BA once she returned home, she found it very difficult to get hold of anyone to speak to. “I’ve had enough,” she said. “I’m frustrated. Disabled people have to deal with this kind of situation all the time. They have to give up their independence when travelling and rely on cabin crew. It’s not a system that’s trustworthy or fail-proof: it’s a lottery.

“The customer experience is always being reported back to airlines and they’re always saying they’ll change – but they don’t.”

It's the same old story. Airports and carriers don't learn. Apparently, BA is the official Paralympic carrier!

[116d]

why else would they schedule a 747 on those routes on a one off?

AS EDI says - 3 retro 747#'s, 3 747 flights on the same day - which just happens to be the (spurious) 100th Birthday.................

Whilst it would be reasonable to assume that may have been the case and I'm not doubting those who have said slots were filed for 747's, it seems strange though that no official announcement was made about their use or handled in a more controlled manner. After all, there was an announcement for this that involves one of the retrojets: British Airways - RED, WHITE AND BLUE AT THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO (http://mediacentre.britishairways.com/pressrelease/details/86/2019-319/11167?ref=News)

I think I've made my points multiple times now, so I shall say no more on the subject.

[EGAC is Better]

Without going into specifics, it appears that BA may have tipped off some of their more important customers to the existence of these plans.

It’s done and like many others who had managed to secure seats on the services, I feel let down and am disappointed. I’ll get over it when the money I paid for my ticket arrives back in my account.

[VickersVicount]

Ooft, who'da thought - 737's back at BA !
IAG order 100, some for BA LGW

[BA318]

Ooft, who'da thought - 737's back at BA !
IAG order 100, some for BA LGW

It's actually a LOI for 200. A mix of the -8 and -10. Delivery from 2023.

WW said they will be used for Level, Vueling and BA at LGW.

[OntimeexceptACARS]

I think this decision will bite IAG in the proverbials. 4 years away may be beyond the current issues, but thinking more about the group having old technology, in an aircraft that's undersized in terms of competitive cabin space, elbow room, overhead space, etc.

[PDXCWL45]

I think this decision will bite IAG in the proverbials. 4 years away may be beyond the current issues, but thinking more about the group having old technology, in an aircraft that's undersized in terms of competitive cabin space, elbow room, overhead space, etc.
If you look at the parts they said they are meant for its their low cost arms so maybe they feel that the 737 is better for that type of operation and makes them more competitive against the LCCs. Also if they take over Norwegian those aircraft will then in the future possibly be used as replacements for their older 737s.

[22/04]

Bet they got themcheap given the current situation

[DaveReidUK]

I think this decision will bite IAG in the proverbials.

If it looks lke it's going to, IAG can simply walk away from it - it's not a firm order.

[Alteagod]

How many tiger tokens did they pay per air frame. Bet they got them for near enough cost so that Boeing can use BA/IAG as lever for future orders

[Cyrano]

This is doubly smart from IAG. First, as has been pointed out, it's only a Letter of Intent, so it's not binding on IAG. Second, remember the last time Boeing's order book took a dive, after Sept 11, when Ryanair swooped in and did the deal of the century which formed the basis for its future expansion? By giving Boeing a good news story, Willie has also greatly reduced the incentive for Boeing to cut another sweet deal with Ryanair this time.

[Twiglet1]

Smart move, general public have short memory, Boeing will remember BA for years to come.

[mariofly12]

I don't know about short memory but i don't think anyone will forget the MAX crashes..But what i don't understand is since IAG operate only Airbus how will they combine the 737s..I mean Vueling has a very big fleet and BA already operates A320-family only..How is that driving costs down by introducing new fleet-type,flying along the A320s,new type-rating,crew trainings costs,maintenance costs etc?

[TartinTon]

I don't know about short memory but i don't think anyone will forget the MAX crashes..But what i don't understand is since IAG operate only Airbus how will they combine the 737s..I mean Vueling has a very big fleet and BA already operates A320-family only..How is that driving costs down by introducing new fleet-type,flying along the A320s,new type-rating,crew trainings costs,maintenance costs etc?

They probably have absolutely no intention of operating them. What they do have now is a very large lever to use on airbus for future orders as well as a benchmark price point.

[L66MBD]

I don't know about short memory but i don't think anyone will forget the MAX crashes..But what i don't understand is since IAG operate only Airbus how will they combine the 737s..I mean Vueling has a very big fleet and BA already operates A320-family only..How is that driving costs down by introducing new fleet-type,flying along the A320s,new type-rating,crew trainings costs,maintenance costs etc?

Both fleets large enough to eliminate any potential cost savings would be my guess. Airlines like IAG don't make huge decisions involving investments this size lightly. I would bet they know what they're doing...

[L66MBD]

They probably have absolutely no intention of operating them. What they do have now is a very large lever to use on airbus for future orders as well as a benchmark price point.

Short sighted IMO. Heathrow's news today? Lead times on NEO's? BA operated 737s before - no reason they wont again.

[parky747]

News press release clearly points the 737 Max order intent for 200 jets are intended for distribution across the group airlines to include Vueling, Level and BA Gatwick.

LHR presumably will remain an all Airbus 319/320/321 fleet serving short haul ops considering delivery on orders of NEO’s coming online.

LGW on the other hand previously operated 737 fleet SH and currently operates 772’s LH, so perhaps a strategic move to switch LGW to a all Boeing fleet!

[TheGeordielad]

This is a really interesting order for BA and the whole of IAG. As others have said I also believe that Gatwick could become a All Boeing Base. It will be interesting to see how many go where within IAG. I suspect that this will allow for the rest of A319s to retired as they are due to leave the fleet by 2024. 2024 was the date I saw somewhere. As LGW is mix A319/320 May be some A320s will then transfer to LHR to Replace last of A319s.

[Cautious Optimist]

I must admit I too am flabbergasted by this order! What can the MAX do so much better than the NEO that it outweighs the extra expense of maintenance/training etc? They'd have been better off ordering more A350s and A330NEOs to replace the 747/777/787 fleet, not that the latter needs replacing but surely the argument for commonality that was so prevalent just five years or so ago is still as strong now?! I hate to mention the "B" word but all I can think of is BA wanting to deprive Europe of some lucrative business due to Brexit?

[El Bunto]

What shocks me most about this order is the language in the press release. Expressing 'every confidence' in Boeing, who have been shown to have lied, cheated and elided the facts throughout the Max's development. How can *anyone* have confidence after such revelation?

Just shows what a chummy club exists at the top-tier of industry, and what complete indifference they have for accountability and decency.

[DaveReidUK]

but surely the argument for commonality that was so prevalent just five years or so ago is still as strong now?

The "argument for commonality" is largely a myth - if you buy enough of a type, it doesn't matter what else you have in your fleet, you are already enjoying massive economies of scale.

[22/04]

BA as I have said have got a very good deal. Ryanair are an excellent training ground from which IAG can recruit crew offsetting the cost of a dual fleet. Boeing will HAVE to come up with a fix for 737MAX and I have every confidence they will do so; it is very closely matched with the NEO over some sectors in terms of operating costs otherwise TUI and Ryanair would have bought Airbus.

Good move from IAG which will keep eggs in both baskets continuing to extract good deals from both airframers.

[Andy_S]

What shocks me most about this order is the language in the press release. Expressing 'every confidence' in Boeing, who have been shown to have lied, cheated and elided the facts throughout the Max's development. How can *anyone* have confidence after such revelation?

Just shows what a chummy club exists at the top-tier of industry, and what complete indifference they have for accountability and decency.

For goodness sake grow up. IAG are a business, and they almost certainly played the situation with the 737 MAX to great commercial advantage.

[Groundloop]

I hate to mention the "B" word but all I can think of is BA wanting to deprive Europe of some lucrative business due to Brexit?

As IAG is registered as a Spanish company and the larger part of the order would probably be for Vueling and Level what has Brexit got to do with it?

[VickersVicount]

what has Brexit got to do with it?
I suspect IAG are not that fussed about Brexit, and will have borne no impact on this MAX order.

[TURIN]

We live in interesting times,

BA Staff to Strike this Summer? (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-strike-pilot-travel-union-ba-flight-disruption-a8965616.html)

[MARKEYD]

Don’t think it will as it’s been operated into Jersey with Smart Wings to Tenerife this winter with a full load non stop until obviously it had to change to a 737 800

[Asturias56]

Fined £ 183 million for data breach last year
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48905907

British Airways says it is facing a record fine of £183m for last year's breach of its security systems. The airline, owned by IAG, says it was "surprised and disappointed" by the penalty from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). At the time, BA said hackers had carried out a "sophisticated, malicious criminal attack" on its website.

The ICO said it was the biggest penalty it had ever handed out and the first to be made public under new rules The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force last year and was the biggest shake-up to data privacy in 20 years.

The penalty imposed on BA is the first one to be made public since those rules were introduced and amounts to 1.5% of its worldwide turnover in 2017, less than the possible maximum of 4%. Until now, the biggest penalty was £500,000, imposed on Facebook (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-45976300)for its role in the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. That was the maximum allowed under the old data protection rules that applied before GDPR.

BA has 28 days to appeal. Willie Walsh, chief executive of IAG, said British Airways would be making representations to the ICO. "We intend to take all appropriate steps to defend the airline's position vigorously, including making any necessary appeals," he said. BA has previously said approximately 380,000 transactions were affected, but the stolen data did not include travel or passport details.

The information included names, email addresses, credit card information such as credit card numbers, expiration dates and the three-digit CVV code found on the back of credit cards, although BA has said it did not store CVV numbers. The incident was first disclosed on 6 September 2018.

Alex Cruz, British Airways' chairman and chief executive, said: "We are surprised and disappointed in this initial finding from the ICO. "British Airways responded quickly to a criminal act to steal customers' data. We have found no evidence of fraud/fraudulent activity on accounts linked to the theft.

"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this event caused."

[FFHKG]

I have to disagree with Alex Cruz stolen data has not led to fraud/fraudulent activity. Recently, I had a flurry of fraudulent transactions on a UK credit card that had been used to book flights via the BA website at the time of the data breach. None of my other UK cards or my Spanish, none of which I had used with BA, have been subject to similar fraudulent activity. From this, I can only draw the conclusion that the BA data breach was the source of the data used.

[DaveReidUK]

I have to disagree with Alex Cruz stolen data has not led to fraud/fraudulent activity. Recently, I had a flurry of fraudulent transactions on a UK credit card that had been used to book flights via the BA website at the time of the data breach. None of my other UK cards or my Spanish, none of which I had used with BA, have been subject to similar fraudulent activity. From this, I can only draw the conclusion that the BA data breach was the source of the data used.

Did you notify BA of your conclusion ?

Cruz didn't say that there had been no fraudulent activity, but that BA hadn't found any evidence of any.

[finncapt]

FFHKG.

Whilst you may be correct, you have not stated that the credit card used on the BA website has not been used at any time before/since for any other transactions.

A bit of leap to come to the conclusion you have done.

As suggested above, if you think BA was the source, the appropriate action is to inform them and request they investigate.

[Asturias56]

I see this as a shot across a lot of people's bows using the new penalties - everyone has heard of BA and that fine is eye watering to a lot of outfits

It'll get a lot of attention - which is the idea I suppose

[davidjohnson6]

It would be extremely difficult for an individual to prove that BA's website issue led to fraud or provide anything that is evidence of this incident being a cause - and BA's lawyers are well aware of this.
One would have to show audit logs that a) the gang stole the details of the card in question (not just that they had the means to do so), b) that the card in question is in the audit log showing which card details were then sold on and c) that the next gang were the ones who used the card to make an unauthorised purchase.

Any gang capable of hacking BA will most certainly have known to cover their tracks and take precautions against any data snooping (ie maximum encryption everywhere). Audit logs proving the transfer of card details will probably not exist; if they exist they will be encrypted; even if one has the password, one would need to go through Interpol to obtain the logs - and diplomatic relations at the moment may prevent this

As a private individual, you can complain to BA, but the PR people will not budge easily and it will be very difficult to prove definitively any blame against BA - the most one can do is show BA were lax in their handling of personal data and throw the GDPR book against them

[BAladdy]

BA today announced that they ware bringing forward the start of A350-1000 long haul operations and begin operating to DXB on 2nd September. A350 ops to DXB had originally been planned to start 8th October.

[PAXboy]

British Airways pilots have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay, threatening a walkout over the key summer holiday period.The British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) said 93% of its members had voted in favour of industrial action.

The union said it did not yet have any dates for a potential strike, adding it hopes the dispute can be resolved.

A strike would be likely to cause severe disruption, as Balpa represents about 90% of the airline's pilots.


BBC News (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49075767)

[Asturias56]

talking about August 6th for kic

Question is will BA settle quickly to minimize damage or decide to slug it out?

[PAXboy]

Round One (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jul/23/ba-strikes-legal-action-flights-disrupted)
Headline reads: BA loses legal action against pilot strikes

[SWBKCB]

"We are not seeing any evidence of the Brexit impact," said Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA parent IAG, during a results briefing today. He acknowledges that Ryanair and other airlines have warned how their operations could be affected, especially by a no-deal Brexit. But he insists: "We don't see any impact on bookings or the profile of bookings going forward in terms of the visibility that we have." Walsh suspects that BA's heavy reliance on London and the UK southeast may be one explanation for the carrier's apparent resilience. "Maybe… we are not exposed to the whole of the UK as they [competitors] would be," he says.

BA sees no impact on bookings from Brexit uncertainty (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ba-sees-no-impact-on-bookings-from-brexit-uncertaint-460074/)

[USERNAME_]

https://metro.co.uk/2019/08/05/british-airways-flight-makes-emergency-landing-spain-smoke-fills-cabin-10523587/


MEDN evacuated in VLC due to smoke in the cabin.

[PAXboy]

BA still not learnt their lesson about their truly awful IT set up. More flights canx and delyaed due to a 'glitch'. They need to bite the bullet and spend money to fix this. They have to learn that they are an IT company who operate aircraft.

[ScotsSLF]

Quite. Was on the 0915 from EDI into LHR (sorry still on at 1515) and stuck outside T4 awaiting steps and bus back to T5. Captain has no idea what is happening. Shambles

[Seljuk22]

Looks like LH group will go after BA's America business as they will lauch several new routes next summer from FRA, MUC and ZRH. We'll see if there might be any impact on BA's LHR flights.
https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/english/newsroom/all/lufthansa-group-will-expand-tourist-oriented-long-haul-program-from-frankfurt-and-munich-in-summer-2/s/40f37f2a-91b2-44ae-b83f-626f45321874

https://swiss.newsmarket.com/english/press-releases/new-destinations/s/199b3551-eb9b-4f94-b6bb-9f0bf8ff265c

[JonnyH]

BA still not learnt their lesson about their truly awful IT set up. More flights canx and delyaed due to a 'glitch'. They need to bite the bullet and spend money to fix this. They have to learn that they are an IT company who operate aircraft.

They moved their IT team from Newcastle to India and there has been problems ever since...

[davidjohnson6]

The people who do the IT for BA who are based in India - are they employees of a BA contolled company, or do they work instead for one of the outsourcing providers instead ? An employee of (for example) Infosys cares far more about what Infosys wants - and has little or no incentive to make an effort to help BA beyond what is on the written contract agreed between their employer (Infosys) and BA

[lfc84]

i think its outsourced .ie. non directly employed labour

[PAXboy]

Yes, I know they outsourced and it has been discussed in various places. They have failed to understand - as countless big companies have - what has changed. They see the IT as an adjunct when it is central. I worked in telecommunications and IT for 27 years starting in 1978. I saw how companies came to rely more on their systems but treated the staff as if they were still doing 'some batch processing overnight'. I even recall one Data Centre manager at a plc you would all know (not BA), who did not like having PCs in his centre as they were not proper computers.

[JonnyH]

The people who do the IT for BA who are based in India - are they employees of a BA contolled company, or do they work instead for one of the outsourcing providers instead ? An employee of (for example) Infosys cares far more about what Infosys wants - and has little or no incentive to make an effort to help BA beyond what is on the written contract agreed between their employer (Infosys) and BA

It is outsourced to a third party company. It moved from Newcastle about 4-5 years ago and there’s a direct correlation between this happening and multiple computer failures as well as website downtime and the data breach.

This was another Alex Cruz cost cutting measure and it’s safe to say this was a massive own goal.. the ironic thing is they’ve not saved a penny with all the issues it has caused and it hasn’t given BA any positive publicity at all.

[USERNAME_]

Appears the A350 is out of service for a few days as a precaution after a hairy go around today.

Great start.

https://twitter.com/pilot_george_/status/1160289263403053056?s=21

https://twitter.com/british_airways/status/1160313261004328961?s=21

https://twitter.com/aircmdrofficial/status/1160310776688762881?s=21

[SWBKCB]

Appears the A350 is out of service for a few days as a precaution after a hairy go around today.

Great start.

And this is news?

[PAXboy]

It takes time to know a new machine. Better safe than sorry. Everyone wants everything Yesterday.

[El Bunto]

It takes time to know a new machine. Better safe than sorry. Everyone wants everything Yesterday.

They've been in the A350 sim since at least February. They 'know' the machine inside out.

[EGAC is Better]

They've been in the A350 sim since at least February. They 'know' the machine inside out.

Is it possible a wind gust during the go around took them temporarily overspeed and that could have happened to anyone at that exact time?

The approach looks to have been broken off quite early at around 1500 feet and there were unsubstantiated rumours elsewhere that was due to a wind shear alert

Has this only been publicised because it happened to the shiny new plane that a lot of people are wishing to try out? If it had been an A32x or B777 not a single word would have been publicly uttered about it?

[SWBKCB]

Has this only been publicised because it happened to the shiny new plane that a lot of people are wishing to try out? If it had been an A32x or B777 not a single word would have been publicly uttered about it?

Spot on! It's click bait.

[DaveReidUK]

Has this only been publicised because it happened to the shiny new plane that a lot of people are wishing to try out? If it had been an A32x or B777 not a single word would have been publicly uttered about it?

I'm not so sure. An aircraft is pulled from service following an in-flight incident and fails to operate two subsequent planned rotations while checks are carried out.

Yes, the fact that it's a new type in the fleet makes it of additional interest, but I think we'd have heard about it anyway, regardless of the aircraft involved.

[JamesC787]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone knows if/when the G-YMM batch of 772s are due for refurbishment? I’m aware that all the G-VII are complete but I recently flew home from BOS aboard G-YMMG in WT+ and it’s fair to say the cabin was pretty knackered and in need of some TLC. Is this due to happen soon?

[Cazza_fly]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone knows if/when the G-YMM batch of 772s are due for refurbishment? I’m aware that all the G-VII are complete but I recently flew home from BOS aboard G-YMMG in WT+ and it’s fair to say the cabin was pretty knackered and in need of some TLC. Is this due to happen soon?


They are all due for refurbishment. However, the LGW fleet is first in line. So once they are complete the (majority of time) LHR based frames will follow. There's been various rumours of the majority YMM* fleet to be converted to 3 class only, with 10-abreast in World Traveller config and new Club World at LHR.

The 4 class 777s are expected to have first config reduced to 8 seats and new Club World installed also from LHR.

It's currently a very very slow process but much if it has been taking place during other checks using a 3rd party. Hopefully space in-house will be freed up to help speed up the process for consistency.

[Asturias56]

By email - and it looks exactly the same as the one they sent 3 months ago..... complete waste of time as you can never actually fill in anything useful in the way of real issues

Such as Catering, seats, pricing, cancellations etc etc :(

[BAladdy]

They are all due for refurbishment. However, the LGW fleet is first in line. So once they are complete the (majority of time) LHR based frames will follow. There's been various rumours of the majority YMM* fleet to be converted to 3 class only, with 10-abreast in World Traveller config and new Club World at LHR.

The 4 class 777s are expected to have first config reduced to 8 seats and new Club World installed also from LHR.

It's currently a very very slow process but much if it has been taking place during other checks using a 3rd party. Hopefully space in-house will be freed up to help speed up the process for consistency.
G-YMMG/H/I/J/K/L/N/O & P are to be reconfigured from 4 to 3 class. The aircraft will be configured 48J/40W/184Y

G-RAES/G-VIIA-N/S are to be reconfigured from 14F/48J/40W/124Y to 8F/49J/40W/138Y

All the 77W’s are to also be reconfigured from there current 14F/56J/44W/183Y to a HI-J config of 8F/72J/48W/136Y

All the aircraft will be fitted with Club suite, a 10 a-breast cabin in WT. The 4 class will also be fitted with a new F seat similar in design to the seat on the 789.

the configuration shown above are what is currently planned. However further changes are possible.

[CabinCrewe]

Looks like the F offering over the fleet will be significantly reduced. Will be interesting to see what that results in-
More Revenue seats and less redemptions and upgrades
Fuller busier smaller cabins with harder to get seats which are more expensive.
Will 8 seat F cabins appear on 78-1, some A35K, and 77X ?
A380 reduce F cabin?
I quite liked it when it was a half empty F cabin!

[Cazza_fly]

Looks like the F offering over the fleet will be significantly reduced. Will be interesting to see what that results in-
More Revenue seats and less redemptions and upgrades
Fuller busier smaller cabins with harder to get seats which are more expensive.
Will 8 seat F cabins appear on 78-1, some A35K, and 77X ?
A380 reduce F cabin?
I quite liked it when it was a half empty F cabin!

I was lead to believe that some, if not all B787-10s would be in a 4 class config as they will be flying many East Coast USA and Middle Eastern routes where First is in demand . The 777-9's are also to be 4-class configured with 325 seats as things stand.

All the A350-1000s are to be 3-class .

As for the A380, with the new "8 seat" First cabins being rolled out across the rest of BAs fleet, this could help make the A380 more efficient by better use of its cabin pace and increasing seat capacity. The 8 seat First cabin could be moved to the forward upper-deck leaving the larger downstairs section for World Traveller/World Traveller Plus. The remaining upper-deck could be the new Club World seats.

[BAladdy]

I was lead to believe that some, if not all B787-10s would be in a 4 class config as they will be flying many East Coast USA and Middle Eastern routes where First is in demand
You are correct all 12 787-10’s on order are to be delivered in a 4 class configuration. BA have confirmed that the they will be fitted with 8 first seats, however the exact number of seats to be fitted in the other 3 cabins is as yet to be confirmed.

BA have decided to only fit the 787-10’s with a flight crew rest area but not a cabin crew rest area. This means that the aircraft will be limited to the length of flights it can operate. The aircraft will be able to fly as far west as Seattle and as far east as Delhi and Mumbai. Heard yesterday that the first 787-10 route is going to be Atlanta followed by Houston and Newark. Although this is yet to be officially confirmed.

[spacedog]

Re the B777 new config.....whati about the remaining fleet
G YMMA-F G YMMR-U are there any plans to change their configuration from 48/24/203.
would are sense to follow the rest of the ER fleet and just st have 1 configuration.

[Alex321]

Re the B777 new config.....whati about the remaining fleet
G YMMA-F G YMMR-U are there any plans to change their configuration from 48/24/203.
would are sense to follow the rest of the ER fleet and just st have 1 configuration.

G-YMMC has already been refurbished internally to 32/48/252, bringing it in line with the Gatwick VII series aircraft refurbished last year with Panasonic IFE and 10 abreast in World Traveller. YMM A/B/D/E/F are to follow this winter. YMMR onwards will be done after this winter.

[PAXboy]

The reduction is F is no surprise. Once C reached the Flat Bed and enclosed pod, then Firt has to offer a LOT more in this day and age.

[Rutan16]

The reduction is F is no surprise. Once C reached the Flat Bed and enclosed pod, then Firt has to offer a LOT more in this day and age.

Much more to do with those paying -x10 base fares choosing Netjets and similar fractional ownership and indeed other corporate jets these days.

[Asturias56]

I used to occasionally come across people who'd travel in First but it's several years since that happened.

As C now offers everything you used to get in F only 5 years ago why pay the extra?

[CabinCrewe]

There are differences and at the moment the two class experiences are most certainly not like for like.
Apart from the hard product/seat (For BA on A350 currently only) the seats remain different and F is better than current J.
The staff/pax ratio in F vs J is superior.
The toilet and personal space ratio is higher.
Cabin generally smaller, quieter for sleeping
The food offering is better.
For BA at LHR T5 the lounge offering is better (eg CCR) and the new(ish) First Wing private security channel is a great advantage. The J lounges at LHR are often a 'zoo' .
Priority disembarkation (eg F off first) is great at places like MIA and JFK where security is a nightmare
Others airlines differentiate even more eg LH private limousine ground transfers
FF tier point accumulation is higher in F than J

For those that appreciate these things (and often the fare difference is not massive) why would you not?

[Asturias56]

In one of the "Crazy Rich Asians" books a character goes BALLISTIC when he has to get a BA First Class flight to London from SIN because a member of the family already has gone off in the Gulfstream.............. ;)

[PAXboy]

CabinCrewe Yes, I accept all of that but even a small amount more may be too much. Also, as happened with Concorde, there is a view that companies do not want their people travelling F when times are hard. Whatever happens to this country in the next couple of months, I think the demand for top range seats will be further reduced.

[Baltic Skies]

Unless you purchase a discounted First ticket,the difference in product from Club World is not such good value.
Lounges apart,i find the BA Club World bed as comfortable as the First cabin.
The service is usually spot on,with the cabin crew in First doing a great job.
Check out the deals,some routes the fare difference is next to nothing.
Lucky to have traveled in First many times,along with Concorde in the past.
Club World is a great,consistent product,but the competition from other carriers on certain routes is amazing.
I am a loyal BA traveler and always enjoy my flights in the premium cabins

[bigjim99]

Anyone wise to whats happened with tomorrows EZE-LHR? Already showing 26 hours late..... BA closed, can't get in touch with anyone. Just what you need when paying business fares!

[davidjohnson6]

bigjim99 - try phoning the office in the USA or Australia - they will have different hours to the UK office. Granted it'll cost you extra on the phone bill, but if a flight was expected to be 26 hours late, I'd be wanting an answer fairly quickly
That said, it seems to be the flight that was due to leave on *Sunday* evening that is delayed til Monday evening. The flight due to leave on Monday evening does not have a delay marked against it. I suspect pax on Sunday evening's flight have already spent an evening at LHR and will have already been told why their flight is being delayed until Monday

[DaveReidUK]

FWIW, Heathrow departures website currently (0800L) shows " Gate open Go to gate A17 on 18 August" for yesterday's outbound flight, so that would suggest around a 10-hour delay to the 22:25L STD.

https://www.heathrow.com/departures/flight-details/ba245-buenos-aires-eze/18-aug-19

[BCALBOY]

As per BA.COM, last nights LHR/EZE was delayed overnight ,new etd 2125hrs tonight , 23 hrs delay.


Consequently,today's EZE/Lhr is delayed overnight,new etd 1530hrs/20, 26hr delay.

[BA318]

the word on the grapevine is that Alex Cruz is gone/going from BA. Apparently more tomorrow... anyone heard more?

[esscee]

Not before time, if true.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

Is he being thrown under the bus to protect Wee Willie Walsh, who after all still pulls the strings? OK that’s immature but he’s a REALLY hard guy to like, even professionally.

[Asturias56]

This latest IT fiasco is doing real damage to the "brand" - amazing they don't seem to realise that everyone will pick up the phone and want to talk to someone when they send out emails like that............

[Paul Lupp]

I booked a weekend away to Scotland to use up my Avios, returning on Sunday night, which was the day that BA chose to mark their "100th anniversary". I was hoping that there would be some sort of special souvenir to mark the occasion..... and was of course extremely disappointed to find that the "gift" was a special micro-sized piece of chocolate in a "100 years" souvenir plastic wrapper.

Ah well...... After about 30 years, maybe it's time to switch loyalty to a different (dare I say "better") airline?

[WHBM]

Lots of rumours all round the web now about Alex Cruz's departure.

[Lordflasheart]

...
Paralysed ?

I looked on the BA website for the latest news …. to find – halfway through Tuesday 27th, that the latest update was posted at 1638 on 25th – Sunday. Nearly two days old and rather seriously out of date.

https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/incident/strike/latest-information

There was no mention whatsoever of the email fiasco where booked pax had been told in error their flights were cancelled and a few hours later were told their flights were reinstated (or had never been canx.)

But - “We are currently experiencing extremely high call volumes …”

FAQ - “Where do I go for the latest information … ?”
Answer - “This page ** will be the best place to go …. ** (goes to the link above)

They haven’t asked the CAA if they can borrow any foreign registered aircraft - yet – see today's ORS2 No. 2345 - http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ORS2345.pdf

LFH

...

[giblets]

Others airlines differentiate even more eg LH private limousine ground transfers

For those that appreciate these things (and often the fare difference is not massive) why would you not?



Simply because the product is significantly behind the likes of Emirates and Singapore to the point they’ve stated their preference to take a stop rather than pay and go direct with BA. (Not myself, but a couple of people who’ve had the chance to compare the comparable products)
Similar complaints about having to pay to reserve a seat J that cost >£4K return

[WHBM]

Similar complaints about having to pay to reserve a seat J that cost >£4K return
The reserve a seat issue is a conundrum, because the casual (even in J) pax tend to book earlier, and pay a lesser fare, than the regular, higher fare, Golds and Silvers who commonly just book a few days before. And yet they can then find that all the "good" seats have gone to those who are one-offs who paid less. Highest fare, very regular traveller, worst seat.

How do you overcome this ? There's no golden way. You can do what AA do and not allow any window or aisle seat reservations for the casuals at all unless you have status until a few days out. Or you can charge, which causes a good few to wait until check-in.

[EGAC is Better]

The reserve a seat issue is a conundrum, because the casual (even in J) pax tend to book earlier, and pay a lesser fare, than the regular, higher fare, Golds and Silvers who commonly just book a few days before. And yet they can then find that all the "good" seats have gone to those who are one-offs who paid less. Highest fare, very regular traveller, worst seat.

How do you overcome this ? There's no golden way. You can do what AA do and not allow any window or aisle seat reservations for the casuals at all unless you have status until a few days out. Or you can charge, which causes a good few to wait until check-in.

I don’t think it is a conundrum at all, they have a system that works as you’ve described protecting their most loyal customers.

Seat selection is free at T-24 for everyone or purchase it in advance if it means that much.

[SealinkBF]

The reserve a seat issue is a conundrum, because the casual (even in J) pax tend to book earlier, and pay a lesser fare, than the regular, higher fare, Golds and Silvers who commonly just book a few days before. And yet they can then find that all the "good" seats have gone to those who are one-offs who paid less. Highest fare, very regular traveller, worst seat.

How do you overcome this ? There's no golden way. You can do what AA do and not allow any window or aisle seat reservations for the casuals at all unless you have status until a few days out. Or you can charge, which causes a good few to wait until check-in.

BA have an internal system that prevents the seats most popular with their Gold members being offered for sale until T-24.

[sinbad73]

Is anyone aware of when BA will start to cancel flights for 27 September?

There’s never a good time to do this but what they did last weekend was shambolic.

[CabinCrewe]

PDX Portland LHR 788 Jun 2020
Interesting...

[AirportPlanner1]

PDX Portland LHR 788 Jun 2020
Interesting...

About time. I’d personally have put this one ahead of other recent US launches

[PDXCWL45]

PDX Portland LHR 788 Jun 2020
Interesting...
Going up against Delta and their 767! Portland has some decent European connectivity now between Delta, BA, Condor and Icelandair.

[Asturias56]

Once again an invitation to fill in an enormous online questionnaire that allows me to say if I think BA makes me feel good but has no space for complaints or a discussion of the awful food service and the bone hard seating

No wonder they sail on thinking they're "the world's favourite airline" when they have proofed the system against complaints

[SamYeager]

Good job Ryanair's around to take the "accolade" of worst airline from Which. It means BA is only the second worst airline! :ooh:

[Kiltrash]

BA2272/2273 LGW to JFK is sold and seat booking as a B777 - 200 4 class seating 3.4.3 in economy. however for the last couple of months has been operated as a Evelop A330 -300 2 class seating economy 2.4.2

the reason I bring this up is that we are on this flight in July 2020

now if it continues we will I'm sure get a re seating email

question is why this flight constantly and why the shortage of Gatwick class B777?

[flyerguy]

BA2272/2273 LGW to JFK is sold and seat booking as a B777 - 200 4 class seating 3.4.3 in economy. however for the last couple of months has been operated as a Evelop A330 -300 2 class seating economy 2.4.2

the reason I bring this up is that we are on this flight in July 2020

now if it continues we will I'm sure get a re seating email

question is why this flight constantly and why the shortage of Gatwick class B777?


Due to the 787 issues out of LHR. Some LGW 777’s have gone up to LHR to help the operation.

[Alex321]

BA2272/2273 LGW to JFK is sold and seat booking as a B777 - 200 4 class seating 3.4.3 in economy. however for the last couple of months has been operated as a Evelop A330 -300 2 class seating economy 2.4.2

the reason I bring this up is that we are on this flight in July 2020

now if it continues we will I'm sure get a re seating email

question is why this flight constantly and why the shortage of Gatwick class B777?

The JFK route is normally scheduled to operate on a GE 777 in a 3 class configuration of 32/52/252. Occasionally the 3 class RR 777 in 32/48/252 or the GE 777 4 class in 14/48/40/136 are used but the 3 4 class 777 aircraft are mainly tied up with the BGI/UVF/BDA as they are first class routes. Any other routes out of LGW with the 4 class 777 operating (they do operate frequently on ANU) the first cabin is sold as a business product. Particularly in winter schedules and during aircraft maintenance the 4 class GE 777 do move around the routes and occasionally get seen on MCO/KIN/CUN etc infrequently.

As flyer guy has said due to ongoing 787 engine issues one of the LGW 3 class GE 777 is currently based at LHR solely covering the BWI route daily. The Evelop lease is due to end mid Jan and the route due back on BA metal after the annual pause to the route for a few weeks end of Jan/start of Feb.

[Kiltrash]

Many thanks. Makes sense was/am hoping we get a sub A350 … Chance / Fat

[insuindi]

As a regular on the BA LHR-HAJ services I wondered whether this route is in fact the busiest London (all airports) to Continental Europe destination served by only BA (currently 12/7, from Summer 2020 up to 19/7). Who would know better than this forum? :) any takers?

[occasional]

Is the BA website down ? It keeps telling me that it cannot find any flights.

[pabely]

Is the BA website down ? It keeps telling me that it cannot find any flights.
No problems here!

[occasional]

I have now got it to show my outgoing flight but when I ask for the return it says that they do not exist - despite my having made a relevant booking earlier in the day.
And on the 1st. Jan. I managed to make the second booking.

[ETOPS]

The BBC is reporting that Willie Walsh is retiring as head of IAG w.e.f. 30th June. Some Spanish bloke will take over.

[inOban]

'Some Spanish Bloke' is of course Luis Gallego, the head of Iberia.

[VickersVicount]

'Some Spanish Bloke' is of course Luis Gallego, the head of Iberia.
Hope he has some new /different views to Alex Cruz

[Dan Dare]

In some parts Gallego means “some Spanish bloke”. I like to think ETOPS knows this.

[inOban]

According to Google, it means a Gallician. Given their Celtic-influenced culture, I doubt they like being called Spanish at all!

[jensdad]

I can confirm that in South America, the term 'Gallego / Gallega' was (and maybe still is, I'm not sure on that bit) used to refer to any Peninsular Spaniard. I think the idea that their culture is more Celtic-influenced as anybody else's in Western Europe seems to be a modern invention based on the fact that they're on the Western seaboard of Europe. Their language is definitely Romance. But I wouldn't say those last two sentences on a dark night in Vigo :)

[ROC10]

BA have suspended all direct flights to/from China until at least Friday (31st).

[PAXboy]

An 18+ hour delay to the 057 to JNB last night has gotta hurt the pax. Not too many spare 380s lying around.

[giblets]

See BA are juggling the fleet a bit, presumably with the spares from China.
Sao Paulo upgauge from 773 to 744, anyone know which layout that will be?

[wallp]

I wonder, could coronavirus speed up the retirement of BA’s remaining 747 fleet?

[kcockayne]

I wonder, could coronavirus speed up the retirement of BA’s remaining 747 fleet?
Yes. But, I wasn’t allowed to use so few words in my reply !

[Spanish eyes]

In the weeks and months to come let’s not forget that BA kicked off when Flybe were offered state aid.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/15/owner-of-british-airways-files-complaint-over-flybe-bailout

[spacedog]

I wonder, could coronavirus speed up the retirement of BA’s remaining 747 fleet?
as things currently stand with the price of oil so low, all the 747 are bought and paid for BA will keep them running till the oil price recovers and they become uneconomical to run.

[PAXboy]

In February on a 744 return from CPT, the old girl went tech (an engine sensor that had become senseless) and we were delayed for 25 hours. That cost them a very considerable amount of hotac and €600 euros per pax.There were some 300+ pax on that flight - we were already boarded and doors closed. Then 90 mins delay as problem only found at start up. Then canx. BA paid up promptly but that is well over £160,000 in one hit before Hotac and crew costs. I know they have insurance against these things but that was a heavy price to pay for the old lady.

Incidentally, it made me wonder how many that voted for Brexit also voted to leave EU.261 :}

[clipstone1]

Its highly unlikely that EU261 paymrnts are insured. Its almost impossible thing to insure. A few products were available largely based on the average of the ladt 3 years cost plus a bit of profit for insurers. Pretty much no airline was interested for obvious reason.

[Sotonsean]

as things currently stand with the price of oil so low, all the 747 are bought and paid for BA will keep them running till the oil price recovers and they become uneconomical to run.

Well KLM announced on Friday 13 March that they are bringing forward the retirement of their fleet of Boeing 747's due to the downturn in air travel. They are being withdrawn from service and will be phased out by the end of March 2020. KLM initially planned to keep the Boeing 747 in their fleet through to 2021.

I wouldn't guarantee that British Airways will keep their fleet of Boeing 747's in service for longer than was originally planned regardless of the fact that they are fully paid for.

They might be bought and paid for but they are definitely not economical to run compared to newer twin engined aircraft in their fleet.

With the USA banning all flights from Europe including the UK British Airways will be particularly hard hit and the fact that they use the Boeing 747 primarily to the USA I can't see the airline keeping them in service for much longer especially with the sharp decrease in air travel.

I hate to say it but I think that the days of the British Airways Boeing 747 fleet are numbered and they will over sooner than many expected.

Expect an announcement by British Airways very soon confirming it similar to that of KLM.

I've yet to see the British Airways BOAC "retro" B747, I need to see that before it's too late 😥

[Buster the Bear]

Staff meeting on Monday with management I understand where Mr Cruz plans will be revealed.

[PAXboy]

I agree that the 744s may be amongt the first to be laid up, particularly with such reduced head counts. I had very much hoped that our sector from CPT would be G-BYGC.

[irishlad06]

I agree that the 744s may be amongt the first to be laid up, particularly with such reduced head counts. I had very much hoped that our sector from CPT would be G-BYGC.

maybe not though because with current fuel rates these aircraft are paid for fully so just become a whole lot cheaper to operate

[ZFT]

maybe not though because with current fuel rates these aircraft are paid for fully so just become a whole lot cheaper to operate

But where to?

[KelvinD]

I agree that the 744s may be amongt the first to be laid up,
G-CIVM is due to fly to St Athan later today. It was originally due for a C check but it was decided a mercy killing might make more sense!

[Sotonsean]

G-CIVM is due to fly to St Athan later today. It was originally due for a C check but it was decided a mercy killing might make more sense!

I hate to say it but we have to face reality in these unprecedented times and I think that there will more to come in the next few weeks.

[TURIN]

75% cut in flights. Walsh to carry on at IAG until things settle down.

Good luck everyone.

[flyerguy]

75% cut in flights. Walsh to carry on at IAG until things settle down.

Good luck everyone.

Sky News just reporting it’s 75% of US flights.

[Peter47]

If the virus is brought under control over the summer (and that is a very big if) there could be an autumn rebound with people who have cancelled holidays or deferred quickly rebooking and airlines might be looking at reactivating stored aircraft. If it is not contained then they will never fly again. Having plans to cope with a range of outcomings will be another major problem for airline management.

[goldeneye]

See some of the BA Cityflyer Embraers are been flown to SEN and NWI over the weekend to be parked up.

[Mark J Bowcock]

Just had an email from British Airways to say my flight on 15th April to Los Angeles is operating as normally. But I can apply for a voucher if I don’t want to travel. I’m really confused nfused as the travel ban to USA takes us past this date. Or do they want people to accept vouchers and not refunds!

[Trinity 09L]

Would HAL be charging BA and others parking costs at Heathrow?

[davidjohnson6]

There will probably be some sort of parking charge, but likely to be much less than the usual cost
The cost should be a bit more than what it would cost BA to fly their aircraft to Doncaster and park them there instead

[caaardiff]

Plenty of ramp space at BAMC and adjacent disused taxiways at CWL which have been used to park up aircraft in the past.

[billyg]

Glasgow expecting several BA aircraft for storage tomorrow !

[Dannyboy39]

Alex Cruz on Friday stating it was a fight for survival.

IAG saying today they have £9bn in the bank. If I was working for IAG in normal times and knew they had that nest egg stowed away... it's a bloody ostrich egg.

Not letting a good crisis going to waste?

[wiggy]

Just had an email from British Airways to say my flight on 15th April to Los Angeles is operating as normally. But I can apply for a voucher if I don’t want to travel. I’m really confused nfused as the travel ban to USA takes us past this date. Or do they want people to accept vouchers and not refunds!

Another complication here is that It is not an absolute "travel ban". For all BA know you might be in one of the groups that is still able to enter to the US...

[bcn_boy]

I received something similar for my trip to Beirut. Lebanon is in complete lockdown and is banning all direct flights from many nations including the U.K. even if I travel on 10th April I will be put into isolation when I arrive. I expect BA to have cancelled and refunded my flight not offer me a voucher.

[Mark J Bowcock]

Another complication here is that It is not an absolute "travel ban". For all BA know you might be in one of the groups that is still able to enter to the US...

I’m a UK citizen and I’ve travelling for a holiday. I can’t go....

[NickBarnes]

See some of the BA Cityflyer Embraers are been flown to SEN and NWI over the weekend to be parked up.

Indeed now 7 parked up at NWI and 3 at Southend, so leaves about 8 in the Citiflyer fleet actually flying?

[egnxema]

Where else will BA be storing grounded aircraft?

[whitelighter]

Indeed now 7 parked up at NWI and 3 at Southend, so leaves about 8 in the Citiflyer fleet actually flying?

bit more than that. Current fleet is around 26 with recent additions.

so 10 parked leaves 16 flying

a few on the ramp tonight

[NickBarnes]

bit more than that. Current fleet is around 26 with recent additions.

so 10 parked leaves 16 flying

a few on the ramp tonight

Ah thank you thought it was a bit more

[VickersVicount]

Glasgow expecting several BA aircraft for storage tomorrow !
Looks like some A321s. Will be a bit of a sad sight.

[Severn]

Positioning to GLA from LGW today for storage
A320 - G-MIDT

Positioning to GLA from LHR today for storage
A321 - G-EUXC
A321 - G-EUXG
A321 - G-EUXH
A321 - G-EUXK
A321 - G-EUXL
A321 - G-EUXM

[Alchad]

Just had an email from British Airways to say my flight on 15th April to Los Angeles is operating as normally. But I can apply for a voucher if I don’t want to travel. I’m really confused nfused as the travel ban to USA takes us past this date. Or do they want people to accept vouchers and not refunds!

I was due to fly to Vegas on 25 March, have had emails up to and including yesterday from BA Executive Club along similar lines, However On Saturday I had an email from BA Holidays saying

As you may already be aware, your travel dates and destination have been affected by measures introduced in response to coronavirus COVID-19. We are sorry to advise that this means we are unable to provide your British Airways Holidays arrangements as originally booked.

We are currently receiving exceptionally high call volumes as a result of this, and are very sorry if you have been unable to contact us by phone. If you have already been in touch with us to rearrange your travel plans, thank you for your patience, and please disregard this message.

We will be processing a full refund of your British Airways Holidays. This will be returned to your original payment card within the next 7 days, but may take a few more days to show on your statement.

Looks like one part of BA isn' talking to the other.

Alchad

[Wycombe]

3 777's currently en-route LHR to HAV (not a BA destination as far as I know) under BAW9xxx flight no's

Assume these are charters/rescue flights of some sort? - cruise ship pax perhaps?

[Mark J Bowcock]

Mine is flight only to Los Angeles which I have booked through a Travel Agent. Trying to get through to them is non existent. I just want to cancel and get a refund.

[spacedog]

3 777's currently en-route LHR to HAV (not a BA destination as far as I know) under BAW9xxx flight no's

Assume these are charters/rescue flights of some sort? - cruise ship pax perhaps?

I believe they are related to a rescue mission for a cruise. I think on behalf of Fred Olsen

[paully]

3 777's currently en-route LHR to HAV (not a BA destination as far as I know) under BAW9xxx flight no's

Assume these are charters/rescue flights of some sort? - cruise ship pax perhaps?

Think its FCO arranged. One ship to evacuate is Fred Olsens Braemar that has quite a few on board who have the virus..Been at sea due to nowhere prepared to accept it until Cuba stepped in as a humanitarian gesture. Maybe other ships making for there as well.

[Gurnard]

Yes, two 777-300s and one 777-200 are en-route to HAV to bring back cruise pax tomorrow. Also two 777-200s are heading for Punta Cana (from LGW) to operate repatriation flights.

[ROC10]

Think its FCO arranged. One ship to evacuate is Fred Olsens Braemar that has quite a few on board who have the virus..Been at sea due to nowhere prepared to accept it until Cuba stepped in as a humanitarian gesture. Maybe other ships making for there as well.

Yes, it was announced that British citizens on the Braemar are to be brought back today.

[crewmeal]

The ship concerned has been allowed to dock in Cuba hence the flights.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

The three B777s are as reported bringing back the cruise passengers, those that might have symptoms or need isolation are being brought back by separate means by the UK government.

[Alchad]

I had the same communication, and was due to travel on a BA Holiday this month. I received an e-mail on Saturday saying a refund is being issued as they can no longer provide the holiday. I received a further e-mail on Monday morning saying the flight is going to head and to re-arrange or request a voucher. 10 mins later I had a voice mail from them asking to get in touch.

I got through this morning as the call centre opened, and they say a refund has been issued. They admitted the e-mail yesterday was mistakenly sent to everyone where as those who had already received an e-mail notification of a refund should have been omitted from it.

My refund was deposited in my bank today.

Alchad

[Sotonsean]

www.simpleflying.com/heathrow-terminal-4-closure/amp/

Terminal closures with Terminal 4 more than likely closing and British Airways consolidating their flights at Terminal 5.

Who could have imagined this scenario happening only a few weeks ago.

There were a few poster's, well two actually who were suggesting from one of my posts that British Airways wouldn't retire their fleet of Boeing 747's because they were "bought and paid for and were cheap to run because of the lower price of oil". I hate to say it but I told you so.

Very sad situation, it's all turned into a complete and utter nightmare for all concerned. How long it will take to get over this situation is anyone's guess, probably years tbh.

[EI-BUD]

www.simpleflying.com/heathrow-terminal-4-closure/amp/

Terminal closures with Terminal 4 more than likely closing and British Airways consolidating their flights at Terminal 5.

Who could have imagined this scenario happening only a few weeks ago.

There were a few poster's, well two actually who were suggesting from one of my posts that British Airways wouldn't retire their fleet of Boeing 747's because they were "bought and paid for and were cheap to run because of the lower price of oil". I hate to say it but I told you so.

Very sad situation, it's all turned into a complete and utter nightmare for all concerned. How long it will take to get over this situation is anyone's guess, probably years tbh.
This makes no sense.
BA have a much lower demand now and have plenty of twin jets which but significantly less fuel than 747. Irrespective of the fuel price the reality is that they will want to operate the unit that will burn less fuel. The newest long haul twin jets are in the fleet and cannot be sent back!!! If that were so, then using the 747s at lower fuel unit cost would make sense. But that's not possible!

[Trinity 09L]

There will probably be some sort of parking charge, but likely to be much less than the usual cost
The cost should be a bit more than what it would cost BA to fly their aircraft to Doncaster and park them there instead
BA have certainly stored aircraft around UK now, so HAL have lost parking revenue. One A320 took a leisurely trip to BOH via Poole harbour today.

[Alex321]

BA have certainly stored aircraft around UK now, so HAL have lost parking revenue. One A320 took a leisurely trip to BOH via Poole harbour today.

11 BA short haul aircraft flying into BOH today plus another 10 tomorrow. Others have already gone there in the past few days. CWL have received a number of aircraft in the past few days too.

[Dropoffcharge]

11 BA short haul aircraft flying into BOH today plus another 10 tomorrow. Others have already gone there in the past few days. CWL have received a number of aircraft in the past few days too.
This is great news for CWL and BOH in the current situation, although probably not massive sums, any parking charges will help there business, just a shame SOU hasn't been able to do similar.

[DaveReidUK]

BA have certainly stored aircraft around UK now, so HAL have lost parking revenue.

Much though HAL might enjoy the revenue, there isn't nearly enough space at LHR to park BA's entire fleet.

[Wycombe]

just a shame SOU hasn't been able to do similar

Space is very limited at SOU, but even more so with 6 ex-Flybe Dashes still in situ as far as I know.

[Dropoffcharge]

Space is very limited at SOU, but even more so with 6 ex-Flybe Dashes still in situ as far as I know.

You'd think someone in management would have made a decision to move these, so the stands could be utilized for parking, is much needed revenue lost in my eyes.

[Dannyboy39]

BA are burning over £1m per hour at the moment according to reports. That is an incredible amount of money for what could be months long shutdown.

[adfly]

You'd think someone in management would have made a decision to move these, so the stands could be utilized for parking, is much needed revenue lost in my eyes.
Purely a thought, but they may well be chasing unpaid landing/parking charges for those aircraft as it is.

[Dropoffcharge]

Purely a thought, but they may well be chasing unpaid landing/parking charges for those aircraft as it is.
That maybe so, I don't disagree, but why not move them to a remote site to create space for some additional revenue??

[adfly]

That maybe so, I don't disagree, but why not move them to a remote site to create space for some additional revenue??
Fair point, only thing I could imagine is there may be contractual/legal quirks relating to accessing and moving them around.

[SWBKCB]

BA will want their a/c at as few sites as possibe - so 20 a/c at one site is better than two a/c at 10.

[116d]

BA are burning over £1m per hour at the moment according to reports. That is an incredible amount of money for what could be months long shutdown.

I wonder how long it will be before they start to backpedal over their recent boasts about their vast cash reserves meaning they don't need government support after VS called for the government to extend lines of credit to the entire industry?

[LBIA]

British Airways suspending UK domestic flights today from Heathrow to Inverness, Newcaslte and Leeds/Bradford until May

[scr1]

Inverness is closing expert for the royal mail flights and medical

[TURIN]

Please accept my apologies for posting the Scum but it is the only source at the moment because the company and TU are saying very little.
Someone in the know is obviously on the Scum's payroll.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11306604/british-airways-temporarily-suspend-36000-staff/#comments

[davidjohnson6]

Confirmed by the Beeb
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52130021

[flowerpot1]

On the positive side, the is surely a very good opportunity for BA to fit their now Club World seat on all their long haul aircraft, 747’s excepted. In normal circumstances I believe this was going to take them about 3 years to do.