Cheap Concorder Flights

[Lan Ding Gere]

British Airways staff could find themselves increasingly popular in the coming week - as the troubled airline offers friends and family of employees £950 flights on Concorde.

But the offer may not be as popular with beleaguered British Airways shareholders - who will fear that the bargain basement prices are a sign that profitable corporate customers have continued to desert the struggling airline.

Shares in BA have slumped in recent months from a high of over 250p to close this week at 140p. In May British Airways reported its worst results since privatisation 15 years ago, as the group went from a pre-tax profit of £150m to a pre-tax loss of £200m.

Friends of BA staff can pick up a return flight to New York on Concorde - which would normally cost between £7,000 and £9,000 - for just £1,650. Those willing to slum it and return on a jumbo jet can fly to New York for just £950.

"It's a complete bargain," admitted a spokeswoman. "This time of year is a particularly quiet month for business passengers and August is the quietest month for Concorde."

There were no criteria for defining a friend, she explained, although staff can only buy 10 discounted flights a year. "You can be my friend - but you will have to take me out on a few dates first," added the spokeswoman.

[corsaman]

They are indeed available - just picked up a London-Barbados-London for £1297! Outbound Concorde, inbound Clubworld B777, for my pop! His third time on it and he's as pleased as punch.

[overstress]

If the 'beleagured' shareholders are that bothered, they could travel themselves at full fare and earn us some revenue....

[NW1]

(Yet) Another case of the press dressing up a story for dramatic effect. These deals (called "hotline") have been available for years - so cannot be a "sign" of any new trend. BA staff can buy a hotline ticket for anyone (doesn't even have to be a proven "friend", so even press core are in with a chance) but are limited to 10 a year.

[Gaza]

limited to 10 a year

But it does say you can apply for more? Anyone ever tried?

There are some great WT+ offers on Hotline at the moment.

[Crash_and_Burn]

Why would the press pay to travel on Hotline? they call up the Press office and demand Concorde, First, Club travel. And guess what we have to give it to them or they moan and groan write bad articles, (Which they do anyway).

I knew I should have been a journalist, just to bad I have feelings, morals, dignity, etc.....!

Ah well

[TwinAisle]

If anyone from BA reads this who has access to these sort of Concorde offers and could see their way clear to help me organise a trip to NYC on the fabled beast for my mother for her 70th Birthday in November..... I would love to hear from them! ([email protected])

TIA

TA

[malanda]

There is (or possibly was - I'm not sure) a deal where you can get a Concorde return LHR to JFK for 1260 USD. It goes something like this:

Join Starwood hotels & QANTAS frequent flier programmes.

Buy 21 subscriptions to "Inside Flyer" magazine for $60 a go. They give you a shedload (3000?) of Starwood points for each subscription.

Convert your points to QANTAS miles at rate of 1pt=2miles. This gives you enough miles for a free Conky return.

I believe a lot of people have taken advantage of this. Try a google search for "FlyerTalk" and check out the QANTAS & Starwood BBs.

[Or it could just be an elaborate urban legend.]

[Gaza]

Or it could just be an elaborate urban legend.

No urban legend. It was taken up by a lot of people on FlyerTalk.

http://www.flyertalk.com/milesfr.shtml

[Crash_and_Burn]

TwinAisle,

did you get a positive response? otherwise I could help out.

[TwinAisle]

Hi C_a_B - sent you a private message - thx again!
TA

[Lan Ding Gere]

Blimey ,

You guys are picking up some cheap flights. I know by reading the article that this offer on Concorde is for the month of August, but do BA or any other Airline have discounted fares for First and Business ?

Just out of curiousity, what would the discount be for Business for a friend of someone that works for BA ?

[Lan Ding Gere]

Blimey ,

You guys are picking up some cheap flights. I know by reading the article that this offer on Concorde is for the month of August, but do BA or any other Airline have discounted fares for First and Business ?

Just out of curiousity, what would the discount be for Business for a friend of someone that works for BA ?

[norodnik]

Part of the reason the BA fares look so attractive is the fact that BA completly rip off the British Public.

Its the oldest trick in the book, list price of £7000 but as its you and I like you , there is an offer at the moment and you can get it for just £995

I fly all over the world and the last thing I do is buy tickets in the UK. Last month I got a fully flexible return trip on BA Concorde for £1100, complete with Mileage, points etc etc. I purchased it through BA's web site.

If you look hard enough and know the fare rules you can fly in premium cabins for a fraction of the UK price.

BTW, when I flew on Concorde I noticed that

1) BA have cut the crew numbers. Meal service still being delivered on descent, no time for duty free etc etc
2) New seats are like plastic kids seats. One Passenger was a little too vigorous trying to make it go back further and it broke (he ended up in the seat behind)
3) No gifts, which has taken half the fun away

However, the plane is still fantastic

[BmPilot21]

There's been an embargo on staff travel on Concorde since it came back into service, despite not usually being full.

I also seem to believe that before the Air France accident staff could travel one way to NY for around £500. Seems they've doubled the price! Nice to see another airline stiffing their employees for all they can get.

[NW1]

BMPilotThere's been an embargo on staff travel on Concorde since it came back into serviceI know that can't be true (although I'm not up to speed on staff travel's latest details) because we've had several Go 737 pilots visit the flight deck (after shut down, obviously) on several flights of late (I think one of them said their ST deals would be limited post-easy).

And we still regularly see staff travel codes on the passenger info. list. Not sure what the exact deal is, would you like me to check for you?

[HOVIS]

Better hurry up and use those tickets. Latest story is that the good old bent nail is to be retired end of 2004. Someting to do with the crown cracking up.

Shame really, I actually like the beast.:( :o

[NW1]

Hovis,

Pleased to report this "latest story" is no more accurate than most "stories" which seem to fester on about the aeroplane.

The current usage prediction sees the next re-life not due until toward the end of the decade. This depends on several factors (we still have 2 out of the 7 airframes yet to return to service, the first of which probably won't be back until 2nd half of '03). So even with the resumption of the double-daily JFK service, the airframe has plenty of life left to see most of this decade out without a re-life - certainly significantly further than '04.

And even then - the re-life decision could be taken and service extended on into the future. Politics and business dependant......

[Big Kahuna Burger]

<<norodnik

1) BA have cut the crew numbers. Meal service still being delivered on descent, no time for duty free etc etc ..>>


Bloody hell, its just not on is it.

Just not enough time for duty free. You could of course ask 'em to slow down....:D

[Diesel8]

If anyone want to declare me a friend, I would surely love a Concorde trip.

Always wanted to try this magnificient bird!