BA reaches the bottom

[fa2fi]

It isn't much on paper and I thought 'what are all of those people on a.net whinging all of the time about?' until it came to eat. Then I was noticeable particularly when in a block of four. The aisle is narrow too but I'd fly on one again tomorrow without hesitation. T

[Hotel Tango]

Eventually, there will be no choice. This will be the norm

And this is what has worried me for years as comfort standards continually decline. At present I make use of competitive Business Class (or equivalent) fares for Long Haul. If these become unaffordable I will simply stop flying L/H. There is just no way I'm flying 10/11/12 hours plus in a cramped Y cabin. My holiday begins when I close my front door and ends when I open it again. Many people return from holidays feeling they need a holiday. How much of that is down to the discomfort and stress of Long Haul Y travel?

[Harry Wayfarers]

Many people return from holidays feeling they need a holiday. How much of that is down to the discomfort and stress of Long Haul Y travel?

I never experience such a feeling, I'm 'picky' who I fly with, my 'picks' include the likes of Swiss and Cathay Pacific and, most definitely, exclude the likes of BA.

[seafire6b]

Originally Posted by Harry Wayfarers

I never experience such a feeling, I'm 'picky' who I fly with, my 'picks' include the likes of Swiss and Cathay Pacific and, most definitely, exclude the likes of BA.

However of course, much depends on your starting point and destination. For some of us, our "pickiness" of airlines is severely limited by practicality.

[Peter47]

Harry, I'd make the most of CX in the next year or so.

Hong Kong?s Cathay Pacific to introduce 10-abreast seating in its Boeing planes | South China Morning Post

[ZFT]

Now who will be the first with 11 abreast?

[PAXboy]

Just to lend weight to those who say we do nothing but criticise BA in this forum. This thread is titled 'BA reaches the bottom'.

Let me observe; 'Oh no it hasn't! Way to go yet.' But then, I'm a cynic who has been observing corporate culture for a mere 45 years - reckoning I was 15 when I first really understood what Big Biz does.

[RJ100]

I believe the changes affecting the 777 config is for those that operate from LGW. A few of the LHR 777 will get the 10 abreast seating but most will remain in the 3-3-3 config.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by RJ100

I believe the changes affecting the 777 config is for those that operate from LGW. A few of the LHR 777 will get the 10 abreast seating but most will remain in the 3-3-3 config.

Yes, we have already established that only 25 out of the 58-strong fleet are going to get the new configuration, so it follows that most won't.

[11277m]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Yes, we have already established that only 25 out of the 58-strong fleet are going to get the new configuration, so it follows that most won't.

You might find that it's such a 'success with passengers' that BA will want to extend the 'densification' to all their 777's.

Of course the Y fares won't drop, they just won't rise as much as they otherwise would.

[RJ100]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Yes, we have already established that only 25 out of the 58-strong fleet are going to get the new configuration, so it follows that most won't.

Well done you! You might have established that already but going through the thread before I posted I didn't see any reference to LGW fleet vs LHR fleet.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by RJ100

Well done you! You might have established that already but going through the thread before I posted I didn't see any reference to LGW fleet vs LHR fleet.

Apologies, I've just realised that the posts I'm referring to were in the main BA thread in the Airlines, Airports & Routes forum.

Reportedly it's the 8 or 9 (varies by season) Gatwick-based -200ER/GE aircraft plus the LHR-based -200ER/RR fleet (16 aircraft) that makes the total of 25 that BA announced.

All will no doubt be revealed in due course.

[DrJones]

BA is pretty much at the bottom!!!

Flew long haul on BA a few days ago for the first time in about 10 years. It was a 11 hr flight on the 747 Classic, sorry I mean the 400. The entertainment system / seat was no different from the plane I flew on 10 years ago. Unlike most modern Airlines now, the entertainment system tend to have a largish screen with an excellent choice of movies, music, games etc. Also brought my usb charger to charge my phone, pretty much most aircraft have these now, but not BA on the Classic. I have also found on Long Haul flights, paricularly the ones coming back from Asia or night flights BA hurry though the food service, then switch off the cabin lights and you never see them again until just before landing. Unlike the Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, and to some degree the American Carriers, BA are not the most attentive or the most hard working. Jump on the like of an Asian carrier, there for ever up and down the ailes with water, orange juice etc. Its a great shame our National Carrier has sunk to this low and rather then dig themself out of this low intend to dig themselves deeper!!!!

[Hotel Tango]

Its a great shame our National Carrier has sunk to this low and rather then dig themself out of this low intend to dig themselves deeper!!!!

Piss poor managers who just don't have a clue what they are doing, which in turn demotivates their front line staff. BA was once my first carrier of choice. Now they are one of the last.

[AngioJet]

I think the IFE differs between different 'examples' of the 744. Last time I braved BA, the IFE was the latest Panasonic incarnation which, although not as extensive as e.g. Emirates, did offer quite a good selection of TV, films and games. And thank goodness for that as it was the only slightly redeeming feature on that particular flight... For reference, the reg was G-CIVZ.

[HeartyMeatballs]

Id say it's anything but bad management. They've delivered consistent and robust profits and passenger numbers with record load factors. Airlines do not provide public services. They are profit making entities responsible for delivering return for investors.

They've adapted to changing markets and competition from the MEB3. People complain but they don't seem to have issues filling their flights and turning a profit.

No we don't have the national pride for BA quite like the Canadians or Australians do for their national carriers (despite being no better as a whole) but BA are still the airline of choice for many and for the others they will choose them if they're they cheapest. The amount of people who avoid BA just because they are BA is limited to a handful of people on here, airliners and flyer talk. Then you'll have the British haters who won't fly them because of their product but because of the stylised flag that they fly on their tail.

[Hotel Tango]

You might be right HM, but for the record I'm not a BA hater. They just no longer provide the Business Class product I desire for my money (and yes, it's my money), so they don't get my business, even when their C class fares are cheaper than my local carriers!

[pax britanica]

I dont mind the seat pitch as i am only 5-9 but I can see why people have problems if six foot plus and access isnt that easy.

However feelI have to put in a good word for some BA people after an experience yesterday where I had at no notice to come home early from a business trip to Paris. Arrived at Orly literally 2 minutes before check in closed and despite the gallic shrug and check in is almost closed M'sieur . The check in agent and ticket issuing agent moved ehaven and earth to rebook me when having completed the transaction their special boarding pass ticket printer failed and they literally went on a mission to get me on board - chasing up It help, borrowing a printer from another airline desk-phoning the gate and keeping the flight open for me. Were wonderful, really above and beyond, Orly handling company people but nonetheless they did BA proud.

My adventure wasnt over and after being bundled on board at the last second bag and coat were stuffed in the overhead. At LHR immigration shock horror no passport. I rushed back towards the gate and met the cabin crew on their way to another trip, took a chance and explained my plight and the in charge a youngish guy ran a long way back to gate and by the time I got there he was just emerging from the jetway passport in hand -it had fallen out in the overhead .

So BA management might be applying densification too rigorously but its nice that they still have some really decent staff-a bit of drift i know but its not all about the seat pitch and food (or lack of)

[TightSlot]

Had to smile quietly. Since retiring from flying I have been working as a Tour Manager for a company that specialises in Rail-based holidays. Sometimes we have to fly to wherever it is that we pick up the train. It ain't fun

[S.o.S.]

Welcome Home TightSlot! But, I mean to say, TRAINS???? If you mention them again, I may have to ban you from PPRuNe.


(for newbies to this forum, TightSlot was the esteemed moderator of this forum before he conned me into taking over.)