Odds n Sods
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Son of Slot
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: London
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Heathrow, airlines appeal regulator's landing fee cut Reuters
Heathrow, airlines appeal regulator's landing fee cut Reuters
LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - A cut to the fees Britain's Heathrow can charge airlines faces separate appeals from the airport and two of its biggest carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Britain's busiest airport says that investment will be undermined without a rise in fees, while the airlines argue that even with the cut, the fees are still excessive and Heathrow remains one of the world's most expensive hubs.
Heathrow was told by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in March that fees would need to fall during the 2024-26 period. Under the plan, Heathrow charges would drop to about 25.43 pounds per passenger in nominal terms over that period.
But in the latest chapter in a years-long battle between the airport and its customers, airlines say the CAA has not gone far enough. Both sides are appealing its decision.
Britain's busiest airport says that investment will be undermined without a rise in fees, while the airlines argue that even with the cut, the fees are still excessive and Heathrow remains one of the world's most expensive hubs.
Heathrow was told by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in March that fees would need to fall during the 2024-26 period. Under the plan, Heathrow charges would drop to about 25.43 pounds per passenger in nominal terms over that period.
But in the latest chapter in a years-long battle between the airport and its customers, airlines say the CAA has not gone far enough. Both sides are appealing its decision.

Joined: Jan 2009
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: Oxon
Can anyone advise on the photographic opportunities from the Concorde Lounge LHR?
Last year, I used the excellent Virgin Clubhouse, and they had a great little outside area where I could photograph departing ac. Next month, I am flying first one way with BA down to JNB on the A380 (wanted to try it and compare the lounge to Virgins excellent Clubhouse), and so wondered if similar photographic opportunities are available in that area?
Ta.
Last year, I used the excellent Virgin Clubhouse, and they had a great little outside area where I could photograph departing ac. Next month, I am flying first one way with BA down to JNB on the A380 (wanted to try it and compare the lounge to Virgins excellent Clubhouse), and so wondered if similar photographic opportunities are available in that area?
Ta.
Thread Starter
Son of Slot
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From: London
I have not been in that Concorde lounge - only the previous one in T4. However, I found this photo on a web site that (to assign any copyright) I also link.
Do please report back and add any photos that you take.

from Major Foodie com
Do please report back and add any photos that you take.

from Major Foodie com

Joined: Jan 2009
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 291
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From: Oxon
I have not been in that Concorde lounge - only the previous one in T4. However, I found this photo on a web site that (to assign any copyright) I also link.
Do please report back and add any photos that you take.
from Major Foodie com
Do please report back and add any photos that you take.
from Major Foodie com
Will let you know.
Paxing All Over The World


Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
This in the USA:
Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes
Business Insider
Being cynical, I'm not sure how much of the investment in the 'lobby experience' is about saving money. However, if they make it work, we might see more of this on our side of the pond.
Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes
Alaska Airlines has started removing kiosks to print boarding passes at airports, as part of a $2.5 billion investment in its passengers' "lobby experience."
The goal is to get passengers "through the lobby and to security in 5 minutes or less," according to a recent press release, and have them download their boarding passes on the app, or print them at home to save time.
"The reality is our lobbies are hugely congested," Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in an April call discussing earnings results. "And what we're finding is at least a 10-point increase in people coming prepared to the lobby, checked in already, even paid for their bag."
The goal is to get passengers "through the lobby and to security in 5 minutes or less," according to a recent press release, and have them download their boarding passes on the app, or print them at home to save time.
"The reality is our lobbies are hugely congested," Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in an April call discussing earnings results. "And what we're finding is at least a 10-point increase in people coming prepared to the lobby, checked in already, even paid for their bag."
Being cynical, I'm not sure how much of the investment in the 'lobby experience' is about saving money. However, if they make it work, we might see more of this on our side of the pond.
Last edited by PAXboy; 25th April 2023 at 10:36.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 906
Likes: 102
From: Southampton
I've recently flown Emirates from LHR. I'd printed out my boarding passes before I travelled.
When I arrived, I then had to print out luggage labels before I went to drop the bags off. A new boarding pass was included.
Then I had to go to the drop off, where all my documents were checked.
I may as well have gone straight to the check-in desk in the first place. Like we used to do...
When I arrived, I then had to print out luggage labels before I went to drop the bags off. A new boarding pass was included.
Then I had to go to the drop off, where all my documents were checked.
I may as well have gone straight to the check-in desk in the first place. Like we used to do...
Paxing All Over The World


Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Going through LTN last October on easyJet, I found that they had deployed more staff to hand-hold pax through the baggage machines. I wondered if they had found a balance point between relying on pax to check in and print their own tags etc. and the extra delays incurred by those who were not familiar/comfortable with the process. Also, perhaps, some pax deciding to ignore the online bit and do it all at the machine, thus taking longer.
We used Alaska at SAN last month and their agent was superb and made me wish all desk agents were that helpful. On the other hand, it was a quiet time of the afternoon.
We used Alaska at SAN last month and their agent was superb and made me wish all desk agents were that helpful. On the other hand, it was a quiet time of the afternoon.

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 602
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From: London
This in the USA:
Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes
Business Insider
Being cynical, I'm not sure how much of the investment in the 'lobby experience' is about saving money. However, if they make it work, we might see more of this on our side of the pond.
Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes
Business Insider
Being cynical, I'm not sure how much of the investment in the 'lobby experience' is about saving money. However, if they make it work, we might see more of this on our side of the pond.


Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ferrara
"NOTIONAL" cost savings - change for the sake of change, technology just because it's there, no-one ever looks at the big picture. Mrs A spent years in a large UK company where "change" occurred on a 3 year cycle - but it took 32 months to roll it out everywhere so they'd just adopted a new change when the next one was announced by the Gods
Thread Starter
Son of Slot
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Yes, have seen that. Each new mgr - especially seniors - want to do what they did at their last company before they move on. They don't mind if they move on to another company or the golf course.
Paxing All Over The World


Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
It is instructive to see corporates announce some big project, or merger - only for it to naever surface again. Or, the merger is unwound DaimlerBenz and Chrysler merged in 1998 and demerged in 2007. In the process, the lawyers, accountants and those with their nose in the trough made money. Pity about the workers ...

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 906
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From: Southampton
I've seen so many new changes during my time, that have all failed and the company has gone back to doing what they did in the first place.
But as has been mentioned, the instigators have moved on to bigger things and left the chaos behind...
But as has been mentioned, the instigators have moved on to bigger things and left the chaos behind...
Paxing All Over The World


Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Wheelchair user ‘humiliated’ after being ‘left to crawl off Ryanair flight’
This at a Swedish airport following an FR flight.
They just don't learn.
The Independent

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 794
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From: England
I don't believe Ryanair or most other airlines provide the boarding/off loading service for passengers with reduced mobility. It would be a separate ground handler who would be contracted to provide it.
Not a good experience nonetheless.
Not a good experience nonetheless.




