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Bangkok - being prepped to be downgraded?
BA have advanced cut a handful of Bangkok flights in 2013 (2 Apr - back 4 Apr, 1 May back 3 May).
I appreciate the nature of the destination (mainly leisure), the losing of the onwards flight to Sydney, the loss of the JSA with Qantas, the 9 hours downtime in Bangkok for a 747, additional capacity in 2013 from new O/W members (QR = 3 x 77W to BKK, 1 x 330 to HKT), MH (5 x 737 to BKK, 2 x 737 to HKT), the serious competition on the route from middle eastern and asian airline, the incredible value of EVA Air for WT+ and TG in Y (and probably J / F when they fly the A380 to Heathrow rumoured to start late 2013), even Thomson to open non-stop Phuket flights on their 787 (I presume there are some people that would 'only' fly a British Airline?).
Which has led to Air France going from daily to 4 weekly, and cuts from other European airlines, and capacity cuts on Thai (2 x 747 to 2 x A340) and EVA (sporadic cancellations - despite going from 6 to 7 weekly in 2012).
Basically, I'm looking for re-assurance that these are 2 x one off well planned cancellations to re-fit old planes, and not part of a long-term reduction in services to 4 weekly flights from Gatwick .
Please tell me that this route is a massively important part of BA's long term Asian strategy? Can anyone provide me this? Also I presume the crew quite like the routing!
BA have advanced cut a handful of Bangkok ... I'm looking for re-assurance that these are 2 x one off well planned cancellations to re-fit old planes, and not part of a long-term reduction in services to 4 weekly flights from Gatwick .
It seems to me extremely unlikely that BA would cancel services one by one.
Almost surely these are planned one-off cancellations.
But whether or not they are for refits we cannot tell. They could for example be due to a special requirement on another route.
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If there is a fall in demand this sounds like a perfect route for the 787s maybe? I think BA understand the need for daily flights (see latest IAG presentation on Iberia) so I don't think they would see 4 weekly as a solution.
I guess moving it to Gatters with a connection to Phucket might be one solution but they would essentially be surrendering the EU connecting business market, only BA know how significant that is for them.
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I appreciate I will not get commercially savvy info, but more of a selfish 'please no, not Bangers' cry
I just presume of all the 50 odd 747 routes on those days that Bangkok was the most commercially sensible to cut those flights which worries me for a) Bangkok yield on BA - especially compared to say taking one off another route which has multiple daily flights.
Last edited by Sam Bee; Nov 20, 12 at 6:43 am..
Reason: Should probably add a b) - but don't have one
A downgrade to a 3 class 787 would seem more likely for this route. Yields on Europe - BKK routes are apparently very poor with LH citing it as their least profitable long haul route!
Yes - if you look at the prices on ba.com BKK seems to have consistently lower fares than anywhere else for the Far East....
A 787 would seem inevitable to me - this is the only way that BA can reduce costs (a much more fuel efficient plane), reduce capacity but maintain a daily service. Also if it gets the 787 as one of the first routes this might be a good way to sell the removal of F etc.....
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I would expect BA to put their first 787s on profitable business routes or routes where the competition is using particularly nice aircraft, not give them first to a leisure route.
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As someone else who had read the news about the cut in service on airlineroute.net which said the following
London Heathrow – Bangkok Service reduced from daily to 6 weekly during following period: 31MAR13 – 23APR13, 01MAY13 – 22MAY13
I can only hope that as someone who values the direct flight and happily flies with BA 4-6 times a year between BKK and LHR, the rumours of the cut back aren't true. The writing does seem to be on the wall though, of the last 6 flights I've taken I can honestly say I've never seen the planes so empty, less than 50% in Y and WTP almost empty. The business class cabins also looked fairly empty too.
Looking at late reward availability, of which there used to be none, now most flights have reward seats available in most cabins on a rolling basis 3 days ahead of the flight!
LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL]
BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl TH [VTBS]
THU 22 Nov 2012
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------
BA 9 LHR 22:05 BKK 16:10 +1 FS9 CS9 WS9 YS9
When the QF flight continued through to LHR and the BA continued on to Sydney, i struggle to remember a tie when the flights weren't full. I certainly benefited from a few Op-Ups.
Although I hope the route stays, I can see why, with the addition of QR and MH to OW, BA might drop it. However, I would be delighted to see a 787 on the route, as long as I don't have to fly in Y!!!
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A cursory glance at Kayak confirms my suspicions that BA are pricing themselves out of the market on LHR-BKK vs TG (approx £500 return more expensive in J!).
Also when you factor in the Middle Eastern carriers, there are many cheaper options for travellers compared to BA.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rossmacd
A cursory glance at Kayak confirms my suspicions that BA are pricing themselves out of the market on LHR-BKK vs TG (approx £500 return more expensive in J!).
Also when you factor in the Middle Eastern carriers, there are many cheaper options for travellers compared to BA.
I think though that BA are the only offering with flat beds in J -Thai's A340's are lie flat - as are EVA's. But i've seen Thai F for similar pricing as BA J - and with free internal flights.
Eva's premium economy is fab though - can be picked up for circa £700 - just don't expect a smile
A cursory glance at Kayak confirms my suspicions that BA are pricing themselves out of the market on LHR-BKK vs TG (approx £500 return more expensive in J!).
Also when you factor in the Middle Eastern carriers, there are many cheaper options for travellers compared to BA.
Not good... I quite liked the 1st to BKK and Thai onwards to Phuket, especially as I could ship with the rebreather and photographic gear for diving, even if it meant a run via LHR. CX only has a 30kg allowance and the kit is that alone and Thai only has ski slope business from DME.. Bugger!
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