FrancisA

I for one take the train in preference to a DOM flight precisely because there is no CE cabin.

If BA are now going to offer CE, I would expect it to be the same as CE on JER, BRU or CDG.

Why would BA want to do anything different?

80 TPs to Man with Champagne and a salad. What's not to like?

Skipcool3

West coast rail every time. At least my knees won't be wedged against the seat in front...

gms

I guess we just have to wait and see. However, logically you would expect that a domestic Club Europe flight will offer the same TPs as the standard CE routes. Indeed some of the domestic routes will be longer flights compared to existing routes such as JER, CDG, BRU, AMS, LUX, DUB, etc. Although knowing BA they don't always follow logic these days! But it would just be odd to offer reduced TPs on longer routes for the same cabin service!

Or maybe BA will see this as an opportunity to create a reduced TP earning band that will impact other established routes too! I'd better not give them any ideas there

kanderson1965

Same for me on the east coast. Choice of direct HT or change at DON for VTEC with 1st class advance return from around £60 to £70 complete with food. No contest.

Calchas

"I" class is business class on all other flights. If they introduce a revenue business product presumably they will need several buckets for it, such as J/C/D/R/I.

arbitrary

I can't help but feel this is a genuine enhancement. And the added bonus that there should now be another 2 reward seats available on every flight.

KARFA

Those classes already exist on domestic flights.

Cymro

Meh. It'll be a bit pointless as a standalone product but it has its own logic for connecting traffic and those who demand Club at any cost.

I barely fly domestic anyway so it won't affect me but there will be good sale fares, probably better availability for short notice redemptions (EDI/GLA?) and it helps some people out.

If I were a regular economy commuter with status and a fondness for row 1 might be annoyed though.

gms

But then you could say the same about a good number of existing CE routes.

There are plenty of people sitting in CE on flights to CDG, BRU, AMS, etc. Some will be connecting, others will just be going point-to-point. There will be people who have business class travel policies, people who just value a bit more space and of course crazy FlyerTalkers!

hcuk94

Well, I've mixed views.

I like the idea of having a fare which means I can pay the fare and not have to worry about extra charges for food, bags, etc etc. That is what originally drew me to BA vs the LCCs. You know that once you've bought the ticket, you're sorted.

I like the idea of being able to get my domestic breakfast back, though despite my love of the current one, the quality will have to improve if it is to be a J offering. Maybe it'll just a free M&S bacon roll?

But then on the other hand, my employer isn't going to pay for business class on an hour-long flight to GLA, which means I will lose my front row seat, which is a massive disadvantage to me.
What they *will* pay for is first class on a 4.5 hour train journey (our policy is J over 4 hours in the air, 1st over 2 hours on the train), so that becomes even more appealing.

BA have irritated me enough recently that I have stopped using them exclusively. Tomorrow I'm going on my first EZY flight in 6 years (admittedly a flexi ticket to ease myself in gently), and recently I've been rolling around the country on Pendolinos which has been most enjoyable in first class.

So ultimately I think it might be another nail in the coffin for me flying BA domestically. Funny, a year ago I wouldn't have dreamt of not flying BA to Scotland. Now I'm enjoying trying all the different ways I can get there.

IAMORGAN

This is good - more space and upgraded service (until we find CE is now £5 from the snack trolley due to customer demand).

allturnleft

Agree entirely
Well overdue

Always thought BA domestic was a positively horrible experience; rammed into 3:3 seating; actually prefer flybe for domestic at present

sigma421

Are we entirely certain that by this we mean Band 1 CE? There's a bit of me that wonder if, faced with the revenue loss of flying at least 6 empty seats on every flight, BA invents Club UK. Exactly the same as economy but with a CE salad and drinks trolley. 3-3 seating for all.

simons1

In theory it makes sense. In practice I wonder if it really will be 80TP. 8 CE returns to Manchester = silver - that might not be what BA is trying to achieve in terms in lounge usage etc.

gms

I've never really understood the obsession with front row seats. Yes, it's nice to be off quickly, but I think people who use terms like "massive disadvantage" when the choice will probably be a row 5 or 6 further back are exaggerating the
inconvenience somewhat. Unless I'm missing some "massive" advantage.

Just to add some context. I'm 6'2" and prefer to sit in row 2 or 3 rather than 1, simply so I can have easy access to my hand luggage under the seat in front and avoid the need to hunt for luggage rack space further back.