Originally Posted by
TomCayman
From talking to the crew, the loads JFK/LCY are excellent, but not quite so strong LCY/JFK. Perhaps this is because business travellers have not yet worked out that the stop in Shannon isn't a negative, it in fact is just another way in which this service is an efficient use of their time.
I think you're absolutely spot on about this. I made the same comment in another thread. Most of my colleagues (in a large broker-dealer in Canary Wharf) say "but doesn't that stop in Ireland?" when the service is mentioned. It's clear they regard that as a big minus point. To some extent of course they don't know the details and many don't know you clear immigration during the stop, but one senior colleague didn't fancy the idea of not really being able to settle down to relax until after the stop - and the take-off from Shannon is a couple of hours after the take-off from LCY. Which means you have a long wait before you can either have a decent kip or get the main part of the meal service, so I think the criticism isn't without some merit.
For BA1 in particular, you can leave your office (City / Canary Wharf) around 11:45am London time and be in downtown Manhattan at 6pm, having worked on inflight wifi all the way over, and with highly attentive ground staff and air crew looking after you every step of the way.
I agree that if you're based in Canary Wharf, or maybe the City, the LCY-JFK service is clearly better if you're intending to work part of the day before flying to New York - all other things being equal, which they're not. (The LCY service is generally costlier, but on the plus side isn't affected by the strike.) Starting from a central to West London location, it's more of a toss-up if you ask me.
But I think your account is highly optimistic. BA1 arrives at JFK at 1715. At that time of day you'll be doing well if you reach the front of the taxi queue by 6pm. In contrast I can leave home in the West End at the same time (11.45am), have no trouble whatever catching BA177 and land at JFK at 1625. Now if you're not a US citizen there is a danger that the immigration queue will put you on about the same schedule as the BA1 pax - but my answer to that is to take a morning flight where the danger is much less.