Originally Posted by
clubman
I'm surprised there isn't more discussion (other than a few posts in the "who will lose First" thread) here about the upcoming loss of Long Haul product on the FRA-TLV route.
BA are downgrading the LHR-TLV to an A321 but with a proper business class and lie flat seats, better Economy class, and three daily flight yet we're all moaning about the move bitterly...
LH are properly downgrading the route to an A320/1 with European configuration meaning no proper C, after years of running 744s and A340 with proper C and F yet it hasn't created even a fraction of the "noise" it has on the BA forum (thread about TLV changes now reaching over 300 posts...).
So any of you TLV route regulars, how do you feel about it? I for one cannot see myself choosing LH for future travel and if I were wanting *A I would go for LX (well at least while they still offer a proper L/H product.
As a TLV-based SEN (and HON for past 4 years) I was quite surprised also that there hasn't been so much complaining. For me, there have been a number of changes which have reduced by use of LH from TLV recently, so I have reduced bookings this year (mostly towards BA...);
1. Reduced earning in Z class from September
2. Inability (possibly) to upgrade from Z class using my stack of e-Vouchers
3. Increased spending for business class awards to USA/Far East (last year)
4. Finding FRA frustrating, esp TLV gate which has no lounge after security
5. Reduction of HON bonus from 50 to 25% a few years ago prevented me from renewing HON.
6. If I was still HON, the lack of booking guarantee in D would be very frustrating.
So I guess it's 'death my 1000 cuts'.
My preference for past year has been LX - have made most of my trips on LX as I prefer the seat and transfer in ZRH. I am now more concerned about the impact of LH refugees on limitted LX busioness class seats, than on the loss of LH themselves. Especially Sunday TLV-ZRH and Thursday night ZRH-TLV will be very tight, not sure if I will be able to get reasonable D/J fares then (or upgrade using e-Vouchers).
Having said that, the BA alternative is suddenly less attractive also...