Originally Posted by
jbalmuth
somewhat OT: I was intrigued with JAXBA's relative optimism re the LHR - CAI service running as scheduled, and went to look at Expert Flyer to see how many seats were still for sale in the days immediately preceding/following July 4, and was shocked to not find a single Y seat available for sale LHR - CAI on any date between July 1 - 7, and literally only a single PE seat (and that only on a single date). I understand that there's not much competition on the route, but honestly hadn't expected to find it sold out. My OT query: are such advance sales to Egypt normal for this time of year? Are these filled with group tours that agencies pre-purchase far in advance, effectively replacing private charters? If that's the case, then I can absolutely see BA trying to replace such a flight with a wetlease charter (though obviously not the QR ones discussed in another thread
). Any insights would be appreciated.
I flew the CAI- LHR segment on July 4, BA 154, indeed a full flight.
There were 3 extra crew members, all mixed fleet, on the flight including 2 flight managers.
For our flight, BA has scheduled extra crew in anticipation of no shows. From what I heard from the crew on our flight they are anxious for the new contract to be accepted for it means a pay increase for them. I gather from several interactions with the various crew members that the folks that are holding up the vote are the same people who went out on strike before and lost their employee flight benefits. I also gathered that the senior legacy flight attendants crew could earn over 100k annually... I would be curious if someone could confirm that. ( obviously this is discussed in more detail in the BA forum) That is off topic.
In any event answer to your question. BA seems to be staffing the CAI-LHR flights with no problem. They are also flying their own 787-8 and 787-9. NO QR metal.