(All services need to be arranged through a travel agency, it's not possible to call BA group sales directly, please also read the upgrade offer at the bottom, VERY interesting )

British Airways recognises the needs of the groups market. Whether you are travelling as a large sports group, a film crew, or as a small business group to a meeting, British Airways has a range of products and services to meet and exceed your requirements.

Rates
If you are travelling as part of a group of 10 or more people, you can benefit from our competitive group rates.

Flexibility
Even with these great rates you can still enjoy flexibility on the bookings, which is of paramount importance to specialist markets. British Airways does not require names straightaway, once the seats have been committed to. You can also have deviations on groups or the flexibility of a Freeflow deal.

Dedicated Groups Teams
British Airways has specialist groups reservation agents who are experts in this area and understand the complexities of your business. Our staff deal with all types of bookings, ranging from mass movement of people out to a big conference, though to a small number of competitors in a sports team.

Network
British Airways flies direct to over 212 destinations worldwide (263 including oneworld and codeshare partners) from London and regional airports. Flying direct minimises time wasted at airport and ensures individuals arrive at their destination refreshed and ready for the challenges ahead.

Pre allocated seating
Preferential seating can be arranged subject to availability. On certain routes you can also book out whole cabins for your group.

Private Group Check-in
British Airways offers a dedicated desk for group check-in to ease and speed your experience through the airport. Off airport check-in is also available on request. Our dedicated staff can check your group in at a convenient location which ensures that your journey through the airport to your flight will be as smooth and relaxed as possible.

More choice
British Airways offer you a full range of cabins to meet all your travel preferences. With First providing the ultimate in privacy and control; Club World allowing you to experience the revolutionary flat bed; World Traveller Plus giving you generous leg room your own separate cabin and World Traveller offering entertainment all the way with seat back videos. Closer to home, our Club Europe, Euro Traveller and UK Domestic services offer you the ultimate in flexibility and network.

Charters
As an additional service - we can charter our aircraft to fly your group at a convenient time to your chosen destination. We also have access to a private jet service "Business Jets" which can cater for smaller groups and multiple destination trips.

The section below outlines some more specific information you will need to know when taking advantage of our British Airways Groups product. If you would like to know anything further please use AskBA or call our British Airways Groups Department on the numbers listed below.

Making a booking
You can now book groups of up to 20 passengers on all British Airways operated flights and franchise carrier flights directly through your Travel Agent

Routes All flights operated by British Airways and franchisees(excludes codeshare flights not operated by British Airways)

Applicable Fare Classes Shorthaul : N V L M K Longhaul : N V K M

Ticketing deadline As per the applicable fare rule or within 72 hours, whichever is more restrictive. All bookings which do not meet the deadline will be cancelled.

Fares available under the new proposition include Shorthaul NVLMK and Longhaul NVMK. Please ensure when making bookings that the required number of seats are available in the applicable fare classes.

To increase the flexibility of the product we also allow these groups to be made up of a mixture of these classes to ensure your customer gets the lowest average rate available. (Separate locators will have to be made for each class difference per sector)


For special groups and groups of over 20, the standard Groups process as listed below still applies.

Deposit payments
Once the group space has been confirmed with British Airways, a deposit is required. This deposit will either be 10% of the rate quoted or £10.00 per passenger (whichever amount is the greater).

The deposit deadlines are varied depending on the travel date, and the length of booking period:

Booking time prior to departure Date your deposit is due
Over 6 months 6 months before travel
3 - 6 months Within 1 month of booking
2 months - 5 weeks Within 2 weeks of booking
Within 5 weeks Full payment required within 5 days of booking

Deposits can either be paid by cheque, or for IATA Agencies by signing an Agent's Debit Memo (ADM).

Full Payment/Names
All passenger's names and full payment on group bookings are due 5 weeks prior to departure.

IATA Agencies:

Names must be supplied 5 weeks before departure and tickets issued thereafter.

If a cancellation is made once names have been received but tickets have not yet been issued, there will be a full cancellation charge.

If you are unable to supply names 5 weeks before travel, you must pay in full and may advise names no later than 5 days before departure.


Non-IATA Agencies:

Passenger names and full payment must be received by British Airways 5 weeks before travel.

If you are unable to supply names you must pay in full and can then advise names no later than 5 days before departure.


Our commitment to you

We will send you a confirmation letter detailing the flights booked, deposit amounts and payment due dates.

We will send you a receipt for your deposit. It is your responsibility to contact us if you have not received this receipt within 5 days of posting.

7 weeks before travel we will send you a 'names and payment' reminder.


Please Note. It is important to remember that tickets issued at BA group rates are non-refundable and non-changeable.



Upgrades for Group Travel to World Traveller Plus or Club World or Club Europe
Selling: 01 Sep 02 - 31 Aug 03
Travel: 01 Jan 03 - 30 Nov 03

For new and existing group bookings, you may upgrade up to 50% of the group into Club Europe, Club World or World Traveller Plus at the following levels :

World Traveller Plus
GBP200 per sector supplement on top of the World Traveller group fare paid (all routes excl. East Coast USA).
GBP150 per sector supplement on top of the World Traveller group fare paid (East Coast USA plus UK-Australia per sector-see below)
eg. LHR-SIN = 1 sector, LHR-SIN-SYD = 2 sectors, LHR-SYD = 2 sectors so GBP300 o/w

Club World
GBP500 per sector supplement on top of the World Traveller group fare paid (all N.Atlantic/Lacar/M.East/Africa).
GBP750 per sector supplement on top of the World Traveller group fare paid (Far East, international flts only)
GBP1000 per sector supplement on top of the World Traveller group fare paid (Australia, international flts only)

Club Europe
Simply double the Euro Traveller group fare paid to travel in Club Europe