Hi and happy new year to all of you,

almost for 10 month of a miserable 2020 (since end of Feb.20),
all my Longhaul-Trips were cancelled by BA (+1 more by Lufthansa).

More and more routes show no more First Class with BA.
Especially GRU/Sao Paulo and CPT/Capetown loosing First Class
even in the WS21/22 is a real pitty.Two of the longest routes without F,
what a disgrace.South America has only 1 route, not every day, in First left: SCL
(Santiago de Chile)

Although the newer Club Suites are a really step up from classic Club World
(that I peronally don't want to fly anymore, especially on B77W dormitory)
it is a terrible downgrade for F-Flyers: 8-14 Seats in F to appr. 56 Seats
in a A351, 1-2toilets for 8-14 people in F to 3 toilets for 56 passengers in CW/CS
The first cabin with CS again too big, dormitory feeling, the second smaller cabin not useable
because of two bassinets, near galleys,toilets and noise of engines.
Although BA flight attendants normally are one of
the nicest, personal service in this environment is not really possible.

So welcome upgrade from classic club world to club suites, but steep downgrade from F to CS,
or even worse to classic CW(as CS are not guaranteed at he moment.)

For me personally, being GGL for years and Gold for Lifetime, the coming months and BAs
missing upcoming policy for so far not extendend status (so original expiry date after June20) and possible no
further extension of again expiring GUF-Vouchers, will determine my future relationship with BA.
Two main routes of mine GRU,CPT have no First anymore, so no possibility to use GUFs (from WTP to CW
would be not a good use)
I have no chance to requalify for GGL within my membership year (2 longhaul First trips cancelled, 1 for April downgraded to
CW) and no possibility to fly anywhere in the forseeable future because of COVID19 Epidemic and necessary Quarantine rules.)

So extension of Status and the chance to requalify then on my own and BA will stay my favourite airline, or just Gold (for Life)
and then I will feel free to make the best choice for each booking.As LX,LH,EK offer decent First Class on many LH-flights and QR
even has a very decent Business Class, I doubt, that BA will then be often my choice of travel.

I don't know if removing First on a lot of routes will bring any advantage in the longterm for BA:
No overbooking CW upgrade flexibiltiy for BA
Paying (me appr. 50% of First flights are fully paid) First passengers will not be happy with a 56seats dormitory in CW/CS
Status passengers with no availability to upgrade using Vouchers and Avios (only 2 seats in CW guaranteed), almost impossible
to upgrade to F on the remaining routes.

Furthermore after Brexit, LHR as a hub with connecting traffic from continental Europe (EU) could be also a problem for BA.
Less European passengers will be ready to do this without any incentives and advantages in comparison to LH,LX,AF etc.

So to finalise, I really hope that First will come backt to GRU and CPT and other routes and that BA realises that Club Suite can never be
a proper substitute for First Class (First Class is not only the better seat, there is a lot more).I really appreciate the more than due change
from classic CW to CS, but for me and probably a vast majority of premium flyers here, BA should have a proper First Class on their long haul flights.

Again all the best for 2021,
best regards,
ettrich