Things improving for BA? but 777s proving problematic?
Dec 7, 2009, 11:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 99
Things improving for BA? but 777s proving problematic?
I've just had reason to book a LHR->JFK->LHR at 7 days notice for outbound (9 days for inbound). The flights seem busy across the board - with the following evidence
- had to get J class both ways (typically has been "C" at this notice period, I think?)
- waitlisted for inbound
- when waitlisting changed to confirmed, seat selection on the 777 inbound already very limited - could /only/ choose from the dreaded "double bed" seats E/F.
A few colleagues going back and forth across the Atlantic have had busy runs recently too. So, as a shareholder, should I be pleased that things are picking up? Or is this meagre evidence just a localized blip? To phrase things another way, have BA over-done things by putting as many 777s as they have on this route?
Also I see that the LCY flight, which I'd love to take, DOES have C availablity, but my travel policy has blocked me from it on the grounds that it is a higher class than Business!
I am getting the first flight of the evening back - BA112 - does anyone know if this one tends to be early, late or neither?
- had to get J class both ways (typically has been "C" at this notice period, I think?)
- waitlisted for inbound
- when waitlisting changed to confirmed, seat selection on the 777 inbound already very limited - could /only/ choose from the dreaded "double bed" seats E/F.
A few colleagues going back and forth across the Atlantic have had busy runs recently too. So, as a shareholder, should I be pleased that things are picking up? Or is this meagre evidence just a localized blip? To phrase things another way, have BA over-done things by putting as many 777s as they have on this route?
Also I see that the LCY flight, which I'd love to take, DOES have C availablity, but my travel policy has blocked me from it on the grounds that it is a higher class than Business!
I am getting the first flight of the evening back - BA112 - does anyone know if this one tends to be early, late or neither?
Dec 7, 2009, 3:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mostly AUS or rural England
Programs: BAEC redundant Bronze, AAdvantage Lifetime PLT, CO, WN, B6
Posts: 6,526
Dec 8, 2009, 2:19 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GGLfL
Posts: 1,342
For me this is a big issue. Whereas I used to travel on the UD of a 747 on my monthly trip to JFK, I now am looking at the 777 dormitory and, because non-status pax are able to "buy" the best seats I am struggling to get a window seat. For me the experience has been significantly devalued.
Dec 8, 2009, 2:41 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
For me this is a big issue. Whereas I used to travel on the UD of a 747 on my monthly trip to JFK, I now am looking at the 777 dormitory and, because non-status pax are able to "buy" the best seats I am struggling to get a window seat. For me the experience has been significantly devalued.
Dec 8, 2009, 2:58 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,099
It could be - I would put money on most (70-80%) pax in J on LON-JFK having some sort of status; and furthermore, the AB JK seats are only half of the cabin.
Dec 8, 2009, 2:59 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
I wouldn't be surprised, it only takes 24 status pax to do it, really not that many at all, esp around Xmas, when many may be taking a wife over for Xmas shopping too.
Dec 8, 2009, 4:36 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 99
There are lots of things changing all at once (economic climate, seating policy and aircraft type) it is difficult to determine cause and effect.
However in my case the 747 flight has 32 of 70 CW seats assigned at T-6 days - this will be a "normal" full flight. The 777 flight has 36 of 48 CW seats assigned and is no longer offered for sale on ba.com at T-8 days. This flight will have upgrades, downgrades, bump-offs, the works. Enough to make me be sure to OLCI in good time! The main difference it seemed to me to be the aircraft change, hence my original query.
However in my case the 747 flight has 32 of 70 CW seats assigned at T-6 days - this will be a "normal" full flight. The 777 flight has 36 of 48 CW seats assigned and is no longer offered for sale on ba.com at T-8 days. This flight will have upgrades, downgrades, bump-offs, the works. Enough to make me be sure to OLCI in good time! The main difference it seemed to me to be the aircraft change, hence my original query.
Dec 8, 2009, 4:44 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: FL350, seat 0k
Programs: SK*G, BA Silver, Flying Blue, VLM, VT Traveller, PC Platinum, BW Diamond
Posts: 3,545
Both flights are pretty much full as of last week with only a few seats remaining on the seat map. Infact, you cant even buy tickets on BA.com except out of LCY now.
For me, this is great news for BA, and I dont believe it is people forking out for reserving their seats either - the UD fullness shows that.
News released today shows a 13% increase in traffic to London from the middle/far east for BA which providing all seats werent sold through a fire-sale, is also great news.
Dec 8, 2009, 5:50 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GGLfL
Posts: 1,342
Should I be happy or worried?
Just tried to OLCI for my flight to JFK tomorrow. Despite having previously reserved a seat the system won't let me check in. Travel agent thinks it's because I've been upgraded to F. Hope he's right!
Dec 8, 2009, 8:07 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Grandee (Upgraded), BA Silver, AZ MilleMiglia
Posts: 3,107