Dec 23, 2016, 9:07 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Baggage issues
Can I check my luggage in before my positioning flight?
It isn't guaranteed. You can certainly try, and many FTers have done this without issue, provided the longhaul sector is in Club World or First, or you have at least Silver/Sapphire status. But there is a risk the agent won't let you do this before the first leg. See this post for more options and ideas:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27654059-post328.html
Can I check my luggage in before my positioning flight?
It isn't guaranteed. You can certainly try, and many FTers have done this without issue, provided the longhaul sector is in Club World or First, or you have at least Silver/Sapphire status. But there is a risk the agent won't let you do this before the first leg. See this post for more options and ideas:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27654059-post328.html
Ex-Mainland Europe Travel Planning Guide
Jan 25, 2015, 3:14 pm
#211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Also remember there are options from DUB, with a stop in USA, and they get preclearance, which might depress the demand for via-LON flights a little.
I'd be amazed if there was even £350 of margin in a £759 economy fare for BA let alone when you add in the costs of the DUB to LHR bits.
If BA can make money flying people from DUB to LAX via LHR for 400 quid return surely at some point we'll see similar fares (adjusted for APD obviously) for us Brits? Heck I'd take something starting with a £5 at this point let alone the £4....
If BA can make money flying people from DUB to LAX via LHR for 400 quid return surely at some point we'll see similar fares (adjusted for APD obviously) for us Brits? Heck I'd take something starting with a £5 at this point let alone the £4....
I don't think BA are saying "how much does this flight cost? Then let's add 5%". They are working out what the customers are willing to pay for the route and then charging it. If that price is less than their operating cost, then they'll stop selling it. If it's a lot more, then that's how BA makes a profit.
Jan 25, 2015, 3:34 pm
#212
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 458
If the demand is there to support £750+ economy fares to the US then why would you want to waste valuable seats on the plane with £400 tickets from Ireland when you could instead fill the entire plane with ex UK flyers with a greater willingness to pay?
I guess I'm still just staggered at quite how high the prices are in relation to ex-EU. I always thought it cost more to fly to the West Coast these days because of operational cost increases rather than demand and that the £500 it cost me last time was not something I'd see again because it was physically not possible to offer...
Not a BA whinge though - everyone does it, I've just found £390 returns from DUB via LHR on VS!
I guess I'm still just staggered at quite how high the prices are in relation to ex-EU. I always thought it cost more to fly to the West Coast these days because of operational cost increases rather than demand and that the £500 it cost me last time was not something I'd see again because it was physically not possible to offer...
Not a BA whinge though - everyone does it, I've just found £390 returns from DUB via LHR on VS!
Jan 25, 2015, 3:37 pm
#213
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,970
If the demand is there to support £750+ economy fares to the US then why would you want to waste valuable seats on the plane with £400 tickets from Ireland when you could instead fill the entire plane with ex UK flyers with a greater willingness to pay?
I guess I'm still just staggered at quite how high the prices are in relation to ex-EU. I always thought it cost more to fly to the West Coast these days because of operational cost increases rather than demand and that the £500 it cost me last time was not something I'd see again because it was physically not possible to offer...
Not a BA whinge though - everyone does it, I've just found £390 returns from DUB via LHR on VS!
I guess I'm still just staggered at quite how high the prices are in relation to ex-EU. I always thought it cost more to fly to the West Coast these days because of operational cost increases rather than demand and that the £500 it cost me last time was not something I'd see again because it was physically not possible to offer...
Not a BA whinge though - everyone does it, I've just found £390 returns from DUB via LHR on VS!
Jan 25, 2015, 3:37 pm
#214
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 458
Absolutely, I'll view it as an opportunity, Dublin is a wonderful city 
Jan 25, 2015, 3:41 pm
#215
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
If the demand is there to support £750+ economy fares to the US then why would you want to waste valuable seats on the plane with £400 tickets from Ireland when you could instead fill the entire plane with ex UK flyers with a greater willingness to pay?
I guess I'm still just staggered at quite how high the prices are in relation to ex-EU. I always thought it cost more to fly to the West Coast these days because of operational cost increases rather than demand and that the £500 it cost me last time was not something I'd see again because it was physically not possible to offer...
Not a BA whinge though - everyone does it, I've just found £390 returns from DUB via LHR on VS!
I guess I'm still just staggered at quite how high the prices are in relation to ex-EU. I always thought it cost more to fly to the West Coast these days because of operational cost increases rather than demand and that the £500 it cost me last time was not something I'd see again because it was physically not possible to offer...
Not a BA whinge though - everyone does it, I've just found £390 returns from DUB via LHR on VS!
Suppose you have a fairly flat demand curve from a section of the London public. 60 per day will pay £700 for an O class return to LAX, and 63 per day will pay £400 for an O class return to LAX.
Meanwhile, you have 15 per day from DUB willing to pay for a £400 and 1 per day willing to pay £700.
If you need 75 people in O class the most profitable way to do it would be to sell 60 tickets at £700 to LON and 15 at £400 to DUB.
Maybe?
Feb 8, 2015, 8:18 pm
#216
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: BA Gold, Etihad Guest
Posts: 132
Have booked an ex-eu trip later this month. BRU-LHR-DXB. Would I be able to leave my baggage in the car at T5, then collect it to check in when I arrive at LHR from BRU, or do I have to stay airside with flight connections, taking everything with me from the start?
Feb 9, 2015, 12:57 am
#218
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North West, UK
Programs: BA GfL (GGL/CCR), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,998
Ex-Mainland Europe Travel Planning Guide
ATC02 - Yes you can as long as you have enough time to come out at T5, go to your car, come back and do a bag drop, go through security meeting conformance time requirements ready for your onward flight.
Feb 9, 2015, 2:20 am
#219
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,825
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22647026-post100.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24057835-post236.html
Feb 9, 2015, 3:26 am
#220
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
IMHO, OSL can be a pain to turn around in
There is no formal facility for Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen transfers. Allegedly, you can ask someone to escort you downstairs, but there are rarely any staff hanging around to do that. There is a Schengen-to-Schengen security check halfway down the pier past passport control (to avoid having to go into the public area), but this is often unmanned
Best case, you'll ask nicely and be down in 10 minutes. Worst case, you'll have to go all the way back to the main terminal, out through customs and back through security, which could be 30 minutes or more. If you've landed after a Norwegian 787 and a Turkish A320, then it will be longer
Personally, I would not chance a back-to-back in OSL
By comparison, I've just done a couple of back-to-backs at SVG. You walk off the plane, sit down, and walk back on. Total walking distance, about 10 yards. Total time elapsed, about 10 seconds. No lounge but free fast wi-fi and power sockets
There is no formal facility for Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen transfers. Allegedly, you can ask someone to escort you downstairs, but there are rarely any staff hanging around to do that. There is a Schengen-to-Schengen security check halfway down the pier past passport control (to avoid having to go into the public area), but this is often unmanned
Best case, you'll ask nicely and be down in 10 minutes. Worst case, you'll have to go all the way back to the main terminal, out through customs and back through security, which could be 30 minutes or more. If you've landed after a Norwegian 787 and a Turkish A320, then it will be longer
Personally, I would not chance a back-to-back in OSL
By comparison, I've just done a couple of back-to-backs at SVG. You walk off the plane, sit down, and walk back on. Total walking distance, about 10 yards. Total time elapsed, about 10 seconds. No lounge but free fast wi-fi and power sockets
Feb 18, 2015, 7:52 am
#221
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 54
I am thinking of booking ex-DUB for our next trip to DEN. I haven't had chance to read this whole thread yet but have tried a search and can't find the info I'm looking for, so am hoping someone can help.
I was planning to book WT+ and upgrade one leg using Avios if available. It's too early for our dates yet but I've been playing around on the BA website to check options. It always comes up as upgrading both flights (eg DUB-LHR and LHR-DEN) but I don't want to do that, I only want to upgrade the TATL leg. Unfortunately I don't accumulate enough Avios to be able to afford to spend them on the DUB-LHR leg. And given that it is the inbound flight that I want to upgrade, I certainly don't want to spend extra Avios on the return to DUB flight that I won't be taking!
Is there any way that I can upgrade just on the TATL flight?
I was planning to book WT+ and upgrade one leg using Avios if available. It's too early for our dates yet but I've been playing around on the BA website to check options. It always comes up as upgrading both flights (eg DUB-LHR and LHR-DEN) but I don't want to do that, I only want to upgrade the TATL leg. Unfortunately I don't accumulate enough Avios to be able to afford to spend them on the DUB-LHR leg. And given that it is the inbound flight that I want to upgrade, I certainly don't want to spend extra Avios on the return to DUB flight that I won't be taking!
Is there any way that I can upgrade just on the TATL flight?
Feb 18, 2015, 8:02 am
#222
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,970
I am thinking of booking ex-DUB for our next trip to DEN. I haven't had chance to read this whole thread yet but have tried a search and can't find the info I'm looking for, so am hoping someone can help.
I was planning to book WT+ and upgrade one leg using Avios if available. It's too early for our dates yet but I've been playing around on the BA website to check options. It always comes up as upgrading both flights (eg DUB-LHR and LHR-DEN) but I don't want to do that, I only want to upgrade the TATL leg. Unfortunately I don't accumulate enough Avios to be able to afford to spend them on the DUB-LHR leg. And given that it is the inbound flight that I want to upgrade, I certainly don't want to spend extra Avios on the return to DUB flight that I won't be taking!
Is there any way that I can upgrade just on the TATL flight?
I was planning to book WT+ and upgrade one leg using Avios if available. It's too early for our dates yet but I've been playing around on the BA website to check options. It always comes up as upgrading both flights (eg DUB-LHR and LHR-DEN) but I don't want to do that, I only want to upgrade the TATL leg. Unfortunately I don't accumulate enough Avios to be able to afford to spend them on the DUB-LHR leg. And given that it is the inbound flight that I want to upgrade, I certainly don't want to spend extra Avios on the return to DUB flight that I won't be taking!
Is there any way that I can upgrade just on the TATL flight?
Feb 18, 2015, 8:52 am
#224
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ±38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,428
IMHO, OSL can be a pain to turn around in
There is no formal facility for Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen transfers. Allegedly, you can ask someone to escort you downstairs, but there are rarely any staff hanging around to do that. There is a Schengen-to-Schengen security check halfway down the pier past passport control (to avoid having to go into the public area), but this is often unmanned
Best case, you'll ask nicely and be down in 10 minutes. Worst case, you'll have to go all the way back to the main terminal, out through customs and back through security, which could be 30 minutes or more. If you've landed after a Norwegian 787 and a Turkish A320, then it will be longer
Personally, I would not chance a back-to-back in OSL
There is no formal facility for Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen transfers. Allegedly, you can ask someone to escort you downstairs, but there are rarely any staff hanging around to do that. There is a Schengen-to-Schengen security check halfway down the pier past passport control (to avoid having to go into the public area), but this is often unmanned
Best case, you'll ask nicely and be down in 10 minutes. Worst case, you'll have to go all the way back to the main terminal, out through customs and back through security, which could be 30 minutes or more. If you've landed after a Norwegian 787 and a Turkish A320, then it will be longer
Personally, I would not chance a back-to-back in OSL
Of course you can also use the non-Schengen to Schengen facility half-way down the pier as you mention and remain in the main terminal, use lounges and then pass to non-Schengen space again when the flight is about to depart.
Feb 19, 2015, 8:34 am
#225
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,235
What happens if things go wrong?
[sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere in this thread, but I don't know what to search on...]
Scenario:
Monday am: LHR-AMS, rfs
Monday pm: AMS-LHR, start of ex-EU, same plane turnaround
3.5 hour gap arr/dep
Monday pm: LHR-XXX, totally separate 3rd ticket.
2 weeks later: LHR-YYY, second flight of ex-EU
I have put in a 3.5 hour gap to cope with any moderate delays in the outbound LHR-AMS, which would delay the inbound.
IF the LHR-AMS is cancelled (and therefore presumably the AMS-LHR would also be), would BA allow me to either pick up the ex-EU flight in LHR in two weeks, or at least move the AMS-LHR to a day the following week?
[worse case] If the LHR-AMS is delayed substantially (ie by 90 minutes or more, which is about the point I'd scrap the AMS sidetrip to protect my evening departure) would they do the same?
Thoughts welcome
Scenario:
Monday am: LHR-AMS, rfs
Monday pm: AMS-LHR, start of ex-EU, same plane turnaround
3.5 hour gap arr/dep
Monday pm: LHR-XXX, totally separate 3rd ticket.
2 weeks later: LHR-YYY, second flight of ex-EU
I have put in a 3.5 hour gap to cope with any moderate delays in the outbound LHR-AMS, which would delay the inbound.
IF the LHR-AMS is cancelled (and therefore presumably the AMS-LHR would also be), would BA allow me to either pick up the ex-EU flight in LHR in two weeks, or at least move the AMS-LHR to a day the following week?
[worse case] If the LHR-AMS is delayed substantially (ie by 90 minutes or more, which is about the point I'd scrap the AMS sidetrip to protect my evening departure) would they do the same?
Thoughts welcome