Is it just me or are BA really starting to suck all of the joy out of flying lately?
Feb 23, 2015, 8:22 am
#181
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 316
Well I never knew that! Fascinating. You're quite right, that looks very much like an attractive possibility. It would be really interesting to know how many people would take that up. Certainly on my radar now. Thanks for posting that link. Wonder if one earns tp's for the extra seat?
Feb 23, 2015, 9:05 am
#184
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,212
Club Europe is 3 seats in each row shared between 2 people and, unless you're in the front row only, the same face room that you would have in economy except if the aircraft is a 737 or a 767.
Therefore, on balance, Club Europe non front row seats are worth 1.5 times the cost of the prevailing economy fare at the time of booking, plus perhaps £5 for the meal, couple of quid for the drinks and maybe a couple of quid for being near the front to alight first onto perhaps a bus at an outstation.
Flying from gatwick to any destination flown by easy jet would make paying for club Europe somewhat unnecessary (unless you really enjoy the food, and ba colour scheme or need the tp's) particularly as the new Airbus aircraft are the same on the ab side at the front.
Therefore, on balance, Club Europe non front row seats are worth 1.5 times the cost of the prevailing economy fare at the time of booking, plus perhaps £5 for the meal, couple of quid for the drinks and maybe a couple of quid for being near the front to alight first onto perhaps a bus at an outstation.
Flying from gatwick to any destination flown by easy jet would make paying for club Europe somewhat unnecessary (unless you really enjoy the food, and ba colour scheme or need the tp's) particularly as the new Airbus aircraft are the same on the ab side at the front.
Feb 23, 2015, 9:21 am
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Yes calculating the extra cost of the benefits of flying CE over ET or a low cost airline makes total sense to me especially for those who know what the CE product consists of. If you have status and are short of a few bob then for goodness sake don't fly it. On the other hand if you don't have status the benefits it gives might just make it worth paying the extra for.
Feb 23, 2015, 9:58 am
#186
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,212
Talk of improving CE with a bigger seat along with improved dining is pie in the sky. If anything it wouldn't surprise me if we're witnessing the changes taking place into making it an ET+ product especially on the shorter routes.
Feb 23, 2015, 10:38 am
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
It already is ET+! I'm paying for the "plus" part, which is not what I want but it's better than just ET.
Feb 23, 2015, 10:53 am
#188
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
I'm not picky, honest
Feb 23, 2015, 1:27 pm
#189
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: BA GGL & LTG, EK Silver, HHonors Lifetime Diamond; Proudly Mucci Free - total nonsense
Posts: 862
Well, how things have changed in a couple of years or so. I remember being encouraged to hang up my BMI wings and come on in and join the party. I then recall the slightest comment made by us exiles being perceived as being negative by the colonel blimps who rule the roost over here in the twilight zone causing a hail of protest as the chaps in their blazers pontificated about us johnny come lately's calling them apologists.......
Feb 23, 2015, 1:50 pm
#190
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
To me, there has never particularly been much joy flying as a passenger anyway, other than when I have fun interactions with others (like my recent flight ex-LGW, that was good fun). To me, flying is just like a bus, except for a bit more hassles (security etc) and frills (lounge, catering, beds).
Flying, to me, is nothing more than one of the means of transport. I wouldn't consider doing it unless I need to, and I just make it as comfortable as possible as I fundamentally dislike having to be stuck in an aluminium (or composite or whatever) tube for hours.
So, no, no sucking any kind of joy out of flying for me by any airline as I never considered flying as a passenger as any kind of joy.
Flying, to me, is nothing more than one of the means of transport. I wouldn't consider doing it unless I need to, and I just make it as comfortable as possible as I fundamentally dislike having to be stuck in an aluminium (or composite or whatever) tube for hours.
So, no, no sucking any kind of joy out of flying for me by any airline as I never considered flying as a passenger as any kind of joy.
Feb 23, 2015, 2:08 pm
#191
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,741
To me, there has never particularly been much joy flying as a passenger anyway, other than when I have fun interactions with others (like my recent flight ex-LGW, that was good fun). To me, flying is just like a bus, except for a bit more hassles (security etc) and frills (lounge, catering, beds)...
So, no, no sucking any kind of joy out of flying for me by any airline as I never considered flying as a passenger as any kind of joy.
So, no, no sucking any kind of joy out of flying for me by any airline as I never considered flying as a passenger as any kind of joy.
Feb 23, 2015, 3:05 pm
#192
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Still does not make overall flying experience fun for me (only the fun aspects are fun but overall it's just a chore), although as I said, it's no different to me than riding a bus. In fact, buses and trains are far more of a novelty to me than aeroplanes.
Feb 23, 2015, 3:12 pm
#193
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
GM? If so for me being in the automotive industry for almost 40 years the signs are very similar to them around the mid 80's when they thought they could start getting away with an increasingly mediocre product and live on their old reputation while charging a premium price. We all know how that turned out.
But all indications point towards a CUSTOMER base erosion that will accelerate over time as mor epeople find the alternatives are better.
Feb 23, 2015, 3:25 pm
#194
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,212
Yes. That is why I am so pro CUSTOMER ! It was ugly. Worse was seeong it in slow motion over the years. I do not say BA or other legacy carriers are there as I do not have a front row seat.
But all indications point towards a CUSTOMER base erosion that will accelerate over time as mor epeople find the alternatives are better.
But all indications point towards a CUSTOMER base erosion that will accelerate over time as mor epeople find the alternatives are better.
Which is fair enough.
Feb 23, 2015, 5:11 pm
#195
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Fair enough if people want to be loyal to a brand(s).