Has BA award search function been upgraded?
Dec 9, 2015, 10:05 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Here's an example of the new style. It shows how (to my eyes) the "Available" and "Not Available" is fading a bit into the monochrome background, and how the bold red flash for "5 LEFT" overpowers the whole grid, both drawing attention to itself (which is not the most important information) and making the rest of the grid less easy to digest at a glance.
I do like the 'off peak' indicator on the top date selector and I do like the new spacing on the same.
But the spacing on the section at the bottom is problematic - especially when there's a number of direct flights. I think the use of the short codes for the airports is a mistake and they should have chosen the long form (does anyone outside of a frequent flyer really understand LHR v LGW - and let's not get into the canadian versions!).
I think the inclusion of the words 'journey time' is wasted space and the separation between the date and the airport codes is similarly wasted. As is the width of the cabin area - there's a lot of spare space there.
It *looks* good on first glance, but I think they should have done some eye tracking on this (assuming they haven't) and I suspect it wouldn't have played as well as the old version.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Mar 1, 2019 at 6:55 am Reason: Image removed at original author's request
Dec 9, 2015, 12:00 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
BTW, the Avios flight calculator has been changed too, an improvement in my opinion. Now you don't have to select the fare class as the result lists all classes.
IT have had a busy day!
IT have had a busy day!
Dec 9, 2015, 3:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: EY - Gold, BA - Gold
Posts: 512
This looks consistent with the previous version that has been screen dumped. I'm guessing the Q-tips are there when the cursor is hovered over to show the airport to anyone if in doubt. The design is good for me as they've obviously made a point to try to keep it clutter-free, but obviously each person has slightly different requirements/knowledge. For me it's one of the clearest booking screens I've come across, so it's hard to fault and seems very intuitive. It's good to see BA finally moving forward as the previous/current style has been around for at least the last 10 years and looks very ugly and miserable - and kept crashing and not syncing with other parts of the site when going back and forth in the booking process. It has needed an overhaul.. hopefully this will continue onto the main flight booking pages (for each local site).
Dec 9, 2015, 4:36 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,833
While we are on the topic: is there ever a good reason (if not using an avios 2 for 1 or a GUF2 and not being GGL i.e. not having free changes) to book a reward flight as a return instead of 2 one-way singles? If you need to change 1 flight then you don't need to cancel the other and hope it is still available when you re-book.
Besides, who says that you can't change one leg of a reward trip without losing the other legs?
Dec 10, 2015, 12:49 am
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 96
Here's an example of the new style. It shows how (to my eyes) the "Available" and "Not Available" is fading a bit into the monochrome background, and how the bold red flash for "5 LEFT" overpowers the whole grid, both drawing attention to itself (which is not the most important information) and making the rest of the grid less easy to digest at a glance.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Mar 1, 2019 at 6:55 am Reason: Image removed at original author's request
Dec 10, 2015, 2:00 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Only if you happen to want to book that cabin on that flight. Otherwise, it's a busy distraction from the (visual) business of trying to distinguish a faint "Not available" from an almost equally faint "Available" on the flights/cabins that you are interested. The "what to do next" is the same in every case of availability, after you have decided which flight/cabin you want. It's not as if the flight/cabin with the red flash is intrinsically more important, better value or requiring more urgent attention than the others - but that is what the red flash seems to convey.
Dec 10, 2015, 4:56 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Dec 10, 2015, 4:57 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
I completely agree with Globaliser's comments.
Dec 14, 2015, 11:56 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
Looks like the calendar has been updated overnight too, as you can see at a glance which dates are peak and off-peak by way of a red border.
You can also search for Avios availability (direct BA flights only) for up to three destinations at the same time. I am not sure if that is new or not. If it's not then I never knew about it beforehand.
You can also search for Avios availability (direct BA flights only) for up to three destinations at the same time. I am not sure if that is new or not. If it's not then I never knew about it beforehand.