Automatic Barriers coming to BA lounges
Aug 22, 2016, 8:47 am
#46
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, UK
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I could however see cross-OW changes to put constraints on guesting.
Aug 22, 2016, 8:51 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Well the way it works at these lounges - which in my view are almost as good as Flounge, with one in FRA on a par - is that there is either a scan yourself point and someone watching for any red bleeps, or a barrier that retreats on scanning the boarding pass. Again there's someone nearby to help if necessary.
There are only a few lounges where this would make sense, in that it would allow staff numbers to be reduced by 1. So in T5 it would be Flounge and the 3 Galleries Club (though B would be borderline), T3 Galleries Club, and LGW South. T3 Flounge is one person anyway. Perhaps T7 Galleries Club too. And that's about it.
For Flounge, it would improve the experience since 80% of passengers would be happy to Flash And Go, rather than standing behind the person (actually, always a male) arguing about the merits of their extended collection of cost centres being allowed access.
There are only a few lounges where this would make sense, in that it would allow staff numbers to be reduced by 1. So in T5 it would be Flounge and the 3 Galleries Club (though B would be borderline), T3 Galleries Club, and LGW South. T3 Flounge is one person anyway. Perhaps T7 Galleries Club too. And that's about it.
For Flounge, it would improve the experience since 80% of passengers would be happy to Flash And Go, rather than standing behind the person (actually, always a male) arguing about the merits of their extended collection of cost centres being allowed access.
Remember that SEN can guest spouse plus all kids under 18. BA chooses not to follow that model.
Aug 22, 2016, 8:54 am
#48
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* Not on BA shorthaul
** Not on BA HBO fares
My point is, if BA want to do it, they will. AA and QF already get an exemption for the lounge benefits domestically.
Aug 22, 2016, 9:01 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: BA LifetimeGold GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,140
I appreciate your comments, knowledge and interesting contributions but I am sorry to say that this reply is a kick in the butt of the mostly very friendly lounge agents or should I say friendly dragons. Replying that another airline is even worse is very cheap. Human interaction is very important for customer satisfaction. It leaves room for interactive communication and venting (if necessary).
Aug 22, 2016, 9:02 am
#50
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Such a manoeuvre would allow much closer tie-up between the group airlines, give some interesting operational efficiencies, and allow QR's state owners to cash out in full or in part. Their declared 2015-16 full year revenue of £7bn and profit of £600m would put them at some way under 49% of the value of IAG, especially taking into account IAG's huge cash reserve, though QR is not as highly geared, and holds some interesting other assets such as 10% of LATAM.
Aug 22, 2016, 9:06 am
#51
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Aug 22, 2016, 9:08 am
#52
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Aug 22, 2016, 9:08 am
#53
Join Date: Mar 2012
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My experience is different: I find the lounge agents at LHR and indeed elsewhere generally friendly and welcoming.
I have to admit I was thinking something similar - it doesn't sound too bad an idea to me, unlike a lot of the other recent changes.
I have to admit I was thinking something similar - it doesn't sound too bad an idea to me, unlike a lot of the other recent changes.
Aug 22, 2016, 9:13 am
#54
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I appreciate your comments, knowledge and interesting contributions but I am sorry to say that this reply is a kick in the butt of the mostly very friendly lounge agents or should I say friendly dragons. Replying that another airline is even worse is very cheap. Human interaction is very important for customer satisfaction. It leaves room for interactive communication and venting (if necessary).
Aug 22, 2016, 9:38 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canary Wharf, London
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Posts: 2,685
BA could use mantrap doors. They weigh you on the way in, and then on the way out. If you've stuffed too many packets of crisps in your carry on, it sets off an alarm and everyone comes and stares at you until you deposit your extra items in a chute.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:00 am
#58
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The target demographic is changing too. Younger travelers used to mobile technology, bar codes and the like, are not remotely troubled by the lack of interaction with others in most of their transactions.
OLCI, self-tagging of luggage, automated gates for boarding, passport gates on arrival. All of these used to require multiple workers. No longer.
For most that is a benefit. For the few who need assistance or where the technology fails (or they fail the technology), someone will help out.
OLCI, self-tagging of luggage, automated gates for boarding, passport gates on arrival. All of these used to require multiple workers. No longer.
For most that is a benefit. For the few who need assistance or where the technology fails (or they fail the technology), someone will help out.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:08 am
#60
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I don't see the problem with a barrier that understands either ticket or FF card, alongside a human for exception handling. In particular if the barrier understood guesting and asked "admit following person as guest?" (or allowed the card holder to swipe twice for entry, so their guest goes first and they swipe again), and allowed one to swipe an FF card to handle the case of crediting one FF programme and using status in another, then only oddball exceptions would need the human.
So it would be like the Fast Track entrance (except smarter because the Fast Track entrance STILL doesn't understand OW status that isn't BAEC).
So it would be like the Fast Track entrance (except smarter because the Fast Track entrance STILL doesn't understand OW status that isn't BAEC).