Permanent Reduction of LCY-JFK from 31 Oct 2016 : BA3&4 cancelled.
Apr 29, 2017, 3:53 pm
#316
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
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Seems an odd comparison to make. Other than the ego boosting flight number, I can't really see any relevant comparison to Concorde here:
LHR-JFK: Scheduled Duration 7hr 45min
LCY-JFK: Scheduled Duration 9hr 25min
I know JFK immigration can sometimes see long queues, but not usually long enough to justify the extra time for the pre-clearance stop on BA1. So it all comes down to individual proximity to LCY. Just because LCY is close to Canary Wharf doesn't necessarily make BA1 appealing even if you work there, since its departure time means many people will be going straight from home to the airport.
I've always thought it was a service that was doomed to ultimately fail. Should we run a sweepstake as to when it will be cut?
Apr 30, 2017, 12:56 am
#317
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,528
9h25+20 minutes check in time = 9h45
You then add immigration, and time differences in driving there, etc.
That said, I personally think that BA started CWLCY because AF had been open about their plan to start that route and they wanted to cut the grass under their feet. At the time, AF through Cityjet, were by far the main operator at LCY. After AF sold WX last year and effectively gave up hope to threaten BA in the London market through LCY, whilst I think that CWLCY is safe for now, I don't think it has a near-permanent future any more.