Sep 29, 2016, 2:55 am
Last edit by: Aus_Mal
This thread is for opinions on the concept of Buy on Board, concerned with the rights or wrongs of the decision to introduce it.
An information thread exists for your questions, particularly if they are on factual matters, here:
Buy on board: Information guide for BA shorthaul economy services
There is a separate thread for experiences, anecdotes, reactions and related comments, which is to be found here:
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy services
Useful sub-links
chongcao posted a comparison of other oneworld airlines' BOB prices
Not happy about these changes?
If you have an existing booking, you may be able to complain and get 1000 Avios or cancel for free until 28 days before departure. BA's complaint form.
However, in November 2016, phone calls to BA indicated that "no refunds would be given as food & drinks were complimentary and not part of the T&C."
An information thread exists for your questions, particularly if they are on factual matters, here:
Buy on board: Information guide for BA shorthaul economy services
There is a separate thread for experiences, anecdotes, reactions and related comments, which is to be found here:
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy services
Useful sub-links
chongcao posted a comparison of other oneworld airlines' BOB prices
Not happy about these changes?
If you have an existing booking, you may be able to complain and get 1000 Avios or cancel for free until 28 days before departure. BA's complaint form.
However, in November 2016, phone calls to BA indicated that "no refunds would be given as food & drinks were complimentary and not part of the T&C."
Buy on board: Implemented on BA short haul - opinions on the concept
Oct 1, 2016, 3:54 pm
#1006
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,750
BA have an added advantage for euro short haul in comparison to their fellow LCC , since after all that is what BA has effectively become. That advantage is London Heathrow. I so wonder when EZY will get Heathrow ����
Oct 1, 2016, 5:26 pm
#1007
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Oct 1, 2016, 5:27 pm
#1008
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NUE
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, SK Diamond, ITA Volare Club Executive, TK Elite
Posts: 365
Oct 1, 2016, 5:35 pm
#1009
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
AF has really improved in the last couple of years (since I stopped flying them regularly...).
If you are flying in La Première they take care of you even on the connecting flights, expect the local station manager to escort you through security, to the lounge and then to the aircraft. Can't see BA doing that at LBA for F pax
Mind you, AF P fares are astronomical compared to BA.
If you are flying in La Première they take care of you even on the connecting flights, expect the local station manager to escort you through security, to the lounge and then to the aircraft. Can't see BA doing that at LBA for F pax
Mind you, AF P fares are astronomical compared to BA.
Oct 1, 2016, 5:41 pm
#1010
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Priority Spire, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 176
I for one have never complained or been dissatisfied with the water so why are we now being charged £1.80? What a Swizz
Oct 1, 2016, 6:11 pm
#1011
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Edi
Posts: 2,203
easyJet know they will walk all over BA if they get some Heathrow slots, hence why they have backed a 3rd runway at LHR.
Oct 1, 2016, 6:14 pm
#1012
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON BCN SYD
Programs: BA, OZ, A3, VA, VS, DL, QF, former BD and others
Posts: 1,074
Lots of people saying this won't affect the flying pattern of frequent flyers.
It will affect mine - With the changes to tier points last year, it became tricky for a lot of us to retain status. I was willing to make a bit of effort for that but now I'm not going to bother. Why put in any effort to keep status now as it effectively ties me to an overpriced LCC for short-haul? I genuinely don't now see a reason to book BA over other LCCs.
And if I don't fly BA short-haul and don't have status, there is no incentive to fly BA long-haul.
I think BA have massively underestimated the damage this move will do to long haul through connecting flights and loss of customers.
It will affect mine - With the changes to tier points last year, it became tricky for a lot of us to retain status. I was willing to make a bit of effort for that but now I'm not going to bother. Why put in any effort to keep status now as it effectively ties me to an overpriced LCC for short-haul? I genuinely don't now see a reason to book BA over other LCCs.
And if I don't fly BA short-haul and don't have status, there is no incentive to fly BA long-haul.
I think BA have massively underestimated the damage this move will do to long haul through connecting flights and loss of customers.
Oct 1, 2016, 6:19 pm
#1013
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON BCN SYD
Programs: BA, OZ, A3, VA, VS, DL, QF, former BD and others
Posts: 1,074
I think many people are upset about this not least that "British Airways', although independent, carries the name of a nation, and therefore projects that name. Making SH a LCC carrier reflects that on the nation. It should be a leading (from the top - not bottom) carrier that is envied, not reviled. If Cruz wants a LCC, do so, but don't put it under the BA brand!
Oct 1, 2016, 6:49 pm
#1014
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,838
The psychology of the outraged responses to these changes is interesting.
Viewed rationally, it's a fare increase of £5-15 per sector, which, by the sounds of it would not deter many of those objecting from continuing to fly BA as they seem very price inelastic.
I assume it's either a lot of corporate flyers who will have to dip into their own pocket for their G&T and/or the straw that broke the camels back for others (the latest in a never ending list of cuts chiselling away at the brand).
Personally my mild annoyance at the drinks being charged for is offset by the ability to buy something more filling to eat.
By comparison I'm much more angry at the blatant bait and switch over the Plus fares earlier in the year (introduce a benefit, increase fares, then sneakily take away the benefit within a few months leaving fares as is).
Viewed rationally, it's a fare increase of £5-15 per sector, which, by the sounds of it would not deter many of those objecting from continuing to fly BA as they seem very price inelastic.
I assume it's either a lot of corporate flyers who will have to dip into their own pocket for their G&T and/or the straw that broke the camels back for others (the latest in a never ending list of cuts chiselling away at the brand).
Personally my mild annoyance at the drinks being charged for is offset by the ability to buy something more filling to eat.
By comparison I'm much more angry at the blatant bait and switch over the Plus fares earlier in the year (introduce a benefit, increase fares, then sneakily take away the benefit within a few months leaving fares as is).
Oct 1, 2016, 6:55 pm
#1015
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
AF has really improved in the last couple of years (since I stopped flying them regularly...).
If you are flying in La Première they take care of you even on the connecting flights, expect the local station manager to escort you through security, to the lounge and then to the aircraft. Can't see BA doing that at LBA for F pax
Mind you, AF P fares are astronomical compared to BA.
If you are flying in La Première they take care of you even on the connecting flights, expect the local station manager to escort you through security, to the lounge and then to the aircraft. Can't see BA doing that at LBA for F pax
Mind you, AF P fares are astronomical compared to BA.
Excellent TR from SFO777 currently running at
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-premiere.html
Oct 1, 2016, 6:59 pm
#1016
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
I remember when flying around Europe by air was seen as glamorous.....Paris...Venice....Nice....Zurich.... Glasgow. It did however come at considerable cost so it's no wonder it had that image as not many could afford to do it. Then O'Leary appeared on the scene and we soon found out the major airlines had been ripping the public off for years.
Given the choice between the European short haul scene pre O'Leary and post O'Leary I know which one I would choose. Those who think BA can make short haul more profitable just by making the inflight service more premium than the lowcos are mistaken.
Given the choice between the European short haul scene pre O'Leary and post O'Leary I know which one I would choose. Those who think BA can make short haul more profitable just by making the inflight service more premium than the lowcos are mistaken.
Oct 1, 2016, 7:15 pm
#1017
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
I remember when flying around Europe by air was seen as glamorous.....Paris...Venice....Nice....Zurich.... Glasgow. It did however come at considerable cost so it's no wonder it had that image as not many could afford to do it. Then O'Leary appeared on the scene and we soon found out the major airlines had been ripping the public off for years.
Given the choice between the European short haul scene pre O'Leary and post O'Leary I know which one I would choose. Those who think BA can make short haul more profitable just by making the inflight service more premium than the lowcos are mistaken.
Given the choice between the European short haul scene pre O'Leary and post O'Leary I know which one I would choose. Those who think BA can make short haul more profitable just by making the inflight service more premium than the lowcos are mistaken.
However, the challenge for BA is that they also must maintain share of high-yield premium traffic to make things work. That said, having LHR as a base is a massive advantage over AF, KL, LH, etc.
A former EVP at BA is now overseeing Surf Air which may skim some premium travelers away from CE, and BA is certainly helping.
Oct 1, 2016, 7:21 pm
#1018
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
It is not that straightforward. Quite apart from the cost of acquisition of the slots, LHR is an expensive airport to operate from, not just in terms of fees but also in terms of operational constraints, in particular delays resulting from saturation. It is far from obvious that it could work well for an airline following a strict LCC model and offering purely O&D services. That said, Vueling does operate some services at LHR. However, they are not quite in the same position as other LCCs would be owing to their links and codesharing with BA.
Oct 1, 2016, 8:58 pm
#1019
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
It is not that straightforward. Quite apart from the cost of acquisition of the slots, LHR is an expensive airport to operate from, not just in terms of fees but also in terms of operational constraints, in particular delays resulting from saturation. It is far from obvious that it could work well for an airline following a strict LCC model and offering purely O&D services. That said, Vueling does operate some services at LHR. However, they are not quite in the same position as other LCCs would be owing to their links and codesharing with BA.
Nature of marketing strategy.
Oct 1, 2016, 9:34 pm
#1020
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Unfortunately, current management seems to have nothing to offer except cost cutting and milking their dominant LHR positioning.
It's sad to see such dominant carrier with management that seems bereft of being able to doing anything except slice amenities across all cabins and hope folks accept it.