IAG to establish budget long-haul operation out of BCN [branded as Level]
#271
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2
I suspect this is the start of a rebranding exercise for Vueling bringing them under the Level Brand. Bringing Long and Shorthaul together seems the way to go and better competes with Eurowings and Norwegian, if they don’t buy them first!
#272
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
But where are they getting the planes? They are launching in 3 weeks? Can't find any information on where the planes are coming from.
#273
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,418
"The European airline group says its new short-haul subsidiary will have Austrian air operator's certificate (AOC) and be based at Vienna airport. The four ex-Air Berlin A321s will be configured with 210 economy seats."
#274
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Thanks Rockflyer
The other interesting question is whether they will sooner or later roll up part or all of BA's short haul network into this, leaving BA to focus on long haul?
The other interesting question is whether they will sooner or later roll up part or all of BA's short haul network into this, leaving BA to focus on long haul?
#275
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,418
#276
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Harrogate
Programs: BA, KL, DL
Posts: 996
My co-writer was booked in Vueling Excellence from LGW yesterday. Turned up to find, with no warning, an aircraft from Privilege Aviation and Privllege crew. Her 1C boarding pass (Excellence is only Row 1) was taken off her and replaced with a 2C pass for no reason except to make it clear she wasn't getting any freebies off them! They did give her some food in the end but insisted the coffee was paid for. The ticket was 3x the price of a standard ticket.
#277
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Why bother paying 3x more than a standard ticket for Vueling Excellence on such a short flight? Complete waste of money as summarised here: WHAT EXACTLY DID I PAY $145 FOR?
#278
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 180
Does BA not value it’s short haul network as a feeder for those of us who don’t live near London? If I had to go mult-ticket or on a low cost carrier to get to Heathrow I would almost certainly stop flying long haul with BA.
#279
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,638
Also, the setting up of a major LEVEL operation in the UK could cause a big battle with BA’s unions, which would seem rather unwise given BA’s current issues with staff morale, last year’s Mixed Fleet dispute and some of the media problems the airline has had over the past 18 months.
#280
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
They had the chance to see what would happen without J on shorthaul when they introduced Buy on Board---and they couldn't even stand it for domestic.
BA is a network carrier, it is not Virgin Atlantic. You can't sustain such a big and large longhaul network without feed, even out of London. Shorthaul feed is essential.
#281
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
#282
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
#283
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
#285
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Brighton UK
Programs: BAEC-Silver, AMEX-BA Prem' Plus & Standard, Accor Gold, HH-Silver, IHG,IBIS On Business
Posts: 955
IAG Spreading their wings
Wasn't aware of this being on the cards but might be of interest to some members. This came up on my YT notifications. The kids young but he knows his stuff and tends not to deal with speculation or gossip and he's sourced WW as a reference in the video
For those who cba to watch the short video (2.5 mins) it's about IAG opening a new low-cost carrier called Level in Austria. Registered in Austria and using 4 A321's taken from AB's old fleet as they are obviously no longer in need of them.
Registered routes will be:
VIE-PMI
VIE-LGW
VIE-BCE
VIE-CDG
VIE-AGP
For those who cba to watch the short video (2.5 mins) it's about IAG opening a new low-cost carrier called Level in Austria. Registered in Austria and using 4 A321's taken from AB's old fleet as they are obviously no longer in need of them.
Registered routes will be:
VIE-PMI
VIE-LGW
VIE-BCE
VIE-CDG
VIE-AGP