ABBA - anyone but BA
Jul 27, 2017, 4:57 am
#302
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,682
I'm not sure the I have a problem with the "mixed operation" concept. Indeed, that idea entered my head many months ago, when all the hoo-hah started.
Why can't the Economy Cabin be made cheap and austere [more than it is already] to complete with the LoCos on price and take fullest advantage of BA's route network? Isn't that why it's called Economy? In front of the figurative curtain, BA can continue to operate Premium services [improved on what they are now] for those willing to pay for the experience.
Don't we already see the basic elements of Budget and Premium differentiation already, when comparing World Traveller and Club World? I agree that it would be harder to apply on shorthaul operations, given the efficiency provided by the 'moving curtain', but that's not necessarily 'set in stone' [to mix a metaphor]. Upgrade CE by providing, say 4-5 rows of proper seating with decent pitch, like AA's Domestic First. Economise as much as you dare in ET to compete on price.
One aircraft, one crew, two different loads of pax and two different price structures ... why is that impossible? It already exists!
Why can't the Economy Cabin be made cheap and austere [more than it is already] to complete with the LoCos on price and take fullest advantage of BA's route network? Isn't that why it's called Economy? In front of the figurative curtain, BA can continue to operate Premium services [improved on what they are now] for those willing to pay for the experience.
Don't we already see the basic elements of Budget and Premium differentiation already, when comparing World Traveller and Club World? I agree that it would be harder to apply on shorthaul operations, given the efficiency provided by the 'moving curtain', but that's not necessarily 'set in stone' [to mix a metaphor]. Upgrade CE by providing, say 4-5 rows of proper seating with decent pitch, like AA's Domestic First. Economise as much as you dare in ET to compete on price.
One aircraft, one crew, two different loads of pax and two different price structures ... why is that impossible? It already exists!
Outside my area of expertise, but clearly Lufthansa feel you devalue one with the other, hence the separation of Eurowings.
Jul 27, 2017, 5:48 am
#303
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 13
Leaving aside the well covered BA approach to its Brand, the "big idea" depends on service delivery to the premium customer.
So that would require no hours waiting for a phone to be answered,no catastrophic IT failures,smooth industrial relations, a modern fleet with state of the art seating ,a swift response to legal obligations etc etc.
Would Claridges Hotel build an extension and run it as a Travelodge?
So that would require no hours waiting for a phone to be answered,no catastrophic IT failures,smooth industrial relations, a modern fleet with state of the art seating ,a swift response to legal obligations etc etc.
Would Claridges Hotel build an extension and run it as a Travelodge?
Jul 27, 2017, 6:40 am
#304
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Jul 27, 2017, 6:53 am
#305
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,271
I am afraid that Marketing 101 needs to be understood.
You cannot "split" a Brand. Especially not a premium brand. You just cannot market "crap" BA alongside "premium" BA.
You need a different brand. Why not launch one. I believe the brand "Go" is available.
As to Competing with Low cost. Operations 101 is required. Forget it. Each pax costs BA UKP22 at lhr, (pax handling fee) plus their share of landing fees and parking fees.
Ryan gets paid by the local authority to land at some airports.
So any flight out of Thiefrow starts with a cost of about Ł30 per pax cf Ryanair.
You cannot "split" a Brand. Especially not a premium brand. You just cannot market "crap" BA alongside "premium" BA.
You need a different brand. Why not launch one. I believe the brand "Go" is available.
As to Competing with Low cost. Operations 101 is required. Forget it. Each pax costs BA UKP22 at lhr, (pax handling fee) plus their share of landing fees and parking fees.
Ryan gets paid by the local authority to land at some airports.
So any flight out of Thiefrow starts with a cost of about Ł30 per pax cf Ryanair.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:01 am
#306
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, België
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,512
As to Competing with Low cost. Operations 101 is required. Forget it. Each pax costs BA UKP22 at lhr, (pax handling fee) plus their share of landing fees and parking fees.
Ryan gets paid by the local authority to land at some airports.
So any flight out of Thiefrow starts with a cost of about Ł30 per pax cf Ryanair.
Ryan gets paid by the local authority to land at some airports.
So any flight out of Thiefrow starts with a cost of about Ł30 per pax cf Ryanair.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:06 am
#308
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
Really? It's an airport, not a permanent residence. Personally, as someone from the regions, these airports aren't very well served for connections but I have used them and I think "cesspit" may be a tad extreme.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:25 am
#310
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Executive Club: Gold - Flying Blue: Gold
Posts: 1,382
I am afraid that Marketing 101 needs to be understood.
You cannot "split" a Brand. Especially not a premium brand. You just cannot market "crap" BA alongside "premium" BA.
You need a different brand. Why not launch one. I believe the brand "Go" is available.
As to Competing with Low cost. Operations 101 is required. Forget it. Each pax costs BA UKP22 at lhr, (pax handling fee) plus their share of landing fees and parking fees.
Ryan gets paid by the local authority to land at some airports.
So any flight out of Thiefrow starts with a cost of about Ł30 per pax cf Ryanair.
You cannot "split" a Brand. Especially not a premium brand. You just cannot market "crap" BA alongside "premium" BA.
You need a different brand. Why not launch one. I believe the brand "Go" is available.
As to Competing with Low cost. Operations 101 is required. Forget it. Each pax costs BA UKP22 at lhr, (pax handling fee) plus their share of landing fees and parking fees.
Ryan gets paid by the local authority to land at some airports.
So any flight out of Thiefrow starts with a cost of about Ł30 per pax cf Ryanair.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:28 am
#311
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Indeed. I've also had conversations with price sensitive folks who will declare a 20 quid saving on a flight wonderful but fail to take into account the extta costs of getting to the airport at Stanstead or the additional costs at the other ends.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:39 am
#313
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,271
Splitting a Brand.
How many of you would buy Crap PG Tips, instead of Premium PG Tips, especially when Crap PG Tips cost more than Tesco's own???
Or Crap Dulux? Farrow and Ball Super Economy ??
How many of you would buy Crap PG Tips, instead of Premium PG Tips, especially when Crap PG Tips cost more than Tesco's own???
Or Crap Dulux? Farrow and Ball Super Economy ??
Jul 27, 2017, 8:00 am
#314
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
FYI, I wouldn't book an AB longhaul flight for anything but immediate travel right now because I am not confident the airline will exist at any point in the future.
I'd say the same for AZ, too.
So this passenger cares. I wouldn't about a loss making quarter or anything like that, but I care when they are in a situation where they can't support their own cash flow.
I'd say the same for AZ, too.
So this passenger cares. I wouldn't about a loss making quarter or anything like that, but I care when they are in a situation where they can't support their own cash flow.
Jul 27, 2017, 8:48 am
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,144
It depends on how crap the crap is. The OH buys a lot if Waitrose Essentials items, which certainly aren't crap!