BA announces biggest Gatwick summer schedule in 10 years
Mar 7, 2018, 10:56 am
#136
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: A hop, skip and jump away from MAN.
Programs: BAEC Gold, ex-VS Gold, ex-UA Gold, Premier Inn Platinum-Iridium
Posts: 1,114
+1 for MAN.
One of my friends is a TA and she gets no end of folk from Northern England wanting to fly out of MAN to destinations served by BA out of LGW, mostly Longhaul, but sometimes RAK, etc.
It's a particular problem for the early bank of leisure longhaul departures out LGW - it means either a hideously early start out of MAN and squeaky bum timing, or travelling down the previous night and staying over. BA definitely lose some business here.
Even getting down on the train to Gatwick from this neck of the woods is miserable if you have luggage - at one point there were direct trains (even if they were a bit slow and went around the houses), then those got stopped but it was still possible with one change at Milton Keynes or Watford, but now it's either across London (with luggage), or change at Milton Keynes and Clapham Jn/East Croydon.
One of my friends is a TA and she gets no end of folk from Northern England wanting to fly out of MAN to destinations served by BA out of LGW, mostly Longhaul, but sometimes RAK, etc.
It's a particular problem for the early bank of leisure longhaul departures out LGW - it means either a hideously early start out of MAN and squeaky bum timing, or travelling down the previous night and staying over. BA definitely lose some business here.
Even getting down on the train to Gatwick from this neck of the woods is miserable if you have luggage - at one point there were direct trains (even if they were a bit slow and went around the houses), then those got stopped but it was still possible with one change at Milton Keynes or Watford, but now it's either across London (with luggage), or change at Milton Keynes and Clapham Jn/East Croydon.
Mar 7, 2018, 12:13 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 1,034
Ldnn1
I still do not agree with your use of the word 'struggling' . To me that gives the impression of not coping or having a coherent plan to resolve things.
We will just have to disagree amicably.
To those who are wanting the re-introduction of certain domestic services I personally cannot see it happening. I do not believe the yields or margins are there anymore.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to so them return but the economic case for doing so isn't convincing.
I still do not agree with your use of the word 'struggling' . To me that gives the impression of not coping or having a coherent plan to resolve things.
We will just have to disagree amicably.
To those who are wanting the re-introduction of certain domestic services I personally cannot see it happening. I do not believe the yields or margins are there anymore.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to so them return but the economic case for doing so isn't convincing.
Mar 7, 2018, 12:26 pm
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Ldnn1
I still do not agree with your use of the word 'struggling' . To me that gives the impression of not coping or having a coherent plan to resolve things.
We will just have to disagree amicably.
To those who are wanting the re-introduction of certain domestic services I personally cannot see it happening. I do not believe the yields or margins are there anymore.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to so them return but the economic case for doing so isn't convincing.
I still do not agree with your use of the word 'struggling' . To me that gives the impression of not coping or having a coherent plan to resolve things.
We will just have to disagree amicably.
To those who are wanting the re-introduction of certain domestic services I personally cannot see it happening. I do not believe the yields or margins are there anymore.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to so them return but the economic case for doing so isn't convincing.
So expect to see flights from Gatwick to Blackbushe if that is what it takes to keep the slots.
Mar 10, 2018, 4:03 pm
#140
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH, EK, QR
Posts: 355
Today's BA2956 Gatwick to Glasgow was operated by NEOS Spa airlines (aircraft I-NEOW a 737-800).
No club cabin, and all passengers were served a Cheese croissant with tea, coffee and Orange juice, with the Italian crew offering "anything else?", not sure what this offer consisted of, but beer was visible in the trolley, but a 6.10am departure and driving around Glasgow all day put me off drinking. The First lounge was also open at 5.15am instead of the advertised 7am, which was an unexpected pleasure.
No club cabin, and all passengers were served a Cheese croissant with tea, coffee and Orange juice, with the Italian crew offering "anything else?", not sure what this offer consisted of, but beer was visible in the trolley, but a 6.10am departure and driving around Glasgow all day put me off drinking. The First lounge was also open at 5.15am instead of the advertised 7am, which was an unexpected pleasure.
Mar 10, 2018, 4:07 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,911
Today's BA2956 Gatwick to Glasgow was operated by NEOS Spa airlines (aircraft I-NEOW a 737-800).
No club cabin, and all passengers were served a Cheese croissant with tea, coffee and Orange juice, with the Italian crew offering "anything else?", not sure what this offer consisted of, but beer was visible in the trolley, but a 6.10am departure and driving around Glasgow all day put me off drinking. The First lounge was also open at 5.15am instead of the advertised 7am, which was an unexpected pleasure.
No club cabin, and all passengers were served a Cheese croissant with tea, coffee and Orange juice, with the Italian crew offering "anything else?", not sure what this offer consisted of, but beer was visible in the trolley, but a 6.10am departure and driving around Glasgow all day put me off drinking. The First lounge was also open at 5.15am instead of the advertised 7am, which was an unexpected pleasure.
I believe the First lounge now opens at 515am in any case but the food from the menu only starts at 7am
Regards
TBS
Last edited by Prospero; Mar 10, 2018 at 4:18 pm Reason: repair quotation frame
Mar 10, 2018, 4:14 pm
#142
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH, EK, QR
Posts: 355
Today's BA2956 Gatwick to Glasgow was operated by NEOS Spa airlines (aircraft I-NEOW a 737-800).
No club cabin, and all passengers were served a Cheese croissant with tea, coffee and Orange juice, with the Italian crew offering "anything else?", not sure what this offer consisted of, but beer was visible in the trolley, but a 6.10am departure and driving around Glasgow all day put me off drinking. The First lounge was also open at 5.15am instead of the advertised 7am, which was an unexpected pleasure.
No club cabin, and all passengers were served a Cheese croissant with tea, coffee and Orange juice, with the Italian crew offering "anything else?", not sure what this offer consisted of, but beer was visible in the trolley, but a 6.10am departure and driving around Glasgow all day put me off drinking. The First lounge was also open at 5.15am instead of the advertised 7am, which was an unexpected pleasure.
I believe the First lounge now opens at 515am in any case but the food from the menu only starts at 7am
Regards
TBS
Last edited by Prospero; Mar 10, 2018 at 4:19 pm Reason: repair quotation/attribution
Mar 11, 2018, 1:56 am
#143
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
+1 for MAN.
One of my friends is a TA and she gets no end of folk from Northern England wanting to fly out of MAN to destinations served by BA out of LGW, mostly Longhaul, but sometimes RAK, etc.
It's a particular problem for the early bank of leisure longhaul departures out LGW - it means either a hideously early start out of MAN and squeaky bum timing, or travelling down the previous night and staying over. BA definitely lose some business here.
Even getting down on the train to Gatwick from this neck of the woods is miserable if you have luggage - at one point there were direct trains (even if they were a bit slow and went around the houses), then those got stopped but it was still possible with one change at Milton Keynes or Watford, but now it's either across London (with luggage), or change at Milton Keynes and Clapham Jn/East Croydon.
One of my friends is a TA and she gets no end of folk from Northern England wanting to fly out of MAN to destinations served by BA out of LGW, mostly Longhaul, but sometimes RAK, etc.
It's a particular problem for the early bank of leisure longhaul departures out LGW - it means either a hideously early start out of MAN and squeaky bum timing, or travelling down the previous night and staying over. BA definitely lose some business here.
Even getting down on the train to Gatwick from this neck of the woods is miserable if you have luggage - at one point there were direct trains (even if they were a bit slow and went around the houses), then those got stopped but it was still possible with one change at Milton Keynes or Watford, but now it's either across London (with luggage), or change at Milton Keynes and Clapham Jn/East Croydon.
Mar 11, 2018, 3:09 am
#144
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,065
+1 for MAN.
One of my friends is a TA and she gets no end of folk from Northern England wanting to fly out of MAN to destinations served by BA out of LGW, mostly Longhaul, but sometimes RAK, etc.
It's a particular problem for the early bank of leisure longhaul departures out LGW - it means either a hideously early start out of MAN and squeaky bum timing, or travelling down the previous night and staying over. BA definitely lose some business here.
Even getting down on the train to Gatwick from this neck of the woods is miserable if you have luggage - at one point there were direct trains (even if they were a bit slow and went around the houses), then those got stopped but it was still possible with one change at Milton Keynes or Watford, but now it's either across London (with luggage), or change at Milton Keynes and Clapham Jn/East Croydon.
One of my friends is a TA and she gets no end of folk from Northern England wanting to fly out of MAN to destinations served by BA out of LGW, mostly Longhaul, but sometimes RAK, etc.
It's a particular problem for the early bank of leisure longhaul departures out LGW - it means either a hideously early start out of MAN and squeaky bum timing, or travelling down the previous night and staying over. BA definitely lose some business here.
Even getting down on the train to Gatwick from this neck of the woods is miserable if you have luggage - at one point there were direct trains (even if they were a bit slow and went around the houses), then those got stopped but it was still possible with one change at Milton Keynes or Watford, but now it's either across London (with luggage), or change at Milton Keynes and Clapham Jn/East Croydon.
Unless those wishing for a connection are willing to pay a premium for that connection, there is far more revenue to be made flying elsewhere. Witness the failures over many years of domestic SH airlines. Flybe is now just about the only one left
Mar 11, 2018, 3:14 am
#145
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
Thanks for that, it will also be on interest to those in the Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and related points since it spares us a shuffle over to St Pancras. Unfortunately looking at the provisional timetable it doesn't appear to save any time since this new service makes frequent stops (e.g. Horley). However the provisional timetable is currently work in progress rather than the confirmed outcome, but at the moment it suggests the fastest route remains going to Kings Cross and then the Gatwick Express from Victoria.
Mar 11, 2018, 3:32 am
#146
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
God help anyone travelling from Peterborough to Gatwick on those new trains. The seats are shockingly uncomfortable even for a 45 minute commute.
Although the half-wit minister of transport had an explanation so feeble that it could have easily come from the BA press team.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...rtable-used-jo
Although the half-wit minister of transport had an explanation so feeble that it could have easily come from the BA press team.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...rtable-used-jo
Mar 11, 2018, 4:23 am
#147
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bloomsbury
Programs: BA Silver, AF Ivory
Posts: 2,202
In a flashback to the days of the BMI board I would like to mention that the Class 700/701 fleet is the subject of discussion, although the new IEP trains (Great Western and soon East Coast) class 800s are getting the same comments about the seats.
Mar 11, 2018, 5:10 am
#148
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,639
Have heard the Class 800’s will be getting a more padded seat with re-fits for those already in service. To bring this slightly back on topic, the slimmer seats have been used to improve leg room rather than to push the density as high as it can possibly go. Travelling on one yesterday I was struck by how much space there is in a standard class seat.
Mar 11, 2018, 5:26 am
#149
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: A hop, skip and jump away from MAN.
Programs: BAEC Gold, ex-VS Gold, ex-UA Gold, Premier Inn Platinum-Iridium
Posts: 1,114
