Would Durban be viable? [starts 29th Oct 2018, 3 x weekly, 787-8]
May 8, 2018, 2:02 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
BA LHR-DUR confirmed! Starting October 29th, three times per week, on a B787-8. Flight times are currently scheduled as:
- LHR-DUR: 1545 departure, 0535 arrival (Mon/Thurs/Sat)
- DUR-LHR: 0735 departure, 1745 arrival (Tues/Fri/Sun)
Last edited by radiata; May 8, 2018 at 2:06 pm Reason: superfluous info
May 8, 2018, 2:50 pm
#48
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No, the Thursday 1545 departure, for example, is back at LHR at 1745 Friday, leaving 22 hours before the Saturday 1545 departure. The gap between the Tuesday afternoon arrival at LHR and the Thursday afternoon departure is similarly only 2 hours short of 48 hours - so I think that saying "only really 'idle' on a Wednesday" is rather understating it.
May 8, 2018, 2:53 pm
#49
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May 8, 2018, 2:57 pm
#50
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Bet Comair are thrilled with the lost rev from connecting pax that usually would be going via JNB or even CPT. Should folks go via DUR for cheaper fares ( if any difference) or reward space availability and travel from CPT/JNB/PLZ etc then it will be an overnight hotel job for the return back to London from Durban as there is no way to connect from those cities and make it in time for the departure to London. I can’t see this route working out tbh, Emirates are a big player there and Ethiopian have some super cheap fares ex-DUR.
May 8, 2018, 3:30 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,764
Bet Comair are thrilled with the lost rev from connecting pax that usually would be going via JNB or even CPT. Should folks go via DUR for cheaper fares ( if any difference) or reward space availability and travel from CPT/JNB/PLZ etc then it will be an overnight hotel job for the return back to London from Durban as there is no way to connect from those cities and make it in time for the departure to London. I can’t see this route working out tbh, Emirates are a big player there and Ethiopian have some super cheap fares ex-DUR.
May 8, 2018, 3:32 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
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No, the Thursday 1545 departure, for example, is back at LHR at 1745 Friday, leaving 22 hours before the Saturday 1545 departure. The gap between the Tuesday afternoon arrival at LHR and the Thursday afternoon departure is similarly only 2 hours short of 48 hours - so I think that saying "only really 'idle' on a Wednesday" is rather understating it.
Do you really think airlines work that way? It’s maybe possible a different route will utilised those 22/48hrs, but more likely the the next trip to DUR will be be operated by a different aircraft entirely, will will have come in from another destination just the lunchtime.
May 9, 2018, 2:54 am
#54
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The direct LHR flights to and from Durban (BA41 and BA40 respectively) are now available on line, for both revenue and redemption bookings. Seat selection will probably switch on later today or tomorrow.
May 9, 2018, 3:05 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Sadly it hasn't received the same avios-band down rating as CPT & JNB so it's 75k/90k instead of 62.5k/75k (offpeak/peak e/w J).
May 9, 2018, 3:07 am
#56
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Ethiopian ceased service last year ("temporarily", with the thinking of going seasonal only, but no sign of resuming flights yet. I took their flight last May).
signol
May 9, 2018, 3:43 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,764
Although if someone points it out, they might just decide to 'correct' the CPT and JNB prices instead...
May 9, 2018, 4:40 am
#60
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Sample fares if you want to be on the Inaugeral... (random date back 11th Nov)
Sardine - (O) - £604
Sardine Plus - (T) - £1228
Ying Yang - (I) - £3259
Privileged - (A) - Not on this route
I do see that good prices are available from AMS - Business drops to £1710.... happy hunting
Sardine - (O) - £604
Sardine Plus - (T) - £1228
Ying Yang - (I) - £3259
Privileged - (A) - Not on this route
I do see that good prices are available from AMS - Business drops to £1710.... happy hunting