Sunday Times Piece - "Sorry, BA, but new blazers aren’t enough"
#46
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,983
Without rehearsing the numerous and hotly contested arguments around the quality of the BA product, and all the collateral discussions (economics, shareholder return, trends in aviation generally) that arise, my take on the article's punchline is basically that BA is mediocre, whereas it used to be a leader in its field. I agree entirely. The customer experience has deteriorated noticeably in my opinion under Cruz's leadership.
Cruz et al are not stupid, so one must assume that what they have done is all very calculated. Indeed, I (and most on here) continue to fly with BA regularly, although I have reduced the proportion of BA flights as a percentage of my overall flying. I firmly believe that the brand is very severely damaged. I base this on the fact that a very large proportion of people I speak to (most of whom are not regular flyers and arguably don't have huge insight into the nuances of air travel as the FT community) express negativity towards BA. It's not particularly vitriolic, but just tends to be an expression of surprise and/or disappointment around the BA offering, particularly BoB, paying for checked bags etc. I suspect it's very difficult to measure brand damage, but my own view is that the damage to the BA brand is pretty apparent, and I think the damage done by Cruz and co will be felt for years to come.
Cruz et al are not stupid, so one must assume that what they have done is all very calculated. Indeed, I (and most on here) continue to fly with BA regularly, although I have reduced the proportion of BA flights as a percentage of my overall flying. I firmly believe that the brand is very severely damaged. I base this on the fact that a very large proportion of people I speak to (most of whom are not regular flyers and arguably don't have huge insight into the nuances of air travel as the FT community) express negativity towards BA. It's not particularly vitriolic, but just tends to be an expression of surprise and/or disappointment around the BA offering, particularly BoB, paying for checked bags etc. I suspect it's very difficult to measure brand damage, but my own view is that the damage to the BA brand is pretty apparent, and I think the damage done by Cruz and co will be felt for years to come.
#47
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,554
Having flown Lufthansa SH a couple times in the last week - a stark contrast to BA SH - sufficient legroom, clean environment and no Bob - food/snack with a good range of drinks (including wine) provided. Clearly they too are living in a LCC environment, but are they trying to compete with it?
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Having flown Lufthansa SH a couple times in the last week - a stark contrast to BA SH - sufficient legroom, clean environment and no Bob - food/snack with a good range of drinks (including wine) provided. Clearly they too are living in a LCC environment, but are they trying to compete with it?
#49
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
Without rehearsing the numerous and hotly contested arguments around the quality of the BA product, and all the collateral discussions (economics, shareholder return, trends in aviation generally) that arise, my take on the article's punchline is basically that BA is mediocre, whereas it used to be a leader in its field. I agree entirely. The customer experience has deteriorated noticeably in my opinion under Cruz's leadership.
Cruz et al are not stupid, so one must assume that what they have done is all very calculated. Indeed, I (and most on here) continue to fly with BA regularly, although I have reduced the proportion of BA flights as a percentage of my overall flying. I firmly believe that the brand is very severely damaged. I base this on the fact that a very large proportion of people I speak to (most of whom are not regular flyers and arguably don't have huge insight into the nuances of air travel as the FT community) express negativity towards BA. It's not particularly vitriolic, but just tends to be an expression of surprise and/or disappointment around the BA offering, particularly BoB, paying for checked bags etc. I suspect it's very difficult to measure brand damage, but my own view is that the damage to the BA brand is pretty apparent, and I think the damage done by Cruz and co will be felt for years to come.
Cruz et al are not stupid, so one must assume that what they have done is all very calculated. Indeed, I (and most on here) continue to fly with BA regularly, although I have reduced the proportion of BA flights as a percentage of my overall flying. I firmly believe that the brand is very severely damaged. I base this on the fact that a very large proportion of people I speak to (most of whom are not regular flyers and arguably don't have huge insight into the nuances of air travel as the FT community) express negativity towards BA. It's not particularly vitriolic, but just tends to be an expression of surprise and/or disappointment around the BA offering, particularly BoB, paying for checked bags etc. I suspect it's very difficult to measure brand damage, but my own view is that the damage to the BA brand is pretty apparent, and I think the damage done by Cruz and co will be felt for years to come.
#50
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold. KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 732
Yes and I will pile in too. There is no question in my mind that the B787, A350 and A380 are game changers for me, and have probably pushed my retirement back several years. The difference they have, particularly in terms of frequent, repeated travel is amazing. My patience with 777s generally, and 777-200 in particular is now spent and I largely avoid them on BA, AA and any other airline unless it's a short flight. 777-300 aren't so bad but I still choose alternatives where I can. And I still get the occasional 757 and 767s, which aren't great either. So there is no inverted nostalgia on my part.
However the 747 in UD, particularly in BA's Super J format, remains an excellent product in my opinion and remains my first choice.
However the 747 in UD, particularly in BA's Super J format, remains an excellent product in my opinion and remains my first choice.
#51
Having flown Lufthansa SH a couple times in the last week - a stark contrast to BA SH - sufficient legroom, clean environment and no Bob - food/snack with a good range of drinks (including wine) provided. Clearly they too are living in a LCC environment, but are they trying to compete with it?
#52
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,605
Lufty is much less threatened by LCC than BA. The German market is more tight than the UK ones and there are less LCC in general. Just look at FRA, where Ryanair just entered and EZY only have a handful of domestic routes courtesy of Air Berlin demise. Even in the other airports, there are less LCC presence in general (Berlin being maybe the exception).
#53
There is not a LGW equivalent in FRA (HHN really does not count for that much traffic) neither the same amount of German based LCC versus Jet2, EZY, ... in the UK. Only Eurowings, which belong to Lufthansa. Germania is virtually non existent except for a niche market, Air Berlin is dead and was never low cost really.
#54
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 386
And here lies the problem when making theses decisions.
IT Completely agree
Lavatory . I only fly CE so I wouldn’t even be aware of the problem
Cleaners Completely agree
New Aircraft I love the 747 so please keep them as long as possible.
Training I have no problem with the staff and have never experienced the computer says no
WIFI. Personally I would remove it as I love the peace of being non contactable whilst in the air.
Lounges yes some are poor but so are many other airlines
CW Please keep the rear facing seats. Love the current style but find a way to make it all direct aisle access
RYAN Air BA is a country mile ahead of Ryan air but in today’s market short haul economy has to be competitive. I hate Ryan air but despite my considered failings of that airline they fly with over 96% occupancy.
Bottom line is I believe IAG know they have to up their game, but whilst the profits stack up they will do it at their own pace
#55
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
as someone who also travels in CE often I would have to say no to that one. on a few occasions maybe one passenger waiting but no more, definitely no "hoards"
#56
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Standard 'me first' stuff really.....I don't use WIFI so it isn't important. You quite often get this on FT.
#57
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,676
I understand the nostalgia surrounding the 747, but I am one of those who can't wait to see it go. It's just time for it to retire.
Some of my earliest memories of travel was flying that wonderful 4 engine queen of the skies. However, if I have fly 4 engines, I now take the A380 where possible.
Some of my earliest memories of travel was flying that wonderful 4 engine queen of the skies. However, if I have fly 4 engines, I now take the A380 where possible.
#58
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Programs: *A G, OW S.
Posts: 996
I understand the nostalgia surrounding the 747, but I am one of those who can't wait to see it go. It's just time for it to retire.
Some of my earliest memories of travel was flying that wonderful 4 engine queen of the skies. However, if I have fly 4 engines, I now take the A380 where possible.
Some of my earliest memories of travel was flying that wonderful 4 engine queen of the skies. However, if I have fly 4 engines, I now take the A380 where possible.
#59
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,271
Retiring the BA 747s would help with Noise at LHR. The BA 747s with the RR engines are the noisiest planes flying at LHR.
However, money talks, so I guess they have a few years left in some of them.
However, money talks, so I guess they have a few years left in some of them.
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Although none of BA's remaining aircraft are anything like that old! The three oldest are about 28, and all of them had major work done three years ago when they were converted from high-J (70J) to mid-J (52J). And on current (known) plans, it looks like two of these three will retire by the end of the year.We know how long is planned: all gone by February 2024.