48 in CE - good idea?!
Dec 29, 2018, 11:03 am
#106
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,771
I too would love to see a 2X2 seating arrangement but I also doubt it will ever happen, in fact they have already started removing the middle seat tray table blocker so further densification may be in our future.
The thing that really chaps my a** is the seat pitch being the same throughout the cabin, surely CE seating should have some extra legroom.
The thing that really chaps my a** is the seat pitch being the same throughout the cabin, surely CE seating should have some extra legroom.
Dec 29, 2018, 11:50 am
#107
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,250
I think that the people doing the people looking at things as you put it are doing their job thoroughly and reaching the appropriate conclusions hence why we are seeing full cabins and in recent years the introduction of Club Europe on domestic services. This was something that for a long time many thought wouldn't work as it reduces capacity and therefore was a question of maintaining the income versus the reduced seating capacity by removal of 2 seats per row. Clearly they judged that it was the right time for it, leading to the introduction on domestic flights.
Dec 29, 2018, 12:26 pm
#108
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
I very much doubt BA *wanted* to introduce CE on domestic routes and I also doubt this was done because they reasoned that standalone domestic CE tickets were a good idea. Rather I suspect BA had its hand forced by the fact that all of the competition offers a J product from U.K. regional airports (whether the likes of AF and KL connecting to the US or EK and the like going East) and after domestics stopped receiving free catering BA was frightened about the competitiveness of their product from the regions.
Dec 29, 2018, 1:01 pm
#109
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 1,090
I very much doubt BA *wanted* to introduce CE on domestic routes and I also doubt this was done because they reasoned that standalone domestic CE tickets were a good idea. Rather I suspect BA had its hand forced by the fact that all of the competition offers a J product from U.K. regional airports (whether the likes of AF and KL connecting to the US or EK and the like going East) and after domestics stopped receiving free catering BA was frightened about the competitiveness of their product from the regions.
Jan 3, 2019, 6:23 am
#110
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 608
Jan 3, 2019, 6:37 am
#111
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
What BA should do is get some 767s to do the longer European stuff. Two aisles, bigger galleys. That kinda thing...... Oh, wait......
May 27, 2019, 8:13 am
#112
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,529
Just as a data point, flew BSL-LHR last week with 12 rows of Club (48 pax). The service was done above Paris (!) which I found super impressive. The 3 crew working in Club were very well organised. IMHO this shows that it is feasible but requires experienced, well-organised crews.
May 27, 2019, 8:32 am
#113
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 691
May 27, 2019, 8:39 am
#114
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
I was on a flight from Copenhagen with I think 44 CE pax.
Service was good, but they couldn't give the same attention as my outbound flight with a more typical cabin of 5 to 6 rows.
BA should give thought to this more with their flexible cabin sizes. I was in Row 1 so clearly got all my choices. That said, once I was in Row 8 and my choice wasnt available and the alternative was fantastic.
It really is all down to having an assertive CSM and engaged crew, which is very much within BA's hands to deliver.
Service was good, but they couldn't give the same attention as my outbound flight with a more typical cabin of 5 to 6 rows.
BA should give thought to this more with their flexible cabin sizes. I was in Row 1 so clearly got all my choices. That said, once I was in Row 8 and my choice wasnt available and the alternative was fantastic.
It really is all down to having an assertive CSM and engaged crew, which is very much within BA's hands to deliver.