xenole

If BA want to make the F cabin that bit more exclusive, then reducing redemptions would be the way to go. A full cabin doesn't come across as exclusive if say 4 people are paying, the other 4-12 redeeming Avios earned on credit cards etc.
It's a bit too much like AA where 35 people with SWUs or whatever stick themselves on an upgrade list and a near empty F cabin suddenly is full.
Not sure how BA's books work with regards to finances but cash sales may be treated as a pro over someone redeeming Avios.

Not sure what effect a 8 seat cabin would have on routes such as LAX, HKG, SIN and SYD (maybe Jo'berg as well?). Harder to find than hens' teeth most of the time for the average Joe, and they don't have too much difficulty in filling a cabin at present.

Not being able to redeem F wouldn't really put me off. CW works fine for me in most cases and availability there isn't too bad for a lot of routes I fly (even if I need a little flexibility date wise), with F being an occasional treat, but generally I would blow the Avios on CX, QF or JAL F rather than BA if I wanted a little more of a first class experience.
20-25k to upgrade from WT+ to CW is still an attractive proposition to a lot of us going from a recliner to a flat bed (especially with a well priced fare) with the cash portion earning TPs and Avios to offset the upgrade cost that you wouldn't get for a straight F redemption.

hearingdouble

Come on, this is absurd. Do you have a sixth sense that tells you how people paid for their flights? Or perhaps on boarding you survey your fellow passengers about their payment methods, to determine whether your flight is exclusive or not?

xenole

BA do or at least use algorithms etc. to try and ascertain patterns.

I'm just assuming that BA would prefer those paying cold hard cash to those say get a 50k bonus for taking out a credit card etc. Not to say those earning Avios are any less worthy to fly F, but to me running a business, cash would be better on the books than a load of Avios that may have been sold/purchased at a discount.

HMPS

Ah what a heavenly thought ! As if the majority living the life of quiet desperation could only do that. I do not know what you do but Utopia does not exist on earth. One has to make compromises, wiegh, balance priorities. It is VERY EASY to say get a job you like ! Even when you own a business or are a CEO of a public company you do not have the luxury of having EVERYTHING THEIR WAY ONLY .

HMPS

Wouldn't that disqualify ALL HUMANS ?

T8191

An interesting slant on the debate.

So a full cabin of <people you don't know> is less exclusive on the basis that <some of them> might have upgraded somehow? Are empty seats creating a more exclusive environment?

I agree with hearingdouble.

T8191

i confess to an impure thought in J recently, but of course that doesn't count.

icegirl

I agree there needs to balance on priorities but at the end of the day who is more important, your employer or family? For all the overtime put into to go above in beyond, does it pay off financially to make you happier or be able to take the time off in lieu or even both?

I remember someone recently sharing this through socials (I dont know the author to give credit)

Interesting you bring up the concept of utopia, going by this forum alone isn't that what BA should really be striving for the world of commercial aviation?

HMPS

Can't fly F, now J is impure, what am I to do ? Grow wings !

icegirl

This has nothing to do with snobbery.

FlyerTalker39574

xenole

Making it harder to get in makes things more exclusive to me. If you fill a cabin for the sake of filling a cabin, it's not exclusive in my book.
It's a similar thing to these member only golf and/or Gentleman's Clubs in say London, or even Singapore Airlines Private Club (or whatever it's called) . They're not open to all and sundry and they maintain that element of exclusivity which increases their desirability.

To me, even if full, the 8 seat cabin on the 787-9 feels far more exclusive than the cabin on a 747 or 777. Less people makes for a more intimate environment and you feel a little more "special" being part of it.

macabus

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T8191

@xenole ... Ah, I get you.

I have long since stopped worrying about being ‘special’, even in the days when I was. My ego doesn’t need that sort of ‘fluffing’. However, each to his own ... from my POV these days the flying is just a case of getting from A to B comfortably, and the hotel is generally just somewhere we want to be for practical reasons rather than ‘exclusivity’. My London Club subscriptions have long expired.

Cap'n Benj

I meant Airside at the airport. It seems like a big deal for many. I don't mind the walk myself, it is nice to not have to worry about getting to the gate on time, or getting their too early and having to stand around.