New First Class
Feb 28, 19, 4:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 164
New First Class
I was sitting next to a senior chappie in BA at a City lunch and he mentioned that BA would be rolling out a new First offering and would only have 8 seats or suites.... I see Willie Walsh has just confirmed this message with the IAG results so feel I should reveal the other information I was told. Apparently the only way to get seat in the new First will be to buy a ticket. No points redemption flights, no rewards for spending too much on your credit cards and no Airmiles upgrades.
As a poor old pensioner who has to pay for his flights in First, this seems very sound thinking to me. However I suspect BA also plan to re-introduce the large price gap between Club and First and we may therefore be forced to only book second class tickets for our holiday travels in this new environment.
As a poor old pensioner who has to pay for his flights in First, this seems very sound thinking to me. However I suspect BA also plan to re-introduce the large price gap between Club and First and we may therefore be forced to only book second class tickets for our holiday travels in this new environment.
Feb 28, 19, 4:50 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 430
I think it would be very interesting as other airlines tried this and failed. It is always comes down price, etc. BA can as always limit sales and price points as does it today but I don't think this is a good strategy moving forward. Personally if I can't use avios to upgrade to first or I can't use avios to buy first then I won't be flying on first. I don't think I miss much as the CW (and don't forget a new flat bed CW is rolling out soon) is very strong already. Of course other airlines offering could be much better then CW and First I'm talking BA only.
The smaller First cabin was an open secret and I think lot of people expected that move. Also some routes could loose First as well, however the recent news about the new 777-9 with First cabin show that differently. Probably only the a350 won't have First.
The smaller First cabin was an open secret and I think lot of people expected that move. Also some routes could loose First as well, however the recent news about the new 777-9 with First cabin show that differently. Probably only the a350 won't have First.
Feb 28, 19, 4:58 am
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Gold, HHonors Silver, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,421
Air Canada had some good fares to YYC for next winter which I just missed out on. As BA have binned YYC off in winter permanently, and AC have got the signature offering on the 797-9, I think I’ll give it a whirl next time they have a sale on.
Feb 28, 19, 5:11 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: Tufty Club (Gold), BAGA Gymnastics level 4, 440yds swimming certificate
Posts: 1,938
I doubt it will only be just for fare paying passengers, or all the pilots would go on strike as First priority standby is one of their perks (hence probably a good reason to downsize it)
Feb 28, 19, 5:13 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,013
No redemptions even for (high) status holders? Swiss - amongst others - restrict redemption availability for First quite heavily, but Senators (I think) and HON Circle can still book redemptions - would BA consider the same, say allow Gold or GGL and higher to book redemptions or at least Avios upgrades into First
Feb 28, 19, 5:31 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 5,627
Looking entirely qualitatively (quantitive numbers would be quite confidential) some people store up their Avios for that prized long haul trip in First without any status. BA does a lot of business selling Avios to people like Tesco who then give them to such people. Restricting First redemptions to only status holders would damage that Avios sale business.
Avios is much more than a frequent traveller kickback, it's a whole private currency with it's own multi-actor economy.
Avios is much more than a frequent traveller kickback, it's a whole private currency with it's own multi-actor economy.
Feb 28, 19, 6:14 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 329
Originally Posted by mikeyfly
Considering BA F can be had in sales / specials for around £1,800 exINV for the East Coast USA it's not out of reach... even for a poor old pensioner 
Feb 28, 19, 6:25 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 4,545
I’ll get my popcorn out and watch the speculation unfold. As a Blue member I would fully support limiting F redemptions to GCHs as long as there was a carve out for me as a former GCH.
I will wait for a formal announcement & comment then (whilst secretly booking F into 2020 ‘just in case’).
I will wait for a formal announcement & comment then (whilst secretly booking F into 2020 ‘just in case’).
Feb 28, 19, 7:00 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,554
Originally Posted by mikeyfly
Considering BA F can be had in sales / specials for around £1,800 exINV for the East Coast USA it's not out of reach... even for a poor old pensioner
Plus with stock cut by a 1/3, there is going to be far less need to top up numbers with bargain fares
Feb 28, 19, 7:02 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,554
Can’t wait to see the ire on here as all those who’ve whines about BA’s F an J service for so long end up not being able to fly it due to the lack of redemption space and higher prices!
