BA dumps FT (the pink one, not this one)
Apr 16, 2019, 3:03 am
#16
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,940
The FT is on pressreader but unfortunately it is not included in the list of free publications when accessing via BA - this was the case from when pressreader started late last year.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:34 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
Apr 16, 2019, 3:48 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: HKG
Programs: BA GGL & CCR
Posts: 600
Every little counts when you’re talking denigration of your brand. I might not choose it because it doesn’t have a paper, but I’ll think twice if everyone I bump into thinks it’s a poor product and bad service.
Apr 16, 2019, 5:10 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally pay for a digital subscription out of pocket. It's the cheapest paid option so I don't have the luxury of things like a physical paper to read while traveling (I do have and use the app). It was nice to be able to stow my devices and indulge in a physical paper. Ending this particular service isn't a deal breaker, but definitely cheapens the experience.
Apr 16, 2019, 5:22 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Big pile of FTs has appeared each morning in our WeWork reception for the past 6-8 weeks!
Apr 16, 2019, 5:27 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Berkshire / London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Nandos
Posts: 1,006
Apr 16, 2019, 5:37 am
#26
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
I have just done that:
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So I notice the Financial TImes has now been "enhanced away" from your lounges.
No doubt somebody will come out with a press release saying that it has been done "to improve the customer experience" as "many customers complained they had difficulty deciding which newspaper to read".
I am amazed you think that so few of your customers are actually interested in business and finance.
Just don't bother sending me a standard form reply.
=================================================
So I notice the Financial TImes has now been "enhanced away" from your lounges.
No doubt somebody will come out with a press release saying that it has been done "to improve the customer experience" as "many customers complained they had difficulty deciding which newspaper to read".
I am amazed you think that so few of your customers are actually interested in business and finance.
Just don't bother sending me a standard form reply.
Apr 16, 2019, 6:07 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,643
Doesn't really matter to me as I've long gone FT app based via my partners school alumni address but that's likely to end soon, and no qualms to pay the €220 or so a year for online only subscription.
That said, for those that say it doesn't matter - it is exactly the same as when people argue (your seat light didn't work, they ran out of champagne) that it isn't part of the product (flat bed) thus it doesn't matter. Or the converse when the seat doesn't work (you sat in the cabin, got the food and lounge). All I can say "aaaargh" - it is all part of an advertised products (ok FT isn't as such advertised for the pedantics) and it does matter whether supplied or not. Now left London, so my affinity to BAEC can finally decrease (hint: grass isn't greener!).
That said, for those that say it doesn't matter - it is exactly the same as when people argue (your seat light didn't work, they ran out of champagne) that it isn't part of the product (flat bed) thus it doesn't matter. Or the converse when the seat doesn't work (you sat in the cabin, got the food and lounge). All I can say "aaaargh" - it is all part of an advertised products (ok FT isn't as such advertised for the pedantics) and it does matter whether supplied or not. Now left London, so my affinity to BAEC can finally decrease (hint: grass isn't greener!).
Apr 16, 2019, 6:18 am
#28
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Manchester but from Yorkshire better known as Gods country
Programs: BA Gold, , Sandals plat
Posts: 839
There is the incremental passenger for whom it matters. On occasion, I've booked short-haul LX over short-haul LH in C because LX has the Economist while LH does not.
It differs from pax to pax. I'm always surprised which emphasis many people put on the quality of the catering on board... I guess I'm a bit of an oddball that I care a lot about newspapers and magazines.
But, ultimately, I feel the unbundling is going too far. Yes, I want an FT. Yes, I want a glass of water free of charge in Euro Traveller. Etc.
I'm not surprised IAG is losing out to FR and co. on the short haul. The network carriers are over-confident that due to the big data they're collecting via apps, FF programs, co-branded CCs, etc., they have various means to incentivize customers. But increasingly, what I see network carriers' products that are so bare-bones that I as well might fly FR (purchasing priority and a coffee and a sandwich at the airport). EDIT: And an FT, ofc.
It differs from pax to pax. I'm always surprised which emphasis many people put on the quality of the catering on board... I guess I'm a bit of an oddball that I care a lot about newspapers and magazines.
But, ultimately, I feel the unbundling is going too far. Yes, I want an FT. Yes, I want a glass of water free of charge in Euro Traveller. Etc.
I'm not surprised IAG is losing out to FR and co. on the short haul. The network carriers are over-confident that due to the big data they're collecting via apps, FF programs, co-branded CCs, etc., they have various means to incentivize customers. But increasingly, what I see network carriers' products that are so bare-bones that I as well might fly FR (purchasing priority and a coffee and a sandwich at the airport). EDIT: And an FT, ofc.
Apr 16, 2019, 6:45 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991