Booked Club World, now domestic A321. LHR-CAI-LHR. What to do?
Jul 5, 2019, 3:00 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
The 32Q is BA's worst plane for business class - no middle table between CE seats. The mood will be poor on board, too, given those travelling who won't have taken note of the change prior to arrival.
These things do happen, and it's not an awfully long flight, but the airline seems to get off too lightly.
Jul 5, 2019, 4:53 am
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
As far as class of service goes for EC261, it is still business class - I cannot imagine BA agreeing to pay such a ridiculous request. If holding a business class ticket, there is a decent chance that would be able to get aflight on Egyptair at a similar price ( from what I have seen ) , so why not just switch flights
Jul 5, 2019, 6:30 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Aberdeen, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 30
According to the agent I spoke to the refund due will be "up to 75%," calculated after travel. He read this from an internal email sent to the call centre representatives. They couldn't give me any indication as to what it would be in my case.
Jul 5, 2019, 6:47 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: BA GGL; AA LT Gold; AS 100K; DL MM GM; Hyatt G*list, Hilton Diamond; SQ silver
Posts: 3,806
I sympathize. I fly this route a few times a year and have had so far no such bad luck as the OP. Interestingly, I have a ticket in September, purchased in May, and just a week or so after buying the ticket, was notified that the flight would be operated by air Belgium. This option is a much better one, as Air Belgium has flat beds. Anyone has insight as to why BA would suddenly put a CE configured aircraft rather than doing a wet lease? Last minute and no wet lease available? QR aircraft would be also a better option.
Jul 5, 2019, 6:50 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
Posts: 4,413
As far as class of service goes for EC261, it is still business class - I cannot imagine BA agreeing to pay such a ridiculous request. If holding a business class ticket, there is a decent chance that would be able to get aflight on Egyptair at a similar price ( from what I have seen ) , so why not just switch flights
Jul 5, 2019, 6:51 am
#22
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
I take it then that it would permit a simple cancellation without penalty so that you could rebook elsewhere?
Jul 5, 2019, 6:51 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I sympathize. I fly this route a few times a year and have had so far no such bad luck as the OP. Interestingly, I have a ticket in September, purchased in May, and just a week or so after buying the ticket, was notified that the flight would be operated by air Belgium. This option is a much better one, as Air Belgium has flat beds. Anyone has insight as to why BA would suddenly put a CE configured aircraft rather than doing a wet lease? Last minute and no wet lease available? QR aircraft would be also a better option.
Jul 5, 2019, 6:53 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: BAEC GfL
Posts: 336
Apparently for 10 days, BA will place an A321NEO on the Cairo route... Details in the link below.
While we understand this due to the 787s issues, an A321NEO for that route is horrendous. I don't wanna be on those slimline seats at the back of the plane.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...n-cairo-route/
While we understand this due to the 787s issues, an A321NEO for that route is horrendous. I don't wanna be on those slimline seats at the back of the plane.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...n-cairo-route/
Jul 5, 2019, 7:46 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Aberdeen, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 30
They would allow a refund without penalty. My dates however are fixed and it isn't such a long flight that I thought it worth the bother to pursue this at short notice.
Jul 5, 2019, 9:37 am
#26
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 726
Apart from that, all the other 787s are operating normally at the moment.
Jul 5, 2019, 9:54 am
#27
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA PLT PRO, AGR, Strawberry (Nordic Choice), Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 4,248
Wonder whether it’s worth buying a I-return to LCA and combining end on end with a short hop to CAI on another airline. Do any connections match up reasonably?
Jul 5, 2019, 10:15 am
#28
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
paying business class for what is economy with an empty seat - with some undefined refund amount - seems a poor choice
Jul 5, 2019, 12:22 pm
#29
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Posts: 30,536
While I understand the theory of suggesting that the OP cancels and book afresh, it should be born in mind that this affects flights this coming week, in peak season, so fares will likely be very significantly higher than what passengers would have been offered at the time that many booked. Consequently, whilst the intention is good, it is quite possible that for many, the result would be financially counter-productive.
Jul 5, 2019, 1:01 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 574
This route is subject to seasonal demand factors, making it sometimes problematic. This is without adding aircraft maintenance or other issues to the mix. The OP is not being offered the A321 (with the throne club seats) but worse. Trouble is that there are few decent business class alternatives on this route for direct flights. Good luck, SkyTeam.
Last edited by AnaTravel; Jul 6, 2019 at 5:04 am