Club Europe - unusual text message : Removal of middle seat block
Jul 26, 2019, 2:39 pm
#61
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,226
I do not understand why there is a belief the PAX in the middlemseatvwould be Y.PAX. I think it would either be CE PAX from other flighta, or a condensed CE cabin with more people behind the curtain.
And yes, while i would be sympathetic and understanding, I would also be hoping for some level compensation from BA, as suggested an upgrade to CE voucher for a future flight wouks seem fitting
And yes, while i would be sympathetic and understanding, I would also be hoping for some level compensation from BA, as suggested an upgrade to CE voucher for a future flight wouks seem fitting
Totally agree with BA here - in this kind of situation you have to use your resources effectively. Equally, a small customer service gesture made proactively could take the sting out of it and reduce likelihood of people seeking legal redress.
Jul 26, 2019, 2:57 pm
#62
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,578
Doesn't BA advertise the blocked middle seat as a major difference between coach and business class on intraEU flights?
If AF were to replace an aircraft with a business class cabin by one that's all coach in order to carry more passengers (regardless of the reason), I would expect a refund even if those with "business" tickets are given meals. Similarly, in the USA, if DL were to lease an aircraft from Southwest (so that there's no longer a business class cabin) or swap a CRJ-200 (all coach but 2-2) for a CRJ-700 (coach 2-2 but a FC cabin with 1-2 seating), I would certainly insist on a refund, regardless of the F&B offerings.
ADDED: AFAIK EC261 requires downgrade compensation (as well as duty of care) regardless ot the reason, even in "extraordinary" circumstances such as weather (or a strike--maybe BA is practicing this maneuver........).
If AF were to replace an aircraft with a business class cabin by one that's all coach in order to carry more passengers (regardless of the reason), I would expect a refund even if those with "business" tickets are given meals. Similarly, in the USA, if DL were to lease an aircraft from Southwest (so that there's no longer a business class cabin) or swap a CRJ-200 (all coach but 2-2) for a CRJ-700 (coach 2-2 but a FC cabin with 1-2 seating), I would certainly insist on a refund, regardless of the F&B offerings.
ADDED: AFAIK EC261 requires downgrade compensation (as well as duty of care) regardless ot the reason, even in "extraordinary" circumstances such as weather (or a strike--maybe BA is practicing this maneuver........).
Jul 26, 2019, 6:00 pm
#63
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 547
This is all computer generated. There isn't a human sitting there putting in high prices to screw you over.
That would be the existing filed price of a Full Y fare. Due to the disruption, planes are filling up and the revenue optimisation robots are closing out the cheapest fare buckets.
It's what naturally happens as planes fill, regardless of the disruption, and in these cases actually helps as it disuades new bookings. The inventory remains available for stranded customers, who get rebooked on their existing tickets and don't pay any more.
That would be the existing filed price of a Full Y fare. Due to the disruption, planes are filling up and the revenue optimisation robots are closing out the cheapest fare buckets.
It's what naturally happens as planes fill, regardless of the disruption, and in these cases actually helps as it disuades new bookings. The inventory remains available for stranded customers, who get rebooked on their existing tickets and don't pay any more.
Jul 26, 2019, 6:24 pm
#64
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,198
Offering cheap tickets would only mean less seats being available for those who have been disrupted I would have thought.
Jul 26, 2019, 7:09 pm
#65
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,578
Indeed. It only restricts new reservations to those prepared to pay full fare. Essentially these new reservations will hamper BA in reducing the backlog of delayed passengers. Existing reservations experiencing distress would be covered under the airlines rebook policy into the lowest available booking class for the cabin purchased. Therefore even if you're on a cheap as chips O class ticket which has suffered cancellation of a flight, you're generally able to rebook into Y class if that's the lowest Economy fare showing available on the service which you wish to rebook to.
Jul 26, 2019, 7:34 pm
#67
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
Jul 26, 2019, 11:53 pm
#69
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,577
Ridiculous to see people arguing that this is not a downgrade. The CE experience is all about the space - if that doesn't get delivered a M&S style ready meal is hardly worth a few hundred Ł.
BA did the same thing during a Christmas snow chaos in the late 2000s. Back then it was described honestly, with an apology for the downgrade and a refund of the fare difference. That would translate to EU261 these days.
We should not confuse compassion with fellow travellers with allowing BA to take money for services that were not provided.
BA did the same thing during a Christmas snow chaos in the late 2000s. Back then it was described honestly, with an apology for the downgrade and a refund of the fare difference. That would translate to EU261 these days.
We should not confuse compassion with fellow travellers with allowing BA to take money for services that were not provided.
Jul 27, 2019, 12:54 am
#70
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 423
One way BA could raise revenues in the future is to promise to “aim but not guarantee” to block middle seats in CE.
Basically, instead of blocking middle seats for golds and silvers at the back, keep pushing the curtain further back, and pack ET as much as possible.
Once the curtain can not go further back, start filling middle seats.
I flew on SAS Plus (kinda like Business class) on short-haul and this is exactly what they do.
Basically, instead of blocking middle seats for golds and silvers at the back, keep pushing the curtain further back, and pack ET as much as possible.
Once the curtain can not go further back, start filling middle seats.
I flew on SAS Plus (kinda like Business class) on short-haul and this is exactly what they do.
Jul 27, 2019, 12:59 am
#71
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 423
Space may be the most important feature for you, but CE has many other like food and drinks, priority boarding, lounge access, extra luggage allowance and so on.
BA should offer some avios as a compensation. Certainly not EC261.
Jul 27, 2019, 1:18 am
#72
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 38
Wow this thread got some traction! Appreciate all the replies! So currently made it to Nice and believe it or not they didn’t do anything in the end! The service ran as planned..... I guess maybe the logistics of the whole thing was too much to sort! Or it was a random automated text! Did anyone else on here experience this yesterday?
Jul 27, 2019, 1:28 am
#73
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,231
One way BA could raise revenues in the future is to promise to “aim but not guarantee” to block middle seats in CE.
Basically, instead of blocking middle seats for golds and silvers at the back, keep pushing the curtain further back, and pack ET as much as possible.
Once the curtain can not go further back, start filling middle seats.
I flew on SAS Plus (kinda like Business class) on short-haul and this is exactly what they do.
Basically, instead of blocking middle seats for golds and silvers at the back, keep pushing the curtain further back, and pack ET as much as possible.
Once the curtain can not go further back, start filling middle seats.
I flew on SAS Plus (kinda like Business class) on short-haul and this is exactly what they do.
Jul 27, 2019, 2:13 am
#75
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,913
