Is Cruz Gone? [Rumour]
Aug 27, 2019, 5:06 am
#76
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
@ Chris1922Mk2 - thanks for the comment ..... and yes, as far as long-haul is concerned (which is what you’re referring to) I can understand why you would feel that way.
Your point about the ‘skewed’ nature of forum opinion seems fair.
Your point about the ‘skewed’ nature of forum opinion seems fair.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:14 am
#77
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
Once a Board have decided to remove someone, then the priority becomes speed to make it happen. The cost is irrelevant as it just results in a bit of negative media coverage, which can easily be overcome by the positive spin about the replacement.
But we have no evidence yet that the Board have taken that point of view.
But we have no evidence yet that the Board have taken that point of view.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:18 am
#78
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,158
I think this guy could potentially be the underdog for the job IF Cruz were to go.
He has quite a fair bit of previous experience of domestic and worldwide international travel as well as having a broad wealth of management experience albeit from an agricultural background. Although he has a no nonsense approach, he is a good listener by all accounts and understands the needs of both leisure and business travellers. I've seen quite a lot of support from fellow FTr's when he has been mentioned.
Potential Cruz Replacement
He has quite a fair bit of previous experience of domestic and worldwide international travel as well as having a broad wealth of management experience albeit from an agricultural background. Although he has a no nonsense approach, he is a good listener by all accounts and understands the needs of both leisure and business travellers. I've seen quite a lot of support from fellow FTr's when he has been mentioned.
Potential Cruz Replacement
Aug 27, 2019, 5:20 am
#79
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Executive Club: Gold - Flying Blue: Gold
Posts: 1,382
Than you have some other irritating stuff like abolishing UMs, not having fast track for status passengers in Y at non OW hubs, not having lounge access at all airports, not allowing bags to be checked through o separate bookings. These are really annoying things that can get to you if you travel a lot with BA and you compare it with other legacies such as AF/KL, or the LH group.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:23 am
#80
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 42
I agree the product at the back is lagging. Not just that but the NEOs are hated by pax and crew alike, CC morale is at a new low which results in a lack of consistency in service across all classes. Oh and IT, which when it eventually is upgraded will probably result in more outages.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:29 am
#81
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,444
Sad for BA as a organisation. The fashion in which Is this centenary Birthday should have been, has just been incredibly underwhelming and dire from a PR point of you, especially if this comes to fruition. Albeit I’d be glad to see a change. Willie departing would be even better.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:29 am
#82
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,992
It depends on your perspective I suppose. if you're a "premium" passenger, by that I mean WT+, J and F, yes things have improved, yes. But down the back, I'd argue that it has got much worse. Various opinions have been expressed that BA are very much becoming a two tier airline, premium up font, very much LCC down the back. The gap is getting wider. I'd prefer if they improved things for ALL passengers. And the vast majority of BA pax are economy, obviously. I think this forum can sometimes skew that fact...
If a passenger down the back wants more comfort then they can choose Premium Economy or Club Europe, both of which are far cheaper in real terms than economy was 20 years ago.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:34 am
#83
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,916
But the reason for this is (and I know that this is a wild generalisation) that the passengers at the front want BA to be as comfortable as Qatar whereas those down the back want BA to be as cheap as Easyjet and Ryanair.
If a passenger down the back wants more comfort then they can choose Premium Economy or Club Europe, both of which are far cheaper in real terms than economy was 20 years ago.
If a passenger down the back wants more comfort then they can choose Premium Economy or Club Europe, both of which are far cheaper in real terms than economy was 20 years ago.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:48 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,622
Business passengers in most businesses (not @Raffles mates) are expected to fly lowest cost short haul. So yes, cheap unbundled fares are the right way to go.
Cruz might have to fall on his sword because of bad PR, but his commercial strategy has worked well to increase shareholder value, which is his job.
Cruz might have to fall on his sword because of bad PR, but his commercial strategy has worked well to increase shareholder value, which is his job.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:54 am
#85
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AAdvantage Asia Miles Air China
Posts: 870
Personally I would like to see the guy get the same treatment he dished out to the Hong Kong based crew in the same way.
Aug 27, 2019, 5:55 am
#86
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC (Silver), IHG (Plat Elite)
Posts: 541
But the reason for this is (and I know that this is a wild generalisation) that the passengers at the front want BA to be as comfortable as Qatar whereas those down the back want BA to be as cheap as Easyjet and Ryanair.
If a passenger down the back wants more comfort then they can choose Premium Economy or Club Europe, both of which are far cheaper in real terms than economy was 20 years ago.
If a passenger down the back wants more comfort then they can choose Premium Economy or Club Europe, both of which are far cheaper in real terms than economy was 20 years ago.
On the rare occasion I get to travel up the pointy end, yes, of course I want it to be as comfortable as possible, on any measure, not just against Qatar ! lol
But I'd also be willing to pay a small premium to get a more pleasant experience in Y, more pleasant than a LCC. If I wanted a LCC, I'd book with them ! But I'd much prefer a more civilised experience and would pay slightly more to get it. But not everyone would agree, I understand that. WT+ and CE can be reasonably priced, but WT+ can also be as much as double the WT fare, admittedly partially due to increased APD. But I've also had it for an extra £150 ish, and have snapped it up. And it was nicer, especially on the refurbished frames.
For me, it was the small things though. Prior to BoB, what did the drinks run actually cost BA, per pax ? £1, £2 ? Probably less, buying in bulk. I'd argue it's cost them more in reputation........ It must have been factored into the fare in any case. Were they not supposed to be a "full service" carrier ?
Aug 27, 2019, 5:59 am
#87
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 744
One good thing that AC brought in was the return of CE on domestics - I would have not reached gold the last couple of years without it.
Aug 27, 2019, 6:07 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,622
One of the things Cruz consistently held the line on against industry trends was sector based status acquisition as opposed to revenue based.
Beware of what you wish for.
BoB never had anything to do with revenue. It’s about reducing onboard storage space and allowing density increases. Y is a numbers game.
Beware of what you wish for.
BoB never had anything to do with revenue. It’s about reducing onboard storage space and allowing density increases. Y is a numbers game.
Aug 27, 2019, 6:15 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Lynne Embleton seems to be the name in the frame.
BA lifer (27 years) and close to Willie, so no real change I would suggest.
BA lifer (27 years) and close to Willie, so no real change I would suggest.