BA286 SFO-LHR 4th Jan equipment change A380 to 52J 744
Dec 31, 2019, 1:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 155
BA286 SFO-LHR 4th Jan equipment change A380 to 52J 744
Hey folks,
Just had a notification from BA about an equipment change as per the thread title. It's our first club world experience so a bit gutted.
"BA286 on 04/01/2020 to LHR - Due to a reduction in aircraft capacity, you may travel on another service from San Francisco or San Jose to London Heathrow from 03-JAN to 05-JAN. Please contact us or your travel agent."
I'm on an Iberia codeshare on this flight and the seat map is showing only 4 free seats on the replacement aircraft.
I have an onward from LGW to CDG on the 6th with Vueling as part of the same PNR.
I need to overnight in London, so what's the best strategy for getting the best experience onboard, but also retaining my overnight in London?
Cheers!
Just had a notification from BA about an equipment change as per the thread title. It's our first club world experience so a bit gutted.
"BA286 on 04/01/2020 to LHR - Due to a reduction in aircraft capacity, you may travel on another service from San Francisco or San Jose to London Heathrow from 03-JAN to 05-JAN. Please contact us or your travel agent."
I'm on an Iberia codeshare on this flight and the seat map is showing only 4 free seats on the replacement aircraft.
I have an onward from LGW to CDG on the 6th with Vueling as part of the same PNR.
I need to overnight in London, so what's the best strategy for getting the best experience onboard, but also retaining my overnight in London?
Cheers!
Dec 31, 2019, 2:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Availability is currently showing zeroed our currently, with the seat map currently showing as below. I personally quite like the 747s in CW, particularly if you are able to get the upper-deck- currently showing one seat blocked (?for status) so if your travelling alone that may open up at some point, otherwise I’d nap the window spot for the time being of you can. Keep an eye on things regularly, as others may decide to change their plans, other seats may well open up.
Dec 31, 2019, 2:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 155
We're a couple, so I'll keep an eye on the seat map I guess, I lost my bronze status so will have to wait until t-24.
Considering switching to the SJC flight on the 787, but I don't know how easy it is to get there without a car from downtown SF.
Considering switching to the SJC flight on the 787, but I don't know how easy it is to get there without a car from downtown SF.
Dec 31, 2019, 3:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
SJC 6:20p → LHR 12:40p
F2 A1 J2 C0 D0 R0 I0 W6 E4 T0 Y9 B6 H3 K3 M3 L2 V2 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
looking at google, a car would take you 90 minutes, there is a coach between SFO and SJC if that helps. According to google it would take about 100 minutes from San Fran itself.
Last edited by navylad; Dec 31, 2019 at 3:36 pm
Dec 31, 2019, 3:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 4,029
Uber or Lyft at just over an hour each - or look for a local car service. Should be around $100
Dec 31, 2019, 3:19 pm
#6
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
It's fairly straightforward from Santa Clara Caltrain service, however on a Saturday the Caltrain service frequency is fairly scarce, so you'll have to carefully plan the schedule. From Santa Clara station there is regular bus link to the airport or you can just take a taxi for that last section, it's less than 10 minutes. If you're trying to keep it simple, the alternative is to take the BART all the way down to Warm Springs, the end of the line, and a taxi/Uber/Lyft from there. That runs often enough,, it's 20 minutes from Warm Springs to the airport.
Dec 31, 2019, 4:24 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 155
Given that I don't have seat selection capabilities, possibly sitting tight and going to the airport is the best option.
Am I right in thinking that the 54J 744's are a tad delapidated? Was really looking forward to A380 CW
Am I right in thinking that the 54J 744's are a tad delapidated? Was really looking forward to A380 CW
Dec 31, 2019, 4:33 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,915
They have been cleaned and the majority ( over 50%) of them? have been refurbished with better IFE ( there is the Mid J 747 thread to provide details
Regards
TBS
Dec 31, 2019, 5:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Jan 1, 2020, 11:13 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
You can also BART (South) to Millbrae and Uber/Lyft from there. It avoids the whole going North to go South thing (which you do going to WarmSprings/South Fremont.). Your overall journey will be quicker but you'll spend more on the rideshare portion of the trip. This is probably what I would do deepening on where I was in SF.
rb211.
rb211.
Jan 1, 2020, 7:02 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 155
I asked for the advice on the SJC connection but omitted to say I have to drop my car back to SFO rental car center, so I would be going SFO -> SJC. I suspect the best way to do that would be to book another car for immediately after dropping my current car off!!!
Jan 1, 2020, 7:23 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Thanks for all the replies folks. At the moment I'm staying put and relying on the rest of the passengers exercising the flexibility. My main concern is to ensure we get enough time in London to go home and drop our luggage.
I asked for the advice on the SJC connection but omitted to say I have to drop my car back to SFO rental car center, so I would be going SFO -> SJC. I suspect the best way to do that would be to book another car for immediately after dropping my current car off!!!
I asked for the advice on the SJC connection but omitted to say I have to drop my car back to SFO rental car center, so I would be going SFO -> SJC. I suspect the best way to do that would be to book another car for immediately after dropping my current car off!!!
Alternatively consider dropping the car as planned and taking Uber over to SJC. Should run approx. $100.
Jan 3, 2020, 10:12 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 155
IB codeshare strikes again!
Despite BA emailing and texting me, when I called them they said they can't touch it and only Iberia can touch it. Called Iberia and they know nothing of the situation and their system still showing as operating on an A380 so they won't allow me to make the change.
So, after all this, it looks like we're destined to get to the airport and stand at least some chance of IDB, despite being willing to take an earlier flight.
Despite BA emailing and texting me, when I called them they said they can't touch it and only Iberia can touch it. Called Iberia and they know nothing of the situation and their system still showing as operating on an A380 so they won't allow me to make the change.
So, after all this, it looks like we're destined to get to the airport and stand at least some chance of IDB, despite being willing to take an earlier flight.
Jan 3, 2020, 10:40 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
IB codeshare strikes again!
Despite BA emailing and texting me, when I called them they said they can't touch it and only Iberia can touch it. Called Iberia and they know nothing of the situation and their system still showing as operating on an A380 so they won't allow me to make the change.
So, after all this, it looks like we're destined to get to the airport and stand at least some chance of IDB, despite being willing to take an earlier flight.
Despite BA emailing and texting me, when I called them they said they can't touch it and only Iberia can touch it. Called Iberia and they know nothing of the situation and their system still showing as operating on an A380 so they won't allow me to make the change.
So, after all this, it looks like we're destined to get to the airport and stand at least some chance of IDB, despite being willing to take an earlier flight.
currently still showing zeroed out, the bassinet on the upper deck has been unblocked and F is looking rather unblocked so I suspect a fair number of OpUps, but they may well try and fog it to get some cash at check in first.
you could arrive early enough for the airport to move you to the earlier flight?