COVID-19: From our family to yours - Regards, A.Cruz
Apr 9, 2020, 10:29 am
#1
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COVID-19: From our family to yours - Regards, A.Cruz
Just received this email from Mr Cruz himself!
Dear ROCKFLYERTALK,
For only the second time in our 100-year history, (the first being during the Second World War), the majority of our British Airways aircraft have now touched down in London, leaving just a small fleet flying to bring people home to their loved ones and to deliver critical supplies to countries and people in need.
As borders continue to close and the world comes to a temporary standstill, we wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks to you for your incredible support of British Airways and our crews, and to send our warmest thoughts to you and to those who may be suffering at the hands of this unexpected crisis.
As difficult as it has been for our teams and our customers, we stand together. Our business stands on strong foundations. At its heart are many thousands of colleagues who care passionately about the airline, Britain and the nations and customers we serve.
An incredible new global community has emerged from the situation we find ourselves in and that is something for us all to feel proud of. Hundreds of thousands of people have volunteered their services to help organisations around the world, so too have many of our own people, and for that we are proud and grateful. While many of our aircraft remain on the ground, we will take inspiration from the heroes who are working on the front line and we will continue to serve Britain as best we can.
Sadly, we know that now is not the time to travel. We don’t know when it will be, but we do know that when our aircraft are cleared for take-off once again, it will be epic. Families will be reunited, the wheels of industry will start turning again and when they do, we’ll be ready, to fly and to serve.
Until then, from our family to yours, thank you and we wish you well.Thank you,
Alex Cruz
Chairman and CEO,
British Airways
Make what you will of that.
Dear ROCKFLYERTALK,
For only the second time in our 100-year history, (the first being during the Second World War), the majority of our British Airways aircraft have now touched down in London, leaving just a small fleet flying to bring people home to their loved ones and to deliver critical supplies to countries and people in need.
As borders continue to close and the world comes to a temporary standstill, we wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks to you for your incredible support of British Airways and our crews, and to send our warmest thoughts to you and to those who may be suffering at the hands of this unexpected crisis.
As difficult as it has been for our teams and our customers, we stand together. Our business stands on strong foundations. At its heart are many thousands of colleagues who care passionately about the airline, Britain and the nations and customers we serve.
An incredible new global community has emerged from the situation we find ourselves in and that is something for us all to feel proud of. Hundreds of thousands of people have volunteered their services to help organisations around the world, so too have many of our own people, and for that we are proud and grateful. While many of our aircraft remain on the ground, we will take inspiration from the heroes who are working on the front line and we will continue to serve Britain as best we can.
Sadly, we know that now is not the time to travel. We don’t know when it will be, but we do know that when our aircraft are cleared for take-off once again, it will be epic. Families will be reunited, the wheels of industry will start turning again and when they do, we’ll be ready, to fly and to serve.
Until then, from our family to yours, thank you and we wish you well.Thank you,
Alex Cruz
Chairman and CEO,
British Airways
Apr 9, 2020, 10:39 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Got that too - doesn’t really say anything .. 
Apr 9, 2020, 10:57 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Does anybody understand the first sentence?
Don't the majority of BA aircraft "touch down" in London at least every day or two? And if they actually mean "parked", then that's wrong too, since the fleet is parked all over the UK (and also France and Spain, I believe).
I'm frankly getting fed up with all these CEO emails that say nothing of substance.
For only the second time in our 100-year history, (the first being during the Second World War), the majority of our British Airways aircraft have now touched down in London
I'm frankly getting fed up with all these CEO emails that say nothing of substance.
Apr 9, 2020, 11:22 am
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 830
Does anybody understand the first sentence?
Don't the majority of BA aircraft "touch down" in London at least every day or two? And if they actually mean "parked", then that's wrong too, since the fleet is parked all over the UK (and also France and Spain, I believe).
I'm frankly getting fed up with all these CEO emails that say nothing of substance.
Don't the majority of BA aircraft "touch down" in London at least every day or two? And if they actually mean "parked", then that's wrong too, since the fleet is parked all over the UK (and also France and Spain, I believe).
I'm frankly getting fed up with all these CEO emails that say nothing of substance.
I had to do a bit more research - "touch down" = When an aircraft touches down, it lands (per the Cambridge Dictionary), so sounds like he meant landed in London. Must have forgotten he runs an airline and had a few too many Rioja's in the lead up to the long weekend.
Last edited by ens100; Apr 9, 2020 at 11:27 am
Apr 9, 2020, 11:25 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
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Posts: 5,898
What this tells me is that I’m definitely no longer receiving marketing communications from BA, despite my settings being properly set 😊
Apr 9, 2020, 11:28 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Posts: 1,448
Well at least he doesn't try and pretend they have their employees or passengers interest at heart..... In fact I'm not sure he actually says anything really, there's a pandemic, things have changed, planes are grounded...... I'm worried for anyone that hadn't realised this before receiving this email.
Apr 9, 2020, 11:38 am
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
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My wife read it and thought it was rather nice.
Apr 9, 2020, 11:41 am
#8
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London/Frankfurt
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 181
I'm sure that someone more knowledgeable than I can explain what this means.
It reminds me of
"We are building a fighting force of extraordinary magnitude. We forge our tradition in the spirit of our ancestors. You have ... our gratitude!" from Kentucky Fried Movie.
It reminds me of
"We are building a fighting force of extraordinary magnitude. We forge our tradition in the spirit of our ancestors. You have ... our gratitude!" from Kentucky Fried Movie.
Apr 9, 2020, 11:41 am
#9
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Apr 9, 2020, 11:42 am
#10
Join Date: May 2006
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Posts: 5,904
It looks like a load of words strung together.
Apr 9, 2020, 11:42 am
#11
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Apr 9, 2020, 11:49 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 266
It’s word soup, and does nothing to even apologise for the hundreds of missteps and underhand behaviour that preceded it let alone right the wrongs.
Apr 9, 2020, 11:58 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Posts: 6,399
The highly commendable efforts of those BA employees who have volunteered their services to the NHS, and indeed any other organisations currently in desperate need of extra hands, are clearly deserving of our praise - and the Señor is right to highlight this in his (rather strangely-constructed) letter ; as well as the efforts of others within BA ,who are still working to keep passenger or cargo flights operating where deemed necessary. So much of the food & household supplies we all continue to need (regardless of all manner of other disruptions to our lives) will be imported.
As mentioned by Deltus above, all BA aircraft do indeed ‘touch down’ in London at least every other day or so - and often, multiple times within one day. Alex sounds almost surprised that this should happen at BA’s home base, as though it were a special event.
addenda : was disappointed that there was no ‘PS’ at the end of the letter to say “oh and by the way, I’ve just instructed my IT guys to switch the refund option back on your MMB pages”
As mentioned by Deltus above, all BA aircraft do indeed ‘touch down’ in London at least every other day or so - and often, multiple times within one day. Alex sounds almost surprised that this should happen at BA’s home base, as though it were a special event.
addenda : was disappointed that there was no ‘PS’ at the end of the letter to say “oh and by the way, I’ve just instructed my IT guys to switch the refund option back on your MMB pages”
Last edited by subject2load; Apr 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Apr 9, 2020, 12:00 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Posts: 426
Are all flights canceled, if so until how long? it was a strange email that was sent.
Apr 9, 2020, 12:03 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London/Frankfurt
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 181
I just received mine, and it's the same as the OP's. I feel so .. cheap 
. Alex, I thought I was special.
A more rational and honest reaction to what's happened would be "Damn! Damn! Why me? Hell! What's going on? We're all stuffed! Aaaaargh!"
If Alex had written that to me, it would have been reassuring.
. Alex, I thought I was special.A more rational and honest reaction to what's happened would be "Damn! Damn! Why me? Hell! What's going on? We're all stuffed! Aaaaargh!"
If Alex had written that to me, it would have been reassuring.