Why are BA still flying the ancient LGW 777's?
Nov 20, 2020, 11:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
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Why are BA still flying the ancient LGW 777's?
So we took the plunge and have booked tickets to ANU for Christmas. I knew it was the case but I guess I am surprised they are still serving the LGW Caribbean routes with the old 777's. Given how many aircraft must be grounded right now, is there a reason not to put something a little better right now on the routes that have demand (£3.5k+ for these flights). I assume BA must have its reasons but part of me wonders if they just don't want to set a precedent of treating the leisure routes well!
Last edited by aristoph; Nov 20, 2020 at 5:21 pm
Nov 20, 2020, 11:44 am
#4
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BA won't easily give away their 10 abreast 777's because they're old.
Be prepared for the LHR fleet to be 10 abreast in Y as well.
Be prepared for the LHR fleet to be 10 abreast in Y as well.
Nov 20, 2020, 11:48 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2019
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None of the LGW based aircraft are as old as some people here suggest. Most of the older 777s (the GE ones at least) in the fleet are in fact based at LHR. Plus as mentioned above, the LGW frames have been refitted with the new IFE.
Nov 20, 2020, 12:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,595
What are these better planes that you speak of at Heathrow and what makes them a better plane in your eyes over the Gatwick based 777's?
As others have mentioned the LGW 777 3 class cabins have had a complete refresh in the past 12-18 months. Brand new IFE, USB charging, brand new seats in WT/WT+, mood lighting. What's not to like?
Also you don't mention which class you're travelling. You also mention "we". Is the price you've quoted in your original post total for all passengers travelling or per person? It's difficult to work out your expectation is without the full background.
As others have mentioned the LGW 777 3 class cabins have had a complete refresh in the past 12-18 months. Brand new IFE, USB charging, brand new seats in WT/WT+, mood lighting. What's not to like?
Also you don't mention which class you're travelling. You also mention "we". Is the price you've quoted in your original post total for all passengers travelling or per person? It's difficult to work out your expectation is without the full background.
Last edited by 1Aturnleft; Nov 20, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Nov 20, 2020, 12:37 pm
#8
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Leases can always be renegotiated onto more favourable terms I suppose.
Nov 20, 2020, 1:12 pm
#9
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Nov 20, 2020, 1:48 pm
#11
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Nov 20, 2020, 3:42 pm
#13
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My point was are all 787s/350s/New suite 777s gainfully employed elsewhere right now? It looks like the ANU route is red hot for Christmas so why not send a nice plane there with 300 customers instead of an empty flight to NY or wherever? (And I bet the freight capacity of the 777 is much more needed on other routes than ANU!)
Nov 20, 2020, 3:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,595
We would be in CW, and snaffled mileage tickets. The £3.5k is the per person charge for the same flights we are paying £500 plus 67.5k Avios for (plus Amex voucher).
My point was are all 787s/350s/New suite 777s gainfully employed elsewhere right now? It looks like the ANU route is red hot for Christmas so why not send a nice plane there with 300 customers instead of an empty flight to NY or wherever? (And I bet the freight capacity of the 777 is much more needed on other routes than ANU!)
My point was are all 787s/350s/New suite 777s gainfully employed elsewhere right now? It looks like the ANU route is red hot for Christmas so why not send a nice plane there with 300 customers instead of an empty flight to NY or wherever? (And I bet the freight capacity of the 777 is much more needed on other routes than ANU!)
Also BA maintenance at ANU won't necessarily be qualified to service other aircraft types or have spare parts available if needed. Onward shuttles to other islands which all ANU flight do carry an engineer on board for the short flight to the next island. It may be those airports aren't configured to service a 350 or a 787.
The 777 LGW 3 class cabin also has one of the highest density cabin arrangements (fewer CW seats, more WT and WT+ seats) and that may be a better fit for the destinations they are serving in order to make the route profitable.
If you'd picked Barbados from Heathrow however then you'd be getting Club Suite. I guess reward availability is long gone on that. I believe rotation is also important and what routes can work together to offer the new product effectively given the specific flight sectors involved. Your choices from Gatwick are always going to be somewhat limited.
Last edited by 1Aturnleft; Nov 20, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Nov 20, 2020, 4:42 pm
#15
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Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
One reason might be the Gatwick based crew aren't licenced to operate the 350/787. Makes zero sense to invest in that to keep 300 passengers happy (290 of which probably wouldn't even know any different).
Also BA maintenance at ANU won't necessarily be qualified to service other aircraft types or have spare parts available if needed. Onward shuttles to other islands which all ANU flight do carry an engineer on board for the short flight to the next island. It may be those airports aren't configured to service a 350 or a 787.
The 777 LGW 3 class cabin also has one of the highest density cabin arrangements (fewer CW seats, more WT and WT+ seats) and that may be a better fit for the destinations they are serving in order to make the route profitable.
If you'd picked Barbados from Heathrow however then you'd be getting Club Suite. I guess reward availability is long gone on that. I believe rotation is also important and what routes can work together to offer the new product effectively given the specific flight sectors involved. Your choices from Gatwick are always going to be somewhat limited.
Also BA maintenance at ANU won't necessarily be qualified to service other aircraft types or have spare parts available if needed. Onward shuttles to other islands which all ANU flight do carry an engineer on board for the short flight to the next island. It may be those airports aren't configured to service a 350 or a 787.
The 777 LGW 3 class cabin also has one of the highest density cabin arrangements (fewer CW seats, more WT and WT+ seats) and that may be a better fit for the destinations they are serving in order to make the route profitable.
If you'd picked Barbados from Heathrow however then you'd be getting Club Suite. I guess reward availability is long gone on that. I believe rotation is also important and what routes can work together to offer the new product effectively given the specific flight sectors involved. Your choices from Gatwick are always going to be somewhat limited.