BA Removes all Shorthaul from LHR from sale : now to 15 August.
#76
Join Date: Jul 2013
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#77
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 107
Is this really going to have much of an impact, or is it just window dressing to divert the attention back to LHR? What proportion of their short haul sales are actually made a few days out? I am sure that there are "some" but I would imagine the vast majority are purchased longer out than that?
Having been a victim of their cynical short term cancellations and consolidations on the NCL route, I do have a somewhat jaundiced view of this...
Having been a victim of their cynical short term cancellations and consolidations on the NCL route, I do have a somewhat jaundiced view of this...
#78
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
Posts: 2,985
Surely this is unsustainable for BA - I am currently on the LNER hurtling South instead of a BA flight and quite frankly, it is far more enjoyable. It is on time, comfortable, lovely scenery and no hassle at the start. I am normally a regularly EDI commuter but this is so much more pleasant at the moment, not to mention a lot cheaper - not sure why I would go back!
Regards
aks120
Regards
aks120
#79
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,192
For me, there will come a point when I will be unable to pass exorbitant prices onto clients!
#80
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC - Silver, Virgin Flying Club, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 229
If you are high-end 'bucket and spade' (and I dont mean just heading to Disney with the kiddies for two weeks and forking out mad cash because its Disney), wouldn't you be more inclined to freelance for the best business class deal for your 1, 2 or 3 yearly holidays, rather than tied into BA just because of the FF program? If fewer people are flying business in the future due to less need, or less desire to fork out for corporate contracts, doesn't that blow a big hole in the BA balance sheet? I seem to recall they had a pretty solid lock on a lot of the big travel contracts in London at the very least.
Seeing news reports of BA halting ticket sales, even short term and for a few weeks, doesn't really lend itself to feeling confident for booking with the in the future at ALL, long or short haul. BAEC may have its value, but the actual BA customer experience and product does not.
Seeing news reports of BA halting ticket sales, even short term and for a few weeks, doesn't really lend itself to feeling confident for booking with the in the future at ALL, long or short haul. BAEC may have its value, but the actual BA customer experience and product does not.
#81
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 933
Surely this is unsustainable for BA - I am currently on the LNER hurtling South instead of a BA flight and quite frankly, it is far more enjoyable. It is on time, comfortable, lovely scenery and no hassle at the start. I am normally a regularly EDI commuter but this is so much more pleasant at the moment, not to mention a lot cheaper - not sure why I would go back!
Regards
aks120
Regards
aks120
#82
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,416
I know people are frustrated and have suffered because of all the cancellations and limited flight options. But on a selfish and personal level, this has tended to work to my benefit. I don't take holidays during high season, and I've not had to transfer LHR. Most of my trips the last few months have been SH to Europe. I am usually able to book reasonably far in advance. I'm not super fussy about exactly when I leave. If I can get a RT in CE for 200 odd (vs 600 for better timings) then I'll take it even if it's at slightly inconvenient times. And without fail, the last few months I've either had a cancellation or the red "expected disruption warning of doom", either of which allow me to rebook up until the last minute. Saved my a$$ a couple of weeks ago when I skipped town to miss the worst of the heat wave.
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
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Posts: 30,357
I'd be curious to know what's the % of people who buy tickets within 2 weeks of travel, and what is the % of a flight income which is paid within the last 2 weeks.
From what I see, it is also the case that the block is only on Y, not on C? I find that a bit strange...
From what I see, it is also the case that the block is only on Y, not on C? I find that a bit strange...
#84
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: 63,476
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
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Posts: 30,357
#86
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wild Wiltshire
Programs: Demoted to gold, Cats protection
Posts: 3,455
If you are high-end 'bucket and spade' (and I dont mean just heading to Disney with the kiddies for two weeks and forking out mad cash because its Disney), wouldn't you be more inclined to freelance for the best business class deal for your 1, 2 or 3 yearly holidays, rather than tied into BA just because of the FF program? If fewer people are flying business in the future due to less need, or less desire to fork out for corporate contracts, doesn't that blow a big hole in the BA balance sheet? I seem to recall they had a pretty solid lock on a lot of the big travel contracts in London at the very least.
Seeing news reports of BA halting ticket sales, even short term and for a few weeks, doesn't really lend itself to feeling confident for booking with the in the future at ALL, long or short haul. BAEC may have its value, but the actual BA customer experience and product does not.
Seeing news reports of BA halting ticket sales, even short term and for a few weeks, doesn't really lend itself to feeling confident for booking with the in the future at ALL, long or short haul. BAEC may have its value, but the actual BA customer experience and product does not.
oh dear, I am now defined as "bucket and spade" can we have a separate category for the over 55s please.
#87
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Northern England
Posts: 1,526
Surely this is unsustainable for BA - I am currently on the LNER hurtling South instead of a BA flight and quite frankly, it is far more enjoyable. It is on time, comfortable, lovely scenery and no hassle at the start. I am normally a regularly EDI commuter but this is so much more pleasant at the moment, not to mention a lot cheaper - not sure why I would go back!
Regards
aks120
Regards
aks120
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,865
Makes you wonder if it isn't better to bite the bullet now for all of August.
BA must, surely, be above its daily passenger cap for the August bank holiday weekend. The week before that will still be busy with family holidays because you can still get a decent break in before the kids go back (we're not going away until 25th August). Pull the plug and be done ....
BA must, surely, be above its daily passenger cap for the August bank holiday weekend. The week before that will still be busy with family holidays because you can still get a decent break in before the kids go back (we're not going away until 25th August). Pull the plug and be done ....
#89
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
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Yeah but at least they give you advanced notice - just removing flights like BA are doing (at the behest of Heathrow of course) is just ridiculous. I am now sat in a nearly empty carriage from York - having travelled down from Perth to York in First and York onwards in economy. No issues - early into each station - sandwich in F was really tasty.. I could go on! I am a complete BA geek but enough is enough. My last couple of long hauls have been very poor, dirty aircraft and average cabin crew. London City was better and I am trying Gatwick this weekend!
I will retain GGL next year through flying (no requirement for any further extensions and I agree with KARFA in the other thread - continuing to extend is unsustainable too as it is possible to get status by travelling). I am going to have a long think about the following year though if this carries on much longer. The COVID excuse is running very thin!
Regards
aks120
I will retain GGL next year through flying (no requirement for any further extensions and I agree with KARFA in the other thread - continuing to extend is unsustainable too as it is possible to get status by travelling). I am going to have a long think about the following year though if this carries on much longer. The COVID excuse is running very thin!
Regards
aks120
#90
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex
Programs: BA; IHG; LHW; Hilton
Posts: 769
Surely this is unsustainable for BA - I am currently on the LNER hurtling South instead of a BA flight and quite frankly, it is far more enjoyable. It is on time, comfortable, lovely scenery and no hassle at the start. I am normally a regularly EDI commuter but this is so much more pleasant at the moment, not to mention a lot cheaper - not sure why I would go back!
Regards
aks120
Regards
aks120