RGS5526

For many domestic to long-haul routes that pass through LHR, BA offers several options for the domestic leg, with tight connections typically a little more expensive than longer ones. It is up to the customer to choose between the relative certainty of making the long connection and the reduced overall journey time (and earlier arrival) of the tight one.

Revenue Management probably set the difference so that it works to BA's advantage, taking into account the compensation and subsistence costs of missed connections, perhaps even considering the cost of extra time spent in lounges by passengers with long (voluntary or involuntary) times between flights.

Agent69

Is MCT set by the airline or the airport?

corporate-wage-slave

Airline. Some airports have a dialogue with airlines about it though.

testycal

I personally, enjoy the drama of short connections within T5....T5B or T5C to T5 (when satellite security not available) and return to T5B or T5C, using the tunnel under the train for a jogging workout in each direction, and even fitting in a coffee and a pastry in the T5B lounge from time to time depending on T5 security.

FlyingScientist

Apparently, we have something in common...

Confus

One thing I feel very comfortable saying is that BA will absolutely have considered this when setting MCT. Like a lot of things it’s a trade-off… but they’ve clearly decided on balance that the risk of occasional misconnect+compensation is worth it for the additional sales opportunities it allows. There are plenty of itineraries that wouldn’t be possible (or would require an overnight) if MCT were longer. Indeed they’re sophisticated enough to plan which flights go to T3 on the basis of connecting flows.

MCT will be set on the basis that X percentile will make it. To some extent there’s an observation bias on FT, where we only ever see those who are worried (and occasionally some of the 100-X where it did go wrong). No one ever comes here to share that they made a short connection just fine.

drvannostren

I'm actually quite happy to be compensated with a hotel room and cash for a misconnect, I don't value my time much and I'm always travelling for leisure. I booked a 50 minute connection on the last flight of the night at ARN and ended up with a night in the airport hotel which was nice by my standards and like 400 euro or something which SAS made totally painless to claim. I was happy

I have a small BA credit to use ($400 CAD) if anyone has a routing they'd recommend to get a compensated misconnect, let me know

ermis177

25 mins too and I have done it many times. They usually pick me up with a car and drive me all the way to the other flight can’t complain

zen100

Why is the MCT not longer?

Because BA never start boarding on time anyway

I'm being facetious, but I think the number of missed connections would be higher, if BA was better at commencing boarding on time, and therefore always closing the gate at T-20.

Agent69

I only travel for leisure and try for a connection of around 2hrs (time for a cup of tea in the lounge).However, I've often wondered about booking the shortest connection possible to maximise the chance of compo. I'm certain there must be a living to be made out of it if you book the correct flights.