BOH

Just returned from hols in Scandinavia and on a couple of nights we found ourselves sitting on the same table as an Easyjet captain. Some fascinating discussions throughout the week but he mentioned a few things that made me wonder if they are gunning for BA a bit more, particularly the business traveller. He mentioned a few things that will probably be unveiled / in final stages of planning in the next 12 months (but not all) and that most were probably common knowledge so had no problem with sharing.

• A potential simple FFP program with tier levels - simple to the extent of after say 6 sectors, one free sector is earned. Or 10 for a return flight
• A trial of a separate cabin on LGW routes with higher fares and empty middle seat - but only on selected business heavy destinations, ie, AMS, MXP-LIN / ZRH etc
• Pax will be able to earn status with # of flights (as per BA) but interestingly also able to purchase it too - basically an expansion of the current Easyjet Plus but now a much more expensive higher level to be available
• No dividing cabin screen, only differentiated by different colour headrest covers each time
• The new higher level tier able to access a range of independent lounges at airports that have them, ie Priority Pass

So am curious as to the potential impact on BA if any / all of these come to fruition? Am not 100% convinced it will because it is LGW (not known for either it's connecting traffic or premium / high fare travellers) and neither is BA that active there anymore either. Might be a temptation for point-to-point business travellers who are in the South / South West London area and Sussex / Kent / Surrey etc.

milkyway88

The more competition; the better for passengers. It may force BA to focus on ensuring it's CE product is better than EasyJets and provide pressure on prices to ensure it is (or remains) sensibility priced.

I can only see upside..... unless you are a IAG shareholder.

Kgmm77

UKtravelbear

Stop perpetuating this myth. I'm a premium / high fare traveller and have no problem using LGW when it's convenient.

And BA is certainly very active at LGW

As to what BA will do IF Easyjet does any of these things? Likely shrug its shoulders and simply not care.

DYKWIA

They are bigger, but don't appeal to some who want lounge access / FFP / free drinks & food etc.

From outside London, IMO you'd have to be crazy to choose BA over Easyjet if there is a direct routing rather than via LHR.

T8191

Gold/high fare using LGW tomorrow. Does EasyJet fly to the Caribbean? No? OK, I’ll stick with BA in J

Mordac

Unfortunately, EasyJet cares as little for those of us in the West Midlands as BA does. It's hard enough getting to LHR, let alone LGW.

Prospero

An interesting development if it does come to fruition, although possibly targeting Vueling more than BA and other legacy carriers. I suppose the standard APD rate would apply to these fares which would suggest diversification in the EZY demographic.

Swanhunter

cme17

London21

gw76

Sealink

"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."

milkyway88

That's what the 3rd runway plan says LHR want, naming EZY and Flybe has already saying they want to run domestic from LHR when the new runway is built.

ajamieson

Nice info, will be very interesting to see what changes emerge. Incidentally, BA's soon-to-depart James Hillier told me at a customer event about a year ago that he was headhunted by Easyjet for the new loyalty job (but clearly either didn't get it or didn't go for it!).

I trialled a full switch to Easyjet for a period of a few months twice in the past three years (including EasyJet Plus) and both times I've given up because of very poor punctuality and often unpleasant boarding experience. I'm aware this can vary significantly based on personal travel patterns but my experience of Easyjet at LGW, LTN and LYS (all bases for the airline) has been less than stellar. Maybe a loyalty scheme will tip the balance?