British Airways

[Ted633]

Hi, can anyone please advise what the issue was with G-GATH working BA2591 Verona to LGW on Thursday 7/11?

A friend was onboard and they aborted landing at the last minute and went around due to a "technical issue" . Landed OK a while later but with fire engines in attendance...

It worked back out of LGW early the next morning so presumably nothing a alt ctrl del couldnt fix

Thanks in hope, Simon

It was an Auto Brake fault that popped up during the approach. Can't give any more details than that though.

 

[Smckent]

Thank you chaps and Ted633

 

[Mojo]

Another BA IT meltdown this evening. Fortunately didn't seem to last too long but there was a bit of a gap in BA departures from Heathrow.

DFW isnt the only route to be going. They’ve just dropped BAH and KWI.

It was reported last night that BA has done a "U-Turn" (or whatever the aviation equivalent is ) and will now not be scrapping the Bahrain route. It will continue operating in the summer schedule but only 3 times a week, it will then return to the current flight once per day from the winter schedule. Kuwait is still however to be scrapped.

BA had argued that flights to Bahrain and Kuwait were no longer commercially viable, leaving staff who have served on the routes at risk of losing their jobs.

But the plans caused an uproar, with Dr Liam Fox, who served as defence secretary under David Cameron, told the Mail that BA's move would send 'totally the wrong message' about Britain's diplomatic intentions while also harming UK business interests in the region.

Meanwhile, Bahraini officials were angered by the fact that they were not consulted by BA before it decided to scrap the route, while thousands of residents with close ties to Britain drew up a petition demanding that the decision be reversed.

Concerns were raised that Britain's global influence could be reduced while straining relations with allies in the region. Bahrain is home to a Royal Navy base at the Mina Salman Port.

Under-fire British Airways drops plans to scrap flights to Bahrain

In a dramatic U-turn, the flag carrier last night said it would continue a direct service between London and Bahrain.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[JCO1406]

BA have announced a new First Class seat, to release in 2026.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Looks very nice

 

[Sun Chariot]

BA have announced a new First Class seat, to release in 2026.

This is a dangerous post. It's dangerous because I have just showed those photos to my dear wife. She has now insisted Premium Economy isn't good enough for our next USA trip...

 

[nlogax]

This is a dangerous post. It's dangerous because I have just showed those photos to my dear wife. She has now insisted Premium Economy isn't good enough for our next USA trip...

So Club World it is, right?

 

[John R]

This is a dangerous post. It's dangerous because I have just showed those photos to my dear wife. She has now insisted Premium Economy isn't good enough for our next USA trip...

My wife used to say she was happy in Economy and couldn’t see why I wanted Business. Now she critiques each different Business seat (or suite) in great detail, pointing out any minor shortcomings…

We’ll be flying First to the USA next April on a 380. A first for us, but well worth it to avoid the old style Club World seat.

 

[Bald Rick]

We’ll be flying First to the USA next April on a 380. A first for us, but well worth it to avoid the old style Club World seat.

May I be “that” person that points out (to your wife !) that you could avoid Club World by trying World Traveller, and spend the difference on a new bathroom

 

[TravelDream]

May I be “that” person that points out (to your wife !) that you could avoid Club World by trying World Traveller, and spend the difference on a new bathroom

Made me chuckle as it's very true.

I have to say it's hard to go back to economy once you've flown business a few times, but I personally don't understand the people who pay thousands and thousands above the economy fare for a Club World/ business fare.

I only fly business when either someone else is paying, or the fare is good value.

I've had some cracking fares in the past. £1600 return to Australia was a highlight (not BA).

 

[John R]

Made me chuckle as it's very true.

I have to say it's hard to go back to economy once you've flown business a few times, but I personally don't understand the people who pay thousands and thousands above the economy fare for a Club World/ business fare.

I only fly business when either someone else is paying, or the fare is good value.

I've had some cracking fares in the past. £1600 return to Australia was a highlight (not BA).

We only fly Business when it’s good value. Currently in South Africa and declined to pay £5k return with BA (even more with Virgin), so flew WTP. In contrast, we flew with Singapore to Sydney last year Business for around £4k, and less than £2k return to Chicago/Dallas which are more sensible figures.

And Mrs R already has a new kitchen and bathroom, so it’s not a question of either/or!

 

[Bald Rick]

Made me chuckle as it's very true.

I have to say it's hard to go back to economy once you've flown business a few times, but I personally don't understand the people who pay thousands and thousands above the economy fare for a Club World/ business fare.

I only fly business when either someone else is paying, or the fare is good value.

I've had some cracking fares in the past. £1600 return to Australia was a highlight (not BA).

Around a decade ago I had the following conversation with my father in law, who had only flown business (long haul) for the previous 30 years, about an impending family trip to the US for my family of 4 plus the in laws for which I was paying.

FIL: “So, how are we going to go to America?”
BR: (Somewhat perplexed) “I thought perhaps we’d all swim?”
FIL: “No, I mean what class are we flying?”
BR: “Really? Economy, obviously”
FIL: “You want to fly Business. Me and (Mother in Law), we always fly business”
BR: “Well, yes, I want to fly business, but if I’m going to spend 20k on something to make us comfortable, I‘d rather spend it on something that is comfortable for rather longer than 7 hours. Like a new car”

[conversation ends with Mrs BR giving me the look that suggests I’ll be lucky to see out the day. Withdraw to bedroom]

(Post Script. We didn’t fly business. But neither have I had a new car).

 

[Sun Chariot]

So Club World it is, right?

I tell you what, when we walked through Club World to our World Traveller Plus saloon, my wife noted the Club World pods weren't any good for couples - I did explain the average  business traveller isn't flying as a couple - and that the seats wouldn't fit my tall frame

 

[John R]

I tell you what, when we walked through Club World to our World Traveller Plus saloon, my wife noted the Club World pods weren't any good for couples - I did explain the average  business traveller isn't flying as a couple - and that the seats wouldn't fit my tall frame

The new Club Suite (pods as you call them) is widely regarded as far superior to the old dated Yin-Yang configuration, which was rapidly becoming a real Achilles heel for BA. If the comfort and privacy those suites provides precludes sitting next to Mrs R for 12 hours then we are both absolutely fine with that, especially as some of that will be sleeping time. We will have enough time on holiday to talk to each other anyway!

(And walking through 18 rows of Club Suites on our way to WTP last week, we’d have given up the benefit of sitting next to each other for two of them any day.)

 

[Sun Chariot]

(And walking through 18 rows of Club Suites on our way to WTP last week, we’d have given up the benefit of sitting next to each other for two of them any day.)

The same thought crossed her mind, two weeks ago, on our 777-300 LHR-JFK flight.

 

[JCO1406]

G-EUPT heading to the scrapyard tomorrow. Another A319 down.

 

[John R]

I tell you what, when we walked through Club World to our World Traveller Plus saloon, my wife noted the Club World pods weren't any good for couples - I did explain the average  business traveller isn't flying as a couple - and that the seats wouldn't fit my tall frame

I checked this on my return flight yesterday and if you pick the centre two suites there is a slideable privacy screen which means that a couple can effectively travel together and converse.

 

[zero]

I tell you what, when we walked through Club World to our World Traveller Plus saloon, my wife noted the Club World pods weren't any good for couples - I did explain the average  business traveller isn't flying as a couple - and that the seats wouldn't fit my tall frame

From my recent flights I would say very few people in long-haul business class are actually flying on business now - although leisure travellers may not be couples either but just friends or relatives.

Of course the business/leisure mix also depends on the destination.

 

[route101]

Must be quite a bit of buisness travel to the States and China.

Some of the these business class seats face each other facing backwards and forwards. Looks a bit awkward when the privacy divider is down.

 

[John R]

Must be quite a bit of buisness travel to the States and China.

Some of the these business class seats face each other facing backwards and forwards. Looks a bit awkward when the privacy divider is down.

This is the very dated yin-yang configuration. When introduced it was revolutionary as the first Business flat bed, but has fallen well behind. It’s on its way out, but it is taking a long time for BA to refit all its fleet.

The Club Suite that replaces it is much better and, as is now the standard, offers all aisle access and complete privacy, (and also including a door, which is not yet standard in Business configurations across airlines).

Savvy travellers will check before booking which they will get - the type of plane is a good start - BA show the seat configs of each type on its website.

 

[RailWonderer]

From my recent flights I would say very few people in long-haul business class are actually flying on business now - although leisure travellers may not be couples either but just friends or relatives.

I know that in my company and in the companies of my family they are all flown economy on work trips - only the directors and CEO are flown business.

This is the very dated yin-yang configuration. When introduced it was revolutionary as the first Business flat bed, but has fallen well behind. It’s on its way out, but it is taking a long time for BA to refit all its fleet.

The Club Suite that replaces it is much better and, as is now the standard, offers all aisle access and complete privacy, (and also including a door, which is not yet standard in Business configurations across airlines).

Savvy travellers will check before booking which they will get - the type of plane is a good start - BA show the seat configs of each type on its website.

Does BA offer too many club seats and too few WT and WT+? Those new seats take a lot more space than the old yin yang. Air France by comparison (you can see the seat maps on their website) offer a more economy heavy config.

 

[Mojo]

Does BA offer too many club seats and too few WT and WT+? Those new seats take a lot more space than the old yin yang. Air France by comparison (you can see the seat maps on their website) offer a more economy heavy config.

I’m guessing you’re referring to the layout of the 777-300ER which is indeed very premium heavy, but more likely to be a reflection of commercial demands of such routes these planes fly on such as one of the two Johannesburg flights which I flew on about a month ago and was fully booked.

On the smaller of the widebody fleet (ie. the A350s and 787s which only have 2-3-2 in the old Club World layout) which makes up about half of BA’s widebody fleet you can see that the Club Suites don’t take up a lot more room, but are actually fairly similar. You can probably best see this on the 787-8 which was 35 Business seats on the old layout and 31 on the new, with the Business cabin roughly the same size.

 

[John R]

I know that in my company and in the companies of my family they are all flown economy on work trips - only the directors and CEO are flown business.

Does BA offer too many club seats and too few WT and WT+? Those new seats take a lot more space than the old yin yang. Air France by comparison (you can see the seat maps on their website) offer a more economy heavy config.

Judging by my trip to Cape Town and return from Jo'Burg, which had the new Club Suite, it's selling very well, as it was full in both directions. How do I know - there was a sign encouraging people to ask for an upgrade at check in, but when I did they said "Oh, you're WTP, I'm afraid CW is full."

And I was very taken aback by how much of the plane's length was taken up with Club. 18 rows of Club suite, (plus two of First), 5 of WTP, and 14 of WT.

 

[Bald Rick]

Judging by my trip to Cape Town and return from Jo'Burg, which had the new Club Suite, it's selling very well, as it was full in both directions. How do I know - there was a sign encouraging people to ask for an upgrade at check in, but when I did they said "Oh, you're WTP, I'm afraid CW is full."

And I was very taken aback by how much of the plane's length was taken up with Club. 18 rows of Club suite, (plus two of First), 5 of WTP, and 14 of WT.

Yep, it’s where the custom is on many LH routes. But then air travel is about the cheapest it has ever been in real terms. 25 years ago I did my first trip to the US east coast, the return fare was £390 and that was a mate’s rates discount with Virgin, with APD at £20. Allowing for inflation that’s the equivalent of £900 now. I can do the same trip now, at the same time of year, for less than half that, and APD is now £84. I can even go out economy, back ‘Upper Class’ for less than £1500.

 

[Jamiescott1]

Was booked in WT on our flight last week, when got to lhr we printed put boarding passes which had printed on them "enjoy your free upgrade". So flew in WTP
When booking the flights back in april the cost for WTP was over double that for WT so couldn't justify the cost.

 

[telstarbox]

Is UK - South Africa a market which is inherently single seat long haul, as opposed to say India or Japan where direct flights exist but you might connect in Dubai if the price is right? If so does that explain the larger share of premium cabins?

 

[signed]

Is UK - South Africa a market which is inherently single seat long haul, as opposed to say India or Japan where direct flights exist but you might connect in Dubai if the price is right? If so does that explain the larger share of premium cabins?

A thumb rule is that the longer the flight the higher the premium share is

The ultra-long haul A350-1000ULR ordered by Qantas for Project Sunrise don't have economy at all. Same for the ULRs ordered by Singapore

 

[TravelDream]

Yep, it’s where the custom is on many LH routes. But then air travel is about the cheapest it has ever been in real terms.

Definitely true.

I am always aghast when I look at air fares from even the 90s.

I'm heading to Thailand in early February before it gets too hot there. We paid £451 for our tickets on Air India with a short connection in Delhi each way. Including baggage/ meals of course. Economy on Air India might not be my dream choice, but that is one pretty decent fare considering APD is £92 alone.


On business class, I think airlines have been a bit surprised how strongly it has rebounded post-Covid. A lot of that is due to leisure travelers splurging on an improved journey. Leisure premium classes are the real driver of growth.
TBH I would have considered it for the trip to Thailand, but my travel partners are more budget orientated.

 

[route101]

Could there come a time where Premium Economy catches up with business class in comfort etc?

I have never had the budget for anything other than Y for flying, short haul within Europe certainly not worth cash price.

 

[YorkRailFan]

The ultra-long haul A350-1000ULR ordered by Qantas for Project Sunrise don't have economy at all.

No, Qantas will have Economy Class on their A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise, they've advertised it on their website:

Reach new levels of comfort in our new ergonomically-designed Economy seat
We have designed our new Economy cabins with your utmost comfort in mind. Relax in our most spacious Economy seat yet with a 33” pitch and six-way adjustable headrest for optimal support. Immerse yourself in the 13.3” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity and keep your devices powered with two fast charging USB-C outlets for every customer.

Seating configuration: 3-3-3

https://www.qantas.com/gb/en/about-us/our-company/fleet/new-fleet/project-sunrise/economy.html