Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 7 Posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2730 times:
According to BBC Radio 2 - and I've been unable to find anything to back this up - BA are going to offer fares from London to Sydney or Melbourne based on the cricket scores between England and Oz, with the price being determined by Oz's score and the number available based on England's score. Now, I can't stand cricket and don't even understand the scoring system, but the presenters guesstimated that there would be maybe 200-250 tickets priced at GBP200-GBP250 each - compared to around GBP600 currently. Being BA, this probably excludes taxes so add around GBP120 taxes onto that.
Concorde001 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 1230 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2704 times:
On the BA Website:
"To celebrate the climax of one of the most thrilling Ashes test series in history, British Airways is offering hundreds of flights to Australia for the price of an innings.
On Thursday 8th September, British Airways will offer seats on its routes from London to Sydney and Melbourne for the equivalent price of Australia’s first innings in the Ashes decider at the Oval.
British Airways commercial director Martin George said: “We have been bowled over by the interest from customers and staff alike and we want to show our support for the England team.
“We’re hoping for a great match on Thursday, with Australia bowled for a low score and great prices for our customers into the bargain.”
A special phone line will open immediately after both sides have completed their first innings. The number to dial is 0870 850 2427 tickets will be restricted to a maximum of two per caller.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
- The number of tickets available will be the same as England’s first innings total
- World Offers current return fare to Sydney is £649 and Melbourne is £639"
WhiskeyHotel From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 226 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2645 times:
Timboflier215 From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 1247 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2537 times:
smiled when i heard this. quite gimmicky (and risky), but england is cricketing mad atm, so may be a smart move PR-wise!!
Planesarecool From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 4096 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2507 times:
Hmm. Not in the Special Offers section when I looked... (goes looking again)... ah, I see, in the press releases.
Quoting ANstar (Reply 5): I presume these will be for travel in the off peak season of NOV and FEB/MAR next year?
In the link I posted, which a.net screwed up, it says "Seats on routes from London to Sydney and London to Melbourne from September 19 to March 31, excluding departures between December 9 and 23, will be up for grabs as soon as the second team finishes batting in the first innings.". Corrected link is http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1768340,00.html but there are other stories too.
I can't see BA losing much money in this. Even ignoring the fact that we're usually crap at cricket, at the most BA stand to "lose" around £125,000 in direct ticket losses (based on guesstimated figures above) - but the marketing potential could be worth more. Let's face it, send a cheapo press release or post some hugely expensive ads on billboards and on TV?
Aerofan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1515 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2472 times:
Get em out for 50??! Hell no! Get em out for 25! I'm so looking forward to buying a couple of those seats myself
Trekster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2470 times:
Id be surpirsed if any one here got thru. The line is going to light up like a xmas tree. I have a feeling lots of people will call us at Customer support as well lol
Aerofan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1515 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2458 times:
Trekser
I'll be the first in line calling u in CR, if i don't get at least 5 seats
IF Australia's cricketers bundle England out for a paltry first innings in the Ashes decider, get set for a rush on flights to Britain. But the rush has nothing to do with Australians eager to witness the fifth Ashes Test starting in London tonight Australian time.
British Airways will offer flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London for prices equivalent to England's first innings total in the final Test.
If the Poms are scuttled for 150, the cost of a flight from Sydney or Melbourne to London will be £150 ($361.66).
And the number of tickets at the Ashes price will be set by Australia's first innings total in the London Test – if Australia makes 400, for example, then 400 tickets will be offered.
The deal has been launched to match British Airlines' UK offer which gives UK residents the chance to buy tickets for the price of Australia's first innings.
"Fair is fair, and just as our UK staff want to show support for the England team, we'd like to show our support for the Australian team, the British Airways marketing manager South West Pacific, Suzie Hayes, said.
"With London as our home hub, we'll be thrilled if England win but if they're bowled out for a low score, our Australian customers will be getting an absolute bargain."
A phone line dedicated to the Ashes offer, 1300 767 177, will open at 9am AEST Monday and tickets will be restricted to a maximum of two a caller.
Barcode From Switzerland, joined Dec 2001, 678 posts, RR: 12 Reply 14, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2192 times:
Really, really, stupid question, but at what time (GMT) is the cricket expected to finish? I know absolutely nothing about the game, but the gf and I will be standing by the phone if we know a rough time for the end of the game
Candid76 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 715 posts, RR: 5 Reply 15, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 2091 times:
England are currently batting in their first innings, the first innings for the two teams would usually take around two days to complete. Currently the teams are at lunch (don't know if they are just getting a deli bag each!)
Cricket From India, joined Aug 2005, 2943 posts, RR: 7 Reply 16, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 2080 times:
Well, the reports predict a high scoring match, and it has been a great Ashes series as well. Shame to see McGrath and Warnie on their last Ashes though! I wonder if BA will do the same for the England tour of India as well.
N323ER From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 138 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1909 times:
Ncfc99 From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 652 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1879 times:
Quoting Schooner (Reply 20): To be honest, I would be happy if it p!ssed it down for the whole of the match, as long as we win the Ashes everything else is secondary!!
Spot on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be worth paying the full fare just to go and give the aussies some grief.
Planesarecool From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 4096 posts, RR: 12 Reply 23, posted (7 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1766 times:
Yep and they're in the Cricket World Cup in 2007. They'll be playing Pakistan in the West Indies on St Patrick's Day in that tournament. Or at least trying to play...
25 Zizou: Virgin Atlantic is doing something similar here in Australia, based on the number of wickets Shane Warne takes
26 Barcode: Little chance of getting through. We called precisely one hour after the first innings ended, the phone was set to redial. One hour and a half later,
27 Geoffm: There were about 370-ish tickets for about the same number of UK pounds. Plus BA taxes. Plus BA fuel surcharge. Plus BA executive boss' bonus. Which e
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