Spantax From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 271 posts, RR: 1 Posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1280 times:
According to the Spanish newspaper El País, IB is considering a new fee for checked baggage, à-la-low cost, and following the trend in the US and even in Europe. No prices indicated so far. The objectif, it seems, is to respond to the growing demand from passangers who want to pay a minimum even if they have to give up perks and conveniencies.
Well, I see IB quite lost in the current crisis and with Ryanair gaining ground each day (for instance, a lot of new routes Spain-Marocco)
Skyone From Mexico, joined Feb 2001, 409 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1166 times:
Amazing, this only tells me Ryanair is really crushing the legacy carriers, specially now that their long haul fleets are flying with less business passengers. I always thought North American legacy carriers were going to be the only ones doing this, but now we are seeing their sisters in Europe do the same thing years after them.
For example, I have flown and will fly this year 6 round trips from Madrid to London. From them, 5 will be with Ryanair (booked by me with my money) and one with IB, as it was booked for me to attend an event. Ryanair cost me from 20 Euros to 35 Euros return while the IB cost this person who bought it 170 Euros (one of the cheapest fares return on IB that only landed me 30% of the miles on AAdvantage). The difference was minimal, as IB no longer gives you free food and drinks, the recline in Y on the A321 is minimal and you can no longer get a seat assigned until you get to the airport. So the only advantage IB has, is that it took me to LHR and from there the tube took me to Canary Wharf for less than 5 pounds. With FR, I had to use either the bus or Stansted Express to Liverpool St, and it cost me a little more than the tube, but overall, I ended up saving tons of money by flying FR. If they start charging for checked bags, then, unless they price themselves a lot cheaper, I will still fly FR on this route.
The thing is, for me, more than 100 Euros difference if it is coming out of my pocket and this days also if it is coming out of your employers pocket isn´t worth it to fly to LHR, as you will be entitled to nothing with IB or FR. And consider this coming from a Platinum member on AAdvantage that with DEQM will be Explat by year end, who can get into the VIP lounge with IB on this route, but I am the exception compared to all people that fly this route in Spain.
Spantax From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 271 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1134 times:
Hi Skyone, I fully agree with you about recline in A321
Quoting Skyone (Reply 2): the recline in Y on the A321 is minimal
and I have to add also an inhuman pitch on (some, not all) of their A320. So, I see your point: their are loosing at high speed their legacy advantage. And, BTW, I mention high speed because I see it as one of the most ferocious problems for IB (besides FR): the high speed train, with devastating effects in the foreseable future.
And, believe or not, but for me is very important: with IB you can only check online the day before, with FR you can do it up to 14 days (maybe 21 now, I'm not sure) before departure. IB has and has always had more a burocratic mentality than a business one and they are enjoying the results...
Spud757 From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2007, 291 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1046 times:
Quoting Skyone (Reply 2): So the only advantage IB has, is that it took me to LHR and from there the tube took me to Canary Wharf for less than 5 pounds
Could have flown BA on the MAD-LCY route; snacks, drinks, miles towards AAdvantage and on the doorstep of Canary Wharf.
concerns me that BA is looking to tie up with IB when IB seems be moving more towards a LCC style service. If BA-IB merge then I guess service will have to be brought into line. With BA's current cuts I can see it going to way of IB in which what's the point flying with IB or BA on short hall routes?
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