richardw From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 3712 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2805 times:
BA has re-started flights to IBZ and NCE, has increased the frequency to AGP and FAO, is re-starting flights to BCN and starting flights on former GT route to ALC, they're competing head on with others for economy passengers, so is the strategy for profit on J class passengers?
GT4EZY From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2007, 1730 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2570 times:
J never set the world on fire on the GB routes. Granted, LGW was better than MAN in terms of J loads on these very leisure orientated routes but I guess it is one way of increasing revenue, particularly if you can upsell to your economy pax. The fact however is that the yields won't be great. Back in the later GB days, LGW club upgrades were extensively advertised at check in. One thing on these leisure routes, you tend to get quite a few 'insurance jobs'......i.e those injured or ill whilst on holiday. I imagine they could be quite lucrative.
Generally, I'm not sure how BA will do on these routes. It's often forgotten, or not even realised, that Easyjet and Monarch have quite a loyal following. Many of their passengers aren't trading down, even if they are booking on price, but in fact like the product. I'm sure they could still lure a fair few away but in the cold light of day, the difference between these carriers is becoming smaller and smaller.
BlueShamu330s From UK - England, joined Sep 2001, 2533 posts, RR: 24 Reply 2, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2531 times:
I am sure BA are content to see folk spend their Avios on upgrades and on J class redemption tickets on these routes if only to get some Avios out of the system.
So I drive a 4x4. So what?! Tax the a$$ off me for it...oh, you already have... :-(
cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7724 posts, RR: 55 Reply 3, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2531 times:
Quoting GT4EZY (Reply 1): the difference between these carriers is becoming smaller and smaller
I agree - well said - I know plenty of very wealthy people who fly easyJet out of choice. Let's face it, the aircraft at U2 is much fresher and newer than BA's ancient 737-400s, other than that, it's the same. And unless you're a spotter, the difference I've just described is a negative for BA, not a plus. OK it's not included in the price of the ticket but if you're hungry, easyJet have fantastic sandwiches and snacks, whereas BA offer what, nothing?
Possibly in J there's a plate of cold cuts or some kind of snack but it's not worth £600 or whatever the return fare is in J class. I'm a big fan of BA's but Club Europe is a disgraceful ripoff and I would think yield is pretty low, it's upgrades for gold cards, or last-minute up-sells for £69 (worth it for the lounge if you have a long wait before the flight), or staff, or a connecting passenger from a real J class long haul flight (eg TPA-LGW-MRS).
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
GT4EZY From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2007, 1730 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (8 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2311 times:
If BA couldn't fill a weekend AGP in September I'd be worried. But can they do it mid week and how profitable in general is the route for them?
Along with GB, BA did have the chance to create and launch a 'contemporary' BA product but BA pulled the plug on the idea and GB went to EZY. Maybe short haul at LGW would benefit from a loco style operation.
APYu From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2007, 759 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1562 times:
Strategy seems to be a last ditch attempt to match EZY by offering multiple frequencies on routes like AGP and ALC to see if the multiple frequencies make BA more comparable to the EZY offering.
With food about to return too and the cost base steadily reducing, this time let's hope it works.
We'd like to welcome in particular our Executive Club members and those joining us from our Oneworld alliance partners.
FlyCaledonian From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1971 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (8 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1468 times:
Quoting BlueShamu330s (Reply 2): I am sure BA are content to see folk spend their Avios on upgrades and on J class redemption tickets on these routes if only to get some Avios out of the system.
That actually could be a factor here. LGW will never survive on Avios redemption alone, but having routes your customers can redeem on is important. I wonder if that is one of the things that helped LGW-BCN come, allowing capacity on LHR-BCN to be freed up?
Whilst there was some criticism of Air Miles becoming Avios, for many people (me included) I actauuly benefitted by able to combine my points from two accounts. Of course, I further benefitted once they made clear that Diamond Club points could be converted to Avois 1-1 by taking out a MBNA credit card through bmi, spending £250, getting 20,000 points then cancelling the card!
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