Britair From United Kingdom, joined Aug 1999, 933 posts, RR: 17 Posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days ago) and read 3249 times:
FIRST EVER SCHEDULED SERVICES TO ANGOLA TAKE OFF
The first ever scheduled airline service between the UK and Angola goes on sale tomorrow (Wednesday October 9, 2002).
British Airways is launching a new weekly service to Angola's capital, Luanda, which will start from November 1, 2002. The introduction of the new service underpins the airline’s strategy to focus on profitable routes.
The start of services follows extensive negotiations with the Angolan Government and the Angolan national carrier, TAAG.
Flights will depart from London’s Heathrow airport on a Friday and return from Luanda’s 4 de Fevererio International airport on a Saturday. The services will be operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft with a three cabin configuration, First, Club World (business class) and World Traveller (economy class).
British Airways’ Regional Director for Central and South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Alan Burnett, said: “We are delighted to be introducing the first ever scheduled service between the UK and Angola. These new, direct services will significantly cut journey times as customers will no longer need to transit via Europe.”
Capt.Picard From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 3223 times:
As per a previous thread, here were my comments on the 'rumours'.....
'Aussiestu, if only you'd lived in Angola!
Nothing but rubbish heaps on the corners of streets, filthy place, and very undesirable location for expats-the place is also damn expensive, given everything has to be imported-which is why most foreigners living in Luanda are paid well...and travel in the forward cabins!
We know the BA guy out there....his name's Sunil, he's been trying to make a go of the route for 3 years....we never thought we'd see BA in LAD, but looks like something's happening now. Will be interesting to see how the competition pans out.....Sabena (or whatever the new name is), AF and TAP ply the route on different days of the week....the general consensus amongst expats is that AF are currently the best, TAP and Sabena are pretty poor; if BA gets on the route, I should imagine they might do quite well, given their reputation. Anyone who's flown TAAG wouldn't touch the airline with a barge-pole.
Funny to hear the rumour now, given BA's current troubles.'
So there you go! Good luck to BA, no more need to connect in Paris or Jo'burg!
CV990 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 3208 times:
Hi!
I must admit that this topic surprised me a lot! But knowing BA the way I do I think that's a very spectacular move. BA might have good chances of getting good benefits on that, TP, AF and DT will need really to review their strategy in the future. BA flying with 777 will have extra benefits compared with TP A340's, DT with their 743's and AF with?????. We'll see how things go but this will increase extra competition in this route, and in my point of view Angola deserves it!!!! I'm sure if BA gives better fares to passengers people will not mind to fly from LIS to LAD via LHR. I would personally do that, and because I hope in the future to visit Angola I would go with BA!!!!
Regards and congratulations to BA!
Capt.Picard From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 3207 times:
When I flew AF to LAD, they were using the 777 too, I don't know if they're still using it now.
Lots of potential here........most expats in Luanda are Oil company employees, Tobacco exceutives, UN personnel and there is actually a strong diplomatic presence in Luanda too.
British people used either Air France (good service, I have to say...and CDG..wow, what an airport) or, if they were BA Executive Club members, they used SAA (743, sometimes a 744) to JNB, then connect with the BA flight up to London. SAA were another airline that were always late in Luanda, so perhaps BA can provide a more reliable service....we'll see.
It's certainly more convenient to fly non-stop, at least for Brits, and perhaps other people who want to try BA too. Will watch their progress with interest!
Lumumba From Belgium, joined Mar 2001, 369 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 3189 times:
A.F has a big advantage because they fly 2 times a week!
And if you go for bussiness and you don't want to stay 1 week you have to take 2 diferent company's.
And the B.A flight is end of the week very bad for the bussines travelers.(week-end and believe my they don't work on Sat and Sun).
regards
Patrice
P.S:I love Angola
CV990 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 3122 times:
Hi!
I wouldn't mind to go on business in Angola for 1 week!!!! You can have plenty of time there and you can join 2 or 3 meetings in a week, we can't forget that in Africa people are not so tied with schedules, it's a lay-back way of living, so 1 week there it's not bad.
regards
Aussiestu From Australia, joined Mar 2001, 780 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 3087 times:
Well its brilliant to hear that BA is adding a service rather than taking another one away. Good news for all travellers to LAD. Look forward to the experience, just dont want to be the first crew in. Lets hope this route proves itself quickly.
Britair From United Kingdom, joined Aug 1999, 933 posts, RR: 17 Reply 14, posted (10 years 8 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2840 times:
Just had coffee with a f/a friend of mine and apparently the crew do not stay in Luanda overnight, they have day rest (hence the seemingly long turn-around time for the aircraft) and operate the flight back. So no week long Luanda trips for the crew!!
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