British Airways

[gabrielhj07]

I'm sure IAG know what they're doing. Aer Lingus in particular want Heathrow - they dropped Gatwick last lear for this reason.

 

[Tetchytyke]

You could still replace 14 narrowbody flights daily with 6 narrows and two or three widebodies

There are more seats on an A321 than there are on a B787.

 

[Snow1964]

There are more seats on an A321 than there are on a B787.

Yes, but that is ignoring the classes

The A321s have 218 seats, A321neos have 220 seats on BA
Although I have never seen less than front 4 rows set up as business with middle seat closed, reducing capacity to 210 or 212

The B787-8 are being reconfigured at Cardiff, and getting new premium seats, I think 5 of the 12 in the fleet are now done.
some are still 35 Business, 25 Premium Economy, 154 Economy = 214
being changed to 31 Business, 37 Premium Economy, 136 Econ = 204

The new Business seats take up more room, and they could only have put in extra row of 4 if they put some on other side of the emergency exit, in next cabin block.

The bigger 787-9 have 8 First, 42 Business, 39 Prem Econ, 127 Economy =216, so are more premium heavy, and even fewer economy seats.

 

[Cloud Strife]

It's so wasteful and inefficient to have a 15:10, 15:15 and a 15:50 - there's flexibiltiy and there's waste.

Remember that these flights are not only serving Dublin, but also serving long haul flights. The preclearance facility in Dublin is quite attractive to some passengers as the American border controls are notoriously more pleasant in Dublin than in the USA itself, and some flights (such as London-Los Angeles) are often a fair bit cheaper on Aer Lingus than BA direct.

Just to give a random example: I'm looking now, and a LAX-LHR via Dublin return on Aer Lingus is about 500 USD in October. A direct flight on BA will set you back nearly double that, and I think saving 500 USD for the sake of three hours in Dublin is well worth it.

It's the same story in reverse: Heathrow is Ireland's gateway to the world. While the A321neo is making it possible for more Canadian / American flights from Dublin, there's still plenty of examples where Heathrow offers the best flights for long haul. For example, if you want to arrive in Tokyo from Dublin in the morning, you've got a choice of KLM, Air France or BA. There's not much in it between those airlines, but CDG is a pain to transit through and BA's 787 is more comfortable than KLM's 777.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The B787-8 are being reconfigured at Cardiff, and getting new premium seats, I think 5 of the 12 in the fleet are now done.
some are still 35 Business, 25 Premium Economy, 154 Economy = 214
being changed to 31 Business, 37 Premium Economy, 136 Econ = 204

The new Business seats take up more room, and they could only have put in extra row of 4 if they put some on other side of the emergency exit, in next cabin block.

The bigger 787-9 have 8 First, 42 Business, 39 Prem Econ, 127 Economy =216, so are more premium heavy, and even fewer economy seats.

That's interesting, thank you.

How do the longer 787-10s compare?

 

[Watershed]

That's interesting, thank you.

How do the longer 787-10s compare?

8F, 48J, 35W, 165Y. So roughly the same as the 787-9 in terms of premium seats (albeit more J and fewer W), but 38 more economy seats.

 

[sh24]

Widebodies have longer turn around times and higher operating costs. They won’t routinely appear on short haul routes again.

 

[Snow1964]

Widebodies have longer turn around times and higher operating costs. They won’t routinely appear on short haul routes again.

The problem seems to be the mid length routes (approx 3.5 - 6 hours), do they lose revenue by not offering premium economy or proper business class, or save costs and potentially lose passengers by hoping they will put up with short haul configuration.

In USA (and other parts of the world) the business class has proper bigger seats even on the narrow bodies, and the mid distance planes usually get entertainment screens even in economy.

Having suffered an EasyJet A321neo to Tenerife (slightly delayed by winds, and from boarding well over 5 hours), which was full with all 240 seats and virtually whole flight had queues for the toilets), I would definitely pay for premium economy on 4-5 hour flights as I like to enjoy my holiday, not put up with ordeal for hours. BA is missing a trick by not offering a proper premium section on longer 3+ hour flights

 

[sh24]

However the premium people would pay for a PE seat to, say, the Canaries is pretty modest. £200/sector is the top end. BA make more by packing them into Eurobusiness on those AND have the flexibility over cabin size on other routes. We've seen this on routes like Cairo, Amman, Istanbul, Beirut where long haul cabins don't work and only Eurobusiness configured planes can make money. Tel Aviv is a bit different as there is a lot more long haul transit traffic.

 

[TravelDream]

Having suffered an EasyJet A321neo to Tenerife (slightly delayed by winds, and from boarding well over 5 hours), which was full with all 240 seats and virtually whole flight had queues for the toilets), I would definitely pay for premium economy on 4-5 hour flights as I like to enjoy my holiday, not put up with ordeal for hours. BA is missing a trick by not offering a proper premium section on longer 3+ hour flights

BA just doesn't think it males sense financially.

On most of those routes, like Egyptair to Cairo, RJ to Amman, MEA to Beirut, there is proper business class competition.

They did have A321s from bmi/ BMED which had proper business seats which they operated to Cairo, Amman, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Beirut and maybe a few others at times.
But they withdrew them.

Some of those routes, like Tel Aviv and even Moscow which is less than four hours, had/ have widebodies as BA thinks it makes financial sense.

The truth is the market in Europe likes cheap and is willing to put up with a bit of discomfort for cheap flights.

Honestly it's preferable to the US situation.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

8F, 48J, 35W, 165Y. So roughly the same as the 787-9 in terms of premium seats (albeit more J and fewer W), but 38 more economy seats.

Thank you - that suggests that on some long haul routes there is proportionally more demand in normal economy?

 

[Watershed]

Thank you - that suggests that on some long haul routes there is proportionally more demand in normal economy?

Yes, predominantly on leisure routes. BA sees the 787-10 as replacing the early 777-200 frames they retired during Covid.

 

[D1511]

Never mind your baggage that's pretty tight for yourself, just over an hour. Any delays and you could struggle.

Shame you've shredded your silver and the benefits that go with it as unlike LCY they all have Lounges.

On BA Mainline it's just "bread and water" in cattle as well.

Well, I'm pleased to say both I and my hold bag arrived simultaneously at Schiphol earlier today. I actually even had a bit of a hang about in T5, as the gate for the AMS flight hadn't been announced. Turns out it was A10d, which was downstairs and on to a bus, and as I alighted the bus to go up the aircraft stairs, my bag arrived on an electric buggy.
I wasn't impressed with the aircraft or the leg room compared to my Cityflyer EMB 190SRs though, but the punctuality and the cabin crew both legs were first class.
One weird thing I noticed in my row 26 seat on the A320 was that my row of seats, and another row a few further forward didn't have the air blower things in the overhead panel.....just a light. I think all passengers on a 190 have the option of having small bits of ice sprayed on them from above! I used to particularly enjoy the highly chilled Aircon in the Embraers flying back from Palma

 

[Butts]

Well, I'm pleased to say both I and my hold bag arrived simultaneously at Schiphol earlier today. I actually even had a bit of a hang about in T5, as the gate for the AMS flight hadn't been announced. Turns out it was A10d, which was downstairs and on to a bus, and as I alighted the bus to go up the aircraft stairs, my bag arrived on an electric buggy.
I wasn't impressed with the aircraft or the leg room compared to my Cityflyer EMB 190SRs though, but the punctuality and the cabin crew both legs were first class.
One weird thing I noticed in my row 26 seat on the A320 was that my row of seats, and another row a few further forward didn't have the air blower things in the overhead panel.....just a light. I think all passengers on a 190 have the option of having small bits of ice sprayed on them from above! I used to particularly enjoy the highly chilled Aircon in the Embraers flying back from Palma

Glad it worked out for you.

On a A320 you need row 11 or 12 (Exit Rows) for half decent leg room.

 

[RailWonderer]

BA randomly flew a 787-8 From Heathrow to Glasgow and back a few days ago, BA1495. Must be quite rare these days.

G-ZBJA Flight Tracking and History 25-Jul-2025 (LHR / EGLL-GLA / EGPF) - FlightAware

Track G-ZBJA flight from London Heathrow to Glasgow Int'l

www.flightaware.com

 

[AlterEgo]

Must have been a cancellation or two, this is the usual outcome.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Must be quite rare these days.

It can happen if there's a specific cargo purpose to operating such a flight, although it's usually the result of cancellations more than anything else.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Must have been a cancellation or two, this is the usual outcome.

I suspect possibly freight, given the Orange Reichsführer has been in Scotland the last few days.

 

[Huntergreed]

Bit of an involuntary shower at the BA lounge in Glasgow this evening!

(images show flooding at the airport lounge in Glasgow, with water pouring from the ceiling)

View attachment IMG_0977.jpeg

 

[nlogax]

Yikes! Running through the light fixtures and down the screen too. That won't be cheap to fix.

 

[AndrewP]

Did a recent run to Dubai with BA - just economy (silly me) but impressed.

Excellent staff and very punctual, very clean, good entertainment and food outbound excellent (not so good on the return)

Only issue was the seating was cramped but same as any other economy - significantly better than KLM who I last flew with long haul

 

[Butts]

Yikes! Running through the light fixtures and down the screen too. That won't be cheap to fix.

Hear they were handing out £30 Vouchers on the day - not sure if that is still the case.

 

[camflyer]

Did a recent run to Dubai with BA - just economy (silly me) but impressed.

Excellent staff and very punctual, very clean, good entertainment and food outbound excellent (not so good on the return)

Only issue was the seating was cramped but same as any other economy - significantly better than KLM who I last flew with long haul

I agree - bashing BA seems to be a national pastime but I'm struggling to remember a really bad experience from them. They may not reach the service standards of some of the ME/Asian carriers but typically that isn't who they are competing again and I prefer their "understated" style to the over-friendly and causal approach you get on other airlines.

 

[Butts]

Anyone travelling from BLQ (Bologna) to LHR the Lounge has been closed since May and is due to reopen in September.

It's a shame as it's or at least was one of those great "Italian Jobs" where you have a Private Dedicated Security Portal on leaving the Lounge.

However all is not lost as with Status/CE you still get the normal Fast Track Security and a 20 Euro Voucher.

I'd had Breakfast in my Hotel so spent mine on Pringles and M&M's to bring home !!

Also although I was in Group 2 I actually boarded first thanks to the Italian insouciance with regard to BA's Boarding Protocols.

 

[Mojo]

I was there in the first weekend of it being closed; actually thought it was better as the lounge is not only before security but also before passport control, the voucher bought me a breakfast with two cups of tea, with a table right next to the boarding gate!

 

[Butts]

I was there in the first weekend of it being closed; actually thought it was better as the lounge is not only before security but also before passport control, the voucher bought me a breakfast with two cups of tea, with a table right next to the boarding gate!

Passport Control is okay as you use the E Gates and get a stamp the other side - no queue when I went through.

They could tell you what the voucher is worth as I had to ask.

Hope it returns to the previous set up when the Lounge reopens as i love the Private security set up !!

 

[philosopher]

I am probably going to Dublin next month and am thinking of flying from London City using BA CityFlyer, at least for one of the legs, partly as I am curious to see what using London City is like. Has anyone used them, do you get any more generous food and drink than typical BA short haul?

 

[Watershed]

I am probably going to Dublin next month and am thinking of flying from London City using BA CityFlyer, at least for one of the legs, partly as I am curious to see what using London City is like. Has anyone used them, do you get any more generous food and drink than typical BA short haul?

In Economy the main difference is that you get a free choice of drinks from the bar - including beer or wine - rather than just plain water. However on shorter flights like Dublin you get a very similar (i.e. tiny) snack as you would get on BA's Heathrow or Gatwick flights. It's only on the longer flights (e.g. Barcelona, from experience) that you get a sandwich included.

There is very little point paying extra for business on CityFlyer flights. Unlike most other airlines, BA doesn't block any seats in the 2+2 configuration - so you will often/usually have a stranger sitting next to you, the lack of which is supposed to be a key differentiator of business class in the European 'model'. You do get a slightly larger drink selection, including champagne, and a cold meal on short flights like Dublin, but it's really nothing to write home about. The luggage allowance, lounge access and priority boarding might be worth it if you lack status, I suppose.

 

[Butts]

In Economy the main difference is that you get a free choice of drinks from the bar - including beer or wine - rather than just plain water. However on shorter flights like Dublin you get a very similar (i.e. tiny) snack as you would get on BA's Heathrow or Gatwick flights. It's only on the longer flights (e.g. Barcelona, from experience) that you get a sandwich included.

There is very little point paying extra for business on CityFlyer flights. Unlike most other airlines, BA doesn't block any seats in the 2+2 configuration - so you will often/usually have a stranger sitting next to you, the lack of which is supposed to be a key differentiator of business class in the European 'model'. You do get a slightly larger drink selection, including champagne, and a cold meal on short flights like Dublin, but it's really nothing to write home about. The luggage allowance, lounge access and priority boarding might be worth it if you lack status, I suppose.

Obviously use the Dublin=LCY leg if booking business one way as there is no Lounge at LCY

 

[sh24]

London City is a great little airport. Small and efficient. No lounge, but very happily trade some mediocre snacks for a quick and easy airport experience. It is SO much nicer than LHR, LGW or, god forbid, STN.