British Airways

[lbaspotter]

Well it looks like British Airways may have timed it right to start the new Leeds/Bradford-London Heathrow route, As might a hell lot get more point to point passengers using it than originally thought. As it’s definitely now going to be a more viable alternative to the train on price wise between Leeds and London Kings Cross.

As the train operators have this morning announced a 6.2% rise in fares in England from January 2013 which is about double the rate of inflation - although other price rises may be higher. Some English fares will rise by RPI plus 3%, while in Scotland they will go up by RPI plus 1%. Wales has yet to set a figure for its increase.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19251068

 

[dmrodgers]

Whilst the cost of the BA flight to Heathrow looks very attractive compared to East Coast trains Kings Cross return fare I think BA need to take a serious look at some of the long haul fares it is charging if the service is going to be a success for the airline and the airport. No doubt BA are looking at this route to interconnect with long haul schedules out of Heathrow, however I've just booked a return flight from LBA to Dubai for 2 weeks departing on the 12 February 2012. KLM via Amsterdam £381, BA via Heathrow £570 per person. It's a no brainer, for a family of 4 it's a whopping saving £756 using KLM, enough to buy 2 more tickets. Come on BA get the pricing right and people will use it, otherwise the service will the same way as the last time BA tried to make the route a success.

 

[kevinbev]

I was looking at booking LBA to LHR and then onto Brisbane. After pricing up it was actually cheaper to fly KLM to Amsterdam then BA AMS to LHR before going on to BNE. In the end I booked with Etihad from MAN which save me nearly £200 than going through LBA/Heathrow. I would much rather fly from LBA but one must consider the extra money is better in my pocket.

 

[Aviador]

Hi kevinbev welcome to Forums4airports!

I guess it will work for some people and not for others, perhaps it might have been cheaper on a different day?

On another note, I see British Airways has taken up the new advertising hoardings nearest to the airport. It looks very effective. It's nice to see it lit at night time instead of the usual dull advertisements you normally see.

 

[Bhowani]

Interesting........

LBA/Bergen & return 12 days later leaving 6th Feb 2013: only £2 difference between KLM and BA so the winner will be the onw with the most convenient flight times!

2 cheers for BA!

Bhowani

 

[wawkrk]

For the majority of business travellers the cost is not a consideration.BA will get their Oneworld passengers.They are not looking for once a year passengers they can leave these for the locos.

 

[kevinbev]

But all these once a year pax help fill the plane and increase profits. The problem with BA is that they always have been more of an elite brand. These days on long haul, especially to the likes of Asia there are airlines such as Emirates and Etihad who can supply a good product which can also attract the business community. Most businesses these days are also cutting back so will not necessarily go for the more so called premium brand. I would much like to have gone from LBA via LHR to Brisbane but the cost dictated otherwise so that will be one less passenger on a flight from LBA to LHR. They all add up.

 

[Jordan-34092]

Well i have just done a price check of a flight to JFK from LBA with both BA and KLM departing the 6th March 2013 and coming back a week later. This is in business class.

KLM is £516.16 dearer than BA with BA 2,470.65 priced at and KLM 2,986.81, so it does tend to vary on certain routes you actually fly on.

Although in my eyes i would still pay more for BA i personally think you flying with a better airline with better quality of service.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It's possible to pay considerably less than the advertised fare in premium class by using an established, reputable long haul travel specialist.

I use one that has branches around the UK and the company has its own arrangements with airlines that, in my case, allow my wife and me to travel first class for around the normal business class fare when we make our annual trip to Oz to visit family there; sometimes hotels are also included in the package and that is the case this year when we fly in November.

It's often necessary to book some time in advance to get the best deals but with leisure travel that often isn't a problem. I've been surprised at the number of 'ordinary' people (like my wife and me - she has a back problem that prevents her flying in a normal airline seat half way around the world) who fly in first class on long haul to Oz and the like. Chatting with some of them it seems they managed to obtain deals like us.

The airlines are major players such as Etihad and Emirates - the last named is my airline of choice for inter-continental travel.

 

[Seasider]

Just booked LBA - LHR - MRS and return in March, for 9000 Avios points and £27. That's equivalent to £62.50 if you buy Avios points with your Clubcard vouchers. (£52 if you exchanged your vouchers in August).

 

[White Heather]

Sorry for being a dumb blonde Seasider, but where is MRS?

Or are you toing to see your Mrs?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Sorry for being a dumb blonde Seasider, but where is MRS?

Or are you toing to see your Mrs?

If he's not referring to Mrs Seasider, he's off to Marseille, Heather.

 

[White Heather]

Thanks Local Yokel

At todays Consultative Committee meeting, it was confirmed that BA have now appointed a new LBA manager, who is working with the airport in preparing for the launch of services on 9th December.

It was also confirmed that both BA and LBA are very much aware of the absence of any early morning flight down to LHR. Nothing more was said, and I don't think anything else has been agreed yet, (even if it had it would be commercial in confidence until the airline made an announcement) but it wouldn't surprise me if it was not too long before a based aircraft arrived and an early morning flight introduced. If I were to bet on it, I was think April 2013, the start of the summer programme, is the most likely time.

I saw the large BA advert outside the airport today - impressive!

 

[Seasider]

Sorry for the confusion White Heather, the Local Yokel was correct and I am going to Marseille. I forget that not everbody will known the 3 letter codes for commercial airports. It comes with looking at airline timetables etc, for over 40 years.

 

[leedslad]

Anyone know if/when Leeds will be added as a destination by Avios (Airmiles)?

 

[rmac]

They already have, I am planning a LBA-LHR-DUS return using Avios + £27

 

[leedslad]

Can't see Leeds on their zone map on their website?...

 

[User0001]

Just to give an indication of loads for the inaugural flight:

BA1340 LHR-LBA

Capacity 144 sold 69

BA1341 LBA-LHR

Capacity 144 sold 56

Ive looked at flights for the following week, and only 1 flight has over 100 booked on it so far. Its not a major issue however, as MAN always has low forward bookings but still manages to send out the majority of flights out full.

 

[michael]

I don't think there's any big surprise there with those figures, three factors I think to be considered - a) there are a number of certain people who will be on the first flights come hell or high water - and they may not go on another, b) the service will take time to bed in, and c) there may well be a perception from the public that the first flights will be full of 'dignatories and anorachs', so I think a more realistic tally of numbers will be reached once the service has been up and running for a few months. Finally it is still a few weeks until the service commences so not all is lost yet

 

[White Heather]

Don't forget that there is likely to be quite a high proportion of business passengers using the route and in general, the requirement to travel on business becomes known nearer the time. Its not that usual to plan business meetings several months in advance - it can be quite reactive. I would expect to see bookings start to increase once we get towards mid October - 2 months before launch. As we stand there is still approximately 12 weeks to go before the route commences on 9th December.