British Airways

[User0001]

Ive not said the low loads were a cause for concern, far from it.

Like I said, MAN is exactly the same. Even 6 hours to departure, an A320 can have a booked load of say, 70-80, then all of a sudden, the flight turns up and its got 130-140 booked on it. Happens almost daily. The only day it doesn't happen as much is a Saturday, but Saturdays usually have the higher forward bookings.

This is why, despite my report of the loads, I have said it is not an issue.......

 

[lbaspotter]

Hearing rumours that firefly would be operating the first flight. But if there are 144 seats available I guess that rules out the use off A319 and that a A320 will be used instead.

 

[ryan]

As it's operating from Terminal 1, only the ex-BMI aircraft will be operating the route. It will only be rare occasions that you see a 'proper' BA aircraft on the route. BA's A319s have 132 seats (ex-BD having 144) in domestic configuration, so are slightly more roomy than the ex-BMI. It'll be the G-DBC* aircraft that will be operating the route, so it will be extremely unlikely you'll see Firefly in Leeds (though there are two or three Dove schemes on the ex-BMIs).

 

[Seasider]

leedslad
Just go to "spend miles" and pick flights. Put in LBA as your departure airport and it will come up as Leeds/Bradford Airport. Put in destination and dates and "off you go". Good luck.

 

[User0001]

Firefly will not be operating the inaugural (unless of tech aircraft and firefly is the only spare), but more chance of seeing a BA aircraft as the BA/BD integration should be complete by then.

 

[White Heather]

I hope so, as it would be quite disappointing to wait 32.5 years to see BA back at LBA and then to find that the only aircraft seen are in BMi livery - which of course we are all very familiar with at LBA. Are the ex BMi machines to be re-painted into BA livery or are they being disposed of?

Thanks for the information re booked loads User001.

 

[ryan]

As I mentioned, it's very unlikely you'll see any of the G-EU** BA A319s operating into Leeds, only the G-DBC* ex-BMI A319s. Firefly is G-EUPC. All but three have been repainted into either BA colours or the Dove scheme, of which all should be repainted fairly shortly. All the terminal one A319 flights will be with the ex-BMI units as they are incompatible with terminal five due to being bulk loaded as opposed to container loaded. Of course, this is what is planned. Plans can change obviously but at the moment there are no plans to operate original BA aircraft on the route.

 

[Bigman]

To be honest I don't really care what operates them. It's just great to have the service back.

 

[White Heather]

I will second that Bigman, although it will be nice to see the BA livery back at LBA on a regular basis.

My understanding is that the longer term plan is to switch the flights to T5 as soon as possible, so if the ex BMi machines are not compatible, then something will have to change when the switch takes place.

 

[dispext]

All flights are going to be loose load A319 for the winter, that's the plan. They are all ex-BMI but BA AOC and all will be in BA colours (incl the Dove livery) by the start of W12/13.

 

[White Heather]

Not according to information I have seen, provided by LBA themselves, which makes it clear than many of the flights are to be operated by A320 equipment. That was around 3 weeks ago. Has something changed since?

 

[lbaspotter]

Heather what he should had said is, that we will see the ex bmi fleet of Airbus 319's G-BDC? range along with the Airbus 320s G-MID? appearing at LBA until they get there act together and hopefully move over to T5 which is an all containerised operation.

I understand that British Airways will have the ex bmi aircraft undergo a modification so that they will be able to handle the Container pods which will then to be able to swap the short haul Airbus fleet between T1 an T5 at Heathrow next summer.

 

[Aviador]

"Has something changed since?"

Usually the management are the last people to find out.

 

[LBA787]

It will be strange seeing the ex midland machines back in BA colours. I for one will be standing on stand 7 waiting and watching as she lands on the 9th. Mother Nature better play ball that day!!!

Does anybody know if or when the KLM advertising deal on airbridge 7 comes to an end?

I dont think BA will like their a/c parked on it when there main competitor at LBA has its brand plastered all over it.

 

[Jordan-34092]

Well BA have just announced that you can now use there Android, IOS and Blackberry apps to check in for flights from Leeds, Before this Leeds was unavailable

 

[steve7e7]

I don't really care which a/c operates the first flight as long as I don't have to suffer the embarrassment of diverting to MAN due to bad weather at LBA!

 

[Skyflyer1]

Does anybody know if the airport is planning a special welcome for BA and Monarch on their first flight into the airport, E.G. water cannons?

 

[White Heather]

Welcome to the forum mcsowden.

I personally don't know the answer to your question but in these days of commerciality and cost cutting I would be surprised if they did. In the past we usually got a flypast of a new airline prior to their first landing and we have had water cannons too, but I can't help thinking those days are gone. Perhaps one of our members who works at the airport will be able to find out more?

 

[Skyflyer1]

Yes we'll like said from previous posts from other members as long as it comes it really doesn't matter if they do put a welcome entrance on.

 

[lbaspotter]

I would hazard a guess that they might get a water cannon salute by the airport's fire tenders on there first inbound service. I remember correctly the last couple of times they have done so was for a local retiring KLM captain and I think they did it for the arrival of PIA.
I would think that the local TV cameras and press will be up at LBA for the first British Airways arrival, so that might be another reason for doing something special.
Also I wonder if Monarch would get one in December when there start operations with non based aircraft or if LBA might wait until March when the airline starts with its Leeds based operations.