NewBAexec - 13/09/2010 21:32 GMT
The rumour has it that British Airways will be announcing four new longhaul routes from LGW starting summer 2011. Wonder what they will be. Any information regarding this statement?
New British Airways longhaul routes for summer 2011?
Posts
VintageKrug - 13/09/2010 21:41 GMT
Good spot Speedbird.
This is what I reckon:
http://www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/Willie-s-Fort-Lauderdale-and-Havana-Adventure
Top Tips:
Fort Lauderdale
Havana
Second Tier:
Phuket or Goa or Bali (a South East Asian Resort Destination)
Colombo. Sri Lanka
Outside runners are Belize and Honolulu (I don't think most of the LGW 777s have the range for Honolulu direct).
They may evven surprise the market with an announcement of an additional longhaul US route exLCY, but that would be subject to A320 orders from Iberia being delivered as BA A318s and if they manage to pull that off in six moonths without the merger having been finalised I'd be very surprised.
WW keeps talking of additional US routes, but unless AA give up some routes I really cannot see demand for anything other than Fort Lauderdale.
I have a feeling that some of the 767s will have a role to play in these routes, though hopefully not before they are fully internally refurbished, which BA should be able to swing for free as a consequence of the 787 delays.
Bucksnet - 15/09/2010 07:46 GMT
VK, in my view BA should do a deal with Boeing to defer the 787 order for a few years because this will help both both of them. The 767s could re-fitted with the Boeing Signature Interior and new seats in all classes.
As for new routes, BA should do Charlotte and Ottawa, from LHR of course.
LHRtraveller - 16/09/2010 08:42 GMT
There is also talk of adding long haul route to LHR. Willie has given a presentation the the staff a few weeks back and said that BA will start flying from LHR to city that BA used to serve, but refused to name them or give a time scale.
NewBAexec - 16/09/2010 09:48 GMT
San Diego could be a possible one, as they have around 80000 passengers travelling to and from this destination a year. BA used to fly there on a B777, would not be surprised if they decide to resume flights.
NigelHuggins - 16/09/2010 10:42 GMT
My tuppence would be on resumption of San Diego for the LHR route as an extention of the Phoenix flight - as it used to be. How about Nashville via Raleigh Durham for one of the LGW routes and South America is very poorly represented for an up and coming economy - Bogota. Maybe S. America will switch to LGW?
Bucksnet - 16/09/2010 10:47 GMT
Raleigh-Durham is already flown by AA from LHR and I think BA should take over this route to save AA operating long haul flights from 7 different bases. I don't know if a tag-on to Nashville would work.
Hippocampus - 16/09/2010 11:37 GMT
In the case of LHR, I think it is most likely to be a transatlantic route made viable by a combination of a BA 767 and a codeshare with AA. Simon Talling -Smith did mention that a new route was being considered now that anti-trust immunity has been obtained.
In time, I think KUL and ICN will be restored from LHR.
SSTBeliever - 16/09/2010 12:22 GMT
Never forget that the BA/IB venture is meant to be streamlining their combined operations so I think it highy unlikely there will be an increase in BA routes into South America - if anything there will be a reduction. Also bear in mind that BA have stated they wish to purchase Asian carriers so an expansion in that direction, particularly in view of the admission of Kingfisher into OneWorld, is unlikely. I wonder how much longer they will continue to service Australia which is very expensive as currently operated and, although busy is not a high revenue route? Interesting times but I believe BA will come out leaner and meaner in five years time! Safe travels.
Dandy76 - 16/09/2010 12:41 GMT
i wonder what effect LanChile's acquisition of TAM will have on BA's latin american operations? I love TAM - particularly their business class product operated between GRU and EZE. I'd be very happy to see TAM flying out of T5 to Latam....
BABenji - 16/09/2010 12:43 GMT
Given that the JSA between Qantas and BA was recently renewed for another 5 years, that means at least until 2015 on the kangaroo route.
While the US destinations are obviously profitable it would be prudent to start looking to other areas for growth. Dare I say looking south to Africa? Other major cities in Russia? Samara perhaps? Other countries in the region such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan?
Viking777 - 16/09/2010 12:58 GMT
I hope Manila, im tired of stopping in HKG or BKK. As far as I know only KLM flies non-stop from Europe.
Bucksnet - 16/09/2010 13:11 GMT
BA should drop its 2 flights to SYD and start KUL and MNL. Passengers could then pick up Qantas flights to SYD and other Australian cities as well. Connections could also be made at BKK, BOM, HKG, PEK, PVG and SIN.
Bullfrog - 16/09/2010 14:15 GMT
San Juan Puerto Rico which would link up with the cruise ships.
Fort Lauderdale would be great for South East Florida. In all the years I only ever remember Concorde making a visit to FLL. But then surely BA would just an extra flight to Miami.
On the short haul ... how about LCY or LHR to Bergerac .. Dordogne'shire' .. for all those with second homes.
Listener - 16/09/2010 14:38 GMT
FORT LAUDERDALE would be brilliant alternative to Miami so long as the timing of the flights are nowhere close to the mass of Caribbean flights that transit through Ft. Lauderdale. I've seen lines for immigration back as far as the aircraft doors!!!
Would have to be a 767 as I think runways aren't as big as MIA or West Palm (Virgin used to ply there with 747 service in the 90's).
Alas no lounge either at FLL unless there is plans for BA to build one? A mini-terrace perhaps???
