Why do BA charge excessive taxes & surcharges on tickets compared to EK

Skyobserver - 02/07/2009 10:00 GMT

See the reply from BA below to my enquiry on why there is such a difference in the taxes and surcharges on the same sector (DXB-LHR-DXB) in Economy class (full details at the bottom of the posting). Not really much of an explanation as to why is such a difference …..AED is 950 or GBP 158 at AED 6 to the GBP…..

Remind anybody of the overcharging that BA was guilty of across the Atlantic and other long haul flights a couple of years back ? Is Willie Walsh so very desperate that he has to charge almost 1/2 of the economy fare in taxes and surcharges?

Dear Mr. Stokes……. Thank you very much for your time on the last week. It was very helpful to talk to you. As discussed, British Airways applies a fuel surcharge on all flights to reflect the fluctuating price of worldwide oil. The amount of fuel surcharge collected depends on the flight duration and where the ticket was purchased. The surcharge applies to all passengers, including children and infants, on international and domestic flights. Further information about the current rates can be found on ba.com. Thank you again for your time. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. Best regards Alison D…….. British Airways Customer Relations Your case reference is:7442103

Flights and Price Outbound - Wednesday 29 July 2009

02:00 29 Jul 06:20 29 Jul Dubai Heathrow (London) BA0106 British Airways World Traveller Inbound - Thursday 6 August 2009

12:40 6 Aug 22:35 6 Aug Heathrow (London) Dubai BA0107 British Airways World Traveller 40000BA Miles plus 1,395.00 AED Price breakdown Passenger BA Miles Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges* per person Inclusive total 1Adult 40000 1,395.00 AED 1,395.00AED

Flights OUTBOUND Dubai, United Arab Emirates to London, United Kingdom Flight Depart / Arrive Time Airport Duration / Stops Class / Aircraft EK003 Wed 29 Jul 09 14:15 Dubai International Airport (DXB) 7hr 25min 0 Stops Economy Boeing 777-300ER Wed 29 Jul 09 18:40 London Heathrow Airport (LHR) INBOUND London, United Kingdom to Dubai, United Arab Emirates Flight Depart / Arrive Time Airport Duration / Stops Class / Aircraft EK008 Thu 06 Aug 09 08:40 London Heathrow Airport (LHR) 6hr 50min 0 Stops Economy Boeing 777-300 Thu 06 Aug 09 18:30 Dubai International Airport (DXB) Included in your fare • Award-winning gourmet cuisine and beverages • Friendly, attentive service from a multilingual cabin crew • A great range of entertainment, including movies, music and TV. • Comfortable, reclining, ergonomically-designed seats • Select your own seat at any time prior to check-in • Save time at the airport by checking in online Terms and Conditions Rewards Rules Online Booking Terms & Conditions Conditions of Carriage Useful Information Children travelling alone

Skywards miles 36000 Miles Taxes and Fees AED 445.00 • 1 Passenger, Economy • Fare breakdown Flight total AED 445.00

• Reply

Travel-guru - 04/07/2009 08:57 GMT

The simple answer is EK include fuel surcharge in ticket price whereas BA includes it in the taxes. Hence the appearance of massive differences.

• Reply

Skyobserver - 04/07/2009 10:08 GMT

Travelbunny: Thanks for particiapting in this issue. I am not highlighting revenue tickets but redemption tickets so there is no place to hide the surcharges. As an Executive Club member I am being discriminated against for using this privilege. Much as I criticise Emirates for their policies they do not apply such an exorbitant charge against its Skyward members. Willie Walsh is making its loyal club members subsidise the airline even more although they have 'done the pain' already to get the 'gain' of the redemption tickets! Why bother fly with BA if they are going to charge you so much for the privilege of cashing in your points? Another reason I shall not be a premium (silver/gold) member of the BA Executive Club in the coming year! Any other fliers got a similar gripe with BA?

• Reply

GuyBetsy - 03/08/2009 08:30 GMT

You really cannot comapre what one airline does with another... what you're trying to do is to force BA to be like EK and well, different logistics not to mention place and economy.

If you're unhappy, just move your business to EK.

• Reply

Skyobserver - 03/08/2009 09:58 GMT

Thanks GuyBetsy for your comments on this issue. I am obviously not making my point clear here. I am not trying to make EK like BA in anyway although both airlines can learn from each other (considering Maurice Flanagan, Deputy Chairman has vast legacy & experience of BOAC / BA from years back). Rather I am asking British Airways to be more transparent with their additional charges. I have tried to analyse exactly how they add up and they dont! So either the Executive Club Members are paying extra for the privilege of using their points on BA for redemption tickets and BA are pocketing the difference or they are paying for the fuel surcharges for botched 'hedging' on fuel when the prices were sky-high in 2008. Neither scenario will help BA keep the BAEC members who are deserting the airline in droves for more transparent charges on their redemption tickets! So you could say to BA in earning the points 'we have done the pain now give us the gain'!

• Reply

GuyBetsy - 03/08/2009 22:08 GMT

Its not only just BA that has excessive fuel surcharges that are added to the ticket price as a surcharge or as a tax. Many european airlines do that notably KLM, AF (which has higher fuel surcharges than BA), any of the Lufthansa group of airlines ie LX, LH, OS, SN... and also the asian carriers like MH and SQ.

So BA isn't alone.

• Reply