[AMcWhirter]

[quote quote=816736]Given that Heathrow is pretty much full, any idea how they managed to get landing slots at such short notice?[/quote]

When commercial flights at LHR is slot also involves space within one of the terminals.

That’s why when Oman Air purchased that slot for US$75 million from Kenya Airways it was initially restricted to operating from T4 (the terminal used by Kenya Airways).

Oman Air splits Heathrow operation

[AMcWhirter]

When Swissair and KLM provided fixed business class cabins many years ago there were occasions when passengers would be downgraded. If there are 12 business class seats on these A320s then the same could happen although the chances of that will vary from route to route, flight to flight.

It’s also being reported that there will be no BOB on these A320 flights operated by the QR cabin staff. It appears there will be a return to complimentary catering.

[AlanOrton1]

Reading the BBC article Alex shared, it suggests the strike is not just down to the removal of concessions from those that previously went on strike, but what the union calls ‘poverty pay’.

If, as BA say, they’ll be operating 99.5% of scheduled flights, you get the impression they feel as if they have the upper hand.

Looks like the saga could be set to rumble on and on…

[rferguson]

The pictures below confirm that QR aircraft will be ready to fly tomorrow.

One if of an A320 belonging to QR parked up at LHR T5 already.

The other a screenshot of Flightradar showing the amount of QR aircraft currently en route to LHR.

[Edski777]

If this works out the WW gang is expecting it might become the new way forward for BA all together.
Wet-lease aircraft and personnel and operate them under a BA flag. Effectively bypassing UK employment laws and the unions. Reducing BA to a cheap marketing and sales shell with a maximum of flexibility and low cost.
It might be just my Friday evening scare, but look at what is happening?

[rferguson]

I think that BA were fortunate that QR had extra A320 aircraft and crews laying around idle otherwise the scenario could have been different.

I don’t think shareholders would be happy with regular wet leasing of aircraft. And the Mixed Fleet crews are not suffering terribly during industrial action as their strike pay being paid by the union is not terribly less than what BA would be paying them.

[openfly]

@Edski777….that theory is already successful, and already in place at Norwegian!! ? And, after all, Willy Walsh and Snr Cruz idolise Norwegian….

8 planned short-haul (all charters) and 2 long-haul flights cancelled so far today.

[Eastbourneguy]

In reply to openfly

The 8 charters are not cancelled they always appear on the system as duplicated flight numbers and they are still operating if you look carefully.

Only 2 long hauls cancelled ….2 X DOH flights

[openfly]

@Eastbourneguy Ah…thanks for the info.

[Flightlevel]

BA’s QR A320s seem to be 9 of 10 of their original aircraft (2001-2004) configured 12J/132Y. More modern and comfortable than other A320s? 2+2 at 45″ and 3+3 at 31″

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=816845]BA’s QR A320s seem to be 9 of 10 of their original aircraft (2001-2004) configured 12J/132Y. More modern and comfortable than other A320s? 2+2 at 45″ and 3+3 at 31″

[/quote]

Flightlevel, the 9th airframe (with a significantly differen reg) is configured 12J and 153Y – don’t know the seat pitches (but Y is obviously tighter than the others with 31 extra seats.) – this is the aircraft goalie11 mentioned yesterday. I’ve been in one and it felt like a BA/FR/U2 pitch, so 29-30″ or thereabouts, but with slim Recaro type seats in the Y section.

[peter19]

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-unite-union-mixed-fleet-cabin-crew-strike-heathrow-qatar-airways-a7817896.html

Brussels flight this morning with greater pitch and some snacks.

[pheighdough]

A great twitter quote from Alex McWhirter on the BA flight to Brussels by a Qatar A320: First day of @qatarairways flying for BA. Pax seem happy with free catering and spacious biz class seating.

Response from BA: That’s superb to hear. Happy customers is what we aim for. ^Julie

I think BA (Julie) are missing the point. The passengers clearly prefer the better seating and complementary catering rather than the BoB, poor seat pitch, no difference between Club and Economy pitch.

BA should learn and listen to what their customers want. They won’t though…

[GrahamC]

[quote quote=816908]The passengers clearly prefer the better seating and complementary catering rather than the BoB, poor seat pitch, no difference between Club and Economy pitch.

BA should learn and listen to what their customers want. They won’t though…

[/quote]

Of course the passengers prefer it, right up-to the point it costs them more for their tickets. At which point, the majority of the travelling public will switch to a LCC to save a few quid.

[capetonianm]

That’s right, it’s called champagne taste and beer budget.

[Author]

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