[PaulJennings]

It does seem as if BA are focusing on improving the product rather than cutting the prices. Given that a direct journey in premium class will always be a more expensive option than the alternatives, it’s good that that BA is making its premium product truly premium. (One apostrophe, as carefully placed as the glass of chilled Chablis.)

[VintageKrug]

“(One apostrophe, as carefully placed as the glass of chilled Chablis.)”

😉 nice.

[BlackTower]

It’s the Saturday night stay that annoys me. Defo worse than previous years. Does nothing to make up for strike.

[BABenji]

Personally, this is perfect timing. The CW tickets I was about to book to SYD are now a few hundred pounds cheaper. More money for a nicer hotel room….or maybe dinner at The Icebergs.

[ekond111]

BABenji – try Wildfire – great restaurant on the Rocks – or even Stuyversants in Chatswood – great cellar…

[LuganoPirate]

Just checked a return flight I will make mid Sep LHR – CPT. Virgin is £ 3,700 and I have to fly via JNB. The return is not even with VS but with SAA. Admittedly one day later the flight is £ 400 cheaper with VS in both directions but that does not suit my plans. BA by comparison is just £ 2,550 direct, so BA really does have a good offer.

[BABenji]

ekond111: I’ve booked both for August. Can’t wait. Thanks for the tip.

[openfly]

These BA special fares are very route specific.

If you are travelling from a UK departure point other than London, then it is very worthwhile to check other carriers over a European point rather than London. For example, MAN-CDG-JNB rtn in J is under £2000 …over £500 cheaper than BA…..most of the year on Air France, and that is on the A380 from CDG. LH over FRA is also cheaper on most routes, as with KL. So it is well worth checking when flying from the regions…or even from London.

The ”special” Club fare to CPT is £350 more than last autumn!

[VintageKrug]

I think the fact you only need take a short car trip into LHR, rather than the hassle of changing planes, makes BA well worth any marginal extra cost charged.

[openfly]

VK ……….. I see where you are coming from with folks who are local to London, but when it comes to other parts of the UK then foreign carriers, such as AF and LH, win hands down for business class value and service.

[PaulJennings]

I seem to remember WW saying that if it wasn’t for transfer traffic the wouldn’t bother with domestic flights. I tend to agree with openfly, once you are in somewhere like Manchester or Newcastle, changing in London is not necessarily any more convenient than changing anywhere else. Though in comparing BA with, say, LH, having a flat bed might well make up for other drawbacks.

[LuganoPirate]

While I agree with VK’s basic point on the hassle factor for a few hundred pounds savings, if you are a family, or several people from the same company, the saving added up can be substantial.

Also certain privileges can be granted. Once flying to Hong Kong, 2 pax in F and 6 in C. We were collected by car from the stand of the arriving aircraft, all of us could use the First Class lounge, and we were all transported to the security check before boarding, with the same treatment on the return.

This made transiting hassle free and with a big saving to boot was more than worthwhile.

[Author]

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