[Gold-2K]

Becoming the biggest joke on the web.

This evening all my reservations have been locked “due to unauthorised access” …… by the way that was me after I had logged in to my account and made the mistake of clicking on the reservation to access it. I can try again in 24 hours apparently.

Prior to that error, I had been re-entering all the personal data, passport, hotel addresses, Visa numbers etc as its all mysteriously disappeared from my profile.

I tried to make a change to date of one, only to be told I needed to do it through my travel agent, which of course I would happily do had I not made the reservation direct on BA.com-edy.

Seriously, Mother Theresa would be swearing like Lily Savage after an hour on this useless website.

Hopefully the summer interns that are working on the site this summer are better than the mob who worked on it last year.

The joke is wearing off!

3 users thanked author for this post.

Jacob, capetonianm, Inthesandpit

[capetonianm]

I was discussing the whole tragi-comedy of BA’s IT systems the other day with a group of people all of whom travel frequently and are high-yield passengers. The consensus was that as a result of the poor hard product and the inadequacies of the website and app, the majority of them avoid BA and have switched their allegiance to other carriers.

Those who have no choice but to travel BA book through third party websites such as Expedia and Opodo, which despite introducing another link in the chain, often saves them money and proves to be a simpler and more robust process than using BA’s systems direct.

It almost defies belief that a major global brand such as BA can perform so poorly in such a vital area, and yet they do, despite massive failings over several years.

[openfly]

Maybe the job-experience kids haven’t told Alex Cruz that there is a big problem. Also, solving it will cost lots of money, so Snr Cruz is happy to continue with this old crap system!

[FDOS_UK]

There is a reason IAG makes those big profits that SimonS1 and others like to point out.

If you don’t paint the exterior of your house for years, it saves you a lot of money, but eventually the rot sets in.

Systems need proper maintenance, too.

[capetonianm]

If you don’t paint the exterior of your house for years, it saves you a lot of money, but eventually the rot sets in.

Excellent analogy. As I’ve said, cutting costs to boost the bottom line for shareholders works, but is unsustainable.
Clearly Cruz is only thinking short term.

[esselle]

Are you sure he is actually thinking?

2 users thanked author for this post.

capetonianm, Flightlevel

[Gold-2K]

Given they are so coin operated, its amazing how many times I have been offered the chance to purchase an upgrade online only to be told “we are encountering a technical issue. Please try again later”.

Times must be good a Casa Cruz for him to turn down money for nothing!

Luckily Qantas have more reliable systems so just bought 2 first class seats to Sydney at a good price, and Sig Cruz can keep his ubiquitous first class pre-appetiser ham and cheese for his next cocktail party!

[SimonS1]

[quote quote=878808]There is a reason IAG makes those big profits that SimonS1 and others like to point out.

If you don’t paint the exterior of your house for years, it saves you a lot of money, but eventually the rot sets in.[/quote]

Well people have been trotting out the ‘rot sets in’ line for years though. BT forum has several facelifts (or ‘enhancements’) in that time but the story hasn’t changed.

Last time I looked 85% of analysts rated IAG a buy or strong buy, so I don’t see any immediate need for a carpenter.

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=878908]

FDOS_UK wrote:

There is a reason IAG makes those big profits that SimonS1 and others like to point out.

If you don’t paint the exterior of your house for years, it saves you a lot of money, but eventually the rot sets in.

Well people have been trotting out the ‘rot sets in’ line for years though. BT forum has several facelifts (or ‘enhancements’) in that time but the story hasn’t changed.

Last time I looked 85% of analysts rated IAG a buy or strong buy, so I don’t see any immediate need for a carpenter.[/quote]

No, but when the building collapses, it normally comes as a bit of a surprise.

Were these the same analysts who failed to see 2007-8 coming?

[capetonianm]

Even Swissair ‘collapsed’.

I am not suggesting that the same could happen with BA, but there could well be a turnaround in its performance. That will wipe the smirks off a few faces.

[SimonS1]

2007-2008 was a global markets issue, nothing to do with BA cutting costs. And Swissair was a knock on from 9-11.

Anyway crack on chaps. Come back to us when some new information appears 🙂

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=878992]2007-2008 was a global markets issue, nothing to do with BA cutting costs. And Swissair was a knock on from 9-11.

Anyway crack on chaps. Come back to us when some new information appears 🙂[/quote]

SimonS1, but were they the same analysts? Surely a global event is easier to detect than a local one 😉

[SimonS1]

[quote quote=878997]

SimonS1 wrote:

2007-2008 was a global markets issue, nothing to do with BA cutting costs. And Swissair was a knock on from 9-11.

Anyway crack on chaps. Come back to us when some new information appears 🙂

SimonS1, but were they the same analysts? Surely a global event is easier to detect than a local one 😉[/quote]

No….IAG is covered by securities analysts not economists. The ones that cover IAG are mostly aviation industry specialists. But their names are all in the public domain so if you have new and interesting information give them a shout 🙂

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=879004]

FDOS_UK wrote:

SimonS1 wrote:

2007-2008 was a global markets issue, nothing to do with BA cutting costs. And Swissair was a knock on from 9-11.

Anyway crack on chaps. Come back to us when some new information appears 🙂

SimonS1, but were they the same analysts? Surely a global event is easier to detect than a local one 😉

No….IAG is covered by securities analysts not economists. The ones that cover IAG are mostly aviation industry specialists. But their names are all in the public domain so if you have new and interesting information give them a shout 🙂[/quote]

I’ve recently booked a couple of WTP trips to my usual destination, over the Aug/Sep period and my costs are down by approximately £200 per trip (Y on Y), as there was abundant availability of ‘T’ class, whereas it’s usually ‘E’ available by the time I book. Having priced up EK in Y (which I always do, but seldom book) their prices were firm, by comparison). Not sure if this is new and interesting information, but as WTP is one of BA’s better selling products, I either got lucky or they are having flatter than usual sales.

[SimonS1]

[quote quote=879011]

SimonS1 wrote:

FDOS_UK wrote:

SimonS1 wrote:

2007-2008 was a global markets issue, nothing to do with BA cutting costs. And Swissair was a knock on from 9-11.

Anyway crack on chaps. Come back to us when some new information appears 🙂

SimonS1, but were they the same analysts? Surely a global event is easier to detect than a local one 😉

No….IAG is covered by securities analysts not economists. The ones that cover IAG are mostly aviation industry specialists. But their names are all in the public domain so if you have new and interesting information give them a shout 🙂

I’ve recently booked a couple of WTP trips to my usual destination, over the Aug/Sep period and my costs are down by approximately £200 per trip (Y on Y), as there was abundant availability of ‘T’ class, whereas it’s usually ‘E’ available by the time I book. Having priced up EK in Y (which I always do, but seldom book) their prices were firm, by comparison). Not sure if this is new and interesting information, but as WTP is one of BA’s better selling products, I either got lucky or they are having flatter than usual sales.[/quote]

Let’s await the impact of this new information on the share price then. Currently around 2.75% up on yesterday’s opening so I won’t call the brokers just yet.

[Author]

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