[Anonymous]

[RichHI1]

The new loco for initially domestic then euro holiday destinations a window into the future for BA domestic and non business euro routes?

Would seem to make sense as service level is not as big a differentiator as price on domestic.

[Hippocampus]

Not in the short-medium term.

IAG had the opportunity to set up a BA Express operation with bmi which has much leaner working practices than BA. However, the pilots had the foresight to engage with the company and agreed on productivity changes to secure integration of the bmi pilots into BA.

In terms of overall modernisation of working practices BA is much more advanced than Iberia.

[RichHI1]

And that will allow enough tine to gain the learnings from some time of operation in Spain ro get an oprimized roll out in UK.

[BeckyBoop]

Just a had a peak at their website shame they dont fly in to the UK

Hippocampus what is the possiblity of them expanding services to the UK in the future? 🙁 x

[LeTigre]

They are unlikely to come to London for the time being. Other UK destinations are more likely but considering they are moving to T5 imminently, it would not be a good move to switch to low-cost flights!

Have you heard: economy class is going from 31 to 28 inches of legroom! Ryanair has a positively luxurious 30 inches in comparison.

[RichHI1]

Hengli Iberia and Iberia Express are separate carriers. Iberia Express is currently domestic only. Greece and Southern Europe holiday destinations will be next. I think London is too big a business destination so the impact of IB and BA would be negative. Should they fly to UK in future I would think Luton or Stanstead are the likely ports.

[BusinessTraveller]

The current and forthcoming route list as provided by Iberia Express is as follows:

From launch:

Majorca
Alicante
Malaga
Seville

Forthcoming:

Vigo – May
Lanzarote – May
Granada – May
Minorca – May
Ibiza – May
Dublín – June
Fuerteventura – June
Santiago – June
La Palma – June
Naples – June
Mikonos – July
Riga – July
Amsterdam – September

[LeTigre]

Sorry Rich, I did mean to say that Iberia Express are replacing Iberia on a lot of routes so the economy legroom will go from average to atrocious.

[VintageKrug]

Legroom will be 30″, which is the same as was offered in economy with mainline shorthaul Iberia. For comparison, EasyJet offers 29″ with most airlines in the 31″-32″ range for shorthaul.

Looks like some very keen fares are being offered, return Madrid-Seville from €49:

http://www.iberiaexpress.com/en/

This makes a change from the usually extortionate fares charged.

Sounds like a good deal, and especially timely for a country teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

[transtraxman]

This a good analysis from CAPA about what is going on at Iberia.

http://www.centreforaviation.com/analysis/iberia-express-launches-as-europes-latest-salvo-to-bring-short-haul-model-to-profitability-70547

Note the aircraft on order. After 2015 the A320s on order are not designated to one carrier or another – before that they are apparently.

[excessbaggage]

Thanks transtaxman – that piece does suggest economy seat pitch will be 28 inches:

“Iberia Express’ A320s will seat 177, three short of the aircraft’s 180 certified maximum and the typical density of LCCs operating A320s. Iberia’s current A320s typically seat up to 162, giving Iberia Express a significant unit cost advantage, although this will be achieved with some passenger losses. Pitch in Iberia Express business class will be 30in whereas mainline is 34in. Economy has 28in of pitch whereas mainline has 31in.”

[LeTigre]

That is where I got the info from.

[excessbaggage]

VintageKrug – where did you get your information that leg room will be 30″ in economy? From the Iberia Express website?

[VintageKrug]

Yes but the wording on the website is not very clear so that 30″ could have been for “Business Class”. I can’t find any reference to 28″ on the Iberia Express website (though I’m not sure they’d be shouting it from the rooftops if it is the case), though CAPA should be trustworthy.

28″ does seem tight, but if as a consequence of that they can lower their fares, increase demand and maintain, rather than eliminate the air service at the same time keep employing people rather than making them redundant, then this is the right course of action for the airline.

It’s not like they have many options, really; it’s a stark choice between this low cost model or shut down entirely.

I think this will be the model for certain BA shorthaul services, creating a “IAG Express” carrier which works across Europe in the medium term on less profitable former BA and IB routes, but offering the modest advantage of oneworld interlining and elite perks as a USP against their principal competitors, EasyJet and Ryanair.

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