Willie’s Gatwick-Vegas Adventure?
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at 07:38 by VintageKrug.
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VintageKrugParticipantSeems Willie Walsh, BA’s CEO, is to visit London’s Gatwick airport sometime later this week.
With American Airlines having retrenched to Heathrow, BA’s Atlanta service similarly re-assigned to LHR’s T5, and Gatwick’s North Terminal now turning a distinct shade of Easyjet orange, the former “hub without the hubbub” looked to be becoming a oneworld graveyard.
The recently launched 777 service to New York’s JFK (replacing the exMAN 767 service which stopped recently) seems to be performing well, St. Kitts is another new LGW destination for 2009 and word on the street is that LGW might be ripe for some additional BA longhaul services.
BAA in particular will be keen to support BA in this endeavour as it looks for a buyer at the worst possible stage in the economic cycle.
Additional 777 capacity comes on stream as the first of BA’s new 777ER sub-fleet arrives later this year. The four existing three class LGW 777s should all be sporting the latest AVOD and http://www.newclubworld.com (which replace the existing narrower flat beds) by late June, the first aircraft being slated for refurbishment in Cardiff from 1 May.
But can the economy sustain additional capacity? Possibly, but probably not to business destinations.
Longhaul leisure travel, if priced keenly, seems to continue to be popular. Perhaps WW will be announcing a new service to Las Vegas or increased three class capacity on the seemingly always sold out Bermuda and Grand Cayman services. Though it appears Sharm El Sheikh and Male in the Maldives are currently hot favourites.
Which new longhaul destinations would you like to see BA serve?
27 Apr 2009
at 14:03
FrequentTravellerParticipantSo has any of this speculation become true? Or does it remain speculation.
7 May 2009
at 15:42
VintageKrugParticipantStill speculation, as permissions seem to be taking longer than planned.
However, Male (MLE) in the Maldives, Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), Seychelles (SEZ) and Las Vegas (LAS) seem to be the routes most in contention. Though probably only two out of the above menu, and likley to be a three class aircraft, without a First cabin.
When I spoke to Willie Walsh last June about the possibility of a Las Vegas route, he broke into a broad grin. Read into that what you will…
Should be a formal announcement within the next fortnight.
10 May 2009
at 12:30
FrequentTravellerParticipantThanks for the update. We will have to wait and see.
12 May 2009
at 19:57
VintageKrugParticipantThe Independent now reporting this as happening, but from LHR:
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tips-and-deals-17052009-1686018.html
Still nothing formal on this from BA; shame the story first appeared as a footnote in one of the more unreliable rags.
Fares not yet loaded but should come online on Monday 18 May.
17 May 2009
at 03:04
FrequentTravellerParticipantInteresting. If true, I am surprised to see the route starting with a daily schedule. Instead of a 3 or 4 days a week and gradually increasing to daily.
A shame I am already booked to return from Las Vegas at the end of October via LAX. I bet BA won’t allow my restricted business class ticket to be altered, as I also have a separate ticket for the LAX LAS sectors.
17 May 2009
at 08:38
VintageKrugParticipantSeems to be being reported across the pond; confirmed as exLHR:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/17/british-airways-start-daily-service-las-vegas/
The plan is for daily service to begin Oct. 25, with a flight arriving in Las Vegas at 5:10 p.m. The return trip to London will depart at 7 p.m., Lampl said.
The airline will use a Boeing 777 configured with 274 seats, 24 of which will be “world traveler plus,” 36 business-class with seats that recline fully to 180 degrees and 214 economy class.
Fares will begin at $461 round trip, plus taxes and fuel surcharges, Lampl said. They should be available for booking by Monday on http://www.ba.com.
http://www.lvrj.com/business/45249642.html
From LHR, this data would suggest a departure around 3pm and arrive back in to London around 1pm, probably not in time to use the Arrivals Lounge.
17 May 2009
at 10:14
BusinessTravellerKeymasterBusiness Traveller replies:
We received confirmation of this from BA a couple of hours ago, and have now published a news article at:
http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/ba-announces-heathrow-las-vegas-route
Unfortunately there are no details of timings, etc, on the press release, but VintageKrug seems to have discovered these on his post above. We will confirm all details with BA first thing on Monday morning.
17 May 2009
at 11:29
BusinessTravellerKeymasterBusiness Traveller replies:
Not as yet VintageKrug, but we’ll certainly update readers as soon as we hear anything.
Tickets have now gone on sale for the LHR-LAS route at ba.com – we have updated the news piece on flight timings at:
http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/ba-announces-heathrow-las-vegas-route
18 May 2009
at 07:22
TravellatorParticipantSample prices LHR – LAS out 1st November in 8h Nov – cheapest Club Fare £ 6522 !!!!!
In Bransons words No Way BA
18 May 2009
at 08:11
VintageKrugParticipantOuch! Quite pricey!
BA 275, dep LHR 1530, arr LAS 1820
BA 274, dep LAS 2020, arr LHR 1405Operated by 3 class 777.
Only flexible J,C,W,Y,B,H fares loaded at the moment, so no discounted fares are visible. There will surely come online in due course, at more reaosnable fares.
18 May 2009
at 08:21
VintageKrugParticipantExclusive: BA to launch two new Caribbean routes
British Airways is launching twice-weekly services from Gatwick to Montego Bay and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in its winter schedule.
From October 25, the airline is also increasing flights from Gatwick to St Lucia from three to five a week, Barbados, from nine to 10, and Port of Spain, Trinidad, from three to five.
Lead-in return fares will start from £634 to Montego Bay and £559 to Punta Cana, including taxes, fees and charges.
Lead-in return fares to St Lucia start from £553, Barbados from £553 and Port of Spain from £583.80.
“These new routes and increased frequencies underline our commitment to the Caribbean,” said head of sales Richard Tams.
“It’s a popular destination with our customers and it’s due to demand that we’re increasing the number of flights to the region.”
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday).
21 May 2009
at 10:49
FrequentTravellerParticipantVintageKrug : Looks like your information was accurate. As BA are start direct flights from Gatwick to Male (Maldives) and Sharm EL Sheikh (Egypt) from 25th October 2009.
Flights will be operated three times a week, using a Boeing 777. Now there is a surprise, they have a Boeing 777 aircraft free from stopping the Gatwick to New York route from the same date.
29 May 2009
at 12:14 -
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