British Airways passengers can now book one-way and open-jaw tickets at low prices.
In the past, if a BA passenger wanted a one-way flight (for example, if he or she was getting a lift back or taking the train) there was no option but to pay the costly flexible ticket price.
This meant that a single ticket from London to, say, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt would cost three or four times more than the excursion return. Passengers seeking a good deal had to use tactics such as buying a return ticket and then throwing away the return portion once the outward flight was completed.
One-way pricing removes the need for such under-the-counter activities. BA says it has been gradually rolling out one-way pricing since last May and now all short-haul routes (both international and domestic) are covered. A BA spokesperson said: "We've introduced one-way pricing because we recognise that some short-haul passengers were requiring extra flexibility. A passenger might only wish to book a one-way ticket because he or she was returning overland and our new booking system allows this."
It also means passengers can now book "open-jaw" arrangements online – something not possible before (which was a regular source of complaint from Business Traveller readers). For example, you can book a ticket from London to Amsterdam and return from Brussels to London. Bear in mind, though, that you must make two separate bookings.
This brings BA into line with the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair, which have offered one-way pricing from the start, and it's good news for travellers seeking flexibility at a budget price.
In more BA news, the airline is cutting flights to Germany next summer. The carrier says it is suspending three routes from March 26 because they are no longer profitable. The services in question are Heathrow-Cologne and Gatwick to both Hanover and Munich.
For further information go to www.ba.com
Report by Alex McWhirter
