VS/BA/BD: Branson to IAG - Stop Slicing of bits of BMI

Well it's taken long enough for the Bearded One to get involved, but Richard Branson is calling on regulators to examine the purchase of slots at London’s Heathrow by IAG from Lufthansa.. and it's British Midland International subsidiary according to Bloomberg

Virgin Say:

“Branson is concerned that BA could be attempting to salami slice BMI’s key assets, increasing their dominance whilst leaving just an uncompetitive and unattractive rump for sale,”

Apparently, it's been revelation that the slots that were sold last week were initially sold for lease - not permanent sale

It's an open secret that Virgin Atlantic has been eyeing BMI for quite some time - either to use it for slots, or to create a European/Domestic feed with the Virgin name.

But there is a bigger issue. If Virgin have been looking at this since 1999, why the hell are they waiting? Because Lufthansa won't sell BMI off without trying to recover some of the losses. In addtion, Virgin has it's own issues to attend to since the three major alliances have teamed up - leaving Virgin on it's own over the pond.

Certainly, it's getting to the point where Virgin must either put up the cash... or back off...

U2: EasyJet try to 1UP British Airways...

Well as you know British Airways has relauched it's "To Fly, To Serve" brand.

Easyjet are not being slouches, and have struck back with their advert.

Nothing like a war of words eh?

A Warning for those who collect Tesco points and convert them to Air Miles/BA Miles

Highlighted on Money Saving Expert, is the ending of the "Double Points" promotion that has been running at Tesco Supermarket/Store chain for for the past 2 years.

What was 2 points a £1 is slashed back to 1 point a £1.

Tesco say this is so that they can fund £500m of price-drops (whilst the cyncist would say this is an extra £500m of reduced costs)

For those of you who are shopping and convert Tesco points to BA Miles/Air Miles or soon to be Avios points, whilst this probably isn't a big dent, it's enough to pay attention and maybe search for a better deal on those points.

Or a find better deal on your shopping, and get the additional points by other means.

BD/BA: The continued canablisation of BMI - sells 6 slot pairs to British Airways

It seems according to http://www.thebasource.com/ that IAG have purchased 6 pairs of slots at London Heathrow from BMI.

According to the site, the six pairs of daily slots  will start to be used from late October with both longhaul and shorthaul expansion.

Whilst 6 pairs is not a lot, it's still a fair lump. Early indications suggest that slots from the Berlin and Edinburgh have been hit, as well as some of the slots operated for Lufthansa Italia (itself due to close at the end of October). 

Where else the hit will come from has yet to be revealed, but it's a certainty to say we'll find out sooner rather than later...

BA: To Fly, To Serve - The Aircraft of the Advert.

If you've watch the advert below, you'll notice a varsity of aircraft in the advert.

This background video explains a bit more about them... including the Lady of the Skies - Concorde.

3 minutes and 30 of your life that if you like planes, you'll enjoy the making of the advert.

BA: To Fly, To Serve

The new British Airways advert is out as part of a new advertising campaign, as well as the beginning of hardening and improving the products, with the emphasis "To Fly, To Serve"

And this is the first of the adverts. From BA's past of Imperial Airways, BOAC, BEA and British Airways, to the appearance of a certain SuperSonic Airliner.

Take a gander - well done BA.

Airplane p0rn - British Airways Airbus A321

It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some airplane p0rn

This week, it's a British Airways Airbus A321 and not a 777-200 (as I posted earlier) taking off from London Heathrow Airport

More of course next week!

BA: Grows up and upscales LHR-DME Route

It seems that British Airways is deciding to finally offer a competitive product on the London to Moscow route , with the introduction of Long Haul type aircraft on the LHR-DME run.

British Airways will switch from a Two Cabin operation to 3 or in some cases 4 cabin operation, formed of 2 Boeing 767's and 1 Boeing 747-400.

Yes, for those of you who like the Queen of the Sky, she's off to Moscow.

Whilst the flight is 4 hours long, it's still enough for BA to up-scale the product - as there is a little bit of competition to Moscow - BMI, Transaero and of course Aeroflot. And with the other boosting their mid-haul products, it's long overdue that BA do something about this route.

And a bit of competition is always good... on any route....

Airplan p0rn - British Airways Boeing 747-400

 It's Sunday again so it must be time for some more Airplane p0rn.

This week, it's a British Airways 747-400 on tow at it's home base of London Heathrow Airport.

More of course next week!

BA/IB/IAG: Avios - Winners and losers.

Now the dust is settling with the Avios introduction, like any changes there will be winners and losers. Lets look in some minor details at the losers first:

LOSERS

• The Chase Credit Card Users/ and those who want to redeem single partner awards: Well I had to pick on this vocal minority first. For these people, they are going to be hit hard. Unused to paying taxes like the rest of us do in Europe, with this hit their redemptions are getting more expensive (so for example using the ORG-HKG route on Cathy Pacific, or accessing LAN's services become very expensive). In regards to those Chase users who never read the T&C's of the British Airways Executive Club programme before signing up... read them eh? Or have strop on Flyertalk or MilePoint..
• UK Airmiles users:  Probably the second biggest hit (and certainly generated more headlines in the UK) as the Airmiles scheme included all taxes and fuel surcharges. IAG argues this model is unsustainable and therefore is going to hammer you for that.
• UK-USA West Coast Redeemers -  Yes, you'll be paying more since they've switched to a distance based model. Other loser redemption routes are: Tel Aviv, Pristina, Catania, Larnaca and Mauritius
• Anyone who wants to change thier redemptions: That's £25 a time please. 

For those two sets of parties above, you have till November to clear out your miles and redeem them at the old rates. I'd take the opportunity if you have no intention of flying British Airways or Iberia. 

WINNERS:

• Shorthaul Redemptions: Probably the biggest winners are IAG for EU redemptions in EuroTraveler and Club Europe. By locking the costs down to £27 or £32 + miles, its an easy win for small collectors who just want a quick break away to burn some miles and get "value".
• LHR-JFK Redemptions: These are the biggest bargain with BA First down from 150k to 120k (or Club from 100k to 80k). Also check: Milan, Prague, Helsinki, Cairo, Amman, Jeddah, Boston,  Bermuda, Toronto, Washington, Chicago, Shanghai, Rio, Bangkok, Narita, Hong-Kong and Singapore - your rates have all been reduced  
• Those who want to redeem for car hire and hotels - It'll be a waste of points, but if it makes you happy - go for it.
• The removal of the regional flight supplement for Airmiles customers - Not a lot, but still counts.
• Airmiles customers can now use Avios for one-way flights or to mix and match the airports they fly to and from, e.g. into New York JFK and back from Boston 

Now for a personal disclaimer: I don't collect British Airways points (either Tier Points, BA Miles or the AirMiles schemes - For some odd reason, I'm still a Qantas Cardboard member), so none of these affect me directly.

But as usual before you sign up to any scheme promising riches and glory, please remember

• Check the small print of any programme and any signup
• Check the taxes
• Do your research
• and remember - there's never something for nothing.

BA/IB/IAG: Welcome to Avios.

No, it's not a diet aid or something mad, but the new name for for BA Miles, Airmiles UK and a few other things as well.

So Avois points will become the base currency for all loyalty and reward programmes of International Airlines Group (IAG).

As well as spending them on Flights, you'll be able to spend them on hotels and car hire.

Points at this juncture are NOT being devalued, and all the current programmes (Iberia Plus and BA Executive Club) remaining the same, with Avios being the new Airmiles programme in the UK. All programmes remain separate for now, with Avios points shared between all the group.

The conversion value is One BA Mile will equal one Avios point in November 2011.

There are some major changes to spending points, with Milan, Prague, Helsinki, Cairo, Amman, Jeddah, Boston, New York, Bermuda, Toronto, Washington, Chicago, Shanghai, Rio, Bangkok, Narita, Hong-Kong and Singapore having reductions in fees, and Tel Aviv, Pristina, Catania, Larnaca and Mauritius requiring more points - like any programme... changes have pluses and minuses...

More importantly, taxes and fees on Shorthaul routes have been dropped to £27/€27in Euro Traveller, £34/€34 in Club Europe. See http://www.britishairways.com/travel/route-table/public/en_gb for some highlighted changes.

I'm not sure on these changes - least of all the name Avios is going to drive me bonkers. Certainly some price cuts are always welcome, and for the low point collectors, cheap taxes on a Eurotrip may convince them to spend points on these runs. Least of all the full changes go live in November when the full changes will be revealed to all.

Business Traveller has the scoop, whilst there is plenty of discussion on FlyerTalk.

Immersive Gaming... or an excuse to visit the BA Cranebank Simulator

BBC Click are running a piece on Immersive Gaming including a visit to a simulator in a Coventry, Laser Tag in Planes in South California... but for us people who fly in the back of the plane (or behind Row 0), the interesting part starts at 3:00... at the British Airways Flight Training centre where the reporter gets to play in a BA 747-400 flight simulator.

Fun Saturday viewing... although the dogfighting over South California sounds like fun...

UK viewers can hit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9567040.stm (and as it's Click, it should be available to international viewers.

Or for those of us who are interested in Photography as well, it'll be on the BBC iPlayer soon!

QF:Changes to the "Joint Service Agreement", modified routes and a new JetStar....

Qantas have been a bit busy pushing out the PR's last night. Lets look at the ones that will hit you the poor passenger first.

The Joint Service Agreement Between London and Sydney (Qantas and British Airways)

Currently, the main JSA routes are LHR-SIN-SYD and LHR-BKK-SYD.
The LHR-SIN-SYD run will be operated with Boeing 747's instead of 777-200's
Meanwhile the LHR-BKK-SYD service is changed in two ways
LHR-BKK will be operated by BA terminates at BKK.
SYD-BKK will be operated by Qantas and terminates at BKK.

British Airways is to increase it's LHR-HKG frequency going 17 times weekly from 14 times.

Also announced is the creation of Jetstar Japan in cooperation with JAL and the Mitsubishi Corporation. Operating a fleet on A320's in 180 seater configurations, this will target the low cost segment in Japan (brining it into conflict with ANA's "Peach"), operating initally between Tokyo Narita and Osaka, with routes to Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa on the cards. The aim is once established in Japan, to operate short haul international services.

On top of this, Qantas are readying their "New Premium Asian Airline", which they're preparing to launch.

The unnamed airline will not carry the Qantas name, and will take the form of a joint venture, with "a new brand, new aircraft and an exciting new look and feel".

Expect shenanigans from the unions when this hits.

BA: 50% off W and Y class Redemptions

British are running a promotion for 50% off Economy and Premium Economy (World Traveller, EuroTraveller and World Traveller Plus) fares

Note before you get excited First, Club World are EXCLUDED from this 50% off sale.

Full details at http://www.britishairways.com/travel/executive-flight-offer-6/execclub/en_gb

As usual, taxes are excluded. Might work out good for short Eurohops or longer World Traveller+ routes.

BA: A Right Royal messup.

It seems the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Prince Will and Kate Middlton to the rest of us) had a problem on the way home from the USA.

The couple flew BA on a 747 from LA to London. Alas, the bird decided to have an IFE failure inflight.

And as a result, service compensation went into play. Which, if you're stuck in BA First (and there are worse places to be in the world when you have a broken IFE system)

Now those of us who are frequent flyers would had opted for the miles. This being Will and Kate, BA's normal practice is to offer £200 each of Vouchers (MCO's - Miscellaneous Charge Orders).

The worst part: They want to watch Bridesmaids on the IFE system
Even worst part: They went off to a cinema afterwards to watch it...

Oh well, at least the version they watched in the cinema wouldn't had been cut to shreds... like some films in a plane.

BA: BA vs Unite - It's all over.

With a vote of 92% to accept and a turnout of 72%, the industrial action of British Airways vs Unite has come to an end.

And that's that. No further comment needed really.

BA: New First, New Video.

Well British Airways are showing off their new First product now the rollout is in full progress, with an experience video.



Cute.

BA: The rise of the Ghetto IFE system contiunes - BA to use iPads on some of the 777 Fleet...

Well it seems maybe I should lobby BA for some money and copyright. But I'm not an evil person (damn my love of the open source movement).

British Airways is to introduce iPads in British Airways First on a trial with aircraft with the GMIS systems installed. These aircraft have no AVOD (rather a rolling video system with small screens).

These frames are due in the shop during the next two years for an upgrade to the new Thales based IFE system. However until then, they need something to tide them over as DVD's aren't cutting it.

Trials commenced on the 18th May on a 4 week run (so they're in the final weeks of it now), and initial feedback is positive which should lead to an infleet introduction.

Whilst the iPads have been loaded up with content,there is only so much you can load on the systems - which is why the long term solution of a Thales IFE system is needed - remember kids 16GB, 32GB or 64GB can only go so far - and is charged at-seat (which means if you want to use your laptop at the same time, one device must be on power, the other has to suffer).

And don't think of heading off or trying to rip the data off them - the devices are locked down.

But it's interesting to see these devices on a plane. To be honest, I'm wondering why these haven't made it onboard the premium BA1/2/3/4 LCY-JFK service yet.....

BA: 100 Airbus's later....

Airbus is making a slight celbration as British Airways takes delivery of it's 100th Airbus aircraft. The aircraft - an A320 pushes British Airways into "a prestigious club" of over 100 Airbus owners.

Here's a pretty picture.

Image - Airbus S.A.R.L.

However, before BA can smile smugly in the background, EasyJet has recently taken delivery of it's 200th Narrowbody Airbus. And yes, whilst EasyJet operate a different model to BA, for some airlines - Size does matter.......

Volcano Ash II: NATS update

NATS are predicting closurses or limited services for the following airports from 19:00 to 01:00BST.

• Barra
• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Prestwick
• Newcastle
• Carlisle
• Durham Tees Valley
• Cumbernauld
• Tiree

Meanwhile,

• BMI and BA have resumed Aberdeen services, 
• BMI has followed BA's lead and shut off all Glasgow and Edinburugh services
• Ryanair is still trying to push past the ban. It is waiting for the IAA to grant approval.. or not.

More updates later....