British Airways News
Seat Review - British Airways World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)
A family emergency sent me to Berlin. The trip back (which was filled with stress and eventually relief) was on British Airways Premium Economy – branded World Traveller Plus. Due to the circumstances of the trip I was not in a good mood. This almost certainly impacted my attitude toward the flight and the product and therefore this review.
British Airways melts in The Maldives
British Airways is to launch its new thrice-weekly direct service from Gatwick to Male in the Maldives from October 25, 2009.
BA confident of new all-business service
British Airways’ chief executive is confident the airline’s first all-business service will be a success despite the sharp fall in passengers buying premium tickets. Willie Walsh, who will be on the flight from London City Airport to JFK tomorrow (Tuesday, September 29), said:“Our long tradition of delivering world-beating and innovative new services continues with the launch of this unique route.
Mobile Onair goes live with BA London - New York
British Airways and OnAir will tomorrow launch inflight connectivity services aboard the airline’s premier business-class only service linking London with New York. British Airways’ passengers will travel between the two major business hubs and stay connected inflight to their business, family and friends using their own mobile phones or smartphones (such as a BlackBerry® device) for text messages, emails and Internet access.
BA to introduce seat charges
British Airways will start charging passengers up to £60 per one-way flight if they want to secure a specific seat before check-in. The charges will apply from October 7 on all BA mainline operated flights, in all cabins, except first class. It will not operate on any franchisee operation, alliance partner, codeshare flight or BA CityFlyer.
JAL teeters on brink of collapse
Japan Airlines is teetering on the brink of collapse as the government refused calls to save it from a $15 billion debt pile yesterday (September 24). A Japanese government task force has now been formed which may split the carrier into “good” and “bad” parts. It will report back at the end of November.
BA/AA hits stumbling block
The proposed tie-up between British Airways and American Airlines has hit a stumbling block after two senior US transport chief have been forced to rule themselves out of the decision-making process. Both the US transportation secretary and his deputy have stepped aside over the ruling whether to grant BA anti-trust immunity.
Environmentalists attack new emissions deal
Climate activists branded yesterday’s agreement to halve airline emission by 2050 as “complete greenwash” and were a cynical ploy to avoid new taxes that threaten to erode into the industry’s profits.
Qantas profits dive
Qantas has become the latest airline to give a downbeat view of trading conditions despite being one of the few to post a profit – albeit small – for the first half of the year. The Australian flag carrier said the global outlook “remains uncertain” as it announced a fall in profits of 88% to £62.4 million. It follows numerous pieces of bad news for the aviation sector including a prediction by IATA that airlines are set to lose $11 billion this year.
Airlines in pledge to cut CO2 emissions
Airlines have pledged to slash their CO2 emissions in half by 2050 in a move that will force up air fares. BA chief executive Willie Walsh will unveil the plan at the UN Forum on climate change today ahead of the global warming summit in Copenhagen in December. It is feared fares will have to rise as a result by as much as E40 on a long-haul return flight and E9 on short haul flights.
Airline fees not sustainable
Airlines have been slammed for adding more and more extras onto the price of a ticket. Charging for bags and check-in is an unsustainable model according to the chairman of the National Business Travel Association, Kevin Maguire. His comments come as United Airlines becomes the latest US carrier to charge a fee for a second hold bag.
BA in move to save JAL
British Airways has joined American Airlines and Qantas to try and save Japan Airlines from bankruptcy. The move follows news that Delta Airlines was also looking to inject cash into the ailing carrier and by doing so force it to exit the Oneworld Alliance, of which BA is a member.