Double the Pleasure - Maybe?

[Guest]

Hmmmm sounds almost like a return to F and Y in one aircraft........ 

British Airways could launch 'two in one' flights combining budget and premium service

BA boss Alex Cruz suggested the airline might shake things up / Stuart Bailey/British Airways

The legacy carrier said the move could make it ‘the best airline in Europe’

British Airways could launch a “two airlines in one” service, where the front of the plane is a premium carrier and the back is budget.

Alex Cruz, chairman of British Airways, revealed the idea in an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine.

Speaking of the recent issues that have beset the airline, including the recent IT meltdown and numerous strikes, Cruz admitted BA had to change its strategy.

“We are falling behind,” he said. “We have work to do.”

Cruz went on to outline a plan which would recreate BA as a two-tier airline, with a budget service and an upmarket one housed in the same aircraft. He said the move would make British Airways a “fantastic, unbelievable, 10 out of 10” airline.

The former Vueling boss added that the idea could elevate BA to be “the best airline in Britain, and the best airline in Europe”.

Jack Sheldon, founder of flight deals site Jack’s Flight Club, isn't sold on the idea. He told The Independent: "I can see how BA needs to make a change in order to compete. European budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet and even long-haul ones such as Norwegian and Thomas Cook have proven that travellers are willing to sacrifice a lot in order to save on a holiday.

"However, with BA priding itself on its quality and the strength of its brand, it would be a dangerous move to weaken this position by going fully budget, even in part. Most travellers would likely take the cheapest option and come away with a less-than-stellar experience, changing their perception of what a BA flight is and ultimately hurting their brand as an international airline." 

Sheldon added: "I do however see an advantage for holidaymakers in and around London as it would finally create an option for budget flights from London’s most accessible airport, Heathrow, which is currently not used by any low-cost airlines."  

[DEFCON]

Aren't two & three class cabins already in use?

[Kasey]

New British invention........ Half-Class 

[FA@AC]

I wonder where Cruz thinks he's going with this.  Within Europe with its cramped seating and a charge of almost $4 for a cup of coffee BA already resembles a budget carrier.

 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, DEFCON said:

Aren't two & three class cabins already in use?

Yes but with a mix of fares in each cabin.  I suspect they are talking about F (full up) and Y (real cheap one fare level plus the add on charges of course) 

[Fido]

It sounds like a chief executive of an airline with no airline experience (again).