Are BA pricing themselves out of the market?
Discussion
Anyone know what's going on at BA? I have tended to fly with them to collect the Avios even if they are slightly more expensive, but they are pricing themselves out (for me anyway)
Example 1
Flights to Barbados at Xmas - BA Business over £6k per person, Virgin Upper Class £2500 - I went with Virgin (via Manchester rather than LHR, but worth it for the saving). BA flights from MAN were still over £6k on the same dates.
Example 2
Flights to Geneva in March '23 - Economy £330 (i do the same dates every year and they are normally between £130-200) - I am going with Swiss at less than £120, both from LHR
Seems crazy pricing to me, I'm guessing they just want business passengers where the company pays without questioning the price.
Example 1
Flights to Barbados at Xmas - BA Business over £6k per person, Virgin Upper Class £2500 - I went with Virgin (via Manchester rather than LHR, but worth it for the saving). BA flights from MAN were still over £6k on the same dates.
Example 2
Flights to Geneva in March '23 - Economy £330 (i do the same dates every year and they are normally between £130-200) - I am going with Swiss at less than £120, both from LHR
Seems crazy pricing to me, I'm guessing they just want business passengers where the company pays without questioning the price.
I used to use BA for frequent business trips to mainly Finland but many other countries too. Our company booking tool allows you to book any flight within a certain percentage of the cheapest unless you have a good reason and get management approval. BA is now outside that percentage and not available. I now fly Finnair which is a great service. The bit I don't get is that I frequently booked BA but ended up on a Finnair flight due to code sharing. Why BA are so much more expensive for the same service, I have no idea.
foliedouce said:
Anyone know what's going on at BA? I have tended to fly with them to collect the Avios even if they are slightly more expensive, but they are pricing themselves out (for me anyway)
Example 1
Flights to Barbados at Xmas - BA Business over 6k per person, Virgin Upper Class 2500 - I went with Virgin (via Manchester rather than LHR, but worth it for the saving). BA flights from MAN were still over 6k on the same dates.
Example 2
Flights to Geneva in March '23 - Economy 330 (i do the same dates every year and they are normally between 130-200) - I am going with Swiss at less than 120, both from LHR
Seems crazy pricing to me, I'm guessing they just want business passengers where the company pays without questioning the price.
Just booked BA Business LHR to Barbados in March 2023 - cheaper than Virgin Upper Class. The pricing algorithms will primarily work on supply/demand, nothing to do with going for a certain 'market'.Example 1
Flights to Barbados at Xmas - BA Business over 6k per person, Virgin Upper Class 2500 - I went with Virgin (via Manchester rather than LHR, but worth it for the saving). BA flights from MAN were still over 6k on the same dates.
Example 2
Flights to Geneva in March '23 - Economy 330 (i do the same dates every year and they are normally between 130-200) - I am going with Swiss at less than 120, both from LHR
Seems crazy pricing to me, I'm guessing they just want business passengers where the company pays without questioning the price.
I used to be OK paying a small premium for BA because you used to get more included in the price and generally the service was better than the "no frills" alternatives. But these days BA themselves have become a "no frills" airline, so I'd be reluctant to pay a small price premium, let alone a large one.
foliedouce said:
Roman Rhodes said:
Just booked BA Business LHR to Barbados in March 2023 - cheaper than Virgin Upper Class. The pricing algorithms will primarily work on supply/demand, nothing to do with going for a certain 'market'.
Interesting, how much did you pay? Not a huge difference but Virgin planes are tired and the BA planes from LHR have the upgraded Business 'suites' rather than the 'climb over your neighbour' b
ks they have on LGW flights.XJ75 said:
I used to be OK paying a small premium for BA because you used to get more included in the price and generally the service was better than the "no frills" alternatives. But these days BA themselves have become a "no frills" airline, so I'd be reluctant to pay a small price premium, let alone a large one.
Pretty much this. One of the fringe benefits of Covid is that I have lost my frequent BA flyer status, which means that I no longer have the dubious incentive of lounge access and fast track security to keep me booking BA. The actual flying experience has long been sub-par in comparison to their better-priced competitors.My last BA flight wS just prior to lock down Heathrow to JFK and quite simple found it very AVERAGE at best and thought that's it. If you give average service then I will only pay average price so now travel with any of the budget type airlines . I save myself that BA 'premium' and can't say the services have been any worse than I was getting via BA.
I still prefer some of the asian Airlines though
I still prefer some of the asian Airlines though
deckster said:
Pistonheader101 said:
BA are cheap and cheerful
where else can you get flights to europe for 2 nights with hotel and breakfast included for 99 along with a generous luggage allowance
Only if you pay for it. Basic Euro Traveller fares haven't included checked luggage for some time.where else can you get flights to europe for 2 nights with hotel and breakfast included for 99 along with a generous luggage allowance
Roman Rhodes said:
Return for 2 was < 7.1k, Virgin was > 7.5k.
Not a huge difference but Virgin planes are tired and the BA planes from LHR have the upgraded Business 'suites' rather than the 'climb over your neighbour' bks they have on LGW flights.
This a no brainer to fly BA for me, especially if the aircraft is fitted with the new BC, I'd probably go up to an extra £500pp for BA & new BC, however I ain't paying an extra £3.5k pp which is what they want for my Xmas dates.Not a huge difference but Virgin planes are tired and the BA planes from LHR have the upgraded Business 'suites' rather than the 'climb over your neighbour' b
ks they have on LGW flights.Pistonheader101 said:
They do using holiday tinder. Includes checked luggage if booking hotel too
Fair enough, I will admit I have never booked a BA holiday.Although I wasn't aware of holiday tinder. That does make it sound more interesting, is that an added service or included in the price?
foliedouce said:
Roman Rhodes said:
Return for 2 was < 7.1k, Virgin was > 7.5k.
Not a huge difference but Virgin planes are tired and the BA planes from LHR have the upgraded Business 'suites' rather than the 'climb over your neighbour' bks they have on LGW flights.
This a no brainer to fly BA for me, especially if the aircraft is fitted with the new BC, I'd probably go up to an extra 500pp for BA & new BC, however I ain't paying an extra 3.5k pp which is what they want for my Xmas dates.Not a huge difference but Virgin planes are tired and the BA planes from LHR have the upgraded Business 'suites' rather than the 'climb over your neighbour' b
ks they have on LGW flights.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff