British Airways - Still a great favourite
British Airways history goes back a long way, but its current brand name was formed in the mid 70's, after the merging of a number of separate airlines. It is still the largest full-service carrier in the UK and also ranks amongst the largest in Europe. Increased competition has affected profits in the past, but some 35 million passengers still flew with BA in 2005 and numbers are on the up.
British Airways franchisees include: BMED (a Gatwick-based holiday airline); GB Airways (serves south Mediterranean & North Africa); Loganair (serves Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man). BA Connect, their low cost subsidiary, is being merged into the regional airline Flybe. The BA Connect brand will dissappear when the process is expected to be completed in March 2007.
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British Airways Routes and Destinations
British Airways is the UK's largest scheduled airline, flying to around 550 destinations in over 130 countries worldwide. Their main operating base is at London Heathrow, it owns 40% of the landing slots there. Other important flight hubs are at London Gatwick and Manchester. Their route network reaches far and wide and covers most destinations, with a huge choice of long haul world flights.
Comments and Reviews
Although not officially a low-cost airline, British Airways regularly offers good value budget fares to many destinations, enabling it to compete across Europe with the no-frills airlines.
British Airways won the title of Airline of the Year 2006 in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, which is based on the world's biggest passenger survey. BA also took top place for best Business Class. Many passengers voted for their quality of product, professionalism and consistency of good service. Skytrax Airline Survey also gives British Airways a worthy overall rating of 4 stars.
Other Useful Information
| Online Booking |
BA's cheapest special offers usually appear at the beginning of October and March and are well worth checking out. For lower fares also look at quieter morning or early afternoon flights and book earlier. Many different flight classes and their various perks are also on offer. Fares are based on debit card payment, there's an extra charge for payment by credit card (currently £3 per flight ticket).
BA operate a number of 'codeshare' routes with other airlines, this is shown at the time of booking and on the ticket. It means some flight routes run via other airlines of the same standard, in order to offer a more extensive worldwide route network. |
| Flight changes |
Changes to flight date and time can be done online via their "Manage my Booking" section or by telephone. There's a fee of £30 per person per flight on all UK to Europe flights, plus any fare difference. Name changes are not allowed. Flights are not refundable if missed or cancelled. |
| Seats |
Economy seat pitch (legroom) is a standard 31 inch on shorthaul flights to Europe and on long haul. World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) seats have 38 inches of legroom.
Seats are allocated at check-in. Specific seat reservation for the cheapest 'Euro Traveller' class is not available. Pre-selected seating is available to First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller passengers and must be made at least 24 hours before departure of the flight.
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| Food |
BA is a full-service airline, so food is included in the fare price. Light snacks, sandwiches and drinks are served on Economy Cass flights of less than 3 hours, decent hot meals on longer flights. Bar service is available throughout the flight. |
| Baggage |
British Airways check-in and hand baggage allowances and procedures have been undergoing changes in 2006. Please check the BA website for the latest details for weights, sizes and number of bags allowed at check-in.
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| Check-In |
Check-in is possible online up to 24 hours before departure, via self-service kiosks at many airports, or at BA check-in desks. The BA online check-in facility is extended to children.
Check-in times vary at different airports, below is a selection of check-in hours:
London Gatwick : opens at 5 am & closes 30 mins before departure.
London Heathrow Terminals 1,3 and 4: opens 3 hours & closes 45 mins before departure.
Manchester & Glasgow: opens 2.5 hours & closes 30 mins before departure.
Birmingham : opens 2 hours & closes 30 mins before departure. |
| Fleet |
Long haul flights are operated by Boeing 747,767 and 777. For short haul European and UK domestic routes BA uses a selection of Boeing 737, Boeing 757 and Airbus A319/320/321.
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Latest News
December 2006 British Airways is to start new routes from London Gatwick to Trinidad, Tobago, Dresden, Sarajevo from March 2007. Flights from London Gatwick to Athens, Kiev, Newcastle and Riga will be suspended from March 2007.
November 2006 British Airways has reached agreement in principle to sell the regional operation of its subsidiary airline BA Connect to Flybe.
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