British Airlines

Tojo_Ralph

dpassmore wrote: »

I also alluded to the fact that when hundreds of pounds can be potentially saved, it is only sensible that cost as well as service should be factored into the equation if an individuals financial situation dictates.

Absolutely, however in reality, the OP's issue relates to the airlines fare structure in relation to one way flight.

If for example one were to look for return flights, a reasonable time in advance, say Jan 16th 2011 for say two weeks, one would find that there is only a few quid difference between airfares.

Air India £502
Kingfisher £506
British Airways £507
Jet Airways £517
Virgin £538

http://uk.bestfares.amadeus.net/r/Qfx3Z5

And in business even less.

http://uk.bestfares.amadeus.net/r/TADfeI

dickydonkin

Absolutely, however in reality, the OP's issue relates to the airlines fare structure in relation to one way flight.

Without going into great detail (far too embarrassing), I was 'stranded' in Amsterdam a few years ago.

Me and Mrs P had travelled over on the ferry from Newcastle, however, due to 'unforeseen circumstances', we were separated - she had to get home on the ferry, I had to stay overnight in a hotel and get a flight home the next day. The next day ferry was out of the question as it would not get me home in time for work.

I got to Schipol and the only flight (1 way) I could get to Newcastle was going to cost me around £250.00, however, I was told that if I booked a return flight, it would 'only' cost me £180.00.

The standard price booked in advance for a NCL - AMS return flight at the time was around £80.00.

MrsP was livid on my return as another £250.00 (flight+hotel) was added to the cost of our 'cheap weekend' in Amsterdam!

Mr_Lahey

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Absolutely, however in reality, the OP's issue relates to the airlines fare structure in relation to one way flight.

If for example one were to look for return flights, a reasonable time in advance, say Jan 16th 2011 for say two weeks, one would find that there is only a few quid difference between airfares.

Air India £502
Kingfisher £506
British Airways £507
Jet Airways £517
Virgin £538

http://uk.bestfares.amadeus.net/r/Qfx3Z5

And in business even less.

http://uk.bestfares.amadeus.net/r/TADfeI

Air India one way to fly this June is now £245 each, which is about half of the price you found for Jan return - Which to me seems about right. But shows that there is little or no difference in booking a flight 7 weeks in advance or 9 months.
We all know that airline pricing and ticket classes are very complex. But it seems that flights originating in the UK and British Airlines are more susceptible to price changes.
An example is the a flight from Singapore to Los Angeles, last year i booked it 2 weeks before i flew and it cost around the £1100 mark for 1 adult 2 kids (JAL/AA) i booked the same flight (except from BKK - LAX) with Malaysian for approx £1100 4 months prior to flying.

When i get on a flight in Economy (which is what i am looking for) unless there is very little in the price i will always fly with the cheapest. If each ticket is only £50 more expensive across three then its £150 more, across multiple flights i could end up paying several hundred pounds more. I appreciate that people have favourite airlines, or maybe trust UK airlines more but the reality is unless IFE is missing then there is little between the Economy products of most airlines and if it is unduly bad, just go to sleep.

Tojo_Ralph

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

We all know that airline pricing and ticket classes are very complex. But it seems that flights originating in the UK and British Airlines are more susceptible to price changes.

I suspect that UK airlines have greater overheads be it due to higher rates of pay for staff, advertising, officing, etc, etc..... And I suspect that they are far more in tune with getting bums in seats and then maximising the remaining availability.

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

I appreciate that people have favourite airlines.

Funnily enough, I was talking to an upstate New Yorker at the weekend who mentioned that he was a big fan of BA and that he always flew BA when he had a choice.... Or as he called BA, "The worlds most truculent airline" ... Go figure.

pilates39

Recently flew to Mumbai with British Airways cheaper than Jet or Kingfisher so it depends when you look.
Jet and Kingfisher are fine but would NEVER fly with Air India ever again even if they were giving the flights away free.

withabix

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

one way this June.

Face/Palm

Many airlines penalise one-way travel to various destinations, it isn't just British airlines.

Like others have said, if you want a cheap flight, book with an airline that offers cheap flights.

Demand, pricing structure and advance booking shapes ticket prices.

Also, the value of GBP against other currencies is a big factor at the moment. Any business which trades in GBP is going to appear expensive compared to those who trade/operate in currences which have risen in value against the GBP and indeed the USD.

You can blame Gordon Brown for that one, as he (and chancellor slug-eyebrows) are personally responsible for rogering the economy, not British Airlines.

There are at least 20 airlines operating LHR>DEL (although admittedly some of them will be codeshare), so please feel free to use one of those instead of BA or Virgin. Nobody is forcing you to fly with a British airline.

To be honest, there are some VERY LOW fares on that route (probably due to foreign exchange rates, the amount of competition and low booking loads). Maybe BA and Virgin don't find it necessary to joint the race to the bottom because their booking loads are OK on this route.

Pollycat

withabix wrote: »

Face/Palm

Many airlines penalise one-way travel to various destinations, it isn't just British airlines.

Like others have said, if you want a cheap flight, book with an airline that offers cheap flights.

Demand, pricing structure and advance booking shapes ticket prices.

Also, the value of GBP against other currencies is a big factor at the moment. Any business which trades in GBP is going to appear expensive compared to those who trade/operate in currences which have risen in value against the GBP and indeed the USD.

You can blame Gordon Brown for that one, as he (and chancellor slug-eyebrows) are personally responsible for rogering the economy, not British Airlines.

There are at least 20 airlines operating LHR>DEL (although admittedly some of them will be codeshare), so please feel free to use one of those instead of BA or Virgin. Nobody is forcing you to fly with a British airline.

To be honest, there are some VERY LOW fares on that route (probably due to foreign exchange rates, the amount of competition and low booking loads). Maybe BA and Virgin don't find it necessary to joint the race to the bottom because their booking loads are OK on this route.

Amen to that. :cool:

moonrakerz

I've just booked a package to Egypt, the flights were with Egypt Air, which to be honest, I didn't particularly fancy.
I got in touch with the tour company, I am now going on another scheduled flight, with a "british airline" for an extra £15 - I do hope that they are not going to "arrogantly exploit" me

Pollycat

moonrakerz wrote: »

I've just booked a package to Egypt, the flights were with Egypt Air, which to be honest, I didn't particularly fancy.
I got in touch with the tour company, I am now going on another scheduled flight, with a "british airline" for an extra £15 - I do hope that they are not going to "arrogantly exploit" me

If they did, would it p*ss you off, moonrakerz? :rotfl:

Have a good holiday.

moonrakerz

Pollycat wrote: »

If they did, would it p*ss you off, moonrakerz? :rotfl:

Have a good holiday.

I don't know - but if they were, at least I could get a drink !!