More BA Woe - Withdrawal of Palma Flights

[James]

More depressing news from BA this afternoon - with effect from 25 October 2009 BA is withdrawing its London Gatwick to Palma service. There are no plans to resume the service next summer either.

Other services for the chop are also BA's flights from London Gatwick to Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Malta and Krakow. Services to Pisa, Malaga and Gibraltar will move to Heathrow.

When convenient on price and time (which they regularly are) I always choose to fly BA instead of the no frills alternatives. They're often cheaper than Easyjet from Gatwick at the same time and the service and comfort is streets ahead so this is a bitter blow.

It's a very strange decision for BA to effectively conceed defeat to their no frills rivals in respect of these popular destinations in the same week that they have decided to launch a major online PR attack against the extra "additional" costs no frills flights charge compared to the premium "all inclusive" service offered by BA.

http://www.britishairways.com/trave...&openxbanner=value-calculator&openxtype=click

 

[pollensa]

That's a real shame as my son uses them to fly out with Diving Kit. They're the only airline who let them bring out a dive bag as well as 23kg suitcase.

 

[smg]

how strange...I only booked with them on Monday evening for next June

 

[smg]

THIS IS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL - PLEASE DO NOT REPLY AS WE WILL BE UNABLE TO RESPOND. Please see below for contact details.

Dear Customer,

We regret to inform you that

- Flight BA2708 on 28 May has been cancelled.
- Flight BA2709 on 05 June has been cancelled.


It may be possible to view your options and rebook or cancel your flights on ba.com.
To check please click the link below:

British Airways - MMB

Alternatively, please call us on:

- United Kingdom 0844 493 0787 (1-890-626747 from Republic of Ireland)
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- Executive Club members should call their dedicated contact number.
Book Flights, Hotels, Holidays, Car Rental with British Airways - BA.com
- or click the link below for numbers elsewhere:
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Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.



Passengers:
Booking Reference: YPRMJN

--------------
FLIGHT CHANGES
--------------

***The following flight has been cancelled***
Flight Number: BA2708
From: Gatwick (London)
To: Palma (Majorca)
Depart: 28 May 2010 17:50
Arrive: 28 May 2010 21:05



***The following flight has been cancelled***
Flight Number: BA2709
From: Palma (Majorca)
To: Gatwick (London)
Depart: 05 Jun 2010 21:50
Arrive: 05 Jun 2010 23:10






Yours sincerely,
British Airways Customer Service


not much of a service at all, actually

now watch ej increase fares on that route....GRRRRR

 

[smg]

yes, BA effectively abandoning leisure customers in the South East

they've also dropped direct flights to New York, etc from Gatwick

perhaps Branson's recent comments about their viability were not just the usual pr guff after all.....

 

[smg]

"BA has been facing increased European route competition from Gatwick with the arrival of low cost routes by Aer Lingus this year and estbalished services by Easyjet.


Head of UK and Ireland sales Richard Tams said: “We have some exciting new routes in our winter schedule and extra services to popular sun spots like the Caribbean.”

that really seems like a smart move, with the increase in APD meaning a tax of £600 per family of 4 per Caribbean trip next winter

yes, I know OT, rants over.......