British Airways has recently been in the news for updating their business class soft product. Since then, they have also opened their new First Wing at Heathrow. The airline also has planned to improve their lounges at JFK, and opened a new one at Gatwick. In terms of routes, British Airways recently announced a new flight to Nashville. British Airways was recently reported at looking at retired A380s to add to their fleet. Well, it seems that BA will be needing a few more in the coming months. British Airways will begin A380 Service to Chicago later this year.
British Airways’ Logic
I can see the demand for Chicago to be meritorious of using an A380. American, BA’s major partner, has a hub there. What intrigues me is how the airline does not fly their flagship plane to New York. New York-London is the busiest transAtlantic route, and yet they only fly 747s and 777s. It will continue to amaze me how they instead fly the A380 to Miami or Boston. I suppose it’s a matter of frequencies over capacity to New York.
What to Expect
British Airways flies their A380s with four cabins of service. First is found in the front of the lower deck, followed by a small cabin of Club World and then World Traveller. The upper deck has the main cabin of Club World, followed by World Traveller Plus, and finally some World Traveller seats. Their A380s lack any of the glamor found on Emirates, Etihad or other carriers. They are simple, yet elegant.
Cabin Service
I am not a very big fan of British Airways’ cabin service. They offer sub-par Club World food, although this should be changing in the next few months. The airline’s soft product was lacking up until the new partnership was announced with the White Company. Their First Class, although a major step over Club World, is still not on par with that of Air France, Lufthansa or other carriers. I agree with many when I say that their First class is but the best business class out there. In World Traveller Plus, however, the airline shines. They offer Club World mains, as well as comfortable seats.
Landing Thoughts:
I am glad to see more A380 service to the US. Chicago is a logical decision for BA. It would be interesting to see if the airline does acquire more A380s and where would they fly next. With BA’s new service to Nashville, and more destinations to be added to the map as the airline adds their A350s soon, it will be cool to see how BA evolves their new products. I am a big oneWorld fan, so I love to see the alliance’s footprint expand.
What do you think? Is BA doing the right thing in deploying their A380 to Chicago? Where should they deploy the A380s next?
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H/T: Chicago Tribune
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