British Airways Cancels More Flights...

[ekerr19]

This appeared in this morning's business section of the Denver Post...

British Airways, plagued by staff shortages and technical hitches all week, canceled more flights Friday.

The airline has scrapped more than 100 flights to and from London's Heathrow Airport over the past five days.

Thousands of travelers were stranded or faced long delays on other services.

Well, wouldn't you know - we are booked on British Air for our Med cruise. One more thing to add to the list of things to worry about... :( I thought we'd gotten such a great deal on our flights.

I don't normally borrow trouble so I hope we are not going to run into problems.

[jhannah]

Richard Branson is far from poor ... so hopefully they will hold together and this won't be an issue for you.

[localady]

I thought Branson was affiliated with Virgin Air, not BA.:cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sit Teddy Lake, I think, founded Virgin Lake.

And the last I heard, Bransan is affiliated with Virgin Atlantic. Maybe be bought some stock in BA?

[sail7seas]

One of the news reports I heard said they are trying to get new hires.....of course, they will have to be trained. Takes time. I hope BA's problems do not cause any inconvenience for CC travelers.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We flown US Airways for years - mainly because of their direct flights.

This past Monday, we turned in our tickets and are now scheduled to fly to San Diego In October. Not a direct flight on American. Burt we can't take any chances of US Airways dropping flights at the end of September. They have already dropped several hundred flights from our airport (right now mostly small cities).

[dakrewser]

This appeared in this morning's business section of the Denver Post...
<BA cancellations news>
One more thing to add to the list of things to worry about... :( I thought we'd gotten such a great deal on our flights.

I don't normally borrow trouble so I hope we are not going to run into problems.
Most of the cancelled flights are "short haul" trips in and around the UK. International flights haven't been affected as much at all.

[imsulin]

Richard Branson is affiliated with Virgin Air and Virgin Records....nothing to do with British Air. He also has a dreamy private island off of the Bitter End Yacht Club in Tortola. Would someone please loan me a couple hundred thousand so I can stay there for a week?? TIA:)!

[jazzsea]

The Denver - Heathrow flight is very popular and I doubt that they will cancel it. Don't worry. You'll be fine.

[sail7seas]

Richard Branson is affiliated with Virgin Air and Virgin Records....nothing to do with British Air. He also has a dreamy private island off of the Bitter End Yacht Club in Tortola. Would someone please loan me a couple hundred thousand so I can stay there for a week?? TIA:)!



We saw some show on TV recently that showed that private retreat. It is out of this world phenomenal and available for rental at something like $35,000 a day or some such.

[imsulin]

That's why I asked to borrow a couple hundred thousand, s7s! We actually were allowed to sail over there from the Bitter End a few years ago, and just walk around the beach area.

[jronilo]

I hope your British Airways flight isn't cancelled. In my opinion British Airways is one of the best airlines I've ever flown and try to fly them anytime I go to Europe. Even if direct flights are offered from the US on other carriers.

If you've never flown BA, it will be a treat. They are the "World's favorite airline!"

I am assuming you are flying World Traveller class, if available, upgrade for $200 to World Traveller Plus. It is a two-four-two configuration on the 777, with leg rests, the seats recline farther and are larger.

[jhannah]

I thought Branson was affiliated with Virgin Air, not BA.:cool: D'oh! Of course. Geez. Must have been a Saturday morning thing! :rolleyes: Yes, Richard is the founder of Virgin.

I need a cruise!!!!

[localady]

Yes you do Jim:D , and I pray that your BA flight is not delayed/cancalled. Will you and your DW fly in a few days early???? Sure hope so, it will make for a less stressful trip for sure!!:cool:

[Claire O'Brien]

Instone Airlines was founded prewar and became nationalised into B.O.A.C. - British Overseas Airways Corporation. There was also a company called B.E.A. - British European Airways. British Caedonian was another offshoot.
They amalgamated and became B.A. - British Airways.

Freddy Laker had Laker Airways who ran a shuttle to US from UK (Skytrain?)and was reportedly forced out of business by British Airways by means of unfair competition.

Richard Branson founded Virgin who make more profit than B.A. and are believed by many people to be the rightful holders of the title Britain's National Airline and Flag Carrier.

When a few years ago B.A. were dropping the Union Flag from their aircraft Richard Branson was going to paint it on the Virgin fleet.

Virgin and B.A. have been at war for years with B.A. allegedly playing dirty tricks to try to force Virgin out of business like they allegedly did Freddy Laker.

Virgin recently wanted to buy the fleet of Concordes from B.A. to keep them operating but they would not sell them - even though they had been built and subsidised with Britiah government money. So B.A. scrapped them instead.

Having said all that neither B.A. nor Virgin are filing for Chapter 11 or the equivalent like many US airlines, but in my opinion B.A. look more shaky than Virgin.

[ekerr19]

I hope your British Airways flight isn't cancelled. In my opinion British Airways is one of the best airlines I've ever flown and try to fly them anytime I go to Europe. Even if direct flights are offered from the US on other carriers.

If you've never flown BA, it will be a treat. They are the "World's favorite airline!"

I am assuming you are flying World Traveller class, if available, upgrade for $200 to World Traveller Plus. It is a two-four-two configuration on the 777, with leg rests, the seats recline farther and are larger.
We've talked to BA reservations about this upgrade and we are seriously considering it - our flight is only about half full, so I'd best get on it, thanks for the reminder.

[ekerr19]

The Denver - Heathrow flight is very popular and I doubt that they will cancel it. Don't worry. You'll be fine.
Carol-

Thanks for the reassurance - our plate is pretty full right now and a cancellation is the last thing we need. :)

[ekerr19]

Freddy Laker had Laker Airways who ran a shuttle to US from UK (Skytrain?)and was reportedly forced out of business by British Airways by means of unfair competition.
I actually remember hearing all about this - a friend of my parents knew Freddy Laker and I remember my Dad talking about this. I had forgotten all about Laker Air, course I was pretty young when this transpired. :)

A walk down memory lane...

[imsulin]

I still have a navy blue BOAC bag that I got when I flew from NY to London in March, 1972. They were given to all passengers at the time, and it was my first trip to London.