Article from BTNews 14 NOVEMBER 2016
BA: 10-across + new route
Another new US route – to Oakland in California, an alternative gateway to San Francisco – and plans to join the “10-across” seating club, both involving the B777, kept British Airways in the news last week.
The airline, through chief executive Willie Walsh, excused its plan to move to a 3+4+3 Economy Class layout rather than the 3+3+3 it now has by saying it would allow BA to “lower the average cost per seat, charge a lower price and stimulate demand”.
An airline spokesman added later: “We are flying more customers than ever before to our expanding network of destinations. To meet this demand, we are updating our Boeing 777 cabins to bring us into line with many of our competitors and allow us to offer even more low fares."
The extra capacity, expected to come in by March 2018, will mean 52 extra seats per aircraft. The new-look Economy will also feature revised entertainment systems with bigger screens.
The new service to Oakland, in San Francisco Bay, begins on 28 March. It will be the BA’s first route from Gatwick to California, and the fifth from London to the state and will be served by B777-200ER four days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)
All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum
IAN BERRY, Swindon, UK
Flying is already becoming a chore and this idea is disastrous... The cabin is already cramped and to add an extra seat across will make me dread sitting next to a member of the increasing obesity club. I would have to demand to be offloaded!
Michael Asher, Istanbul
This is reverting to the configuration of the LGW BA 777 fleet when the type first came into service with the airline. It was abandoned because of the howls of protest from passengers over the acute discomfort of the tight seats.
franco mancassola, honolulu- hawaii
Comfort should not be a class privilege. It looks like the industry is heading towards 'negative pitch' in Economy. Nice!