 Poster: A snowHead
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I am sure I saw stuff in the media saying BA were pulling out of Gatwick but have noticed they are still selling flights to Geneva for next Jan.
Have they changed their minds? My sister is looking for flights for next season (half term) but is very concerned about whether they will fly and doesn’t want to end up being moved to Heathrow or a different other London airport.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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No idea if it's long term, but I booked Geneva flights from Gatwick for this April (in a fit of optimism!), lo and behold they were changed to Heathrow a couple of weeks ago. I'd say there's no guarantee of Gatwick flights unless things travel-wise are very much back to normal. Which is a pain.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@ElzP, my flights from Heathrow to Geneva in April have had the outbound flight cancelled but they are offering us one a couple of hours later. I think that is probably just side effect of is still being in lockdown. I would still so much rather be on those flights but not if it is still against FDCO advice 
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| NickyJ wrote: |
| I would still so much rather be on those flights but not if it is still against FDCO advice |
Absolutely. I caved in to the doom and took a voucher on mine, just can't see it happening (still have vague fingers cross for flights I booked to Portugal in May!). I do get the impression that BA are taking bookings, then consolidating/cancelling as they need to based on what they think the situation will be nearer the time.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| ElzP wrote: |
| No idea if it's long term, but I booked Geneva flights from Gatwick for this April (in a fit of optimism!), lo and behold they were changed to Heathrow a couple of weeks ago. I'd say there's no guarantee of Gatwick flights unless things travel-wise are very much back to normal. Which is a pain. |
Yes we had the same with our flights in Jan.
I think that while they are still flying out of Gatwick, their focus is currently Heathrow, so i'd guess that even if you book a Gatwick flight you need to beware that it may get shifted to Heathrow at a whim.
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I checked a couple of days ago, looking to re book for next year BB. Noticed that they were showing flights from Gatwick. I assumed they are looking from an optimistic point of view, hoping there might be some sort of normality next year, and planning in case.
Not as many flight options as previous years, but the Gatwick times suit transfers better, and are cheaper, so looking to book them.
It might be that they are transferred to Heathrow at some point, but I won't mind as the price will be the same, and Heathrow is 40minutes closer. I
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This was just a (failed) negotiating ploy with its unions
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| countryman wrote: |
| This was just a (failed) negotiating ploy with its unions |
So they aren’t planning on pulling out? Do you have anything I can show my sister to reassure her?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I have noticed that the current prices being quoted are quite a bit higher than last year. Might be worth waiting to see if they have one of their sales.
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BA have been using that threat against the unions for the past 30+ years, usually followed by some bout of redundancies, change of package for crew (ground or air) or outsourcing of part of the operation.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| NickyJ wrote: |
| @ElzP, my flights from Heathrow to Geneva in April have had the outbound flight cancelled but they are offering us one a couple of hours later. I think that is probably just side effect of is still being in lockdown. I would still so much rather be on those flights but not if it is still against FDCO advice |
Hey, both outbound and inbound for me had been cancelled and moved to an hour or 2 later. Happy to wait for a while longer to see if they can cancelled full stop. Accommodation in Avoriaz isn't due to be paid for until next month anyway...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| brianatab wrote: |
| I have noticed that the current prices being quoted are quite a bit higher than last year. Might be worth waiting to see if they have one of their sales. |
I was looking at booking flights for our trip next Jan, and prices looked crazy high - mentioned it to my brother who said he thought they looked okay. Turns out the app was showing really high prices (£400+ each way), while the website was much much cheaper.
Just a watch out on case you were looking on the app.
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@Handy Turnip, thanks for the pointer. I have been looking at the app and was thinking they were high. Will check the main page
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You know it makes sense.
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@toyah807, no worries! Good luck!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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No, checked on skyscanner, then on the website, which shows more options for some reason. Have been waiting for Feb'22 flights to rebook for next year's BB. Took a voucher this year, as expected to be booking very early.
Prices are up about 80% on last year, but they usually have a spring sale, so I think I will wait this year.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sat 20-02-21 17:17; edited 2 times in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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One of the problems with Gatwick are the number of connections going into it. Eg Glasgow have 7 to LHR and only one for LGE for next BB. So although they have LGW to VCE I expect a shuffle to LHR.
Therefore I won't hold out much for a guarantee of a flight from LGW.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Are they having problems with their site, or are taking the proverbial?
Just tried the option of flexible ticket (to avoid charges on changing flight) A £36 flight changes to £365. Be cheaper just to cancel and rebook. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've just had flights to Cancun from Gatwick at the end of April csncelled. They were booked optimistically early last year and when I called to ask for a refund of my deposit paid (it was a package with flights and car hire as I now no April is too soon to travel anywhere from the UK) they said although the flights for Cancun our day were cancelled there were flights the following day available instead!!
So doesn't look like Gatwick is totally off the cards yet..
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@Sweedish, I think it was primarily short-haul flights that BA withdrew from LGW his winter
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Sweedish, It's only Gatwick shortfall that has been pulled, this article will give you more background it was initially only until 2 December but its's been extended along with lockdown! The article is slightly out of date (it was written at the beginning of November) but BA's intent hasn't changed.
https://thepointsguy.co.uk/news/ba-to-suspend-gatwick-operations/
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| brianatab wrote: |
Are they having problems with their site, or are taking the proverbial?
Just tried the option of flexible ticket (to avoid charges on changing flight) A £36 flight changes to £365. Be cheaper just to cancel and rebook. |
Flexible tickets are often many times more expensive than non-flexible tickets. The non-flexible ticket prices vary depending on demand for the flight, so while you were able to book it at £36, someone trying to book the last available seat might be charged £360. The flexible ticket needs to be at least as expensive as that most expensive non-flexible ticket, because you can always book at the flexible price by booking for another date and then changing it.
They are also quite happy to take your money if you're booking on behalf of a business and don't care how much you are spending. Flexible tickets typically earn higher air miles.
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| brianatab wrote: |
Are they having problems with their site, or are taking the proverbial?
Just tried the option of flexible ticket (to avoid charges on changing flight) A £36 flight changes to £365. Be cheaper just to cancel and rebook. |
At the moment bookings for both Economy and Flexible BOTH state:
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Changes
Time/date changes permitted at any time for the difference in fare. Free changes on the day of departure provided changes are for same date/cabin/route/airport. Changes subject to availability.
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The only difference comes with ability to get a refund.
From a company perspective for business accommodation we have a policy of always booking flexible on accommodation so that the company gets a refund if it has to be cancelled (which includes changing date ie you cancel and them book afresh). However for accommodation difference is relatively small. A quick look at the Geneva flights for the end of next January it is closer to 10 times the amount at the moment... BUT as those limited cheaper seats sel I suspect the price difference will get less and less
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@NickyJ, Flight fares are incredibly complex and confusing. There are so many fares now. You can get economy, economy plus or business and each one can be bought with a full range of flexibility. Fully flexible economy. Inflexible business. And every permutation in between. When travelling on business I usually book tickets with enough flexibility that I can always cancel and can change, but for a fee.
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