I flew out of Gatwick on British Airways’ new low cost flights

BRITISH Airways has launched its new branch flights just days after resuming routes from South Terminal at London Gatwick.

But after the airline announced the new routes would be a budget option, how are they different from its standard flights?

3

The airline had previously confirmed that they would continue to operate under the British Airways name but would be a “completely separate entity”.

Whilst currently operating as British Airways it will be rebranded BA Euroflyer by the autumn and will be linked to the already existing BA CityFlyer.

BA’s Sean Doyle previously said the new subsidiary will offer “a premium British airline service at competitive prices” with 35 short-haul destinations on the menu.

Tickets went first sale in December last year, from just £39 each way.

When I joined them on one of their first flights from Gatwick to Tenerife South, I quickly realized that not much had changed.

A spokesman for British Airways said the new routes are “cheap but not without frills”.

This means the flights are cheaper to be competitive, but the airline’s amenities and service remain exactly the same, whether in economy or business class.

In order to keep costs down, the processes behind the scenes are influenced, e.g. B. The reduction of landing costs, route charges, joint headquarters and other less customer-oriented management areas.

What isn’t cut is all on board – so the BA flight experience stays exactly the same.

I took my seat on Club Europe, the business class option for short-haul flights, as the new routes did not opt ​​for the full economy option to keep costs down like budget airlines EasyJet.

And nothing else felt unusual compared to previous British Airways flights – the seats weren’t smaller, luggage wasn’t cut and the food was the same airline offering as usual.

Economy class passengers continued to receive complimentary water and snacks and complimentary seat selection 24 hours prior to travel, while Club Europe passengers received full meal service and premium pre-flight check-in and lounge access.

Masks were still compulsory on board although they are no longer needed for flights to Spain, with the crew still asking people to wear them.

Many of the crew members had come from airlines including Norwegian, TUI and easyJet and had joined since the pandemic, although many were brand new flight crew.

They seemed visibly excited to be on board the first flight, were super friendly and cracked jokes as they spoke to passengers during service.

As with the rest of BA’s short-haul fleet, there was no in-flight entertainment or charging sockets in the A320, and magazines are yet to come back, but I was prepared with a bunch of Netflix episodes downloaded and a portable charger.

While economy passengers enjoyed complimentary snacks and water (hot meals must be pre-booked and paid for as part of their sustainability initiative to reduce food waste), Club Europe served us couscous with butternut squash, braised beef with polenta, and sticky toffee pudding. all washed down with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

The flight was not entirely smooth – the WiFi was patchy at times after we were told it can be weaker over water (which was most of the flight) and there were issues with the crew computers needed to give commands to receive in the economy.

But once I’d watched a few episodes and stuffed my face, it was time to land on the sunny island of Tenerife – no wiser that I’d flown on the British airline’s new subsidiary.

So what’s different about British Airways’ upcoming BA EuroFlyer? Well nothing. You’ll only have pennies more to spend on sangria if you land instead.

3

3