Transatlantic flights are headed in the budget direction with Norwegian, WOW Air and recently Level – a new budget brand operated by British Airways owning group, IAG. Now BA itself is set to compete with these airlines flying out of Gatwick with even further changes to your economy flight. And it won’t be comfortable.
British Airways has announced that they will be introducing 10 seat rows across the cabin instead of 9 on their Boeing 777’s operating from Gatwick airport. These flights will take-off from the 8th July 2018. Destinations will include Kingston, Jamaica, Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, Orlando and New York. If you fly to New York from Heathrow you will not be affected by the changes.
British Airways has defended the move by saying it will allow them to lower fare costs and allow them to compete with the like of Norwegian. Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA’s parent company IAG added the move would “lower the average cost per seat, charge a lower price and stimulate demand”.
Although the move will increase pressure on staff and facilities, British Airways has said the cabins will have enhanced entertainments systems and unlike their rivals include a “generous hand baggage allowance and complimentary food and drink”. This will make the budget price war across the Atlantic, very interesting indeed.
Flights to Orlando using the new configuration can already be booked from the British Airways website.
