So the British Airways cabin crew unions have decided to call two strikes of three days each. This would make good background for a blockbusting film of what life was like when unions controlled industry and businesses were driven to ruin.

	Posted by: Limey Mike More by Limey Mike airline British Airways Plc labor Unite

A great piece in The Beat this week on BA's new compensation program in the USA indicates a different tack by BA in its way to try and reform its business.

	Posted by: Professor Sabena More by Professor Sabena British Airways Plc travel agencies travel management company

Dear Mr. Walsh,
I am writing today to apply for the part-time job of cabin crew. This will probably come as a big a surprise to you as it was to my wife. "Don't be ridiculous," she said. "You are 61, retired and can barely boil an egg." Whilst she is right on at least two counts, I still feel compelled to publicly put myself forward for this position and explain why.

	Posted by: Limey Mike More by Limey Mike British Airways Plc cabin crew labor Unite

Travelport does not disclose the details of our agreements with customers and partners as they are confidential, but we nevertheless feel compelled to write to set the record straight regarding Timothy O'Neil-Dunne’s blog post (20 December 2009) alluding to the negotiations and subsequent long-term, global full content agreement between Travelport and British Airways. On this subject, Mr. O'Neil-Dunne has stated several factual inaccuracies in his post and overall, has made an unfair and misleading characterization of our agreement.

	Posted by: The Beat Letters More by The Beat Letters Air France KLM Group British Airways Plc Timothy O'Neil-Dunne Travelport

In examining a oneworld alliance antitrust immunity application highlighted by a proposed American Airlines/British Airways/Iberia joint venture, the U.S. Department of Transportation on Dec. 22 "established a supplemental comment period--through January 11" for interested parties "to respond to late-filed pleadings." One such late filing, submitted by the U.S. Department of Justice, argued that the proposed agreements "would result in competitive harm on certain transatlantic routes serving 2.5 million passengers annually" and increase fares "up to 15 percent."

	Posted by: David More by David alliance AMR Corp. antitrust immunity British Airways Plc Department of Justice Department of Transportation Iberia

The recent distribution arrangement between Travelport and British Airways should come as no shock to anyone. As widely reported several weeks ago, BA is determined to adjust its distribution mode; the UK airline has re-signed with Travelport. It is also reported to be near an agreement with Amadeus (who also hosts the British carrier). Despite being somewhat battered in the recent downturn, the British carrier is driving to a beat where it lowers its costs for distribution. So lets briefly examine what is has agreed to with Travelport and what it wants to get from the other GDS companies.

	Posted by: Professor Sabena Comments: (1) Last Comment: Jay More by Professor Sabena British Airways Plc distribution costs global distribution systems Travelport

Far from its one time part owner Travelport (Galileo and Worldspan) has now concluded a deal with BA. The deal extends the current opt in/opt out arrangement for significantly less than the regular Legacy GDS segment fee. It should be noted that in the UK Home market - the moving of content out of GDSs by BA has been under way for some time with the Lime Management. We can expect to see more content moved out of the legacy GDSs to systems such as Lime over time.

	Posted by: Professor Sabena More by Professor Sabena British Airways Plc global distribution system Lime Management Travelport

I think everyone knows that BA is having a bit of a hard time. Things have not gone its way lately. So in an effort to drum up some new revenue, BA is going to set new charges for seat assignments. And boy are they going to be expensive. But its very curious as to their stated logic of why they are charging such astronomical fees.

	Posted by: Professor Sabena More by Professor Sabena ancillary revenue British Airways Plc

The European Commission is due to rule some time in the next few weeks on the British Airways and American Airlines (oh yes don't forget Iberia) Transatlantic Alliance. I find it curious that so far the regulatory bodies have not taken too hard a look at this. Well maybe they just might.
With US Congress seemingly leaving this as unfinished business - and therefore tacitly approving the arrangement - it may all be up to the Commission to make a stand on the subject.

	Posted by: Professor Sabena More by Professor Sabena AMR Corp. British Airways Plc European Commission

I really enjoy reading the (sometimes) complete drivel that airlines put out in their PR to both their customers and the media. I am sure that there are airline people (still) that believe what they write. So for your personal edification – I present the Customer email from British Airways announcing "Seating in Club Europe is Changing"
Rather than publishing the whole letter, I will just pull out two sections from the body of the email:

	Posted by: Professor Sabena More by Professor Sabena British Airways Plc media relations public relations