British Airways has revealed that it’s ending short haul operations at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) permanently, though I’m not entirely convinced that this isn’t still a bargaining technique.
Continue reading: British Airways Ends Gatwick Short Haul Flights
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Very fair and thoughtful remarks, Lucky. People should be skeptical of BA management.
Totally a power play to get the unions onboard. BA need leisure routes out of LGW so it’s frequent flyers can burn Avios and to keep other airlines from taking market share. They will not give up on LGW.
With Virgin Atlantic also currently not operating out of LGW I wonder if BA sees a gap in the market to increase its leisure routes and frequencies, MCO LAS BGI CUN NAS and POS are a few that come to mind.
Best news I’ve heard in years, Gatwick is nowhere near London, therefore should not be referred to as a London Airport, and British Airways Routes especially to Malaga, The Canary Islands always attracted a low calibre of customer’s which you do not see or come across at London Heathrow or London City Airport , very happy to hear this news , British Airways should now concentrate on a profitable business of a quality and sophisticated clientele.
they will never give up those valuable slots.
As an EU airline Vueling might not be perfect for non-EU routes. So we should have a look at just founded Aer Lingus UK
Gatwick can be reached by 3 different rail services in about 30/40 minutes from central London, 2 of which charge "normal" rail fares rather than Heathrow or Gatwick Express type prices. It's much easier to get to from the City than Heathrow (at least until the Elizabeth Line opens, when it'll be pretty much a dead heat).
Heathrow may be slightly closer, but unless you're travelling from the Paddington area, the Heathrow Express saves little time in getting there - and it's extortionate to use in any case.
Gatwick can be reached by 3 different rail services in about 30/40 minutes from central London, 2 of which charge "normal" rail fares rather than Heathrow or Gatwick Express type prices. It's much easier to get to from the City than Heathrow (at least until the Elizabeth Line opens, when it'll be pretty much a dead heat).
Heathrow may be slightly closer, but unless you're travelling from the Paddington area, the Heathrow Express saves little time in getting there - and it's extortionate to use in any case.
Your comment about a "quality and sophisticated clientele" reminds me of Basil Fawlty!
The way to go through correct TSA standpoints is to happen correctly in old planes of deltas aircraft in Atlanta.
From St Pancras, Gatwick takes 40 minutes, and Heathrow takes an hour and change. Plus, the trains run 24 hours. If you have a very early flight from Heathrow, you need to take a bus, which takes 2 hours. Gatwick is hardly my favourite London airport, but I certainly find it quicker and more comfortable to get to than Heathrow.
Our upcoming flight on BA was changed 4 weeks ago. From Gatwick to Tenerife. It is now Heathrow to Tenerife.
And I am okay with that.
As airports go, Gatwick is not that bad. It feels like Chicago-Midway. But, like Chicago-Midway, it's the location that's the problem. If one is inclined to taking a taxi as opposed to taking the train, Heathrow is fine but Gatwick is like dental surgery.
Separately, imagine connecting in London. Your inbound flight is (of course) to Heathrow. Your connecting flight is out of Gatwick. It was a nightmare before the pandemic -- collect bags, allow for hours between flights, go through security again. A long day becomes even longer. At the height of restrictions, you would not be allowed to do it -- trips had to be canceled.
One passenger who really hates Gatwick shares his thoughts . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBAYEK4Ftz8
For most living in the South, and definitely me, I try and avoid LHR as much as possible - terrible airport. I actually choose destinations based on departures from LGW. My business is now likely to switch to easyjet rather than use BA from LHR. I know I'm not the only person that shares this feeling. Bad decision by BA.
You really should learn how to use an apostrophe before describing people as low calibre...
Now no more short haul flights must be made to give up slots by law , no more hanging on to them . if they can not do it let some else do it .
BA pilots never give up anything. It's always been the same. The rest of the airline always have to pay the price for any BA changes. No Gatwick will mean job losses but not for pilots. Unless changes can be driven through across in all areas, then a new low cost carrier just wouldn't be viable. Should naver have sold Go or GB Airways
im intrigued as to what BA holidays will do for the holidays it has already sold for next summer from flights based out of gatwick to eg alicante or some greek islands.. will those holidays now be cancelled and when do they plan to let their customers know so they can rebook with other operators
I am one of a number who detest Heathrow. Gatwick is my local airport. Quite simply BA, not Gatwick - not going. Use Amsterdam instead, which I have done several times.
Rubbish!!
If Gatwick is nowhere near London, then Heathrow is also nowhere near London.
By the way @Alan, for me, as a high calibre and sophisticated clientele who uses only LHR and LCY. You know too much about LGW like you've flown there before. So stay away from me. I do not wish to come across you. Her majesty also told you to eat cake.
Gatwick is the only airport suitable for those living in South East. Heathrow is a nightmare to get to and if you have an early flight limited hotels nearby at Heathrow. Its very disappointing BA are not continuing at Gatwick. There is very little competition now to keep prices reasonable. I hope they reconsider.
Low calibre of customers! So sorry that you think people going to Malaga from Gatwick are below you. Dear oh dear what a complete snob.
Exactly no one to answer the phones or social media responses, we are kept in the dark
As a user of both, Gatwick wins every time, not only for convenience, but also travellers are treated as human beings rather than cattle.
Getting to Gatwick is a joy compared to the nightmare that is LHR. More options and certainly cheaper. Getting from plane to car is a darn sight quicker as well.
BA has always treated Gatwick staff as second rate personnel, treating them with disdain as opposed to valued people.
The sooner it gives up its slots at Gatwick the better for all.
After moving flights several times and using the voucher I have now ask for refund as I don't want to have the additional cost and time going to Heathrow for short haul.
To go from South coast to Heathrow is a nightmare. This autumn we travelled BA city flyer from Southampton to Spain. Brilliant small airport. Smaller planes and even free refreshments on the plane. Can use Avios points. Unfortunately they don't fly to Spain after October but been informed will resume in the spring. So it's Easyjet from Gatwick for us after flying BA for 20 years. Hope BA have a rethink or try to provide a subsidiary.
I had a flight with BA to return to Gatwick on the 5th November 2021 from Alicante, only when we were trying pre book our return Covid tests did we find out that BA had cancelled the flight, no other contavt or email.
We tried to contact them via phone websites etc nothing.
For what is suppose to be the national carrier, never again.
I'm wondering how long BA can survive as a leading airline when it has become more and more obvious that they seem not to have an efficient management structure capable of running such a large organisation.
Customers, like me, have lost faith in the integrity and honesty shown, in particular, by their inept customer service set up.
It is more or less impossible to make "live" contact with BA's customer service agents - or could this be an intentional management directive?
It is difficult to understand why they take bookings for flights to Gatwick, knowing full well that such flights will be cancelled.
One only has to look at the vast number of very bad reviews to realise that this airline is in serious need of a major overhaul and replacing the CEO with someone who actually cares about the people who are paying his considerable salary.
Sooner or later, potential customers will look elsewhere for their travel arrangements which would inevitably see the end of British Airways.