One of the real selling points of the Boeing 787 is the ability to cost-effectively operating long routes out of markets with fewer passengers. It’s a fuel efficient, small widebody.
Perhaps the greatest example of this in North America is British Airways flying Austin – London. But that’s changing — the route has apparently been enough of a success that they’re swapping in a larger plane, a Boeing 777. And that means adding an aircraft that has first class in it, as well.
With the change, and so many more available seats, Tagging Miles highlighted that award availability opens wide up.
From November through end of schedule, British Airways Austin – London flight is wide open with availability in premium cabins — here’s non-stop availability Austin – London for six business class award seats.
For November and early December it’s mostly just Monday through Wednesday. Then it gets completely open. Starting in February this kind of availability is mostly just Tuesday and Wednesdays for the outbound.
Availability for six business class seats on London – Austin is mostly Tuesday through Thursday, though peaks with even more availability as well:
Availability isn’t just for business class, either. Here’s a calendar of non-stop availability for four passengers in first class.
Looking for ‘only’ two first class award seats and availability can be much wider of course.
I actually like British Airways first class on the 777 more than on the 747 (though not as much as on their A380).
Pick the same flights where there’s wide open business class (and fewer passengers means more dates with open seats) and you can get even more premium seats on the same flights. Using the Austin – London route right now you can get 10 premium seats on the same flight to take your family to Europe on points!
American charges 50,000 miles each way for business class and 62,500 miles each way for first class.
American and US Airways operate flights to and from Austin and:
- Los Angeles
- Phoenix
- Dallas
- Chicago
- Miami
- New York JFK
- Charlotte
- Philadelphia
And of course Austin is a strong Southwest market for those looking to purchase connecting flights.
Unfortunately travel on British Airways incurs extortionate fuel surcharges.
Remember of course that you may reduce fuel surcharges by booking two one-ways instead of a roundtrip.
Sky high YQ at the end of the post.
So other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?
Plus, those BA business seats and their arrangement are more like summer camp than upscale business class.
I don’t think that 125 +900 a ticket is a great deal. I won’t pay those fuel surcharges. Total ripoff.
Are you a salesman for AA?
The only one happy about this is AA as they collect a share of the YQ.
Now they have you spreading the good word that there is TATL space in C!
Gary, I was suspicious when you did not include the carrier in the title – and I think you omitted it intentionally. Very poor form. And then not even mentioning the fuel surcharge until the very end of the article, strike two.
@paul5795 I certainly wasn’t hiding the carrier, the featured image for the post on the blog’s home page and that attaches in social media is clearly British Airways. Not hiding the fuel surcharges either I even include a screen shot. Sorry for your assumptions.
“the featured image for the post on the blog’s home page and that attaches in social media is clearly British Airways”
Say what? It wasn’t clearly anything to me. And there was plenty of room to add B/A to the title.
@Robert Hanson you seem to complain in every comment these days…