BA launching LHR-MEL via KUL from January 2027 (BA33/BA34)

[SeatBackForward]

BA obviously doing the maths on competing against Project Sunrise to/from Australia.

 

[mviy]

BA obviously doing the maths on competing against Project Sunrise to/from Australia.

These flights would be more of a competition against QF’s MEL-SIN-LHR (changing to flight from SYD in SIN) than against Project Sunrise

Not sure whether BA would have enough destinations to justify competing with Sunrise with non-stop flights, but it would be nice if they do.

 

[elanshin]

These flights would be more of a competition against QF’s MEL-SIN-LHR (changing to flight from SYD in SIN) than against Project Sunrise

Not sure whether BA would have enough destinations to justify competing with Sunrise with non-stop flights, but it would be nice if they do.

As I mentioned, I don't think they're targeting QF crowd (or aussies). They're targeting British that they lost to ME3, SQ, QF who would rather fly BA because they're wed to BA, but up until now don't have a 1 hop option to Melbourne.

Using KUL is actually pretty nifty as there's also a big MEL - KUL market they can potentially siphon from as well.

 

[SeatBackForward]

These flights would be more of a competition against QF’s MEL-SIN-LHR (changing to flight from SYD in SIN) than against Project Sunrise

Not sure whether BA would have enough destinations to justify competing with Sunrise with non-stop flights, but it would be nice if they do.

It's BA signalling to potential customers from MEL wanting to go to LHR - one stop in Sydney, or one stop in KUL - your call.

But I'm no airline economist

 

[dajop]

The world doesn't revolve around QF, hate to break it to you all!

Fifth freedom head to head against MH. Through to LHR competing with any of a range of carriers. There's probably only a small subset of pax who actually preference single plane all the way through. Most are quite happy changing planes in SIN, HKG, BKK, KUL, or other Asian ports and used to be quite happy changing in DOH, DXB and AUH as well. As @elanshin points out probably particularly for the British market.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Fantastic news and also means we have a proper option to KUL that isn't LCC or MH

 

[tassie6]

I think a lot depends on whether there are further delays on getting new seats installed.

If they haven’t finished by the time this route’s launched, you could always fly well after it’s launched when the chances of all being refurbished would be higher.

Yep, of their 18 789s:
1 is refurbished
1 is in the shop currently
16 in old configuration

Their 788 reconfiguration was very approximately 12 aircraft over about 24 months

But given this service launches in Jan 2027, perhaps something like another 5 may be refurbished by then? With the rest over the following 18-24 months

 

[am0985]

Wouldn't mind doing the MEL - KUL leg on the old J layout. But definitely not the KUL - LHR leg!

 

[PERLHR]

Wouldn't mind doing the MEL - KUL leg on the old J layout. But definitely not the KUL - LHR leg!

Nah it's fine and doing it again in April. The seat is actually in my opinion more comfortable than the 350 suite.

Very similar timing to every other flight to London via Asia. Why does everyone want a 5am arrival into LHR?

Many are in transit and actually step of then onto BA for European or Domestic connections allowing to be at destination by noon or before.

It's also an add on to an existing flight (and slot).

 

[pauly7]

Great news and good for more OW options out of MEL.

 

[justinbrett]

BA obviously doing the maths on competing against Project Sunrise to/from Australia.

I think more they see the writing on the wall regarding the VA/QR JV (getting crowded to have a parallel QR/BA JV) and maybe recent events will drive more pax back to Asian connections (hell, QF found that out a decade ago)

It's BA signalling to potential customers from MEL wanting to go to LHR - one stop in Sydney, or one stop in KUL - your call.

But I'm no airline economist

BA pax (or anyone) can already fly MEL-SIN-LHR using QF/BA. BA already codeshares on QF MEL-SIN.

 

[LondonAussie]

As long as there's zero chance of the horrible ying-yang 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 business class cabins, this could be a good option going to Asia using the 5th freedom leg.

Having regularly been on both, the older seats are more comfortable for sleeping.