British Airways' big sell-off: Champagne flutes and trolleys
23/11/2020
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news
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business
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The airline is selling thousands of items, including memorabilia from its retired 747 aircraft.
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Palatable
23/11/2020 14:07:19
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bbc
Why is there an HYS on this ? Who cares.
So you can comment on something you don't want to comment on.
Well, you obviously do.
That is exactly why BA is not a British airline its owned by foreign Billionaires who can afford to purchase the shares at such a price when once privatised!!
In the same way that Ryanair is owned and controlled by the ROI and the EU governments!!
In the same way that Ryanair is owned and controlled by the ROI and the EU governments!!
We are now coming into land.
Please fasten your safety belt and return the stewardess to the upright position. Removed
Please fasten your safety belt and return the stewardess to the upright position. Removed
Lol, that's brilliant!
An old joke that still makes us laugh!
Bound to cause some woke devotees offence. But then it seems part of following woke agendas causes the sense of humour gene to switch off.
Bound to cause some woke devotees offence. But then it seems part of following woke agendas causes the sense of humour gene to switch off.
Is this a glimpse into the future ?
"Why is there an HYS on this ? Who cares."
Who cares what anybody posts on any of the HYS on here ? Do you seriously think it changes anything ? You are able to comment on this or not as you choose. Removed
Who cares what anybody posts on any of the HYS on here ? Do you seriously think it changes anything ? You are able to comment on this or not as you choose. Removed
I've managed to get a vintage 1983 Chicken Kiev with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Petit Pois.
Every bit as tasty as it was in1983.
Every bit as tasty as it was in1983.
always preferred parmentier potatoes myself. them and the frozen smiley faces.
BA is not nor ever was once privatised BRITISH, exactly more of your Kiev and French style of Potatoes, So these shareholders can carry the can, by coughing up the monney to keep their airline going!!.
Miss the cold stare and condescending manner food served in economy.
You were lucky. They were right out of chicken again .......
in bucket class,. I had to get a Kentucky bucket upon landing.
in bucket class,. I had to get a Kentucky bucket upon landing.
I used to love the cheese and biscuits, and the little orange juice carton. The bread roll was great too. The main course was usually a bit dodgy but any port in a storm!
??????????
That wasn't vintage, that's as fresh as you get today!
Ooh, a fire sale. Where can I buy?
Brian Adams, Brenda Asquith, Bernard Armstrong, Belinda Atkins, now's your chance to snap up some fancy monogrammed dinnerwear cheaply.
Alternatively you could start an airline called B'stard Airlines after buying up all the BA marked stuff but you might get sued for having a business model too similar to British Airways.
Add to that Bosco Albert of the A Team fame.
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Ben Affleck, Buzz Aldrin, Bud Abbott ??
BA sold off their customer services division to Ryanair years ago.
Did BA ever have a customer services division? News to me.
Bizarre as it may seem , I think there is more interest in this story than in the low life of our leading politicians.
First Class long haul always was a treat and something BA did with understated refinement.
In many ways it is a signal of a bygone age.
First Class long haul always was a treat and something BA did with understated refinement.
In many ways it is a signal of a bygone age.
You're right.
Just like good manners, morals and scruples.
Just like good manners, morals and scruples.
Still not a patch on Imperial Airways. Flying from 1924 to 1939, their London- Cape Town service took 10 days, alighting every evening at way stations, where gentlemen and ladies were requested to "Dress for dinner".
Good chance for my uncle Dave to sell the stuff he's nicked from BA over the years!
I assume he's finished all the miniatures.
Just what I want for Christmas - some manky-arsed bedding from an airline.
More to the point is what has happened to all the profit from last year? Bonus & share payments probably. After all the staff could have been furloughed & as we know a number have also been made redundant (but would this use all the profits?) Who knows.
It does state in the article that they lost 5.1bn and only made 1.6bn last year, even if they had saved every penny, they would still be screwed. As to where it is , in a lot of peoples pension funds. Shareholders are not just fat cats, joe public is hugely invested and would be wise to remember this.
When a company feels the need to own a £1m+ piece of art, its hard to feel sorry when things go downhill for them.
Depends whether they realistically believe that it'll rise in value. If so its a fairly shrewd move. Most artworks that sell at auction for >£1m are bought as investments and in the majority of cases they're pretty shrewd investments (because other investors want to do the same driving the price up and up). Also £1m is peanuts compared to the cost of an airliner.
One million pounds for a piece of art is chickenfeed.
To be fair, the former IAG CEO Willie Walsh was known to hate this sort of extravagance and the staff used to hide the artworks whenever he was around the building.
Was that downhill, like into a mountain or just a steady decline?
I know of Charities that hold onto expensive art, that they have been donated to them. They serve as a 'war chest' for when times are very hard.
Nothing wrong with that.
Nothing wrong with that.
... a good investment would customer service ... its amazing what returns that will bring you
Steady - thats copyright!
testing
testing 2
Can I use some of my left-over Air Miles from 1997?
Can't wait to see a similar sale of BBC items. It would mean that it had started to reduce the bloated over paid staff.
Why do the Baby Boomers object to people earning a decent living ? After all Baby Boomers are the last generation to retire < 60 with generous final salary benefits.
They kick off about paying £150 TV license but expect everyone else to work for minimum wages.
They kick off about paying £150 TV license but expect everyone else to work for minimum wages.
747 please, can collect!
How about a 737-max with automatic anti stalling? free delivery through your roof
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They've all been scrapped. Too late I'm afraid.
Where I live in Spain, a partially scrapped BA 747's cockpit spontaneously combusted today. A bit like BA itself!
Where I live in Spain, a partially scrapped BA 747's cockpit spontaneously combusted today. A bit like BA itself!
You'd need to bring a lot of sacks to collect. lol
When a company feels the need to own a £1m+ piece of art, its hard to feel sorry when things go downhill for them.
Depends whether they realistically believe that it'll rise in value. If so its a fairly shrewd move. Most artworks that sell at auction for >£1m are bought as investments and in the majority of cases they're pretty shrewd investments (because other investors want to do the same driving the price up and up). Also £1m is peanuts compared to the cost of an airliner.
Of course, they could instead have put the cost of that investment towards their underfunded pension liabilities. Drop in the ocean perhaps, but it doesn't feel right that they have money to invest in artwork (i.e. illiquid) but not to meet pre-existing obligations/commitments.
Ha! Peanuts.
So an airline should speculate in unconnected markets? Gold? Bitcoin? Vintage cars? Shares in AiM companies?
And most of it absolute trash. Art my ar@e
Their is a market for Everything i suppose.
As long as whatever you buy doesn’t get lost in transit why not?!.
As long as whatever you buy doesn’t get lost in transit why not?!.
I've ordered the toilet cubicle, maybe now I can emulate a mile high club experience..
Bloody great idea Ben what could go wrong.......and you could probably formulate a good chat up line to entice candidates into your cubicle.
Feeling flush with your cash.
a solo mile high experience?
Ben, only go for the B747 rear toilets, they had far more space, choice of position!
The only good thing about the toilet cubicle is the vacuum extraction flush........ Now that is something to aim for...
It’d be great if you used it for smoking in !
Oh happy memories.... I joined the club back in 2003; Solo Aviators Division.
Not much of a bargain. You can get 4 Denby pasta bowls for the same price.
... and they'd be brand new.
Their is a market for Everything i suppose.
As long as whatever you buy doesn’t get lost in transit why not?!.
As long as whatever you buy doesn’t get lost in transit why not?!.
It does state in the article that they lost 5.1bn and only made 1.6bn last year, even if they had saved every penny, they would still be screwed. As to where it is , in a lot of peoples pension funds. Shareholders are not just fat cats, joe public is hugely invested and would be wise to remember this.
Shhh, you can't interrupt peoples rants about evil sharehloders with facts!
Spot on unfortunately Joe Public are not always very wise
2nd hand tat from a 2nd rate airline. On the plus side, it may save some junk from going to landfill.
Have to say this is a bit of light relief and novel item, rather than doom &, gloom to frighten you. Good luck with it - a differing way to recycle albeit you have to buy. Good for children playing air planes or useful for staycation picnics
We are now coming into land.
Please fasten your safety belt and return the stewardess to the upright position. Removed
Please fasten your safety belt and return the stewardess to the upright position. Removed
If you have an aircraft that routinely arrives on time I will bid for that.
How the mighty have fallen, once BA were reverred by all other airlines but after ten years of a cost cutting Chairman and CEO, they are now on a par with Easy Jet!
Very unfair to Easyjet
What do you expect them to do? Keep offering expensive seats that nobody buys? They need to compete with the budget airlines since that's what people want, especially on short haul.
EasyJet are miles ahead. Try getting a refund off BA or changing your tickets to a different date.
That is jingoistic mythology. BA was only considered that in British newspapers using their usual language of British exceptionalism. BA was noted elsewhere as mid level quality.
As a Retired employee of BA your comments are not needed! BA and a lot of the airlines are going through a period in their history that no one could ever have foreseen. They will be great again one day, you will see!
Remember that BA advert taking the p*ss out of airlines that charged for inflight meals? Now they're selling pots and pans. Deary me. Even Ryanair must be giggling.
BA and Easyjet are only comparable on Shorthaul destinations. I'd say there's not a lot of difference. However if you travel BA Longhaul in any of the three premium cabins you will get a very different, and better, experience.
I beg to differ; EasyJet is now better than BA (I speak from experience of both).
The difference being Easyjet have always advertised themselves as a low cost, no frills, budget airline and they do it very well - BA always advertised themselves as being a 'cut above' - shame they didn't stick to it
Can't wait to see a similar sale of BBC items. It would mean that it had started to reduce the bloated over paid staff.
I'm a baby boomer and I couldn't agree more with your comment, they're a pain in the rear, moan moan moan about the good old days, they were rubbish. Thank you young people, us boomers have let you down, Brexit, planet, climate, housing costs antibiotics no longer working, huge national debt, SORRY, thats what we should be saying
I can only assume it's because they don't want anybody to experience anything like the privilege they've had throughout their lives, where living standards 'miraculously' increased four-fold. One wonders how they became the most cynical people in the country?
Not all us boomers object to people earning a decent living, and I don't expect everyone else to work for minimum wage, or complain about the TV Licence, but I'm sure that won't stop you ranting, will it?
Brian Adams, Brenda Asquith, Bernard Armstrong, Belinda Atkins, now's your chance to snap up some fancy monogrammed dinnerwear cheaply.
We are now coming into land.
Please fasten your safety belt and return the stewardess to the upright position. Removed
Please fasten your safety belt and return the stewardess to the upright position. Removed
Brian Adams, Brenda Asquith, Bernard Armstrong, Belinda Atkins, now's your chance to snap up some fancy monogrammed dinnerwear cheaply.
Get we get a mincrowave sent to no 10? BoJo needs it for his oven-ready deal.
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get we get?
I only feel obliged to comment on the sale of airmeal trays because Bazookajoe, Thomas Rance and their ilk haven’t deemed the HYS comments on here so far worthy of their sarcasm... yet.
So here goes - airmeal trays - love ‘em. I’ll have a set!
So here goes - airmeal trays - love ‘em. I’ll have a set!
It's nice because you can compartmentalise your food...
All you need for the full effect is AC blowing in your face and some screaming kids ;)
All you need for the full effect is AC blowing in your face and some screaming kids ;)
Does paragraph 2 of this story read: 'cash-strapped airliner' or "trash-strapped"?
what about all those mini champagne bottles? They for sale (unopened of course)? I'll have a few.
Brian Adams, Brenda Asquith, Bernard Armstrong, Belinda Atkins, now's your chance to snap up some fancy monogrammed dinnerwear cheaply.
BA have over the last few years managed to drag themselves from an elite airline to budget status with a never ending round of cut backs.... They cannot blame all of this on Covid...
Quite correct. The now ex-BA CEO had a low-cost carrier background, and it showed. He used to argue that scrapping free food and drink on short-haul flights was fine because research showed that passengers were interested solely in the lowest possible fares. He was one of these people who knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
What exactly do you expect them to do? They have to compete with the budget airlines that most people flock to.
Air travel, especially short haul, is not glamorous any more. Just a means of getting from A to B safely.
Air travel, especially short haul, is not glamorous any more. Just a means of getting from A to B safely.
NO they the management are stuck with foreign shareholders that want a never ending cash cow called British Airways!!
... the worst thing they ever did was to become a subsidiary ... as a flag carrier it is reasonable to give them preferential slots ... but as a budget airline owned by a foreign corporation they should be treated the same as Ryanair ...
It's called the 'race to the bottom'. Price is all that matters nowadays, standards have evaporated.
As long as we can get our flight to chav land for unlimited cocktails from 9am, who cares.
If you fancy a chuckle check out The Macc Lads - Torremolinos
As long as we can get our flight to chav land for unlimited cocktails from 9am, who cares.
If you fancy a chuckle check out The Macc Lads - Torremolinos
Used to work there, management on the new IAG contracts now earn significantly less than in the same position anywhere else in the industry, why people continued to apply to work there (back when people weren't just taking every job going due to covid) is beyond my comprehension. Alex Cruz's BA was a trainwreck, and Sean Doyle should have just been given the job in the first place.
They only had one elite class bye the way of Concord the rest was economy flying .
Actually the exact opposite, with £1.6bn profit last year.
I'm a baby boomer and I couldn't agree more with your comment, they're a pain in the rear, moan moan moan about the good old days, they were rubbish. Thank you young people, us boomers have let you down, Brexit, planet, climate, housing costs antibiotics no longer working, huge national debt, SORRY, thats what we should be saying
Depends whether they realistically believe that it'll rise in value. If so its a fairly shrewd move. Most artworks that sell at auction for >£1m are bought as investments and in the majority of cases they're pretty shrewd investments (because other investors want to do the same driving the price up and up). Also £1m is peanuts compared to the cost of an airliner.
Thats my point. If a £1M artwork becomes a £2 or £10m artwork when its sold it COULD help plug their pension pot. Pension pots are invested in things that (hopefully) rise in value, whether property, shares or artworks. Its not a daft thing to do if the artwork is realistically going to increase in value.
The Automatic Pilot from 'Airplane' might be useful for what's left of the negotiations with EU. Princess Nut Nuts could inflate it.
When a company feels the need to own a £1m+ piece of art, its hard to feel sorry when things go downhill for them.
How the mighty have fallen, once BA were reverred by all other airlines but after ten years of a cost cutting Chairman and CEO, they are now on a par with Easy Jet!
At least BA get you there unlike Easyjet who cancel your flight and try and keep your money speaking from experience.
Does anyone know where and when the auction will be? Is the full list of items online? As I'll sadly never fly on a 747, I'd love to see if could own a small trinket that has. Much better than seeing it all go to landfill :)
They never tell you what you really want to know, do they? Such an obvious question in such an article.
Wonder if I could get a captain’s seat....?
Wonder if I could get a captain’s seat....?
Peter many airlines still fly 747s, so for the next few years at least you should be able to fly on one if you're really keen!
I think it's a great idea! Recycle and reuse where possible. A great example of thinking out the box.
There is a UK company who make keychains from actual BA aircraft parts. They make their commemorative pieces in the shape of the Tailfins.
There is a UK company who make keychains from actual BA aircraft parts. They make their commemorative pieces in the shape of the Tailfins.
This is only news because it's BA, all airlines sell off stock and components that relate to a type of aircraft they no longer operate. Qantas are doing the same with their 747's. However I feel sorry for the people on here who take a Schadenfreude delight in what may be worrying times for airline employees
Exactly, is the same as Disney World selling signs from attractions, or furniture from hotels. Most hospitality companies will sell stuff thats still good to use
Only because BA have treated people with such disdain this year and for some years before. Artificially manipulating their web site to prevent cash refunds, Vouchers issued when non were requested, cut back, poor service, dirty planes and on and on. If you treat people badly on the way up don't be surprised when the laugh at you on the way down.
Worrying times ? ... that was last year. lol
I used to nick teaspoons in Business Class from airlines all over the world and have quite a collection, including a few airlines that don't exist any more (PanAm, Olympic, Sabena). Maybe I can find out if they're worth anything now!
What a sad state of affairs.The one time premier iconic fleet reduced to selling bric a brac.
Well, you obviously thought it was worth commenting, didn't you?
Note to future 2021 self: avoid BA for any sort of travel, it's bound to be second rate and poor quality.
I ordered a recipe book, but only got a microwave instruction leaflet
Their business class is the biggest rip off you’ll experience. Herded into the cabin like cattle, facing each other in seats, shocking service etc. And still more expensive than most other carriers with vastly better soft and hard products. Just like a BHS/Debenhams this relic is stuck in the past.
It does state in the article that they lost 5.1bn and only made 1.6bn last year, even if they had saved every penny, they would still be screwed. As to where it is , in a lot of peoples pension funds. Shareholders are not just fat cats, joe public is hugely invested and would be wise to remember this.
They started going downhill when they scrapped business class on the shuttle and when compo drinks were ceased. They just became another airline who flew to/from the metropolis. In 10 years time, they may not even be a topic for discussion.
I used to nick teaspoons in Business Class from airlines all over the world and have quite a collection, including a few airlines that don't exist any more (PanAm, Olympic, Sabena). Maybe I can find out if they're worth anything now!
I love how BA try to put a positive spin on things by saying they are 'delighted to be able to offer...' when in actual fact they are selling off their assets to try and keep their heads above water. The sale of the artwork tells it all.
This is only news because it's BA, all airlines sell off stock and components that relate to a type of aircraft they no longer operate. Qantas are doing the same with their 747's. However I feel sorry for the people on here who take a Schadenfreude delight in what may be worrying times for airline employees
The move comes months after BA decided to auction some of its precious artwork hanging in offices and airport lounges, including a £1m-plus work by Bridget Riley.
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I know these expensive artworks can be an investment, but why would you hang one in an airport lounge?
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I know these expensive artworks can be an investment, but why would you hang one in an airport lounge?
'ere where's me washboard?
Of course, they could instead have put the cost of that investment towards their underfunded pension liabilities. Drop in the ocean perhaps, but it doesn't feel right that they have money to invest in artwork (i.e. illiquid) but not to meet pre-existing obligations/commitments.
Thats my point. If a £1M artwork becomes a £2 or £10m artwork when its sold it COULD help plug their pension pot. Pension pots are invested in things that (hopefully) rise in value, whether property, shares or artworks. Its not a daft thing to do if the artwork is realistically going to increase in value.
If I buy this, I'll be able to provide myself (at home) with the correct standard of service for Business/First never fully delivered by BA. I can pretend I'm flying with a real flag carrier.
What an amazing opportunity for this crockery & cutlery to realise its true potential.
What an amazing opportunity for this crockery & cutlery to realise its true potential.
You can also buy a mini Boeing 747 plane and toilet and flush the Boeing down the toilet. If that's not enough there was special edition toilet paper with Boeing written on it, but looks like government has been wiping up with Boeing. Do you remember when we had an British airline and went abroad for holidays. Who wants to pay above cost price for a pasta bowl.