British Airways has embarked on massive £7 billion overhaul in a bid to leapfrog rivals and regain its claim to be the ‘world’s favourite airline’.
Bosses have identified more than 600 areas where it needs to improve after years of decline and a series of mass cancellations due to IT failures.
Executives have drawn up plans for a total overhaul of the airline in the next three years that will cost £7 billion to implement.
Top of the ‘to do list’ for chief executive Sean Doyle is new and upgraded technology to prevent further meltdowns in its booking system.
There will also be changes to customer service and the quality of cabins plus the roll-out of on-board wi-fi in a bid to match rivals, most notably Middle Eastern airlines.
BA’s business class lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5 will be refurbished for the first time since 2008 when the terminal opened. Work was completed last month on an overhaul of a smaller lounge in Terminal 5B, a satellite, and features a new live food preparation area.
More than 200 people are understood to be working on rebuilding the airline’s website and app in what is understood to be the airline’s biggest investment into its ageing IT and customer service systems.
For example, it will allow passengers with problems, such as delays that will see them miss their connection, to speak to the flight crew who will arrange a re-booking while in the air.
For many years, BA based its advertising around a slogan claiming to be the ‘world’s favourite airline’ following a ranking as number one in the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards as far back as 2006. However, it managed a lowly 18th in the most recent assessment.
One source said Mr Doyle is ‘fed up’ and ‘frustrated’ by the decline and is aiming to leapfrog rivals with the major revamp.
One insider told the Times: ‘Sean wants BA to lead the way in digital transformation and has a clear plan to realise that ambition.
‘A lot of work over the past two years has gone into planning improvements and the next couple is all about execution, which will go (alongside) a relentless focus on getting after the issues that matter most to customers.’
The airline suffered its biggest IT failure in May 2017 when its fleet was virtually grounded after a contractor unplugged the incorrect server.
Read full originally published story on dailymail.co.uk
How about doing away with the stupidity of men being allowed to wear skirts/dresses?
I can promise you that this is a practice that a) drags your reputation down (excuse the pun!) and b) is not permitted at the Middle Eastern airline competitor where I work.
I’m in total agreement with your comment. I’ve nothing against gay or trans individuals. If a man wants to wear a dress, they can do so out of the public eye. OR, wear a kilt as a F/A.
But BA is not Middle Eastern. If you do not like it stuck with the middle ages , I mean middle eastern airlines.
By the way noone cares about your opinion.
1. The first men to wear skirts were actually Roman soldiers. They wore skirts because they found them to be more comfortable and practical than pants or trousers.
Therefore this was over 2,000 ago so it’s nothing new. Learn your history.
2. If we were to adopt behavioural practices that the Middleastern airlines force on staff, then we wouldn’t have many staff due to the lack of inclusion and equality of treatment to all.
Mate, 99% of people don’t care about men in skirts or kilts or whatever. They want to whisked in style, feeling worthwhile, getting the best service and ground/in air experience.
Now back in your box.
Fancy being so triggered by what another person wears, particularly when they’re adhering to uniform guidelines. You need to either get a life, or try to figure out your repressed anger. Because I can assure you, people aren’t avoiding flying BA because of a uniform choice. Have a think about it, champ
Who cares what the Middle Eastern airlines do. Really no need to stoop down to their low level of diversity and human rights.
Want next, dorms for cabin crew? Treat migrant works like dirt?
Celebrate what makes you unique.
Having worked for BA the airline failed to invest and bring the airline into the 21st century. The IT setup could go into the Sciencec museum. To thus day BA still bring in IT personnel on short term visas after sacking an established home grown IT department in their wisdom to save costs. IAG in Madrid who make decisions for BA should be sacked. Their devoid of management skills judt cost cutting A weak CEO at BA and a disgraced COO Jason Mahoney who had to leave BA shows how bad BA still is
The Worlds favourite used to fly from regional hubs like Manchester. They turned their back on the north. How on earth do they think they will ever climb back on that high horse. Those days are gone. Tough competition from low cost and the ME that often offer a better product.
Oh dear have a close look at the photo of staff, wearing the new uniform
It’s a photoshopped ‘wind up’
Posted on Facebook.
It was created with the intention of making everyone think that BA were permitting male staff members to wear the female version
Mistake 1 : men in dresses .
Failed before you began.
Fire the entire woke HR dept.