It sucks to be them, but at least they might be able to negotiate some sort of face-and-money-saving codeshare deal, freeing up some A380s slots for some other service.
One of the methods MH mentioned in their restructuring plans was to become more a regional Asia/Pacific player and less so of europe etc. It also called for it's OneWorld partners to help it out. I'd say this is a win for MH too. BA will provide MH with plenty of feed. And since the souring of relations between BA and QF and the re-timing of SIN-OZ QF flights I think BA will work closely with MH in London - OZ via KUL loads.
I love Air Asia. It is what it is. When on sale, I have nabbed a bed on a direct flight to KL for $600. I dont care if they feed me Bread and Butter, nor do I expect amazing service for that price.
It's not what I think MH should do. It's what MH has said it plans on doing as part of it's restructuring - increase focus on the asia/pacific regional network and cut longhaul flights.
A recent-ish centre for aviation article all but predicted BA announcing KUL:
"plans to increase focus on regional operations as it starts to implement capacity and job cuts as part of a new recovery plan. Cuts to the long-haul network are expected as the group’s new strategy aims to leverage partnership and its membership in oneworld.
The changes could create a void In Malaysia’s long-haul market and persuade AirAsia X to reconsider services to Europe. But it could also lead to an opening for oneworld partners such as British Airwaysand Finnair to enter the market, possibly as part of a joint venture with MAS."
DXB/IST/FRA/AMS are all on the list of likely cuts to the MH longhaul network. And the likes of BA feeding it's regional operations which it's focusing on will help. It will likely enable MH to retire it's whole 777 fleet and have just the A380's for the few longhaul routes remaining and A330's for the medium hauls to oz.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
BA's returning to KUL! A daily service from late May 2015 on a 777-200! Yet more options to LHR and Europe!
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
YAY! More redemption options!
eminere
eminere
Member since 25 Sep 2013
Total posts 376
This will be a blow to MH.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
It sucks to be them, but at least they might be able to negotiate some sort of face-and-money-saving codeshare deal, freeing up some A380s slots for some other service.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
Oh, not to mention the potential BA codesharing and interlining onwards from KUL.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
I'm in no doubt BA has entered that market precisely because of the demand for an alternative carrier.
eminere
eminere
Member since 25 Sep 2013
Total posts 376
Having flown J on both BA (B77W) and MH (A380, A330) I would go for MH any day.
cooper81
cooper81
BA Gold
Member since 01 Apr 2012
Total posts 75
One of the methods MH mentioned in their restructuring plans was to become more a regional Asia/Pacific player and less so of europe etc. It also called for it's OneWorld partners to help it out. I'd say this is a win for MH too. BA will provide MH with plenty of feed. And since the souring of relations between BA and QF and the re-timing of SIN-OZ QF flights I think BA will work closely with MH in London - OZ via KUL loads.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
So you want MH to cut routes and code share their network.
Let's short hand that and call it "Doing a Qantas" ;)
_andrewgunn_
_andrewgunn_
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Aug 2014
Total posts 25
I think this could also be great for qantas to get into the Malaysian market since nobody seems to fly my anymore and air Asia is air Asia
Serg
Serg
QFF
Member since 12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1,006
I love BA flying Melbourne
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
+100!
euroboy1977
euroboy1977
Member since 13 Aug 2013
Total posts 92
I love Air Asia. It is what it is. When on sale, I have nabbed a bed on a direct flight to KL for $600. I dont care if they feed me Bread and Butter, nor do I expect amazing service for that price.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
They are currently charging $1,600 return MEL-KUL for December. At that kind of price, why bother?
cooper81
cooper81
BA Gold
Member since 01 Apr 2012
Total posts 75
Hey therealbabushka,
It's not what I think MH should do. It's what MH has said it plans on doing as part of it's restructuring - increase focus on the asia/pacific regional network and cut longhaul flights.
A recent-ish centre for aviation article all but predicted BA announcing KUL:
"plans to increase focus on regional operations as it starts to implement capacity and job cuts as part of a new recovery plan. Cuts to the long-haul network are expected as the group’s new strategy aims to leverage partnership and its membership in oneworld.
The changes could create a void In Malaysia’s long-haul market and persuade AirAsia X to reconsider services to Europe. But it could also lead to an opening for oneworld partners such as British Airwaysand Finnair to enter the market, possibly as part of a joint venture with MAS."
(http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/malaysia-airlines-restructure-will-need-partners---perhaps--etihad-ba-finnair-or-qatar-airways-184576)
DXB/IST/FRA/AMS are all on the list of likely cuts to the MH longhaul network. And the likes of BA feeding it's regional operations which it's focusing on will help. It will likely enable MH to retire it's whole 777 fleet and have just the A380's for the few longhaul routes remaining and A330's for the medium hauls to oz.