Report on British Airways: Operating, Structure and Management

This report will be exploring the airline sector - British Airways, examining its operating, structure and management, as well as its development. This will be achieved through researching and presenting key findings of the report.

British Airways

British Airways is internationally known as it is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom established in the year 1974 in the amalgamation of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA). The first-ever flight it made was in 1919 and since then, it has celebrated its 100 years of flying. BA operates through the composition of different teams with specific role and responsibility. BA comprises the commercial team, engineering team, flight operations team, operations team, customer service team, information management team and has also partnered up with different alliances.

Operation Teams

• Commercial team has taken the responsibility of managing revenue and pricing, sales, marketing and distribution, the planning of BA's fleet and network.
• Engineering team is responsible for managing and maintaining BA's fleet of aircraft as well as providing limited services to other operators.
• Flight operations team has the responsibility of the safe operation of fleet, recruitment, training and support functions for BA's pilot community.
• Operations team is responsible for BA's planning and control of the worldwide operation, network punctuality, baggage performance, planning of ground resources and of both flight and cabin crew, operational scheduling of aircraft.
• Customer service team is responsible for check-in, boarding and special services including assistance for children travelling alone and passengers with disabilities.
• Information management team is responsible for reducing costs, simplify processes and automate complex manual tasks, they ensure customers have the ability to book and check-in for flights online and revenue.

Moreover, BA operates by offering customers services and products according to their needs. They engage customers through their media centre, affiliate programme, fleet facts, history and heritage information, handy information on what they have done for customers to improve their experience through their page of 'What's new' in BA official website. Furthermore, BA provides engineering services, ground handling services, aviation training products that cater to both customers and those looking to work in BA.

BA offers a variety of holiday options that includes, all-Inclusive holidays, adult only holidays, beach holidays, city breaks, family holidays, fly-drive holidays, lakes and mountains, luxury holidays, multi-centre holidays, romantic holidays, ski holidays, summer holidays and villa holidays. This infers how British Airways caters for customers via tailored holidays indicating effective customer service with the availability of wider option. This, therefore, allow customers to navigate freely with the thought of not having to worry about not obtaining the appropriate product they need.

Differenr Travel Classes 

Travel Economy Class

• Euro Traveller - flights within the UK and Europe
• World Traveller - longer international flights

BA economy class presents customer service by providing them great value fares, an extensive network of conveniently located airports, family-friendly features and kids' activity packs. On the other hand, long haul flight services include generous free baggage allowance, delicious meals and full bar service included in the price of all tickets, personal entertainment system with complimentary headphones, family-friendly features and kids' activity packs

Travel Economy Premium Class

• World Traveller Plus - selected international flights

BA premium economy class cater customers by providing them more privacy, space and comfort in a smaller, secluded cabin.

Travel Business Class

• Club Europe - flights within the UK and Europe
• Club World - longer international flights
• Club World London City - between London City and New York JFK

British Airways business class offers dedicated services to customers according to their destination. BA offers lounge access, delicious meals and drinks, extra space to work or relax, and flatbeds on long haul flights.

Travel First Class

• First - selected international flights

British Airways first class ensures customer service is presented accordingly by providing them with luxurious experience via products and services like no other. For example, personal suite, fine dining and treats, a specially designed cabin on our 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, space to prepare and relax, hours of entertainment, complimentary massage or facial treatment, seamless check-in and boarding, The First Wing, baggage allowance, door to destination service, a dedicated helpdesk.

Through this option, customers' needs are met accordingly, ensuring customer care is shown by providing specific service to each customer. For example, they have catered for the business class through products and service they require e.g. lounge access and space to work and relax. Moreover, according to The Sun, among travel classes provided by BA, First-class scored first to be the comfiest type of class among four travellers who travelled in different classes BA had on offer. This meant the first-class won against the economy, premium economy and business class. Although this is the case, it was commented that BA's first-class seat is not entirely the best in the market.

Structure and Management

British Airways showcases its management through benefits, loyalty scheme and punctuality. Booking benefits lead customers to have customer care flexibility, such as airfares, no charge for bookings and check-ins, serves food and beverages on long haul flights, seat selection 24 hours ahead of departure and more. Furthermore, its loyalty scheme of the British Airways Executive Club provides Avios to members that can be spent on flights, seat selection, excursions and more. Plus, they have the Silver and Gold Executive Club where members are rewarded with the access to premium lounges, fast track security and priority boarding. Even more, BA has the best punctuality on short-haul flights.

Development

British Airways started back in 1919 under the name of Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, with its first international flight which has since then developed over the years and more so at this moment. With its ever-growing expansion, BA celebrates its 100 years of flying this year, showing growth and development and remarkable history in the aviation field.

Conclusion

To conclude, British Airways will continue to grow to fit the demands of customers in the market. It will continually develop and operate to compete with its soaring competitors in the industry, as seen in the history and management of the airline.