British Airways Cabin Crew Receives Criticism at World Travel Market

The World Travel Market for this year closed with a bang from British Airways, courtesy of their cabin crew. Many bashed the crew for being behind the times and for not backing Chief Executive Willie Walsh on his radical methods to cut costs for the sinking-airline carrier.

Jonathan Strickland, an aviation consultant for the industry, spoke at the WTM Vision Global Economic Forum during Day 4 of the convention. He said that the cabin crews at BA are having a hard time adapting to changes, and haven’t yet realized that changes are happening.

He added that the airline could soon be facing serious strikes and that some of the airline’s economic hardship is due to a prior focus on glamour as opposed to cost. He also indicated that budget airlines, such as the burgeoning Ryanair are the future, and have been at the forefront of the industry since 9/11.

British Airways, he said, is not on par with what competitive costs need to be in order to remain an industry leader. Especially since many budget airlines are now delivering the same quality for marginally lower costs than the major airline.

The penetration of budget airlines with little glamour but quality service was a major topic at this year’s WTM forum, highlighting the struggling major airlines like BA as a result of newer, cheaper budget airlines which are becoming more popular with travelers and tourists.

British Airways cabin crew will begin voting on whether or not strike action is necessary beginning next Monday. The dispute is over pay outs and contract conditions, which have drastically changed since BA fell on hard times during the economic downturn.