Robin and Scott both said while they don’t look great on their own, they are better than they had planned given the wuflu timing and associated travel restrictions. Sounds like they are pleased with it so far. But these aren’t the best times to gauge its longer term success. I think S22/S23 will likely be better data.

 

Yup it’s actually done quite well, consistently to capacity if you look at the period where the restrictions eased up starting 1st week of November to when things started clamping down again. UK rules eased off again 3 days ago.

I flew over to the UK the first week of Nov, all that was required was to book a $35 antigen test (to be done within days 0-2 after arrival) which I did on arrival before visiting friends (and possible infection). Coincidentally that also served as my US negative test which at that point could be done up to 3 days prior to your date of departure.

Fast forward to December that same trip would have required me to get a test before departing to the UK, a PCR test upon arrival, isolation until getting the results, then get another antigen test the day before returning to the US, about $200 with the very real risk of getting stuck for 10 days with the resultant lodging expenses.

This has loosened back up on the Brit side since the UK has come to the obvious conclusion that containment has failed, however the US has yet to loosen up (ostensibly to slow down the entry of omicron into the country)

The problem now is that everyone is getting omicron on both sides of the pond and don’t even know it but for the test. Imagine being asymptomatic and being forced to isolate in a foreign country until you can produce a neg test OR get a physicians letter confirming your recovery. No one is taking that risk, they are not afraid of Covid, they are not taking a chance getting tangled in the policy restrictions.

This is what is standing in the way. JBs service is way better than the competition, we just need restrictions to loosen.

 

Just curious as an outsider, in what way is JB's service way better than competition?

 

it isn’t.
filler

 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/onboar...inaugural/amp/

Read about halfway down for the details of the coach service. There are other articles about the business class (mint service) out there as well with comparisons to other transatlantic business class. Sounds like the food is probably the biggest differentiator. And maybe the free booze and WiFi.

 

They could use some lounge access, but the product itself is right up there with everyone else.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thepoin...us-london/amp/

 

Reviews say it is, especially the food service and free drinks as mentioned above. Especially for an economy seat. Same with mint transcon. It’s arguably the best way to cross the country.

If only the operation matched the product’s capability…

 

JB’s seats are bigger too, I noticed it vs an AA 777. 18.5”x32” 592 sq in vs 17.2”x30” 516 sq in (Boeing product). It’s 15% more room in coach and you definitely feel it.

I don’t fly biz class on my own money, but JB’s biz looked nice when I walked past it.

 

yes. Mint is the nicest in transcon market.

 

For transatlantic in both cabins it is (which is what I was referring to). I understand your cynicism, but the few instances where JB decides to do something right they usually do a pretty good job… until they eventually shift their focus on something else and let it fall apart.