Midland launches first flight for Warsaw-London
Midland will compete for passengers with Polish Airlines LOT and British Airways, the only other carriers flying between Warsaw and London. While the carrier's rates for economy seats - $249 - will be roughly in line with those charged by LOT and British Airways, British Midland's base fares for business class seats will be almost $80 cheaper, said Sarah Able, a public relations executive with the airline.
"It's a strong business market, and we felt very much that there was a need to introduce competition on the route," Able said.
Krzysztof Kolodziej, general manager at Getz International Travel, said last week that a round-trip London-Warsaw business class fare on British Midland was $802, $154 less than the $956 fare offered by both British Airways and LOT.
While those savings may entice some business travelers, others will find the one flight a day British Midland plans to offer inflexible. That lone flight makes it impossible for a traveler to fly to London and return to Warsaw the same day. Both British Airways and LOT offer two round-trip flights daily.
Kolodziej said that travelers choose business class because it is not as restrictive as the flight schedules imposed on economy class. For example, unlike many European economy class tickets, business class fares do not require a weekend-night stay.
"The biggest reason for taking business class is the condition of travel," Kolodziej said. "They want to have liberty in travel."
Still, Midland's appearance on the market could affect more than business class prices, travel agencies said. While economy fares offered right now are not very different from prices already charged, the added attention to the route may help push down prices. While an economy class ticket from Warsaw to London costs about $250, the Budapest-London route runs about $200. British Airways also flies to Budapest.
"Fresh blood makes you always think what (you) can do" to attract more customers, Kolodziej said.
British Airways will not disclose how full its London-Warsaw flights are, but Lot said its flights ran at 54% capacity in 1997.
Barbara Klary, public relations manager for LOT, also said she thought customers would find more deals now that a third airline is serving the route.
"I think there will be lower prices from both sides," she said.
But Midland may have to do more than just beat LOT and British Airways individually - the new carrier may have to take both of them on at once. As of Aug. 10, the two airlines will have a code-sharing agreement for the Manchester-Warsaw and London-Gdansk routes. The carriers also plan to link up their frequent flier programs.
And LOT's Klary said that the agreement may soon extend to the Warsaw-London route as well.
"It's a strong business market, and we felt very much that there was a need to introduce competition on the route," Able said.
Krzysztof Kolodziej, general manager at Getz International Travel, said last week that a round-trip London-Warsaw business class fare on British Midland was $802, $154 less than the $956 fare offered by both British Airways and LOT.
While those savings may entice some business travelers, others will find the one flight a day British Midland plans to offer inflexible. That lone flight makes it impossible for a traveler to fly to London and return to Warsaw the same day. Both British Airways and LOT offer two round-trip flights daily.
Kolodziej said that travelers choose business class because it is not as restrictive as the flight schedules imposed on economy class. For example, unlike many European economy class tickets, business class fares do not require a weekend-night stay.
"The biggest reason for taking business class is the condition of travel," Kolodziej said. "They want to have liberty in travel."
Still, Midland's appearance on the market could affect more than business class prices, travel agencies said. While economy fares offered right now are not very different from prices already charged, the added attention to the route may help push down prices. While an economy class ticket from Warsaw to London costs about $250, the Budapest-London route runs about $200. British Airways also flies to Budapest.
"Fresh blood makes you always think what (you) can do" to attract more customers, Kolodziej said.
British Airways will not disclose how full its London-Warsaw flights are, but Lot said its flights ran at 54% capacity in 1997.
Barbara Klary, public relations manager for LOT, also said she thought customers would find more deals now that a third airline is serving the route.
"I think there will be lower prices from both sides," she said.
But Midland may have to do more than just beat LOT and British Airways individually - the new carrier may have to take both of them on at once. As of Aug. 10, the two airlines will have a code-sharing agreement for the Manchester-Warsaw and London-Gdansk routes. The carriers also plan to link up their frequent flier programs.
And LOT's Klary said that the agreement may soon extend to the Warsaw-London route as well.
