Everything has its breaking point and the airlines, including BA, are no exception. Asking for higher wages in times of economic crisis, no matter the business, probably isn't the best plan.

Strikes like these always remind me of the countless strikes held in Detroit's auto industry where higher and higher wages, competitive prices and strengthening competition "paved the way" to their own demise. Is it really "fair" or realistic to request $50+/hour for an assembly-line job?

Wouldn't it be "cool" if the government (or a collective agreement among airlines) would impose an across-the-board set-price for all economy class and business class tickets to like destinations? That way, all the airlines would have equal prices and all companies would be sustainable. They could then distinguish themselves among their equal competitors by offering better services to the passengers. It just seems "wrong" that a jet's cabin, holding 200 seats, sells each seat at about 200 different prices. THERE! I just solved the problem.

Saludos, MadridMan

Hmmmmmmm, not sure about letting governments set prices MM. Mind you, if you think that airline prices are complex have you ever travelled by train in the UK ?

Or whomever. I wouldn't have to be the government to set prices. But since companies wouldn't voluntarily do this it may take the Gov'ment to regulate it. And if all companies had the same prices (high or otherwise) that would encourage better/more modes of transportation at lower prices to pick up the segment of disgruntled society which would/could choose not to travel by airplane.

The idea that I pay 0 Euros for my ticket on some "Super-Oferta" while the guy sitting next to me pays 500 Euros is obscene. I say charge us both/all 300 Euros and allow the airlines to make a living, continue to employ their people without cutting benefits, and (hopefully) providing better services.

Saturn, a car company (now failed - so it doesn't help this anecdote much) in the USA, sold all like-models at the same price, no discounts, no haggling with salespeople, not hidden charges. Everyone got the same price. And for quite a number of years this automaker did well, partly due to this manner of car sales. Why can't the airlines do the same thing?

Saludos, MadridMan

Yeah but governments around the world have deemed (correctly?) price fixing and cartels to be illegal and against our interests. Personally, if I've paid 0 euros, and the guy next to me has paid 500 euros, it's his fault for not looking.

This isn't the problem with the airline industry though, it's more what you said earlier. The established airlines have high costs because they have long term employees with high benefits, pension schemes, etc and pay to train their staff. The budgets, poach trained staff, don't have the same benefits and therefore can offer lower prices.

Iberia, BA, Al Italia, Swiss Air (last year) and all the "Flag Carriers" can compete or go bust, and the unions can accept this or loose the jobs of their members. But even with the price fixing you may be suggesting, Iberia would have higher costs than Easyjet and therefore struggle without a restructure.

While doing some trip planning on iberia.com, I came across this info regarding another round of strikes on November 10-11.

News Story

They cancelled my flight from Seville to Madrid on Nov.l0 and gave me a different one that they say will be operating. I'll just go to the airport and see what's goihg on. If it looks like a big hassle, I'll go to the train station and get to Madrid that way and try to get a refund on my Iberia flight later. At least I have that option.

At this point I'm hoping there are more strikes for when I'm scheduled to fly home. It turns out I have the time to stay longer, but I have a very restricted ticket. Perhaps if there's a strike that day they'll allow me to stay an extra week with no penalty.