NEWS: BA to require ID for domestic flights, Qatar announce new “revolutionary” QSuite and Priority Pass pass & guest cost rise

I have debated whether to say anything about one of the pieces that is currently online that “quotes” me, but I’d rather be honest, even if it draws attention to it. A newspaper published something online that contains a lot of inaccuracies, particularly in the headline where they have drawn incorrect conclusions, and have taken things out of context. I have asked them to correct it. I have no idea if they will do so. 

The fact that there are some older systems in ATC is not the cause of the incident. As I have explained, a lot of the controller’s equipment is extremely modern, but it is a mix of systems of different ages.The cause is well documented as an incorrectly formatted flight plan. 

Controllers do not enter flight plans; they have special support staff that do this. The failure was not caused by someone entering too many dots. We don’t actually know what it was about the particular flight plan that caused the issue as it is still being investigated. It is virtually impossible that it was one such simple factor. As I have explained, it is more like the Swiss Cheese model where a combination of unusual things were contained within the flight plan or even the way it was submitted. 

Hopefully, for any former ATC colleagues, that explains that I have not suddenly lost my mind and I will definitely be more careful about who I speak to in future so I am not misquoted again. 

Qatar Airways announces “revolutionary” new business class

Qatar Airways CEO Al Baker recently did an interview with Forbes, (sadly not with me) and made some interesting comments about two new business class seats in development. I do find it quite ironic when they still have the old B777s flying around with 2-2-2 seats as you’d think they’d want to bring those up to date or get rid of them first before worrying about QSuites 2.0. Still, a new business class seat is nearly always a good thing!

In the interview, Al Baker says that Qatar Airways is developing a new Qsuite product nicknamed Qsuite Phase 2. We won’t get to see what it looks like until the widebody aircraft that it is on is due to be delivered. He did not say which aircraft it was due to be on first, but it seems likely that it will come with the B777X, which is due for delivery from 2025 onwards.  The CEO describes it as “a revolution of how people travel in business class”. I think the QSuite is excellent and led the way for business class suites. It definitely sounds intriguing that this could be something groundbreaking. I’m struggling to think about what could be the next evolution of a suite without reducing the number of seats on board. 

He also added that they are developing a new product for the narrowbody aircraft, which we will see next year. 

He also discusses the A380 and says they are not good from a cost perspective, even though customers like them. Qatar had planned to start retiring them but were forced to bring them back after the pandemic due to their aircraft shortage. The eight A380s currently in use will remain in service until their replacements like Boeing 777X and A350-1000s arrive. First class will also die with the A380. Currently, it is only on a small number of routes anyway. 

Priority Pass pass cost rises

If you do not have a Priority Pass that allows you to take a guest for free, you need to pay a fee to take the additional person into the lounge. There are also some basic Priority Pass memberships, which are pay-as-you-go. For those situations, Priority Pass has announced a new increase from £20 to £24 per guest or visit. In the US, it rises to $35. If you are affected, you should be notified by email from Priority Pass.

If you are considering purchasing a pass, it is definitely worth considering the additional cost in your calculations. If you don’t want to take out a credit card to get Priority Pass, there are frequent offers on Groupon and from Priority Pass themselves, so it is always worth waiting for one of the offers before purchasing. 

British Airways will require ID for domestic flights

BA recently changed its terms and conditions, stating that passengers would have to have ID for domestic flights. Currently, it is recommended to carry an ID for domestic flights, but it is not enforced. I would always highly recommend carrying ID with you anyway in case of disruption or diversion when flying. However, BA had just quietly changed the website without actually telling anyone. 

Today, they have finally sent out a communication to the travel trade, confirming this is happening.

Starting from 1 September 2023, you will have to carry valid photographic identification for BA’s UK domestic flights. This identification will be checked during your journey, and if you fail to provide it, you could be offloaded. 

It does not have to be a passport, but you do need a form of photographic ID when flying with BA domestically. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Valid Passport
• Valid driving license, either provisional or full
• Valid EU national identity card
• Valid armed forces identity card
• Valid police warrant card or badge.

For children under the age of 16, identification is not mandatory when travelling on domestic flights. However, the accompanying adult must possess photographic identification and be able to verify their own identity. For unaccompanied children aged 14 and 15, identification will be required when travelling on domestic flights.

I find this very short notice for a change on Friday with travellers due to be on flights on Friday only being notified today. If you are already away from home and previously checked that you didn’t need ID, it is possible there will be people without any. I will try to find out from BA if there will be any grace period, given the lateness of notifying people of the change. 

The ba.com website has been updated with the new information which you can find on this page.