Daily Direct Link from BHX to the US

[Kevin Farnell]

I think it may have been Primera that upset the apple cart. United, American and Icelandair all left around the time that the Primera services were announced/started. Whenever I looked at the seat maps on United or American, the loads looked reasonable to good, especially in business class (although how many of these may have been frequent flier upgrades, I have no idea). Personally, I would work on getting Icelandair back, as they have good one-stop connections to several major US cities. They did seem to leave in a hurry, so I can only think that there was some major fall out with BHX. If so, that might take some work to overturn.

Kevin

 

[gulftraveller]

It’s hard to believe that AA and UA would run scared at the prospect of an unknown lcc opening transatlantic routes for the first time without US connectivity. I always assumed it was slot availability at LHR which caused UA to retreat from the regions. I think they will be back one day, at least UA.

 

[KJAY 786]

I telephoned DELTA about suggestion to start BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS the lady has noted the suggestion with a GREAT IDEA and they will most definently look into the suggestion- hope BHX will welcome many new airlines soon-

 

[Nethercote2019]

Many years ago delta were very interested in flying to/from Atlanta, but they decided at the time our runway wasn’t long enough ….we obviously now have a long runway & but I can’t think of any scheduled flights the extra runway has gained….. a few Chinese charters is about it & they soon went to Manchester

 

[Llandudno]

Don’t forget the extended runway isn’t just about new routes, but has enabled existing routes like Dubai to go out closer to MTOW making them more profitable

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I also seem to recall United showing interest in BHX (before they merged with Continental) possibly to Chicago or Washington.

Kevin

 

[HPsauce]

I also seem to recall United showing interest in BHX (before they merged with Continental) possibly to Chicago or Washington.

Kevin

Continental/United operated quite a successful service to Newark. Even twice a day in peak season, and for a time with DC-10's, otherwise B757's. American Airlines managed a few years on Chicago. U.S. Air tried a short lived Philadelphia service.
While American eventually ceased Chicago, I feel that Primera did not help BHX with their disastrous start.
We could certainly do with links to major hubs in the US. It's quite embarrassing that we have nothing currently.

 

[route66]

Many years ago delta were very interested in flying to/from Atlanta, but they decided at the time our runway wasn’t long enough ….we obviously now have a long runway & but I can’t think of any scheduled flights the extra runway has gained….. a few Chinese charters is about it & they soon went to Manchester

The Chinese charters went to MAN in a rather underhand way -- I refer you to the Conservative government at the time. The Chinese were actually going to continue with the charters.

 

[Llandudno]

The Chinese charters went to MAN in a rather underhand way -- I refer you to the Conservative government at the time. The Chinese were actually going to continue with the charters.

That’s not actually true. Firstly MAN weren’t charters, it was a scheduled flights, and secondly MAN and Hainan had been in conversation for a regular flight years before BHX charters were operated.

 

[rollo]

That’s not actually true. Firstly MAN weren’t charters, it was a scheduled flights, and secondly MAN and Hainan had been in conversation for a regular flight years before BHX charters were operated.

Yes that's correct as I recall it.

The two long standing USA services from BHX were American to Chicago ended as a result of 9/11 and Newark by Continental/United as a result of them pretty much abandoning UK regional services although Primera may not have helped Birminghams case as Kevin has suggested.

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

I telephoned DELTA about suggestion to start BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS the lady has noted the suggestion with a GREAT IDEA and they will most definently look into the suggestion- hope BHX will welcome many new airlines soon-

No offence but unless you work for BHX you shouldn't be haggling airlines to fly there we all like in some cases love BHX and Birmingham and the Black Country or the West Midlands and want our often forgotten about part of England to have the best. But unless you work for BHX leave the airlines alone, Delta might be looking at and phoned BHX and found BHX might not be great for there network. You don't know what BHX offers to Delta or other airlines. So leave the negotiation to the experts

 

[route66]

That’s not actually true. Firstly MAN weren’t charters, it was a scheduled flights, and secondly MAN and Hainan had been in conversation for a regular flight years before BHX charters were operated.

Yes, but there is no doubt that on a visit to the UK a Chinese delegation was directed to MAN by the UK government when the delegation was expecting to visit BHX the home at the time of the charters.

 

[Llandudno]

Yes, but there is no doubt that on a visit to the UK a Chinese delegation was directed to MAN by the UK government when the delegation was expecting to visit BHX the home at the time of the charters.

Regardless if there is any truth in the delegation news, that’s irrelevant to the outcome of the flights that eventually operated from Manchester. And that’s what the original comment purported to, let’s not move the goalposts to suit the agenda.

 

[HPsauce]

Regardless if there is any truth in the delegation news, that’s irrelevant to the outcome of the flights that eventually operated from Manchester. And that’s what the original comment purported to, let’s not move the goalposts to suit the agenda.

Route66 is spot on with his recollection of what happened re Hianan flights. It was all set up to be a BHX operation after a successful ' trial' period. However, the Government stepped in at the last minute and told the Chinese they must operate from MAN.
No goalposts were harmed by this statement!.

 

[jfy1999]

We’ve gone through all this before folks, can we please get back on topic…

 

[Llandudno]

Route66 is spot on with his recollection of what happened re Hianan flights. It was all set up to be a BHX operation after a successful ' trial' period. However, the Government stepped in at the last minute and told the Chinese they must operate from MAN.
No goalposts were harmed by this statement!.

But he isn’t though. Manchester had been talking to Hainan for 5 years prior to the BHX charters, and it was in fact MAN that lost out as the Beijing flights had been due to start Manchester the year the BHX charters ran, but instead they waited another year to focus on the BHX operation for that year.

Just like the rumours of the Chinese delegation being ‘forced’ into Manchester. It was actually because the Chinese premier is a a huge football fan and wanted to see old Trafford. No one ‘forced’ him to go anywhere. He’s the Chinese President for goodness sakes, he goes where he wants to go

Wow Paul Kehoe rattled the cage regarding Hainan and ‘foul play’and some of you really did take that bait and start running with it, didn’t you.

 

[Matty_85]

I was hoping for something related to US & BHX I couldn’t give a toss about Manchester bab

 

[thunderchild]

User001 reincarnated!

 

[IanFarquharson]

User001 reincarnated!

He is !

 

[Scottie Dog]

Enough please. There is no need for some of the comments on here. The thread title is "Daily Direct Link from BHX to USA".

Please stick to that topic or find another thread on which to discuss BHX v MAN.

Thank you and have a good week.