Emirates

[Kevin Farnell]

Back in the day, I would book most peeps for down under on the EK37/38....better connections for Australasia.

Many, many years ago, I flew with Emirates from BHX to SYD on the A330 (a much better aircraft than the B777 in my opinion). Strangely, the routing was BHX - DXB - SIN - SYD, with the last two sectors on a B777. It was the lunchtime departure from BHX (only one flight per day back then) and we were supposed to have an 8 hour stopover in DXB with a hotel provided (that's a whole different story that I've detailed on F4A previously). The return journey gave a very tight connection at DXB to BHX.

Kevin

 

[Scania1800]

Emirates most oldest plane in the fleet A6-EBK ( 16 years old) is at Birmingham today. Enjoy the old IFEs to whoever on it today

 

[tompo]

Explicitly sums up BHX and it's interest in passenger expectations for me. Flagship route? Give me strength!

 

[RichL]

It’s A6-ENI today which is almost 10 years old - are we going to criticise that? It’s not Birminghams fault if Emirates send an older aircraft.

I’ve been lumped on A6-EBA more than once - that one has since been retired of course.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Explicitly sums up BHX and it's interest in passenger expectations for me. Flagship route? Give me strength!

If it's an aircraft type within Emirates fleet that operates to BHX, why wouldn't it be seen at BHX occasionality?

Kevin

 

[Nethercote2019]

I’ve just flown on jet 2 737 that was 16 years old & in fantastic condition for the passenger point of view…. does it really matter the age as long as it’s well looked after ?
However i did fly on AA 757 a few years back that was like a museum piece !

 

[tompo]

My point is that BHX management should fight tooth and nail to ensure that it's passengers are not treated as 2nd class citizens. For example; they should be harrassing Emirates to re-introduce the A380 immediately. Enthusiasts do not view aircraft facilities similarly to business and VFR passengers who regularly fly 20 to 24 hr sectors and have standard expectations.

 

[Coathanger16]

they should be harrassing Emirates to re-introduce the A380 immediately

As has been posted on here numerous times over the last 6 months, there is currently some level of infrastructure preventing A380 operations (can't remember if its taxiways, airbridge or something else). That is due to be rectified this month, so once Emirates is able to we'll almost certainly see the A380 return - currently 30% of the Emirates A380 fleet is parked, with 60% of the 2 class A380s parked. The entire aviation industry has been struggling to recruit staff back following the pandemic, so pre-pandemic levels of operations isn't going to happen overnight.

Even then, despite all the "harassing" the airport does, it's ultimately up to the airline what aircraft they send. Emirates has old aircraft, where do you expect them to send it and what operational reason should it be sent somewhere else and never to BHX?

 

[David_itl]

No airport should harass an airline about aircraft types to be used on their routes. It would only result in one thing. That airline would stop flying to that airport. When you say "standard expectations", please tell uwhat they are? Having 777s on the route doesn't mean anything if it generates more profit than having an A380. If you are attracting VFR passengers then they aren't going to choosing the premium seats but wanting to travel at the lowest possible price

 

[IanFarquharson]

No airport should harass an airline about aircraft types to be used on their routes. It would only result in one thing. That airline would stop flying to that airport. When you say "standard expectations", please tell uwhat they are? Having 777s on the route doesn't mean anything if it generates more profit than having an A380. If you are attracting VFR passengers then they aren't going to choosing the premium seats but wanting to travel at the lowest possible price

Totally agree, the 77W is perfect for the BHX route currently.
Rumour is 12 x 388 and 2 x 77W for S23
If Qatar do comeback with 14pw x A359 it will become interesting

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Members are aware that those "old" aircraft have parts on them that are probably newer then the 72 plate cars we now see? Members area ware of the maintenance schedule of aircraft aren't they? If not I suggest some research is required.

 

[CL44]

At the end of the day Airlines use the relevant Aircraft for the route involved. At present we see 773 being used as this fits with both requirements for passenger numbers and freight. When the passenger figures are appropriate then we will see the 380 back on stand (not so good for freight but that is life). Unless a passenger is a plane spotter they normally do not care what Aircraft is being used on a service as long as it gets them to their destination safely and on time. Whilst yes I appreciate an Aircraft without a good IFE system is an issue to some people it doesnt really matter if you get to where you need to be without issues. Lets just be glad that EK are still serving BHX with plans to bring the whale back when BHX can accept them again. At least they have come back since Covid unlike others!

 

[HPsauce]

If we use the age of an aircraft using BHX as demeaning, should we tell Cavok to stop sending their AN12's on cargo ops?. Most of these are 50 years old or more!. Jet2 have several B738 operating currently that are up to 19 years old, with no issues from passengers. They will be replaced by Airbus aircraft in a few years time.

 

[deprived]

My point is that BHX management should fight tooth and nail to ensure that it's passengers are not treated as 2nd class citizens. For example; they should be harrassing Emirates to re-introduce the A380 immediately. Enthusiasts do not view aircraft facilities similarly to business and VFR passengers who regularly fly 20 to 24 hr sectors and have standard expectations.

tbh if it is well maintained, and the crew are lovely, I couldn't care less if the plane is on its first flight or 1000th flight, and with the current economic crisis in the UK and other parts of the world, would the A380 be economically viable within in this current situation, with people struggling to pay bills and buy food, you might see a downturn in passenger numbers.

 

[Coathanger16]

Interesting article:

https://simpleflying.com/airports-no-longer-served-by-airbus-a380/

Also interestingly is where BHX appears in the list of airports that had the most A380 flights (of airports that no longer do). Only 3 airports saw more A380 flights than BHX that haven't seen the A380 return since the pandemic (AUH, BCN and KIX).

Also, BHX saw more A380 flights than Vienna, Taipei, Copenhagen, Kuwait City, Prague and Mexico City.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

To be honest I would be happy with 3x daily B777 or 2x daily 1 A380 1B777

 

[Deleted member 8277]

R

Members are aware that those "old" aircraft have parts on them that are probably newer then the 72 plate cars we now see? Members area ware of the maintenance schedule of aircraft aren't they? If not I suggest some research is required.

Rotable spares...….no ( black boxes etc etc)
Consumable spares...…yes ( seals,screws etc etc)

 

[Scania1800]

Totally agree, the 77W is perfect for the BHX route currently.
Rumour is 12 x 388 and 2 x 77W for S23
If Qatar do comeback with 14pw x A359 it will become interesting

12 A380s and 2 777s? That's very interesting

 

[Scania1800]

Emirates Have Officially Confirmed Airbus A380 is Returning on Service EK39/40.
Ticket's are available to book for A380s.

 

[Matt995]

1st of July is the start date per their website at present.