Flying from Brum? Tell us where you're going

[Brum X]

Just an update which some may find interesting when comparing the UK and Brasil.

Starting with air travel, Brasil's airline structure is very much using planes like we would use buses: frequent, reliable and, to my experience, always on time.

Many flights are multi stop as i found out with interest last week flying from inland city, Goiania, to Rio de Janeiro. My two tickets first took me to Belo Horizonte and then change planes for the final section to Rio.

It was only after leaving the plane in Belo Horizonte that i found i was getting back on the same plane... But many of the passengers were different having already flown in on another service.

Finally, when you study the photo you might think that Goiania has a long history. Not a bit of it. Goiania was only founded 80 years ago but now has a population double that of Birmingham which was founded hundreds of years ago.

A city full of tall buildings yes, but as it is built on high ground the vast majority are no more than 20 - 25 storeys tall.

So Birmingham's new 50 storey+ would soar into the sky here.View attachment 28470

What a dense city ;-) My kinda vibe

 

[rollo]

Flew home last night with TUI on a P&O charter from Malta and I have to say BHX was superb Departing check in was 20 minutes, security straight through the return was even quicker once the airbrdge was eventually connected. Immigration no que reached baggage claim and had chase our cases round the belt as they were about to do a second lap on the carasol.

Out the door in around ten minutes from getting off the aircraft.

Only grouse is Tui we have used them four times since covid and every time at least 20 minutes or more for bus or airbrdge meanwhile when we have used Jet2 the bus is at most a couple of minutes (self handling)Anyway well done BHX and Tui was not the end of the world although 40 minutes late and similar on the way out but I think flight out was due to nice French Air traffic controllers.

Just adding to this I am increasingly aware of how close and important the aviation and cruise industry are to each other .yesterday there were eighteen flights being used by P&O of which two operated to BHX Tui & Jet2. There were five scheduled flights three EasyJet, one BA and one Air Malta
The remaining thirteen were a mix of Tui and Jet2 some were whole charters some just a seat allocation.

 

[LichfieldBlue]

I praise BHX whenever I can but last night I had a woeful experience. Arrived in from Paphos on Jet2 and we were parked unsurprisingly on a remote stand. Bus although full waited and waited to arrivals hall and when we got there it was a shambles. At a rough guess there were around 500 people waiting to get through immigration with 3 border force officers. The facilities were archaic with no electronic gates and the wait totally unnecessary. If it takes over an hour to clear immigration at 1am then something is failing. Improvements are needed and quick or a good reputation built over many years will quickly be lost

 

[Scottie Dog]

I hope that you're not laying the blame at immigration on the airport?
Staffing is run by Border Force independently from the airport authority.
This is an area where MAG constantly get blamed for delays at Manchester. Please feel free to email the Home Office.

 

[JENNYJET]

Knowing how Whitehall works, I would bypass the Home Office and message the Border Force directly, there is evidently a situation at BHX that can be damaging to the reputation of the UK and the airport. Better still, your MP would like to hear about this, it's their job to address the concerns of constituents to relevant ministers in Government.

 

[LichfieldBlue]

I hope that you're not laying the blame at immigration on the airport?
Staffing is run by Border Force independently from the airport authority.
This is an area where MAG constantly get blamed for delays at Manchester. Please feel free to email the Home

Knowing how Whitehall works, I would bypass the Home Office and message the Border Force directly, there is evidently a situation at BHX that can be damaging to the reputation of the UK and the airport. Better still, your MP would like to hear about this, it's their job to address the concerns of constituents to relevant ministers in Government.

I do understand that border force is completely independent of the airport but the condition of the arrival hall is the responsibility of the airport, cramped conditions with peeling paint and damaged walls. As far as complaining to my MP unfortunately Mr Fabricant isn’t interested in his constituency residents with no surgeries still he got his gong for being Johnson’s poodle so he’ll probably disappear soon

 

[JENNYJET]

Here, we get back to the ownership of the airport. However, I risk a serious wigging if I elaborate here as it is not a flying matter. As for Sir Micheal Fabricant, you could still drop a line as he has to respond, it is a matter of public record all letters recieved by MP's are archived, as are replies. Not published but archived, like the Pope's exchange of letters with Henry VIII about Annulling his marraige to Catherine so as to marry Anne Boleyn. Not holding constituency surgeries is a breach of Parliamentary Law as published in Erskine May, the Parliamentary rule book. Lichfield Blue, you are his boss.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just booked a short break in Edinburgh heading off in a couple of weeks.

The last time I was in Scotland we flew Bmibaby it was that long ago.

 

[Brum X]

Just booked a short break in Edinburgh heading off in a couple of weeks.

The last time I was in Scotland we flew Bmibaby it was that long ago.

Just be prepared for that tin can aka Edinburgh Airport, it really is a mess. BHX feels like Doha Hamad by comparison, looooooooooooooooooool. Catching the tram outside the terminal is pretty cool though but you still can't get a bus to Edinburgh City Centre for £2 like you can in good old Brum. More like £5, however this is far better than Dublin who charge a whopping 10Euros to get from DUB to the city centre. And we moan about how expensive the buses are in Birmingham ?

Easyjet are awesome though ;-)

 

[Deleted member 8277]

Just be prepared for that tin can aka Edinburgh Airport, it really is a mess. BHX feels like Doha Hamad by comparison, looooooooooooooooooool. Catching the tram outside the terminal is pretty cool though but you still can't get a bus to Edinburgh City Centre for £2 like you can in good old Brum. More like £5, however this is far better than Dublin who charge a whopping 10Euros to get from DUB to the city centre. And we moan about how expensive the buses are in Birmingham ?

Easyjet are awesome though ;-)

A recent trip to EDI for me. Tram to city £9.50 return, bus/coach £8.50 return. Flew easy jet, nothing special really and still cost £350+ return for 3, Sat-Mon. Our return flight was 1.45 late due to being the 7th rotation of the day for that aircraft and looking at the Monday night EDI-BHX it is rarely on time. The captain blamed the pax on an earlier flight and some weather for the delay, of course it was nothing to do the fact they plan so many sectors a day that will have knock on effects.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just be prepared for that tin can aka Edinburgh Airport, it really is a mess. BHX feels like Doha Hamad by comparison, looooooooooooooooooool. Catching the tram outside the terminal is pretty cool though but you still can't get a bus to Edinburgh City Centre for £2 like you can in good old Brum.

Yeah I've been reading some reviews so think I might get there even earlier than usual for the return leg. It'll be public transport back from BHX so I'll enjoy a pint or two of something in the EDI departure lounge if there is time to spare

Only my second ever flight with easyjet.

 

[Brum X]

A recent trip to EDI for me. Tram to city £9.50 return, bus/coach £8.50 return. Flew easy jet, nothing special really and still cost £350+ return for 3, Sat-Mon. Our return flight was 1.45 late due to being the 7th rotation of the day for that aircraft and looking at the Monday night EDI-BHX it is rarely on time. The captain blamed the pax on an earlier flight and some weather for the delay, of course it was nothing to do the fact they plan so many sectors a day that will have knock on effects.

And in Brum, Day saver £4 and you can travel all day long.

What a bargain ;-)

Yeah I've been reading some reviews so think I might get there even earlier than usual for the return leg. It'll be public transport back from BHX so I'll enjoy a pint or two of something in the EDI departure lounge if there is time to spare

Only my second ever flight with easyjet.

Some parts of the EDI departure lounge are good for spotting if you can find a seat in this overcrowded airport, just beware of the ceiling, it isn't uncommon for a panel to fall to the floor, he he he he he

I can't wait to hear your thoughts ;-)

 

[LichfieldBlue]

Just booked Bhx - Sin - Auc - Yvr - Bhx next Feb - April. By far the cheapest ticket was from Bhx via Muc on Lufthansa business. Not sure what the product is like though, any comments appreciated. Just got to book Sin to Perth then internals in Aus to NZ, can’t wait

 

[David Cartwright]

Just booked Bhx - Sin - Auc - Yvr - Bhx next Feb - April. By far the cheapest ticket was from Bhx via Muc on Lufthansa business. Not sure what the product is like though, any comments appreciated. Just got to book Sin to Perth then internals in Aus to NZ, can’t wait

I’m a expat Brit living in Sydney . If you are looking at Business Class for your Aussie Internal flights I would not recommend QF , they are overpriced and lack quality of service . Go for Virgin Australia or when in the Eastern states of Australia , REX take a bit of beating . Flew with them last week from SYD to ADL and they have a very good product and very well priced . You will hear lots of negative comments regarding Jetstar Australia , I’ve flown with them many times , never had an issue .. best of luck and happy travels

 

[Nethercote2019]

Next month I’m flying to Halifax Canada but from LHR but I have managed to get back to BHX via Montreal & Zurich & to fly on 3 new aircraft types to me A220 A343 E295

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

And in Brum, Day saver £4 and you can travel all day long.

What a bargain ;-)


Some parts of the EDI departure lounge are good for spotting if you can find a seat in this overcrowded airport, just beware of the ceiling, it isn't uncommon for a panel to fall to the floor, he he he he he

I can't wait to hear your thoughts ;-)

Daysaver now £4.50 but it is now able to be used on any Operator now I think

 

[LichfieldBlue]

I’m a expat Brit living in Sydney . If you are looking at Business Class for your Aussie Internal flights I would not recommend QF , they are overpriced and lack quality of service . Go for Virgin Australia or when in the Eastern states of Australia , REX take a bit of beating . Flew with them last week from SYD to ADL and they have a very good product and very well priced . You will hear lots of negative comments regarding Jetstar Australia , I’ve flown with them many times , never had an issue .. best of luck and happy travels

I’m 6ft 4in tall so book business if and when I can afford it. The internals are mostly 2-3 hours so I can cope in cattle but thank you for the heads up

Just booked Bhx - Sin - Auc - Yvr - Bhx next Feb - April. By far the cheapest ticket was from Bhx via Muc on Lufthansa business. Not sure what the product is like though, any comments appreciated. Just got to book Sin to Perth then internals in Aus to NZ, can’t wait

The flight from Auckland to Vancouver is Air New Zealand, can’t wait for that to be honest but on the flip side I’ll be on my way home

Not sure if it’s allowed but anyone want to hazard a guess at the fare for the trip I posted?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Not sure if it’s allowed but anyone want to hazard a guess at the fare for the trip I posted?

The cheapest I've got on Skyscanner using random dates is just under £7k, that's with Swiss via Zurich to SIN and back from YVR with Air France via CDG.


Nowhere near as exciting but we're flying to Girona next week

 

[LichfieldBlue]

Hi Ray, I always enjoy your comments on here. Believe it or not I managed to book all Lufthansa and Air New Zealand for £3049 each which although a lot of money is ultra low. It’s my retirement treat for my good lady and traveling from BHX just makes it a bit more special.

Enjoy your own holiday

 

[Otisblue]

LichfieldBlue, thanks for posting. We had been looking at going to Auckland in Jan/Feb. We had been looking at fares/routes for a few weeks but could not find a fare that suited us, and had given up. Next day, your post turns up, i looked again but for Feb/March and managed to find a really decent fare, in fact the cheapest fare i had seen, especially flying Singapore airlines from/to Auckland. We are flexible on dates which helps, as the cheaper fare on Swiss only seems to be available on one day a week.

So, booked this morning business class :
Bhx - Zurich - Sin- Akl...........Swiss A220 - B777 - Sin A380
Akl - Sin - Munich - Bhx ......Sin A380 - LH A350 - A319

Thanks again, i now have a very happy wife