Eastern Airways

I hear Briritish Airways are in discussions with several operators, including UK regional airlines in regards to the use of slot sitting at Heathrow on 3 year deals. Looks like Loganair is one and Eastern maybe another so watch this space.

Wouldn't it be nice if BA let Eastern use slots for the proposed E190 flight from LBA to LHR and with a code share agreement to enable interlining, then at the end of 3 years, recommence the BA flights again. Makes sense for BA letting Eastern do the work for them whilst aviation gets back on its feet, then when it does, move back on to the route.
And Eastern can then use their E190 on something else that LBA needs - Paris for example.

Would be nice if this has some mileage in it. Does make a lot of sense to me and aids recovery for more than just BA.

Don't Eastern do stuff for BA at LCY or is it a senior moment on my part?

The suggestion has perfect merit and given we always said an E190 would be ideal for LHR to build it up lets pop it on Santa's wish list. I've said before Eastern really need to sort their baggage allowance out - 15kg for a connecting flight to LHR is unworkable as is no option to top it up and pre book more - they will need to align with BA and other carriers to have a prayer of attracting long haul traffic. I once looked at SOU for a cruise and the 15kgs was just on workable for a couple of the PAX and the fact Eastern won't let you upgrade your bag and all you get is a very glib reply that its subject to availability on the day of the flight and payable at the airport - not good enough to attract that market!

Well on Jetstream 41 flights they must have very tight limits for baggage. The hold can't be that big. No excuses though on an E190 and they must realise that to operate in the LHR route they will need bigger allowances than 15kg.

White Heather said:

Well on Jetstream 41 flights they must have very tight limits for baggage. The hold can't be that big. No excuses though on an E190 and they must realise that to operate in the LHR route they will need bigger allowances than 15kg.

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I recall flying back from Eindhoven direct to Manchester on a Jetstream ?? on business in the nineties ( PACE on licence to KLM Regional I believe) and they used the toilet as extra stowage.

AirBingley said:

Don't Eastern do stuff for BA at LCY or is it a senior moment on my part?

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They used to do wet leases for BACF, mostly the Isle of Man route before BACF stopped it recenlty.

Eastern stopped flying for BA about two years ago. They had a really bad summer in 2018 in delivering the E170 flying and BA walked away. You can never say never with anything in today's world but many would be surprised if BA went near.

How long is it since RL regained control of T3? Could new management convince BA things have changed? And do BA have many alternatives for UK domestic if this is something they are seriously interested in?

This new operation that Aer Lingus are going to use replacing Stobart might be a candidate as IAG own both Aer Lingus and British Airways.

Starflyer said:

Eastern stopped flying for BA about two years ago. They had a really bad summer in 2018 in delivering the E170 flying and BA walked away. You can never say never with anything in today's world but many would be surprised if BA went near.

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aha yes, well remembered. it went to loganair in 2018

gcoabc1 said:

I recall flying back from Eindhoven direct to Manchester on a Jetstream ?? on business in the nineties ( PACE on licence to KLM Regional I believe) and they used the toilet as extra stowage.

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KARFA said:

They used to do wet leases for BACF, mostly the Isle of Man route before BACF stopped it recenlty.

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Baggage in the bogs, now that’s what I call a wet lease.

Len Fish said:

Baggage in the bogs, now that’s what I call a wet lease.

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I had never flown on one before and I swear I tripped over a strut of some kind across the aisle on boarding. Their brochure also listed varying travel classes that PACE offered on KLM associate flights which was an interesting thought on such a small aircraft. The flight was excellent but the landing was interesting...slammed onto the runway and fast clearance onto taxiway. I was grateful it was the last leg of flights and aircraft...Boeing 737 to Schipol, Saab to Eindhoven, Jetstream to Manchester. What left Cessna and Hang Glider ?

Main spar runs through the fuselage on a jetstream, easy to trip over it.

The 31/32 had the wing spar. The 41 does not.

So must have been a 31/32 then. My only flight was LBA to LGW and return. Not sure of airline, was it BA franchise airline?

LBAYORKIE said:

So must have been a 31/32 then. My only flight was LBA to LGW and return. Not sure of airline, was it BA franchise airline?

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British Airways franchise was City Flyer Express to LGW. Shorts 360 initially, then upgraded to an ATR42. Just as it was really getting going, they pulled it to use the slots on a European route.

Definitely not either of those aircraft, it was tiny.

LBAYORKIE said:

Definitely not either of those aircraft, it was tiny.

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Thinking back they also used a Jetstream 31. I have a photo of it somewhere.

That must be it then. Would be good to see a photo. Thanks.