Flybe

[LBAYORKIE]

Yes, I was thinking tomorrow would be a good opportunity to announce code shares.

 

[Starflyer]

The fact that pricing remains on the floor for virtually every flight ahead does not bode well...

 

[markietg]

17 on board….I’m one of them. Last to board. Was in the queue 1hr 27mins.

 

[Finger66]

I think perspective here. This is still a new service and if reports of some of the LM MME to LHR services are to be believed then there have been single digit pax nos on those flights, so lets not write it off before it starts. That said, it clearly does need the code-share and interline agreements

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I think perspective here. This is still a new service and if reports of some of the LM MME to LHR services are to be believed then there have been single digit pax nos on those flights, so lets not write it off before it starts. That said, it clearly does need the code-share and interline agreements

Well let's hope bookings improve. I would rather Flybe waited until they had the codeshares. If they drop the route it just plays into the hands of GALBA.

17 is really low when you consider the route was announced several weeks ago. Ive seen only minimal advertising/promotion so thats got to be part of the reason.

 

[White Heather]

Well let's hope bookings improve. I would rather Flybe waited until they had the codeshares. If they drop the route it just plays into the hands of GALBA.

17 is really low when you consider the route was announced several weeks ago. Ive seen only minimal advertising/promotion so thats got to be part of the reason.

But most people travelling by train have their tickets already booked several weeks ago too in order to get the lower fares. And as we know, the vast majority who fly to LHR and flying on from there, and they probably had their travel arrangements sorted well before the route was bookable.
The key thing is how forward bookings are looking, and I agree that a codeshare agreement is absolutely vital for this route to succeed.
It's also no use us comparing passenger numbers with the Belfast to LHR route, as trains etc. aren't an option.

 

[AirBingley]

I seem to remember BA announced June and started December and there were some very low carryings on some of those flights in the early days as a percentage of a much bigger plane and a cull of the number of flights. And yes - did MME/LHR a while go and single figures both times!

 

[lbaspotter]

Yes 17 pax is low, but I think It will take a while for passenger numbers to pick up, especially with it only having 5 weeks of forward advance booking since flights went on sale.
The fact that it's got no interlining or code-share agreements in place won't be helping either. Hopefully that can be sorted out quickly.
It's early days so let's give it time, I hope we see some form of advertising/promotional campaign by LBA & Flybe to really push the service along over the next couple of days, weeks & months.

But the really big question is how much time will it be given?

 

[White Heather]

Yes 17 pax is low, but I think It will take a while for passenger numbers to pick up, especially with it only having 5 weeks of forward advance booking since flights went on sale.
The fact that it's got no interlining or code-share agreements in place won't be helping either. Hopefully that can be sorted out quickly.
It's early days so let's give it time, I hope we see some form of advertising/promotional campaign by LBA & Flybe to really push the service along over the next couple of days, weeks & months.

But the really big question is how much time will it be given?

Bearing in mind they have crews overnighting in hotels specifically to operate this service, not long if forward bookings are weak. It will have cost them more for the hotel last night than they made in fares. But Flybe and LBA know the importance of interlining and code sharing, and it's hard to imagine any airline, particularly one that's being raised from the dead, launching flights to LHR without some Irons in fires relating to a code share. Perhaps though, the likes of IAG want to be certain of Flybe's viability before signing up to such agreements. It's very early days yet.

 

[lbaspotter]

Greatest Hits Radio are running a competition for 6 winners to win 2 return flights with Flybe from Leeds/Bradford to either Belfast City or London Heathrow.

See link for details on how to enter. https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/west-yorkshire/win/win-flight-tickets-with-flybe/

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Yes 17 pax is low, but I think It will take a while for passenger numbers to pick up, especially with it only having 5 weeks of forward advance booking since flights went on sale.
The fact that it's got

Greatest Hits Radio are running a competition for 6 winners to win 2 return flights with Flybe from Leeds/Bradford to either Belfast City or London Heathrow.

See link for details on how to enter. https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/west-yorkshire/win/win-flight-tickets-with-flybe/

I would like to see the airport doing more of this kind of thing to raise public awareness. Its cheap advertising.

 

[markietg]

Little trip report for you all from this morning. Got the A1 Flyer from the train station at 0430. About 15 got on which was nice to see. Arrived LBA just after 5 and straight into the queue which was at the Jet2 check in area. I heard no complaints at all in the queue, I think everyone was expecting it anyway. Jet2 staff kept combing the queue and pulling forward any pax who were on theiR FUE/BCN/AGP flights. As I was getting nearer to where you have your boarding cards scanned I noticed a few people walking away from there. When I got nearer the scanning agent I could see, and hear what was happening. These were Ryanair passengers who after waiting for over 1 hour 20 mins were being told their gate was now closed and to return to check in. The poor Jet2 staff were really getting abused in the queue but as they were saying it’s nothing to do with them….contact Swissport. Nobody from Swissport was anywhere to be seen or pulling their pax to the front.
Only 2 scanners were in operation, one for fast track( and pulled pax) the other for the normal queue. Just as I reached the scanner a LBA lady started asking if anyone was for Heathrow. So I was then pushed right to the front and straight through. I was the last to board. 17 pax in total. Nice welcome from the crew who were today operating LBA-LHR-BHD-BHX. Comp service onboard of tea/coffee/orange squash and a biscuit. 50 min flight with a couple of turns in the loop. Nice view of LegoLand on the approach. Remote stand at T2. 10 mins wait for a bus to collect us. Loads of ramp guys and managers taking photos of the Dash….am I right in thinking that FlyBe are the only prop operator into LHR? Of the 17 pax about 5 went to Flight Connections, one was a BA crew commuter, a couple of suits and the rest I guess, like me, plane geeks lol
All in all a really nice flight but it DEFINITELY needs more advertising and a codeshare, preferably with BA. I’m on the return tonight so will post pax loads later.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Bus load factor must have been Close to Flybe's.

 

[KARFA]

….am I right in thinking that FlyBe are the only prop operator into LHR?

Yes. And that was the case when flybe1 operated in to LHR as well. A lot of work between BE and NATS had to go in to integrating a prop in to the arrivals.

Also T2 as expected, and I don't think any of the jetbridges in T2 would work with a dash 8 so they would always park on a remote stand and use buses - although I suppose you could park at a contact gate and walk across to the door at ground level and up the stairs..

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Latt

Yes. And that was the case when flybe1 operated in to LHR as well. A lot of work between BE and NATS had to go in to integrating a prop in to the arrivals.

Also T2 as expected, and I don't think any of the jetbridges in T2 would work with a dash 8 so they would always park on a remote stand and use buses - although I suppose you could park at a contact gate and walk across to the door at ground level and up the stairs..

Regular remote parking seems like 2nd class treatment.

 

[KARFA]

Latt
Regular remote parking seems like 2nd class treatment.

I would agree it isn't ideal.

Funnily enough though I had a discussion on another board about another airport where I said bussing was sub optimal and I was told I was wrong and people loved being bussed to and from aircraft!

There are some odd people out there

 

[Jerry]

am I right in thinking that FlyBe are the only prop operator into LHR?

I believe they are now.

 

[KARFA]

I believe they are now.

Challenge for you then, who was the last operator to have scheduled prop planes in to LHR prior to flybe1 or flybe2?

I honestly don't know the answer to this one.

 

[CM.]

am I right in thinking that FlyBe are the only prop operator into LHR?

Yes. But on some occasions Widero send their Dash-8s in on their Bergen route.

 

[Jerry]

Challenge for you then, who was the last operator to have scheduled prop planes in to LHR prior to flybe1 or flybe2?

I honestly don't know the answer to this one.

My guess would be KLM with their Fokker 50s.