KLM

[cmj]

If (or maybe when) KLM move all the european ops to cityhopper, would than open the possibility of them operating a 737 to LBA?

 

[whoshotjimmi]

I'm sure that, if there was demand for 4 737 flights a day to LBA, KLM Mainline would already be operating them.

 

[ridgeback]

Does anyone know how much, if at all, KLM loads have been affected by 12 months of BA operations. Since both airlines are chasing the same customers to a degree one wld imagine they've lost some market share?

Its hard/impossible to tell form CAA stats I think as LS also operate LBA/AMS and the totals are per route not per airline.

 

[cmj]

Does anyone know how much, if at all, KLM loads have been affected by 12 months of BA operations. Since both airlines are chasing the same customers to a degree one wld imagine they've lost some market share?

Its hard/impossible to tell form CAA stats I think as LS also operate LBA/AMS and the totals are per route not per airline.

While I don't have figures, the trips I have done with KLM this year seem to have had pretty good loads between LBA and AMS. I remember having trouble getting a seat on one of the AMS-LBA legs (thankfully one appeared so i didn't need to fly back into MAN ).

 

[lbia]

I don't think KLM have been impacted, visibly anyway, the aircraft are usually 50-70% full, and the connections offered are often cheaper than what BA offer (westbound anyway - BA seem to be cheaper for far east one stop connections)

Jet2 carry between 6000 (on a bad month) and 8000 (on a good month), KLM have around 10000 to 12000 ish, and this figure remains relatively similar each month even since BA started.

 

[ridgeback]

That's interesting.

Mainly because if KLM haven't been impacted then who are the 10,000 pax using BA? People who previously used MAN or the train I guess? I think MAN may hv dipped a little but not that much.

Also interesting that you say KLM are cheaper westbound but the BA connections always include plenty of Westbound traffic.

Finally if KLM are 50-70% full on a (usually?) 80 seat jet then this is 40-60 pax and yet loads of 40-60 are seen as dismal on the BA shuttle due to its 132 capacity.

I've always thought that if BA had stuck a 100 seat jet on the LBA (if they had any) then it wld be doing great!

Most importantly I am pleased that KLM are doing OK still as they've been loyal to this airport for a long time. I'd be surprised if they haven't taken any hit though as you wld think it was inevitable.

 

[White Heather]

LBA management reported in September that the KLM loads had increased this year since BA started operations and had not been adversely affected in any way. They used this example specifically to demonstrate the demand for long haul flights via hubs in this region.

 

[Seasider]

Hopefully I am not deviating too much but I would like to answer Ridgeback on where the BA passengers have come from. I have used LBA - LHR onwards twice this year using my avios points. In previous years I have had to use Manchester, the last two with SAS and Swiss.
I have already booked one flight for next year and planning another (from LBA) so obviously I am a new customer.

 

[imagineif]

Its also worth mentioning that even after the first year of BA operations, KLM are now introducing the E190 to Leeds which offers more capacity and an enhanced product.

 

[imagineif]

The 2 of 5 New Embraer 190 for KLC are now in the production, they will replace 2-3 Fokker 70 aircraft and a further 3 Embraer 190 units will arrive in the New Year... LBA as you know will become an Embraer base next summer. KLC is now Europes biggest E190 operator.


649 190STD 29/11/2013 PH-EZY lsd from BOC Aviation
654 190STD 21/12/2013 PH-EZZ lsd from BOC Aviation

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Any idea exactly when LBA will become an Embraer base? I would like to get in a few flights on a 'real' aeroplane before the toy ones arrive.

 

[lbaspotter]

Any idea exactly when LBA will become an Embraer base? I would like to get in a few flights on a 'real' aeroplane before the toy ones arrive.

The Embrear becomes based at LBA as from May 26th 2014.

 

[imagineif]

Sorry - my above post should read first 2 of 6 Embraer's on order have arrived. An order for 6 was made and up to 7 Fokker 70 aircraft are leaving. Speaking of which, PH-KZV was flown to Norwich last week and removed from the KLC production.
It was inherited from Air France Regional and was high on cycles.

KLM are adding 2 summer routes this year that will be operated by Cityhopper -

Weekly flights to Bilbao (Spain) on the E190 and flights to Zagreb (Croatia) on the F70 - they will operate until the end of October so 2 new routes for Leeds via AMS.

 

[imagineif]

Just noticed a timetable amendment for the summer!

Back to 4 a day still but we have lost the Fokker rotation, now all 4 are scheduled to be Embraer 190.

Departures are 0620, 0910 (0915 Saturdays), 1355 & 1725

Shame that there won't be a daily Fokker 70 from KLM now (scheduled that is) ... but good news for LBA. I am suprised there was no announcement on this front as yet. Its a good capacity increase versus this winter, going from 3 flights and 228 seats a day to 4 flights with 400 seats a day.

I saw that PH-EXA the latest Embraer arrived and Turin was announced as a new destination so thats 3 new routes via AMS also for Leeds!

 

[cmj]

Just noticed a timetable amendment for the summer!

Back to 4 a day still but we have lost the Fokker rotation, now all 4 are scheduled to be Embraer 190.

Departures are 0620, 0910 (0915 Saturdays), 1355 & 1725

Shame that there won't be a daily Fokker 70 from KLM now (scheduled that is) ... but good news for LBA. I am suprised there was no announcement on this front as yet. Its a good capacity increase versus this winter, going from 3 flights and 228 seats a day to 4 flights with 400 seats a day.

I saw that PH-EXA the latest Embraer arrived and Turin was announced as a new destination so thats 3 new routes via AMS also for Leeds!

So it has. We are doing LBA-AMS-VIE in the summer just checked my booking and it's E190 both ways LBA-AMS. AMS-VIE is 737 on way out, but F70 (!) on way back.

 

[imagineif]

Oh well, at least you get to have a ride on the Fokker after all lol. They all have new acro seats now too.

 

[airforced]

New Acro seats eh. That will be a real treat - not.

 

[imagineif]

Lol - well I had my doubts too having had to endure the Jet2 ones but having not road tested them they are just fine - seems they are a few models up from the plastic buckets Jet2 had installed and a bigger tray table. Plus on the short flights cityhopper does they are adequate and the leg space gain is good.

http://nieuws.klm.com/klm-equips-fokker ... -seats-en/

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Had to sit for over 9 hours on a Jet2 flight to Malaga last march. Plane full, no one complained about the seats, guy next door to me had his 18 month old son sat on his lap as well. As I would deem myself to be average height and weight find the seats as comfortable as other airlines.
Certainly felt as comfortable at the end of the journey as I have done on long journeys to H.K. etc.

 

[airforced]

Tarn Spotter, without wishing to be personal in any way shape or form, I think you and I must be built somewhat differently if you can withstand a 9 hour flight in those Jet2 seats. I'm afraid that on my most recent 'long' flight (4 hours or so) to HER I was up blocking the aisle near the forward galley after about 3 hours. The seat squab is too short to support my thighs and my bony backside can't find comfort at all, and the excuse for an arm rest ............ - don't get me started in that one please. The good points however are more leg room without having to withstand the seat in front being shoved in your face.

I must admit, imagineif, that the KLM examples you link to look far superior to the Jet2 ones except I that I noted that they recline. Not a problem on the short hop over to AMS but they would have to provide me with sufficiently more leg room to nullify the recline factor for me to fall in love with them.

PS I'll take the standard Airbus seats as fitted in the Monarch A320 anytime. Very comfortable indeed.