United Airlines

[ca4]

the fact is USA airlines obviously don't make enough profit on UK regional flights, no first class, limited freight, so are moving away from the regions, if i'm right US airlines from October will therefore only fly to Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh, note no Gatwick services either, with of course London Heathrow and Edinburgh being the capital gateway airports for England/Scotland.

Until summer that's correct but Uniteds GLA flights will return along with the seasonal DL/AA flights.

 

[thunderchild]

I really can't see any airline apart from possibly Norwegian who are prepared to still take the gamble on BHX - USA flights.

Dear lord I hope it's not Bangladesh Biman!

 

[ca4]

the fact is USA airlines obviously don't make enough profit on UK regional flights, no first class, limited freight, so are moving away from the regions, if i'm right US airlines from October will therefore only fly to Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh, note no Gatwick services either, with of course London Heathrow and Edinburgh being the capital gateway airports for England/Scotland.

Until summer that's correct but Uniteds GLA flights will return along with the seasonal DL/AA flights.

 

[Brum X]

On what date will the route resume for next summer? Thanks!

It is not resuming, its gone. Gone gone gone. This is why it is so shocking to all BHX supporters.

 

[ethanegcc]

It is not resuming, its gone. Gone gone gone. This is why it is so shocking to all BHX supporters.

Oh god, didn't realise. Thought it was only gone seasonally and I thought that was bad. I am so sorry, I feel like I am condoling a death!

Hopefully it is a glitch and may resume for next summer.

 

[Brum X]

Oh god, didn't realise. Thought it was only gone seasonally and I thought that was bad. I am so sorry, I feel like I am condoling a death!

Hopefully it is a glitch and may resume for next summer.

Well a guy who i have just chatted to on facebook who is one of the UA airport staff were told dont expect us back in S18, he has lost his job and been offered a job elsewhere at another airport but he lives in the West midlands. Its not that easy just to except another job at another airport.

 

[Jerry]

So they make a big deal about 20 years serving BHX and then not long after dump the route? Sounds strange to me!

 

[123]

When you say gone from October is this permanent or winter only? Brexit and Trump are proving pretty toxic for US travel it seems.

Don't forget in the case of United they were all over the news for the wrong reasons recently when they removed a passenger and the episode was filmed by other travelers.

 

[Brum X]

So they make a big deal about 20 years serving BHX and then not long after dump the route? Sounds strange to me!

It sucks mate

 

[Jerry]

It sucks mate

Yeah it does!

 

[DaveBham]

Get a decent airline, with a decent aircraft (787 or A350), keep fares within £60 of their Heathrow equivalents, and watch the seats fill up. That's all people want. A reliable, comfortable connection to the USA.

It just takes an airline with Emirates' vision to make it happen.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Thomas Cook? they seem to be happy building up the flights from Manchester and won't even fly regular charters to the US from BHX, so that leaves Norwegian?

There is also the new IAG low-cost long-haul brand LEVEL with its A332 operation. Spain-US initially, but if expanded into the UK-US market they could be a contender. At MAN they'd face established competition from Thomas Cook and Virgin on the obvious routes. At Gatwick from Norwegian and Virgin. From BHX they'd get a clear run?

 

[Kevin Farnell]

There is also the new IAG low-cost long-haul brand LEVEL with its A332 operation. From BHX they'd get a clear run?

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that.

Cheers

Kevin

 

[IanFarquharson]

United definetly gone for good from 05.10.17

 

[Matt995]

There is also the new IAG low-cost long-haul brand LEVEL with its A332 operation. Spain-US initially, but if expanded into the UK-US market they could be a contender. At MAN they'd face established competition from Thomas Cook and Virgin on the obvious routes. At Gatwick from Norwegian and Virgin. From BHX they'd get a clear run?

Yep It's a possibility, although filling an A330 daily might be difficult from BHX at present to the US, but as you say they would not face any competition at BHX, unlike LGW or MAN, so who knows?

 

[rollo]

Disappointed to say the least after 20 years and to think many were hoping for an upgrade after American, however a sense of proportion is perhaps needed considering recent events in London and Manchester not to mention nearly everyone will have gone through much worse personally in their own lives.

Why we cannot succeed with a service to probably the most important city in the western world beats me BA, American and now United have all come and gone although in United's case it appears more part of a strategy/retreat to LHR.

Can only hope someone takes up the opportunity and takes note of say Emirates or even JET2 in making their presence known to the general public.

 

[Ianbutty]

United, as with other US airlines are not always in the best shape and are rationalizing to vote markets. Their core market is The US and high volume business class international services. If that cannot be sustained them The service will go. The airlines have been cutting back all over the place and constantly changing. I am not surprised or disappointed. The UK is a small nation and it is now clear that the US airline market will focus on three hubs at LHR, MAN and EDI. The death knell was the loss of AA. Why hang around for one flight a day and run the risk of missing a flight or the stress of ensuring you catch it on time when you have an endless number of flights to LHR? There are not enough in the Midlands to sustain the flight alone and Americans love Heathrow and having the flexibility.

Someone else may come in a give BHX a go, but I doubt if it will be a US airline. Norwegian would be wise to move in. The market will suit them.

 

[ethanegcc]

United certainly seems to be retreating.

LEVEL would be good option, but the frequency would have to be low (3x week) with an aircraft of that accommodation and it doesn't offer an option for higher-yielding customers. In addition, I was under the impression there were some barriers that meant LEVEL couldn't operate from the UK yet?

The market would suit Norwegian. I am sure they could restore daily service with their 737 MAX and possibly add a seasonal to Providence.

 

[Jerry]

With United leaving then I'd have thought it could be a good time maybe for Thomas Cook to launch long haul from BHX as they could as well look at other US routes like Orlando and look to build up a route network like they are doing at MAN. TCX and Norwegian may be the only options US wise now for UK regional airports.

 

[Coathanger16]

Article in the Birmingham Mail about United ending flights...

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-new-york-flights-axed-13324686

United blaming "poor take up on the flights" - this has always been the issue with Birmingham. Though as Jet2 have proven, advertising and advertising well can make a whole world of difference.

Whilst I am of course disappointed to see United go, at least it will give other airlines a clear shot at operating flights to New York. Even if a new airline only matches United's offering, they should be in a better place to launch routes to other US destinations if NYC does well for them - that is assuming any new route to NYC is launched by a British or European airline. American and United have both tried and left Birmingham. Delta is the last "big" American carrier left without having served BHX (at least recently). They would have a near monopoly on any route they chose to launch. However, with the DL/VS JV at LHR & MAN, I find it unlikely they'd launch from BHX.

A rather long shot, but Singapore Airlines operate Singapore - Manchester - Houston. How attractive would Singapore - Birmingham - New York be, not for Singapore Airlines, but for Scoot Airlines? The low cost carrier owned by Singapore Airlines.