United Airlines

[Bhx_fifteen]

There's something very satisfying about seeing seatback TVs on narrow bodied aircraft!!!

I've never flown United from BHX, but a few years ago I flew with them from LHR (I definitely would have flown from BHX but flights were over £1000 cheaper from LHR for my family of 5) - they were absolutely brilliant. They exceeded my expectations in every sense and were wonderful from start to finish. I'd definitely fly with them again, and from BHX this time if there's little price difference compared to LHR!

 

[BHXsupporter]

Must say the exchange rate is the last thing I think about when making travel plans. Anyway, I'm keen to know who the mystery new BHX-JFK operator is supposed to be....

Gosh it's one of our first! A difficult time if you choose somewhere where you're always thinking 'I'd better make this drink last'!

 

[richard winterbourn]

Have to agree BHXsupporter. For an example i travel to Brazil frequently so i monitor the exchange rate through a full 12 months. And in the last 12 months i have seen the value of the £ against the Real fall from just over 6 to a level currently at around 3.85.

Work it out. On £1,000 that can be the difference of something like 2,150 Real. And in Brazil 2,150 Real goes a long, long way... I am sure the same differential can be said for a lot of other currencies on the world market.

My advice to anyone who travels abroad, either in Europe or internationally on a regular basis, watch the foreign exchange rate; buy high and buy big (generally at least £500) for an even better rate.

 

[ethanegcc]

Although I agree that exchange rate is a major factor, I am with DaveBham on this one. I certainly wouldn't completely change where I wanted to travel according to exchange rates. I think the flight prices/hotel prices are more significant. I do understand, however, it can be an issue and may deter passengers from flying to a certain country and concentrate more on UK tourism, for example.

 

[nwoody2001]

I also agree. If I had a choice if a number of destinations I wanted to go to, then maybe exchange rates would play a part, but if I wanted to go to destination X specifically, I have never been deterred by exchange rates. Yes it would be ideal to have positive exchange rates but it's not an influencing factor for me...

This summer I spent 6 weeks travelling the USA ...on my arrival on 20th June I got $1.51 / £1, but by the end of my trip I got $1.32 / £1. Even though the £ continued to slide, this didn't stop me returning for NYE to visit the new friends I made even though I only got a sickening $1.22 / £1!!!

 

[Ray Finkle]

United Airlines Hits Two Million Passenger Milestone In Twentieth Year of Birmingham-New York Flights

Birmingham Airport announces that more than two million passengers have flown between Birmingham and New York/Newark with United Airlines, as the airline approaches its twentieth anniversary serving the route.

Operating non-stop flights from Birmingham Airport since 15th July 1997, United Airlines provides direct access to New York/Newark, with onward connections to over 300 destinations throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, including more than 100 served non-stop from Newark. Popular onward destinations taken by Birmingham Airport passengers include Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Commenting on these milestones, William Pearson, Aviation Director for Birmingham Airport, said: "United Airlines serves vital transatlantic connections for the region's business and leisure communities and has shown unwavering commitment to Birmingham over the last twenty years.

"Providing non-stop flights to New York gives customers a reliable service and flexibility with a Star Alliance airline, boosting our economy by plugging the Midlands Engine into global opportunities.”

"United is proud to have served Birmingham Airport for almost two decades, and we thank all of our customers who have chosen to fly with us during this time,” said Bob Schumacher, United’s Managing Director Sales – U.K. & Ireland.

“Our non-stop service offers customers in the Midlands access not only to New York City but also to hundreds of other destinations throughout the Americas via United’s Newark Liberty hub.”

The US has recently retaken the top spot from China as the number one destination for West Midlands exported goods. In 2015 the West Midlands exported £5.4bn of goods to the US, 30 per cent growth on the year before.

The West Midlands has also seen a 188 per cent increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects since 2011/12, with 81 new FDI projects in 2015/16, creating and safeguarding over 5,000 jobs. US firms have been the most prominent investors, accounting for 32 per cent of all projects.

In surveys conducted by Midlands Connect in 2015, 71 percent of Midlands businesses with international customers said that Birmingham Airport is their most important airport.

Aviation Minister, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, said, “Aviation plays a crucial role in our economy, creating jobs, opening up new tourism opportunities and building vital business links. I am delighted that United Airlines has shown strong and lasting commitment to Birmingham Airport, helping strengthen links between the UK and US while boosting the Midlands Engine.”

Flight UA27 departs Birmingham daily at 9:00 a.m. and arrives at New York/Newark at 12:25 p.m. the same day. The return flight, UA26, departs New York/Newark daily at 7:25 p.m. and arrives in Birmingham at 7:10 a.m. the next day (all times local).

The Birmingham flights are operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft featuring 169 seats – 16 in United BusinessFirst® and 153 in United Economy®, including 45 Economy Plus® seats with added legroom.

United Polaris business class, United’s brand new business cabin, features a reimagined sleep-enhancing experience for intercontinental travellers. The first phase of United Polaris is now available onboard and features an elevated inflight food and beverage experience, tranquil custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue and exclusive amenity kits with products from Soho House & Co's Cowshed Spa.

United Economy offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee and inflight entertainment. Seats feature an adjustable headrest and a personal seat-back monitor delivering a multi-channel Audio/Video on Demand inflight entertainment system

United Economy Plus offers up to 15 cm of extra legroom. Located near the front of the Economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of allowing a swifter exit from the plane on arrival.

United operates the largest hub in the New York City metropolitan area at Newark Liberty International Airport. Located just 14 miles from downtown Manhattan, the airport offers the fastest surface transfer journeys to many parts of the city, including the AirTrain service to New York Penn Station in midtown Manhattan, with a journey time of less than 30 minutes.

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...wentieth-year-of-birmingham-new-york-flights/

 

[Brum X]

Here to another 20 years of serving BHX.

Thankyou United Airlines for your continued commitment to Birmingham Airport

 

[Ray Finkle]

United have confirmed their continued commitment to Birmingham.

I know words are only just that but it's nice to hear

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/west...continued-support-for-birmingham-airport.html

Bob Schumacher (left), United’s managing director sales – UK & Ireland, said Birmingham was an important destination for the airline and it had no intention of abandoning it like its rival had.

“United is proud to have served Birmingham Airport for almost two decades, and we thank all of our customers who have chosen to fly with us during this time,” he said.

“Birmingham is an important airport for us and we think that with the onset of the Midlands Engine then it is only going to grow in prominence.

“The West Midlands is such an important part of the UK economy and the ability of businesses in the region to have good access to the United States is vital. Our non-stop service offers customers in the Midlands access not only to New York City but also to hundreds of other destinations throughout the Americas.”

 

[Brum X]

Good stuff United Airlines. Nice to see a little dig at AA also

 

[richard winterbourn]

It is also nice to see Bob Schumacher refer to the 'Midlands Engine' the term that is now used to identify the vast economic area that is the West Midlands, an economic area that is said to be the most prosperous outside of the South East. This is the first time i have seen the term used by a non-UK organisation

Let's hope this Midlands Engine can fire further growth into United's involvement with BHX and will help the airport and the area in general improve airline services into and out of Birmingham.

 

[Brum X]

To show there commitment to BHX, they could start by switching the 757 to a 767.

 

[58terminus]

To show there commitment to BHX, they could start by switching the 757 to a 767.]

20 years of service shows commitment .Unfortunately the airports fixation with New York must make them wary of upgrading.

 

[Jerry]

20 years of service shows commitment .Unfortunately the airports fixation with New York must make them wary of upgrading.

Maybe instead of upgrading it the airport could try and get United to up the frequency with a 757?

 

[Brum X]

20 years of service shows commitment .Unfortunately the airports fixation with New York must make them wary of upgrading.

To my knowledge it is the airlines that make the decisions where they fly. If AA had chosen BHX-ORD and not BHX-JFK, would they still be here ???

It is a hard one to predict.

 

[Coathanger16]

Maybe instead of upgrading it the airport could try and get United to up the frequency with a 757?

I fully agree that that should be the first goal we set.

I am slightly concerned however about the impact any new airline starting BHX - NYC would have on United. I know economic conditions would have affected it, but does anyone know what frequency United flew to Newark before and during Americans brief return to BHX?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I think it was daily throughout the summer, reducing to 6x weekly in winter with Jan and Feb seeing 5x weekly. When American started daily was May - September, with Jan and Feb going down to 4x weekly.

This summer they'll be daily again from April and will continue daily further into the winter period.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Maybe instead of upgrading it the airport could try and get United to up the frequency with a 757?

Didn't EWR once go twice daily under Continental?

 

[Barry Beeth]

Yep. Back in the days of the DC-10.

 

[Jerry]

Didn't EWR once go twice daily under Continental?

Maybe with AA out of the way then a 12 weekly 757 service may become possible in the future.

 

[Coathanger16]

Maybe with AA out of the way then a 12 weekly 757 service may become possible in the future.

If this year goes well then hopefully we could get a daily flight throughout winter 17/18. If so, with no other airlines flying to NYC, 12 weekly "could" be possible by summer 18. Fingers crossed.