Icelandair

[User0001]

It will make it in to BHX eventually. It is rotated through the destinations like the rest of the fleet. Its been to MAN a few times but the weather has been naff each time so not ventured out to see it yet.

 

[Brum X]

It will make it in to BHX eventually. It is rotated through the destinations like the rest of the fleet. Its been to MAN a few times but the weather has been naff each time so not ventured out to see it yet.

I didnt think you were the Plane Spotter type, LOL. I know you work in the aviation industry but you dont make much comment about plane types/Liveries etc.

You are the man in the know for new route announcements though :good:

 

[User0001]

Im lucky enough to be employed in my hobby.

I do love special liveries though, the Malaysian B744 'hibiscus' was my personal favourite though.

 

[justplanecrazy]

Apparently Thursdays inaugural flight will be operated by TF-FIU which is the one with the aurora special livery.

 

[Brummiegem]

Apparently Thursdays inaugural flight will be operated by TF-FIU which is the one with the aurora special livery.

While at work last night I was talking to a colleague and happened to mention the inaugural Icelandair flight.He then went on to say that an aircraft in a special northern lights livery was being used.
Although not an enthusiast like me he knew about the aircraft in the Aurora scheme.
So I am assuming something must have been said or organized between BHX and Icelandair to get this particular aircraft on the first flight,which makes sense as the northern lights is one of the main attractions of a visit to Iceland.
With 3 days still to go let's hope that TF-FIU does not go tech as a few people will be very embarrassed.(or needed to cover for another aircraft for that matter).

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apparently Thursdays inaugural flight will be operated by TF-FIU which is the one with the aurora special livery.

Thanks for that, going to try and get a glimpse, possibly even a picture, from work :good:

 

[Ray Finkle]

It seems Heart FM's Ed James is hosting the launch dinner.

Ed James @edjames1 · Feb 1
Direct flights @bhx_official to #Iceland @Icelandair start on Thursday! Excited to host the gala dinner in Reykjavik @visit_bham #Birmingham

 

[Brum X]

Birmingham now part of the Icelandair network starting tomorrow, already on the departure boards. Now that makes me smile :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:


5. Feb FI430 Icelandair Glasgow 07:35 07:35 On Time
5. Feb FI520 Icelandair Frankfurt Main 07:35 07:35 On Time
5. Feb FI318 Icelandair Oslo Airport 07:35 07:35 On Time
5. Feb FI542 Icelandair Paris Charles De Gaulle 07:40 07:40 On Time
5. Feb FI500 Icelandair Amsterdam Schiphol 07:40 07:40 On Time
5. Feb FI494 Icelandair Birmingham 07:50 07:50 On Time
5. Feb FI204 Icelandair Copenhagen 08:00 08:00 On Time
5. Feb FI470 Icelandair London Gatwick 08:15 08:15 On Time
5. Feb FI450 Icelandair London Heathrow 08:30 08:30 On Time

 

[User0001]

TF-FIU confirmed for tomorrow.

Theres a great section on the Icelandair website which now gives a 3 day in advance schedule of TF-FIU.

Its currently scheduled to run KEF-BHX-KEF-BOS-KEF-AMS-KEF-DEN-KEF.

 

[Ray Finkle]

BHX had a nice ice sculpture waiting for the arrival.

And the article from the BHX site.

Icelandair Inaugural Reykjavik Flight Arrives at Birmingham Airport

Icelandair's first scheduled service between Birmingham and Reykjavik has lift off, as passengers were treated to an experience on board the new “Aurora plane”.

The “Aurora plane” is a special themed Boeing 757 that is decorated with the Northern Lights both on external livery and in internal cabin fixtures and lighting, providing a unique experience for passengers.

Birmingham is Icelandair’s 5th gateway in the UK and 39th overall. The new flights operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Mondays, starting from today the 5th of February 2015.

Birkir Hólm Guðnason Icelandair, CEO said: “Icelandair looks forward to be offering a refreshing and valuable travel experience to and from the West Midlands. Icelandair has been flying for 70 years to the UK and we hope people from the Midlands will like the service we have to offer. Birmingham and its neighbouring cities are predicted to grow substantially and we are pleased to be taking part in and supporting that growth as of today.

“We were delighted to be able to mark the beginning of our new service from Birmingham airport by giving passengers the chance to fly on our new Aurora plane and were honoured that dignitaries such as the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, the Iceland Ambassador to the UK and the CEO of Birmingham Airport were able to join us on this special occasion.”

The new service also offers an attractive flight option to North America. Mr Guðnason explains: “By using Iceland’s geographical position midway between Europe and North America we can offer some of the fastest elapsed times from Birmingham to popular destinations such as Washington D.C. and Seattle.”

Paul Kehoe, the CEO of Birmingham Airport, added: “Icelandair’s new service from Birmingham is not only fantastic news for Midlanders wanting to spend leisure time in Reykjavik to see the northern lights or relax in hot springs, but also to travel onwards to the USA and Canada using Icelandair’s strong network of connecting flights.”

Cllr Shafique Shah, The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, said: "I am delighted to take part in today's inaugural celebrations to signify the start of flights to Reykjavik and beyond with Icelandair and Birmingham Airport. This new route not only allows people from the Midlands region to access this wonderful leisure destination but also creates more connectivity to the US and Canada and opens up opportunities for Icelandic people to visit Birmingham and the wider region."

The Birmingham service will operate with an Icelandair Boeing 757, seating 183 passengers, offering a three-cabin service, leather seats and personal in-flight entertainment system.

Flight details are:
FI494 departs Reykjavik (KEF) 07:50, arriving in Birmingham (BHX) 10:25
FI495 departs Birmingham (BHX) 12:25, arriving in Reykjavik (KEF) 15:10

http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta ... javik.aspx

 

[Ray Finkle]

Some videos of today's arrival.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaWBo94sV-4[/video]

Lots of people at the viewing area, it's also good to see the MAEL apron busy.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmkh48AOGgk[/video]

Water canon salute.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLkuy9DniKo[/video]

 

[Brum X]

Also great to see the 757 make a revival at BHX, great to see.

The A321 can never replace the 757, they dont even come close.

 

[Brum X]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaWBo94sV-4

 

[Ray Finkle]

Are the video's I posted showing for others or is it just my machine as I can't see them at all?

 

[Brum X]

Are the video's I posted showing for others or is it just my machine as I can't see them at all?

We cant see them, thats why i posted that one from you tube..

 

[Ray Finkle]

Thanks I thought it was me as the forum seems to be very slow this evening.

 

[Brum X]

A great video capturing the event of Icelandair arriving at BHX, good to hear forward booking are looking very good and that Icelandair feel confident this route will be a success.


http://vimeo.com/118888816

 

[Ray Finkle]

First flight sold out all with full fare paying pax, no freebies :good:

From what I hear the connections to North America are looking good.

The video tags look to be working so here's the link Brum X posted.

[video]http://vimeo.com/118888816[/video]

 

[Ray Finkle]

As reported by Ash.

Subject to US Department of Transportation Approval, JetBlue Airways and Icelandair plans to commence reciprocal codeshare service, starting as early as 01APR15. This will include JetBlue’s “B6″ code appearing on Icelandair service to Europe.

Icelandair operated by JetBlue
Boston – Baltimore/Washington
Boston – Chicago O’Hare
Boston – Detroit
Boston – Los Angeles
Boston – Newark
Boston – Orlando
Boston – Philadelphia
Boston – Pittsburgh
Boston – Raleigh
Boston – San Francisco
Boston – Tampa
Boston – Washington Dulles
Boston – Washington Reagan
New York JFK – Austin
New York JFK – Ft. Lauderdale
New York JFK – Orlando
New York JFK – Tampa

JetBlue operated by Icelandair
Reykjavik – Amsterdam
Reykjavik – Anchorage
Reykjavik – Birmingham
Reykjavik – Boston
Reykjavik – Copenhagen
Reykjavik – Denver
Reykjavik – Glasgow
Reykjavik – Helsinki
Reykjavik – Manchester
Reykjavik – Minneapolis
Reykjavik – New York JFK
Reykjavik – Newark
Reykjavik – Orlando Sanford
Reykjavik – Oslo
Reykjavik – Seattle
Reykjavik – Stockholm
Reykjavik – Washington Dulles

http://airlineroute.net/2015/02/09/fib6-codeshare/

 

[Ray Finkle]

Icelandair Celebrate Inaugural Reykjavik Flight From Birmingham Airport

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-M13WfMbbg&feature=youtu.be[/video]

This is well worth a watch.

Artists Paint an Entire 757 into Northern Lights

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_zbezOy5w&feature=youtu.be[/video]