Norwegian Air Shuttle

[Ray Finkle]

I still think we'll see flights to the Canaries for the winter, it would be great to get Oslo and if we can keep MAD, even at 2x weekly, I'll be very happy.

S16 will be key but that's a long way off yet.

 

[nwoody2001]

according to PPrune, Norweigen announce a new route from LPA today starting 22nd Oct (obviously not BHX as we'd all be shouting about it) but proof that they are still launching routes for the winter season....

 

[Ray Finkle]

If we are to see LPA and/or TFS I'd expect them to be announced by the end of May, possibly mid June, any later than that would be cutting it fine.

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

"@QB_Kimmy_Blanco: @Paul_Kehoe have Norwegian cancelled BHX-MAD & BCN or are they seasonal? Or is it still undecided if they will return?"

"@Paul_Kehoe: @QB_Kimmy_Blanco to my knowledge still running. Year round but may not be on sale. I will get some further info for you. @bhx_official"

If true, this is great. I've been checking back daily to see if BCN or MAD have become bookable past October, but still not sadly. It would be great if they're continued for Winter (or at least return next Summer), but based on rock bottom fares I too would be surprised.

I've booked to fly with them to Barcelona in June and I'm very excited to try them. I have head great things, and I still have confidence than Norwegian could be just what BHX needs to establish a strong European base with the possibility of long haul in future.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It's good to hear Mr K is expecting year round services. I'm really hoping MAD continues into winter too, even if frequency is reduced. I guess we could live with BCN being dropped but I'd be happy for it to continue.

Let us know how your flight is, I've also heard great things and am hoping to use them next year.

I have head great things, and I still have confidence than Norwegian could be just what BHX needs to establish a strong European base with the possibility of long haul in future.

Totally agree and I think there are alot of people with fingers and toes crossed that it happens.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Funnily enough I tweeted Norwegian yesterday regarding the potential of winter routes. They have just replied:

Still under discussion Ray, we're working on it as we speak.

Very good news and hopefully we'll hear something soon :good:

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

Thanks Ray!

That sounds promising! I'd be most keen to see MAD continue into the Winter season, and rumours of TFS and LPA sound exciting and are certainly viable.

In my opinion, Norwegian really need to invest in advertising in Birmingham if they're serious about BHX. I've seen a few billboards here and there, but nothing to the extent of Turkish Airlines, Emirates etc.

I managed to persuade some friends who will be in Barcelona at the same time as me to book with Norwegian to support the new route, but others opted to pay more and fly with Monarch purely because they've heard of it, so automatically trust Monarch more. When I suggested booking Norwegian, they gave me a funny look and said "surely that'd be a connecting flight via Norway".

I kindly told them that Norwegian have around triple the amount of aircraft in their fleet and are the 3rd largest low cost airline in Europe!! My point being, people in Birmingham are apprehensive using Norwegian due to their name and lack of brand identity in the city (and Midlands as a whole), but if this can be overcome, I believe they can be very successful.

 

[Ray Finkle]

When I suggested booking Norwegian, they gave me a funny look and said "surely that'd be a connecting flight via Norway".

A few weeks ago I was pricing up flights and feeding the info to Mrs Finkle. After giving the price for Norwegian and telling her who it was with I got the same funny look and the comment "but we're not going to Norway"

I totally agree though, with a bit of clever marketing Norwegian could be very successful in this region, as they have been at LGW. I've not flown with them (yet) but by all accounts their on board product is excellent and they have a high percentage of repeat bookers. If BHX/Norwegian can get people to at least give them a try I think they could soon build up a loyal following.

Lets hope there is a clear strategy in place to grow the brand over the coming years as they could be exactly what BHX needs.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

That sounds promising! I'd be most keen to see MAD continue into the Winter season

Madrid's a great place to visit in the winter - cold mind!!

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

"@QB_Kimmy_Blanco: @Paul_Kehoe have Norwegian cancelled BHX-MAD & BCN or are they seasonal? Or is it still undecided if they will return?"

"@bhx_official: @Paul_Kehoe @QB_Kimmy_Blanco we're pleased to confirm both routes are year round."

Great news!! Very pleased to hear.

 

[Ray Finkle]

That really is great news and hopefully there will be a new route or two added to that

Looks as though we'll see quite a battle on BCN this winter with Norwegian, Vueling, Ryanair and Monarch all operating.

From Mr Kehoe:

if our pax fly, I believe Norwegian will do more. Current services are selling well.

BHX desperately needs this to work so tell your friends everybody

 

[jfy1999]

Ahh, competition! Ryanair in particular needs to blow the cobwebs off its BHX operation. I mentioned earlier that Vueling and Norwegian are starting BCN on the same day, which I think is counterproductive for both, but I can't see Vueling winning that battle because Norwegian have beaten them to the punch in terms of new routes and publicity. MAD and AGP will have been going for nearly 3 months by the time Vueling roll into town.

 

[nwoody2001]

GREAT NEWS INDEED.... lets just hope they are holding off launching their winter schedule to announce the launch of some new routes... we can be hope!!!

 

[Brum X]

Ahh, competition! Ryanair in particular needs to blow the cobwebs off its BHX operation. I mentioned earlier that Vueling and Norwegian are starting BCN on the same day, which I think is counterproductive for both, but I can't see Vueling winning that battle because Norwegian have beaten them to the punch in terms of new routes and publicity. MAD and AGP will have been going for nearly 3 months by the time Vueling roll into town.

You are right, however Vueling have had BHX-BCN on sale for the winter for over a month or two, so who knows.

 

[Ray Finkle]

And Vueling start slightly earlier after they added Saturday flights on the 23rd and 30th May for the half term holidays :smile:

Vueling also offer extensive connections through BCN but I'm not sure how popular they are. I guess the BA code share could also be seen as a positive.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Well Monarch have upped capacity on BCN over the winter and Ryanair have gone 6x weekly to Malaga.

It's starting to look as if the arrival of Norwegian has shaken some life into the existing carriers.

If we are lucky enough to see a couple of new routes from them it'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Not bookable yet but there are adverts on the website for LPA and TFS starting November.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The new routes are now bookable, TFS is 2x weekly Mon and Fri and LPA weekly on a Fri. MAD and BCN still not bookable past Oct.

Slightly disappointed we didn't get OSL but very happy with the new services

 

[thunderchild]

Hopefully a sign of more positive things to come. IF Norwegian were to open another UK base I would say the odds are in BHX's favour now.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I do hope so, I think BHX desperately needs it.

This comment from Mr K says it all, if our pax fly, I believe Norwegian will do more.

If we want a base in the future then we have to start using their services, hopefully the airport will do their part when it come to advertising but it's in our hands