Norwegian Air Shuttle

[Ray Finkle]

Malaga is now showing as back up to 3x weekly from April 2016, Mon, Fri and Sat :smile:

 

[jfy1999]

Will the frequencies and days of operation next summer be the same as this summer? Or have some been moved around?

If they're the same as this summer we'll have four Norwegian flights on Fridays next year and three on Mondays 🙂

Madrid in particular needs rejigging if not increasing, it seems. I've heard it said on here several times that Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday isn't too great a schedule. Which days would be best for a city route like that?

 

[Ray Finkle]

The Malaga times look the same as this year but that could potentially change if aircraft become based. They could add more flights at different times but keep those three as is, they could totally change all the times to a BHX based aircraft or it may just remain at three weekly with based aircraft operating elsewhere.

Madrid is showing as just Thurs and Sun next year but things may well change. I think 4x weekly would be nice with Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, good for weekends and short mid week breaks. Ideally a daily service would be best for business travellers but it may have to grow a little more before we get to that.

Going purely by prices the Tuesday flight often looks the weakest so I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't return but obviously there are a lot of variables that can affect the overall yield.

 

[Brummiegem]

Not strictly bhx news,but who knows what the future will bring?
Norwegian Air Shuttle (long haul)are to add 2 further B787-9s in 2018.
4 -9s will be added next year(2016),5 the following year,then the final 2 in 2018.
That makes 11 B787-9s for delivery during the next 3 years.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Looking at the delivery schedule the first one is due 15/03/16 although they can be delayed.

After that they are due 07/04, 18/07 and 17/10.

I think the first is destined for LGW with the following heading to Scandinavia.

As far as I'm aware BHX is down for some long haul in 2017, it would be nice to see a 787 rather than just the MAX :smile:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Orlando and Las Vegas are the two that stand out for me.

Hopefully we'll eventually see them direct on a 787 rather than via somewhere such as BOS or BWI on a MAX.

 

[User001]

Las Vegas has struck me as an airport really seeing some love from the UK.

BA are increasing LHR-LAS by 3 flights a week next summer, as well as LGW makes 13 weekly for BA.

TCX have introduce STN-LAS for a short period, increased MAN from 4 to 6 weekly and increased the season of flights from GLA (STN will also see an increased season next summer)

Virgin introduced a short season GLA-LAS at the back end of this summer, and increased MAN-LAS to 3 weekly, also increasing the premium cabin by using the premium heavy A340-600. Virgin will increase MAN-LAS to 5 weekly next summer too.

That's potentially 39 flights per week from the UK to LAS next summer, a pretty good going.

So, the potential really is there for BHX, but, by the rate of increases from around the UK, and, especially given LGW-LAS is more likely from LGW first, BHX really needs to get Norwegian to commit!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Las Vegas is a destination that is long overdue from the BHX portfolio, it could be argued that the airport is a victim of circumstance but personally I'm of the opinion that if you want something then you have to go out and get it.

It's unfortunate that BHX has only one long haul leisure provider (Thomson) and they do not offer flights to LAS. If they did I'm sure we'd see at least a seasonal weekly offering. The other two main players in the long haul leisure market, namely Thomas Cook and Virgin Holidays, have no interest in our region and are more than happy for our pax to travel, and as long as they are willing to do so then nothing will change. When Monarch expanded at BHX in a big way long haul was planned as soon as the runway extension allowed and LAS was one destination on the list. Sadly, as is typical with BHX, they backed the wrong airline yet again and Monarch long haul ended up being chopped.

Norwegian now present a real opportunity for BHX to finally get those long haul leisure routes that are missing. They have the right aircraft, the right strategy and if they can get the likes of Thomson selling their seats then I can't see how it could fail.

My only concern is just how important BHX would be on a long haul level? LGW is obviously their main UK destination and there is alot more to come there. Scandinavia is also a big market and will see expansion in the future. Norwegian have also talked about long haul from Europe with Paris and Barcelona mentioned so it makes me wonder whether BHX will eventually see some 787 flights opening up some real long haul or are we to be restricted to the MAX with the likes of Boston, Baltimore, New York, etc?

I think the next 18-24 months will prove to be very interesting.

 

[DaveBham]

I love the states, and am considering another west coast trip for 2016 or 17. I want to spend a bit more time gawping at the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon in particular. Vegas itself I can't stand, but it's a perfect airport for reaching these and other national parks.
Whatever happens, any airline or tour operator that wants my business will have to come to BHX. It's much easier to fly from here and change planes at EWR or JFK than it is to start and end a long haul flight with 4hrs of total driving to LHR or MAN. I don't think my stance is untypical; more that it represents an untapped market, and my cash is here waiting for you Norwegian, should you wish to start such a service.

PS: does your wifi work over the atlantic 🙂

 

[User001]

The good thing about Vegas is that you can get much better quality hotels than some of the other cities too.

I particularly like the Comipolitan. It has full size baths (anyone who has been to the U.S. plunder stands what I mean by that), the baths also have jacuzzi jets too. Many rooms have balconies, and the rooms are huge for what I consider a decent price.

We too are planning another trip to Vegas and the west coast. This time 2-3 weeks so that we can take in Yellowstone, San Fran, more of the Grand Canyon and more of red rock canyon, there is a walk we want to do there.

When my little one is older, we are also planning a coast to Coast road trip, after going there for work. I've become interested in 'the middle'. Louisiana, Tenessee, Arkensas etc. just looks fascinating.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I love the states, and am considering another west coast trip for 2016 or 17. I want to spend a bit more time gawping at the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon in particular. Vegas itself I can't stand, but it's a perfect airport for reaching these and other national parks.
Whatever happens, any airline or tour operator that wants my business will have to come to BHX. It's much easier to fly from here and change planes at EWR or JFK than it is to start and end a long haul flight with 4hrs of total driving to LHR or MAN. I don't think my stance is untypical; more that it represents an untapped market, and my cash is here waiting for you Norwegian, should you wish to start such a service.

PS: does your wifi work over the atlantic 🙂

Totally agree and I think the tide is turning, albeit very slowly.

It's amazing how many people I speak to who use LGW/MAN to travel to Florida, usually because the sole BHX flight is sold out or is vastly more expensive. The problem is people in this region have become accustomed to using other airports and as long as that happens the airlines will gladly accept them, why take your business to your customers if your customers are willing to come to you?

It's a chicken and egg situation though, if the services aren't there then pax can't use them but if pax aren't using the airport then the services won't happen.

American and Icelandair now offer more options but hopefully Norwegian can truly break the cycle.

 

[DaveBham]

The good thing about Vegas is that you can get much better quality hotels than some of the other cities too.

I particularly like the Comipolitan. It has full size baths (anyone who has been to the U.S. plunder stands what I mean by that), the baths also have jacuzzi jets too. Many rooms have balconies, and the rooms are huge for what I consider a decent price.

We too are planning another trip to Vegas and the west coast. This time 2-3 weeks so that we can take in Yellowstone, San Fran, more of the Grand Canyon and more of red rock canyon, there is a walk we want to do there.

When my little one is older, we are also planning a coast to Coast road trip, after going there for work. I've become interested in 'the middle'. Louisiana, Tenessee, Arkensas etc. just looks fascinating.

Nice. Will you fly from BHX? I nearly went again this year via Trailfinders. Got them to price up flights to Denver from BHX and also directs from LHR. Going with either AA or United from BHX & connecting via JFK/EWR was coming out cheaper, and I find connecting flights so much more convenient than a 2hr drive at each end of the holiday.

Emirates have found BHX to be a goldmine, and I've no doubt that routes heading to Vegas and Orlando will prove equally successful. It just needs the right kind of airline.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, in response to davebham, couldn't agree anymore at all, you see Birmingham is crying out for seasonal flights to Las Vegas, Florida & Orlando to be properly organised by an airline that can market it well and make a good go of it, if for instance Emirates were to try it, I'm sure that they would make a good go of it on a seasonal basis to start off with it from BHX....lets hope and pray that Emirates try it....where others have failed.....andyc

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Hi Andrew

whilst I totally agree that Birmingham (and the West Midlands) are woefully underserved to Florida and that Las Vegas would be a good seasonal destination, I just can't see Emirates serving these markets via BHX.
Emirates business model is high throughput via it's Dubai hub to onward destinations, with, to a lesser extent Dubai being the end destination.
I had hoped that with the runway extension, Virgin would have announced at least one Florida route, but it seems they have snubbed us. The real hope lies with Norwegian, but I wouldn't expect anything for the next 18 months or so.

Kevin

 

[User001]

Hi DaveBham,

Unfortunately I wouldn't travel from BHX.

I live equidistant from MAN and LPL, so, I have a myriad of non-stop flight options to the USA. With Las Vegas particularly well served from Manchester, and, next year, I can combine a LAS/LAX direct flight with Thomas Cook given I like to visit California on my trips too.

i am a firm believer that life is short, so, always take a direct flight if it is on offer, and. Like everybody should, I like to support my local airports when a direct long haul flight is on offer. Unfortunately, and at the same time understandably, many people are too price sensitive, so, it does mean that some routes are not well supported. Therefore, I really do push local direct flights when I can.

 

[Brum X]

Hi DaveBham,

Unfortunately I wouldn't travel from BHX.

I live equidistant from MAN and LPL, so, I have a myriad of non-stop flight options to the USA. With Las Vegas particularly well served from Manchester, and, next year, I can combine a LAS/LAX direct flight with Thomas Cook given I like to visit California on my trips too.

i am a firm believer that life is short, so, always take a direct flight if it is on offer, and. Like everybody should, I like to support my local airports when a direct long haul flight is on offer. Unfortunately, and at the same time understandably, many people are too price sensitive, so, it does mean that some routes are not well supported. Therefore, I really do push local direct flights when I can.

So you wouldnt try Norweigan from BHX TO Orlando if they launched this route to try it out as you normally are singing the praises of Norweigan and that you would be slightly miffed if BHX got a base and MAN didnt ??????

If that was the case then that confirms to me 100% that you are loyal to the North West, the same i suppose of my fellow brummies or wouldnt fly from anywhere but BHX.

 

[Ray Finkle]

the same i suppose of my fellow brummies or wouldnt fly from anywhere but BHX.

I made that mistake once, never again :s_yes

 

[Brum X]

the same i suppose of my fellow brummies or wouldnt fly from anywhere but BHX.

I made that mistake once, never again :s_yes

Just to confirm that i am in the mindset that even though i am loyal to BHX for whatever reason, i wouldnt say 100% that i would never fly from anywhere else. I would always try BHX first and probably would fly from BHX but i would always look at other airports just to see.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Everyone has a choice and should do what's best for themselves :smile:

For me it's BHX all the way. There are very few places that are out of reach from here and I resent having a long drive before and after my flight. I've flown from two other UK airports in the past and regretted it on both occasions, they were awful.

BHX has it's faults but in my opinion it's still one of the best and we're lucky to have it :good:

 

[User001]

No Dave, that's not what I meant.

I was speaking of the present. At this time, MAN has the destinations I want, whereas, apart from say New York, BHX doesn't.

My point was, I wouldn't travel 1-2 hours down to BHX for a 1 stop flight to say, Vegas or Los Angeles, when I have the option of a direct flight just 30 minutes from my house.

I am loyal to the North West, I have made absolutely no secrecy of that (probably much to the annoyance of certain fraternities, but there we are), I am an advocate of using local where direct flights exist.

In terms of Norwegian, yes, it would be great if MAN got a long haul base as well as BHX, they have a building brand awareness and offer some good perks. Also, the increased traffic would be great.

However, I wouldn't be too upset, as, Thomas Cook are already doing for MAN what Norwegian could hypothetically do for both MAN and BHX. With TCX, no wish list is needed, it's happening now.

The destinations Norwegian could open are Boston, New York, Fort Lauderdale (also being sold as Miami on the Norwegian website)' Los Angeles Orlando and San Fransisco.
Thomas Cook from Manchaster do all bar San Fransisco (which may open in 2017 anyway), as well as doing Las Vegas and the Caribbean.
Wifi is likely to be added to the A330 fleet in 2017, and strong suggestions from the bosses of TCX that the next batch of destinations from MAN will be Bangkok, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney (yes, the last destination is correct!)

So, yes, as said, a Norwegian base would be great, but, MAN cannot really cry over spilt milk when the milk has remained in the bottle.