Route Development & Rumours

[David_itl]

ORD offers so many more connections and a wide body would offer a better experience for the premium pax.

To me, the most surprising statement I've seen elsewhere is the choice of routes to Europe on offer out of ORD by AA in winter. There is LHR (no surprise) and MAN. That's it. It beggars belief that AA seems to think that the only way they can get passengers from Europe to Chicago is routing them over BA connecting services. As I posted on that site:

"Even AA's 788 experiment on the ORD-MAN was an unmitigated disaster. Frequent delays and cancellations and the replacement of the 788 with 763s due to the unreliability of the 788 can only lead to a lack of confidence in booking any flight with them out of the regions.

As for Brexit, can anyone please tell Thomas Cook that this should mean fewer passengers going across the Atlantic as that's the mantra we've been told. Continuous expansion by them and now up to 7 destinations in the States with number 8 in San Diego odds on for a launch (the local newspaper ran a large feature on what do to in that city on the pretext on flights being available "shortly"). They are not too proud to turn away economy passengers - far better to have 3 passengers paying $500 rather than hope 1 passenger wants to cough up $1500 for any perceived benefits paying for business class."

I can understand getting a legacy carrier to operate on 4 weekly and above frequency to the States but I do wonder if may be more beneficial for BHX for the likes of Norwegian to operate up to 3 weekly to 6 or 7 destinations in the States?

 

[hammerb32]

David - the service offering by TCX across the Atlantic appears from the trip reports I've read to already be putting the business class product offered by AA and UA to shame.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, so are we due to get unexpected announcements shortly at all, like new airlines or new routes from existing airlines at all... Andyc

 

[thunderchild]

All quiet at the moment - I did read that Cobalt Air were rumoured to be adding BHX next summer but whether the recent Blue Air announcement has changed that I don't know.

 

[Jerry]

Cobalt Air

They are under different management now and are taking a more cautious approach and it was also mentioned that they would look to China. I'll be surprised if they announce any more UK routes.

 

[Jerry]

Heard on another forum that Norwegian will start a BHX-EWR route once they get 737 MAX 8's. It'll be before MAN apparently.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hi there ray and all, so are we due to get unexpected announcements shortly at all, like new airlines or new routes from existing airlines at all... Andyc

There may well be a little surprise or two.

We shall see.

 

[thunderchild]

I'm currently at a loss as to what new airlines BHX could be seeing over the next 12 months if I'm being honest - a few new routes from existing carriers maybe. Hopefully they can pull something off.

 

[Brum X]

I'm currently at a loss as to what new airlines BHX could be seeing over the next 12 months if I'm being honest - a few new routes from existing carriers maybe. Hopefully they can pull something off.

There could be a number of new airlines that could be potential new airlines which include:

Finnair= defo a possibility
Norweigan Long Haul= defo a possibility
Delta= could still be a possibility
Chinese airline= defo a possibility
Low cost far east airline= defo a possibility
Uzbekistan= defo a possibility
Mahan Air/Iran Air= Who knows, why would BHX not be a possibility
Etihad= Defo a possibility, even more so if the EK 3rd daily slowly dissapears.

I really think any of these airlines could be at BHX within the next 12 months.

 

[IanFarquharson]

BA Cityflyer

 

[User001]

James Hogan of Etihad has ruled out any new UK routes for a while so unlikely in next 12 months.

2 airlines not on your list:

Cobalt. They seem to be having aircraft issue at the moment, but should they get them sorted, I've heard BHX is on their radar.

Shaheen. Last I heard, BHX was to be launched this winter at 2 weekly, but it's gone quiet again.

I also wouldn't rule out further growth from Vueling too.

 

[Brum X]

James Hogan of Etihad has ruled out any new UK routes for a while so unlikely in next 12 months.

2 airlines not on your list:

Cobalt. They seem to be having aircraft issue at the moment, but should they get them sorted, I've heard BHX is on their radar.

Shaheen. Last I heard, BHX was to be launched this winter at 2 weekly, but it's gone quiet again.

I also wouldn't rule out further growth from Vueling too.

You may be correct however if there was a reduction in EK ops at BHX, it may be too good to miss an opportunity to not come to BHX. Having said that i do not wish there to be a reduction in EK ops at BHX. Im just saying that could be a reason why they may come sooner rather than later.

 

[Ray Finkle]

There could be a number of new airlines that could be potential new airlines which include:

Don't forget Rouge/Westjet

 

[Brum X]

Oh i forgot one, im also going to say:

Westjet= Defo a possibility

 

[Paulsstrange]

Austrian

 

[Paulsstrange]

There could be a number of new airlines that could be potential new airlines which include:

Finnair= defo a possibility
Norweigan Long Haul= defo a possibility
Delta= could still be a possibility
Chinese airline= defo a possibility
Low cost far east airline= defo a possibility
Uzbekistan= defo a possibility
Mahan Air/Iran Air= Who knows, why would BHX not be a possibility
Etihad= Defo a possibility, even more so if the EK 3rd daily slowly dissapears.

I really think any of these airlines could be at BHX within the next 12 months.

I thought Finnair and Delta were now not happening.....

 

[Brum X]

Austrian

Yep, defo a possibility.

 

[JENNYJET]

Norwegian have successfully used Widebody on shorthaul so I can see them introducing a test longhaul service before committing an aircraft to Birmingham either leased or new build.

Uzbekistan I would like to see returning to BHX, to have that exotic destination TASHKENT back on the departure boards is worth a visit, and a lovely livery to photograph.

I do not see how Etihad can work, unless it is a stopping service to the Americas. One could invite Ethiopian to do such work as they do with Dublin.

Shaheen? er...dunno.....ummmm...help?

 

[Brum X]

I thought Finnair and Delta were now not happening.....

Not happening now but we are talking about 12 months, who knows what could happen within the next 12 months. Surely they still have to be a possibility. If our Mrs May starts off well and negotiations are positive, the outcome for the economy could change over night, not that it has changed much so far anyway but again we are early days.

 

[ethanegcc]

I don't think Finnair will be happening for S17 as their wave of expansion has gone and the schedule is now full. The 319 that was scheduled to operate on the MAN flight from March to free up an ERJ to BHX has reverted back to usual, with just ad-hoc airbus upgrades in the evening.

Delta's post brexit re-think won't reflect well on the whole of the UK. ET are also in advanced negotiations with MAN and we will be getting USPBC so I think any stopping service would go through there.

I am sure Shaheen would do well at BHX, there was some talk of them staying within MAG and plumping for EMA instead although both of those rumours have gone quiet.

Etihad is obviously ruled out for the time being per James Hogan's statement.

Norwegian and Austrian are definitely possibilities. Austrian have been operating for a year now at MAN and seem to be extremely successful. AC Rouge or Westjet are contenders but Canada is an ever decreasing market for England (aside from London). I don't have much hope for BHX or MAN on this front.

When did Uzbekistan operate to BHX?