Jet2.com

[BCFC]

At Corfu there's high temperatures, a road, a town and very high ground at one end of the runway and the sea and Hugh cliffs at the other. LBA looks easy compared to some airports.

I have a funny feeling all this is nonsense.

Just found out I’m flying on GDFO so pre booked my seat and all ready to go….

 

[pug]

I have a funny feeling all this is nonsense.

Just found out I’m flying on GDFO so pre booked my seat and all ready to go….View attachment 31372

It ain’t nonsense, but if you want to believe that that’s your choice.

A crucial point is that Corfu, Skiathos and any other restrictive departure points are not Jet2 bases..

Let me explain again, as others have tried to including who people who I believe to be operating pilots and therefore know absolutely that this is the case.

The A321 with LEAP1A absolutely can operate from LBA. The problem is one of company policy to ensure the longevity of engine life because the company own theirs and they are probably the most expensive part of the aircraft. They will inevitably have to use more power when operating into some airports on the network, however if they were based at LBA they would be using a less desirable high power setting on every single departure from 32.

Just imagine your car, you might put your foot down sometimes, but if you drove it around with the pedal to the floor most of the time you’d expect it to start being expensive to keep on the road before too long. A crude analogy but it’s probably the best I can come up with off the top of my head.

Jet2 are successful in part because they have a history of being heavily cost conscious in most cases, perhaps more so than other airlines. The increased costs of anticipated wear will have to be absorbed somehow.

Again, I am not saying they will not base the A321 at LBA, maybe they will announce something for 2026 or 2027, who knows. They will turn up eventually. But if they don’t put them in LBA before other bases then that will be one of the reasons they don’t. It’s nothing against LBA at all, and the company clearly see a future there with it still being one of the largest bases, but don’t be disappointed if they decide to put them in the other airports first.

Again, people can choose to believe what they want but when we have members on this forum who really do know what they are talking about confirming my own understanding, then it’s not just idle gossip or nonsense is it.

 

[ChrisBBB]

It ain’t nonsense, but if you want to believe that that’s your choice.

A crucial point is that Corfu, Skiathos and any other restrictive departure points are not Jet2 bases..

Let me explain again, as others have tried to including who people who I believe to be operating pilots and therefore know absolutely that this is the case.

The A321 with LEAP1A absolutely can operate from LBA. The problem is one of company policy to ensure the longevity of engine life because the company own theirs and they are probably the most expensive part of the aircraft. They will inevitably have to use more power when operating into some airports on the network, however if they were based at LBA they would be using a less desirable high power setting on every single departure from 32.

Just imagine your car, you might put your foot down sometimes, but if you drove it around with the pedal to the floor most of the time you’d expect it to start being expensive to keep on the road before too long. A crude analogy but it’s probably the best I can come up with off the top of my head.

Jet2 are successful in part because they have a history of being heavily cost conscious in most cases, perhaps more so than other airlines. The increased costs of anticipated wear will have to be absorbed somehow.

Again, I am not saying they will not base the A321 at LBA, maybe they will announce something for 2026 or 2027, who knows. They will turn up eventually. But if they don’t put them in LBA before other bases then that will be one of the reasons they don’t. It’s nothing against LBA at all, and the company clearly see a future there with it still being one of the largest bases, but don’t be disappointed if they decide to put them in the other airports first.

Again, people can choose to believe what they want but when we have members on this forum who really do know what they are talking about confirming my own understanding, then it’s not just idle gossip or nonsense is it.

Am I right in thinking that different countries will have different restrictions as well? E.g. restrictions due terrain might limit capabilities in one country versus in another country? So there might be a greater appetite for risk in Greece (purely an example) as opposed to the UK?
So not just airline policy?

 

[pug]

Am I right in thinking that different countries will have different restrictions as well? E.g. restrictions due terrain might limit capabilities in one country versus in another country? So there might be a greater appetite for risk in Greece (purely an example) as opposed to the UK?
So not just airline policy?

I don’t believe so, but you will have all sorts of interesting approaches when terrain is an issue. INN is one such approach, as are many of the circling approaches at various airports.

I would think terrain clearance limits are universal though. Don’t forget that it’s not a problem on two engines but there has to be contingency in case for instance a goose decides to fly across from the tarn straight into an engine at rotation, the aircraft still has to be able to climb away at a given gradient to ensure it doesn’t end up in the beer garden of The Royalty.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Makes you wonder how they manage at Skiathos, short runway and high temperatures.

Look at where the aircraft touch down (tdz) at skiathos though, right at the very start of the runway, then compare to LBA landing R14, tdz at least 600 metres into the runway, R32 around 600metres,so im betting landing distance at LBA is about the same as skiathos?
Less of an issue at LBA for takeoff with its longer runway. I know wizz use their A321s into skiathos

 

[KARFA]

LBA TORA is R14 2113m and R32 2190m
JSI TORA is 1628m from both ends.

As you note the heat, humidity, and density altitude with affect takeoff performance at Skiathos.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

LBA TORA is R14 2113m and R32 2190m
JSI TORA is 1628m from both ends.

As you note the heat, humidity, and density altitude with affect takeoff performance at

LBA TORA is R14 2113m and R32 2190m
JSI TORA is 1628m from both ends.

As you note the heat, humidity, and density altitude with affect takeoff performance at Skiathos.

So their engines must take a real pasting there. The overall TORA is less than LBA's pre- extension runway

As has been pointed out though regular but infrequent ops into JSI arent the same as regular ones with based aircraft.

 

[Len Fish]

Now I’m 76 I’m derated, I can hardly take off from the sofa!

 

[Finger66]

Now I’m 76 I’m derated, I can hardly take off from the sofa!

Maybe you should LEAP into action!!

 

[Seasider]

Now I’m 76 I’m derated, I can hardly take off from the sofa!

I,m glad there is someone older than me on the forum

 

[LeedsPilot]

Admittedly I don't have a professional understanding of the A321, but based on my experience operating the 737 out of Leeds, it wouldn't surprise me if jet2 have reached the conclusion that it will be performance limited most of the time on the longer 4+ hour sectors.

In the 737 it's fairly common to require full thrust on fully loaded flights over 3 hours in length as it is. If the conditions are unfavourable (for example varying or light winds), it isn't uncommon to require a 'bleeds off' (air conditioning off) takeoff to squeeze out every last bit of thrust.

I think the fundamental reality is that operating fully loaded aircraft the size of an A321 on 4-5 hour flights is pushing the limit for what is achievable on a regular basis at LBA. Some posts on other threads recently regarding potential flights to Dubai etc. on a 737/A321 are quite frankly nonsense - a 7 hour flight on a 737 from LBA would very regularly be extremely payload restricted or require a fuel stop.

The A321 is clearly the future direction of the airline and the fact they have converted their A320 orders demonstrates that they see the A321 suitable for LBA in the long term, but I don't think it makes logical sense to prioritise putting them here from an aircraft performance perspective nor the fact that LBA already hosts both the -300 and -800 Boeing subfleets.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Admittedly I don't have a professional understanding of the A321, but based on my experience operating the 737 out of Leeds, it wouldn't surprise me if jet2 have reached the conclusion that it will be performance limited most of the time on the longer 4+ hour sectors.

In the 737 it's fairly common to require full thrust on fully loaded flights over 3 hours in length as it is. If the conditions are unfavourable (for example varying or light winds), it isn't uncommon to require a 'bleeds off' (air conditioning off) takeoff to squeeze out every last bit of thrust.

I think the fundamental reality is that operating fully loaded aircraft the size of an A321 on 4-5 hour flights is pushing the limit for what is achievable on a regular basis at LBA. Some posts on other threads recently regarding potential flights to Dubai etc. on a 737/A321 are quite frankly nonsense - a 7 hour flight on a 737 from LBA would very regularly be extremely payload restricted or require a fuel stop.

The A321 is clearly the future direction of the airline and the fact they have converted their A320 orders demonstrates that they see the A321 suitable for LBA in the long term, but I don't think it makes logical sense to prioritise putting them here from an aircraft performance perspective nor the fact that LBA already hosts both the -300 and -800 Boeing subfleets.

Skiathos must be a challenge for the B737 then!

 

[KARFA]

Skiathos must be a challenge for the B737 then!

jet2 seem to run their 737s to the UK fairly happily

i love the island btw

 

[GolfFox]

jet2 seem to run their 737s to the UK fairly happily

i love the island btw

By 'eck!!

 

[airforced]

I,m glad there is someone older than me on the forum

But you are still going here and there Seasider. Following a fall, a spell in hospital and a hip replacement I am confined to my chair and no longer can face airports and gadding about in general and such hassle any more. I turned 80 in the summer so you and Len make the most of you evergreen years while you can. I can now only look back and reflect.

 

[ls27]

Come on airforced, don't look back and reflect ,just look forward to life. I turned 83 last month. Just keep going and enjoy life. Off to Scotland at the end of the month and then to Northumberland for week to do a bit of walking. For goodness sake don't give in. I will be driving to both breaks.

And O, by the way, i'm not on any medication!

 

[airforced]

Lucky you ls27. I can only wish I could do those things now. Not feeling sorry for myself either. Best days are over I'm afraid. Enjoy while you can.

 

[Len Fish]

I now realise that on here I am a mere youngster!

 

[Seasider]

I didn't realise there were so many "old codgers" on the forum.

 

[White Heather]

I didn't realise there were so many "old codgers" on the forum.

And 'Old codgeresses'!