Leeds Bradford - General Thread

[Jerry]

By alternatives I was thinking Thomas Cook / Transat that may go direct from Manchester in to Canada. If there isn't then it'll definitely be from LBA via somewhere....

You could use KLM?

 

[White Heather]

I'm looking at a trip to Canada next year, arriving into Calgary. Looking on various websites it looks like we can fly direct from LHR on either BA or Air Canada, both using dreamliners. If we do this hopefully we'd be able to use the shuttle from LBA! Has anybody any experience of Air canada? I've used BA in the past an have to say I wasn't impressed. Any alternatives available from Manchester? Someone has said that Westjet go direct from Gatwick but I don't fancy having to get to and from Gatwick. Another option seems to be Virgin into Seattle. Any thoughts anyone?? Thanks in advance

I flew from LHR to Montreal with Air Canada on one of their superb A330 300s in 2010. A long time ago now but I remember it very well and the flights were excellent both ways, with decent food and service. I had no complaints and the fares were much cheaper than the alternative, which was LBA - AMS and then AMS to Montreal all with KLM. As BMi pulled the plug on the LBA to LHR route in 2009 I had to book with BMi from MAN to LHR and then on to the Air Canada, but both were part of the same group and it was therefore a through booking with no luggage transfer. The outbound flight was the day after the lifting of the ban on air travel caused by the Icelandic volcano. The ban was re-instated whilst I was in Montreal and lifted again 2 days before I flew back, so I was very happy both flights were on schedule.

 

[michael]

Thanks all for your thoughts, got to say KLM looks promising even if it is going the opposite direction for starters!

 

[Bhowani]

I do hope the current difficulties at AMS are sorted by then! On a trip to OSL last week allsorts of delays crept in with the rebuilding of one of the runways, which led us sitting at LBA waiting for a slot at AMS. Long story, but to be sure, plan in at least 2 hrs for the transfer at AMS at the moment.
LBA's performance - excellent as usual!

 

[michael]

ok, I'm heading through LBA this coming Friday morning on the 0655 Jet2 to Nice, would those in the know recommend booking fast track security at that time given all the departures between 6 and 8 am?

 

[Aviador]

I second that. At that time of day it's money well spent.

 

[michael]

Thanks very much Offint, I thought as much, will get it booked

 

[paully]

Next Monday we will , alarms clocks permitting, be at LBA at daft O Clock (4am) ..I know, needs must, but getting fast track security, as recommended above but what does the panel think about the best places to get something eat airside..Not looking at the daftly expensive lounges but something substantial to last 4 hours to FUE..(then hire car and Lidl)..oh yes and loads of strong coffee (very)..Thanks in anticipation guys

 

[michael]

Next Monday we will , alarms clocks permitting, be at LBA at daft O Clock (4am) ..I know, needs must, but getting fast track security, as recommended above but what does the panel think about the best places to get something eat airside..Not looking at the daftly expensive lounges but something substantial to last 4 hours to FUE..(then hire car and Lidl)..oh yes and loads of strong coffee (very)..Thanks in anticipation guys

Well fast track security certainly worked for me, our queue for security was no more than 20 people at 5.15am, whereas the standard queue would have been 200 deep - easily. Regarding food we ate a Gold plated bacon sandwich at the Camden food outlet, must have been gold plated for the price - but was good. Would it have lasted me 4 hours? No, not on the strength of me buying a ham'n'cheese toastie en route to Nice. Can highly recommend both though.

 

[paully]

Well fast track security certainly worked for me, our queue for security was no more than 20 people at 5.15am, whereas the standard queue would have been 200 deep - easily. Regarding food we ate a Gold plated bacon sandwich at the Camden food outlet, must have been gold plated for the price - but was good. Would it have lasted me 4 hours? No, not on the strength of me buying a ham'n'cheese toastie en route to Nice. Can highly recommend both though.

Thanks Michael, I`ve read too many poor reports of Saltaire`s offerings to risk it..Looks like I might have to order Ryanairs new hot breakfast available on LBA flights now

 

[paully]

I`ve now ordered a warm brekkie for me and Mrs P on our Ryanair daft O Clock flight to Fuerteventura..So I`ll give you an update on its contents etc in due course..Although I can see possibly/maybe one of the gold plated bacon jobbies from Camden becoming a necessity before 5am...Gonna be an expensive trip before we leave LBA

 

[Aviador]

View attachment 10401
Michael J Brand
@MJBrandaviation

Superb picture from the tower this morning.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

How many overnighting aircraft does LBA usually accommodate?

 

[Aviador]

I think it's in the region of around 18 @lbaspotter will probably be able to come up with a more accurate figure.

 

[lbaspotter]

It's currently 22 as follows.

4x Boeing 757-200 = Jet2
6x Boeing 737-800 = Jet2
6x Boeing 737-300 = Jet2
3x Boeing 737-800 = Ryanair
1x Boeing 737-800 = Sunwing
1x Embraer 190 = KLM
1x Saab 2000 = Eastern Airways

The Jet2 fleet moves about quite a bit from the main apron to the South side due maintenance.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It's currently 22 as follows.

4x Boeing 757-200 = Jet2
6x Boeing 737-800 = Jet2
6x Boeing 737-300 = Jet2
3x Boeing 737-800 = Ryanair
1x Boeing 737-800 = Sunwing
1x Embraer 190 = KLM
1x Saab 2000 = Eastern Airways

The Jet2 fleet moves about quite a bit from the main apron to the South side due maintenance.

Many thanks for that.

 

[lbaspotter]

I understand Next summer 2019 we have even more.
For starter's it's already confirmed we have an extra based Jet2 aircraft, then the is still possibility of an unnamed airline to be announced.

The airports airside ops team are going to have fun working out that overnight parking plan..

 

[paully]

I understand Next summer 2019 we have even more.
For starter's it's already confirmed we have an extra based Jet2 aircraft, then the is still possibility of an unnamed airline to be announced.

The airports airside ops team are going to have fun working out that overnight parking plan..

So that's why they are building extra car parks

 

[louis_walton]

I understand Next summer 2019 we have even more.
For starter's it's already confirmed we have an extra based Jet2 aircraft, then the is still possibility of an unnamed airline to be announced.

The airports airside ops team are going to have fun working out that overnight parking plan..

Is there any room at all now for another based aircraft. If there was to be would it have to sleep somewhere else then return to LBA in the morning?

 

[lbaspotter]

Is there any room at all now for another based aircraft. If there was to be would it have to sleep somewhere else then return to LBA in the morning?

Yes the is room, Just as long as its small enough to go on stand 1 or 3. Eg Embraer145/Dash8/Saab/Jetstream41 sized.