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atillathehunn

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Speaking of small airports and arsey staff is reminding me of a recent trip. For some bizarre reason our travel department at work booked me Amsterdam to Manchester via Southampton on Flybe after visiting the Leiden office. Not sure if Southampton sees many connecting passengers, but me asking the UKBA officer if there was a connections channel evoked a very sarky response about bags and then a non-friendly grilling of a who-what-why-when of the trip. Having said that, Southampton does seem a nice and quirky little airport, especially if you like Q400s, ATRs and Embraers! Enjoyed watching the action from the pub, although wasn't too happy about the 90 mins delay on the flight to Manchester!

So is there a connection channel? And what does happen to bags? I've been offered connections via Southampton with Flybe when searching for similar journeys (must be the lowest price and its comes up the list on Skyscanner when the direct route is busy). I've never been tempted - but would like to know for future reference!
 
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berneyarms

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So is there a connection channel? And what does happen to bags? I've been offered connections via Southampton with Flybe when searching for similar journeys (must be the lowest price and its comes up the list on Skyscanner when the direct route is busy). I've never been tempted - but would like to know for future reference!

Beware that Flybe will charge for checked bags on each individual leg despite you booking it as a single trip.

A friend encountered this when flying from Jersey to Dublin via Southampton last year.
 

atillathehunn

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Beware that Flybe will charge for checked bags on each individual leg despite you booking it as a single trip.

A friend encountered this when flying from Jersey to Dublin via Southampton last year.

The cheeky beggers.

I never looked seriously at it - I've never had enough time/patience to go airport scratching via Southampton on the way to and fro.

So I did a dummy booking, and of course it offers via Southampton, and there is no mention of the additional luggage charge until you select a bag option and in the calculation screen it shows the price for the luggage as doubled. No mention anywhere why it multiplies.

How can they be in financial trouble when they're charging millions in luggage fees?!
 

daikilo

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The cheeky beggers.

I never looked seriously at it - I've never had enough time/patience to go airport scratching via Southampton on the way to and fro.

So I did a dummy booking, and of course it offers via Southampton, and there is no mention of the additional luggage charge until you select a bag option and in the calculation screen it shows the price for the luggage as doubled. No mention anywhere why it multiplies.

How can they be in financial trouble when they're charging millions in luggage fees?!

FlyBe is a small airline with small aircraft trying to compete with bigger ones. They happen to fly between my start and end point, and they provide good service. The on-line booking system is very clear and I get what I want, if I read the print.
 

atillathehunn

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FlyBe is a small airline with small aircraft trying to compete with bigger ones. They happen to fly between my start and end point, and they provide good service. The on-line booking system is very clear and I get what I want, if I read the print.

You're taking my comments too far. While they have a bit of a reputation, I still use them far too frequently, and so does our family on their regular commutes. (Though only point to point)

I do appreciate they offer a regional connectivity service and are competing against the big boys.

And this is where they make an error.

They are a low-cost-ish airline offering a semi-business product (somewhat focussing on moving oil and gas workers to and from Scotland), but they offer connections frequently, and offer code-sharing. There is, then, a certain expectation that if I buy a bag, I buy a bag throughout... Their move to LHR and LCY seems to imply they are chasing more than just EZY and FR.
 

WestCoast

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So is there a connection channel? And what does happen to bags? I've been offered connections via Southampton with Flybe when searching for similar journeys (must be the lowest price and its comes up the list on Skyscanner when the direct route is busy). I've never been tempted - but would like to know for future reference!

No, turns out there isn't a channel. However, you don't need one as the walk from the arrivals door to the departures security is not even a minute. Not sure about hold bags as I didn't check them in - managed to squeeze my standard sized cabin bag into the overhead locker of the Q400 which is always an amusing task.
 

WestCoast

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They are a low-cost-ish airline offering a semi-business product (somewhat focussing on moving oil and gas workers to and from Scotland), but they offer connections frequently, and offer code-sharing. There is, then, a certain expectation that if I buy a bag, I buy a bag throughout... Their move to LHR and LCY seems to imply they are chasing more than just EZY and FR.

I agree, in general I have no problem with Flybe and they are my second most flown airline, but they can be quite Ryanair-ish at times with their policies while not having the prices to match! Not sure if they still have this but they used to put on their online printed boarding passes that there would be a charge to reprint them at the airport (not sure if this was/is enforced!).
 
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atillathehunn

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I agree, in general I have no problem with Flybe and they are my second most flown airline, but they can be quite Ryanair-ish at times with their policies while not having the prices to match! Not sure if they still have this but they used to put on their online printed boarding passes that there would be a charge to reprint them at the airport (not sure if this was/is enforced!).

While I agree they can be Ryanair-ish, I've never had a problem with reprinting boarding passes. A few times I clean forget it, and they reprinted it no problem. A few times with a delay the app has magnificently deleted the boarding pass when using my phone, and they reprinted no problem.
 

Tim R-T-C

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I think did ask a few months back, but now actually making my booking in the coming week, so just wondering which airline people would recommend for Manchester to Beijing in the Autumn.

There is Hainan Airlines with an A330 (a bonus because of the two-person seating layout for my wife and I) but no seat-back screens from what I understand.

Swiss Air and Lufthansa have some well timed flights and a choice between A330, A340 and the 787-8.

Finnair has come up with an A350, but these have three-aside seating.

For choice of food and in-flight entertainment (in English), does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions.

Thanks.
 

atillathehunn

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The Hainan direct flight is now operated by B787s.

I believe a blend of 787-8 and 787-9 - I believe the 787-9 a slightly better option.

Go with price. Unless the airlines differ by, say, less than £100 just go with the price. They all offer roughly the same.

Hainan is direct, so bonus points. 787s, though, which are widely panned.

A350 is a nice plane and I don't see it getting panned the same way the Dreamliner is. Transfer in Helsinki is very, very easy and quick.

Lufthansa and Swiss are much of a muchness. A330/340 could be a good bet.

Going via the Middle East might be an option?

BA might be a shout, though I don't know what they use on the Beijing run, probably a 777, and they are 9 across not 10 across, so bonus points there
 

gsnedders

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BA might be a shout, though I don't know what they use on the Beijing run, probably a 777, and they are 9 across not 10 across, so bonus points there

How many of the BA 777s are 10-across now? Are they still mostly the ones operating out of LGW?
 

ld0595

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I just flew with Emirates to Shanghai with a 777 and A380. If you could do the A380 all the way, I'd definitely recommend going with them. But to be honest, I'd pick whichever is the cheapest.

With Hainan, it might be worth bearing in mind that Chinese airlines don't allow the use of mobile phones during the flight. Only a problem of like me you use your phone to listen to music in flight.
 

me123

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While I agree they can be Ryanair-ish, I've never had a problem with reprinting boarding passes. A few times I clean forget it, and they reprinted it no problem. A few times with a delay the app has magnificently deleted the boarding pass when using my phone, and they reprinted no problem.

FlyBe don't currently charge for printing a boarding pass at the airport. Quite like flying with them TBH (although I've only been on the Embraers to be fair).
 

flymo

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Flew Hong Kong - Auckland on Hong Kong Airlines (part of the Hainan Airlines group) in the week, first time on this airline and was pleasantly surprised. Easy going cabin crew, two meals which were actually OK and all at less than half the Cathay Fare. Flight crew a bit too quick to put on the seat belt sign as soon as a little bump was felt made me feel they were a bit over cautious but better safe than sorry I guess.

A330 B-LND with 2-4-2 seating with nobody next to me on the right hand side let me spread out a bit. In-flight entertainment was OK but limited choice compared to others. Actually got some sleep too on the 11 hour flight.

Back in a weeks time, let's see if they are just as good. I'd give them 8/10.
 

Tim R-T-C

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Thanks for the info.

Finnair looks to be best price on my dates. I notice they have Economy Comfort seats for £50pp per flight. Extra legroom, noise canx headphones and welcome drink.

Anyone tried this. Worth the money?
 

Bald Rick

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Flew Hong Kong - Auckland on Hong Kong Airlines (part of the Hainan Airlines group) in the week, first time on this airline and was pleasantly surprised. Easy going cabin crew, two meals which were actually OK and all at less than half the Cathay Fare. Flight crew a bit too quick to put on the seat belt sign as soon as a little bump was felt made me feel they were a bit over cautious but better safe than sorry I guess.

... you can perhaps understand their policy...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-40318846

Part of article...

Turbulence on Paris-China flight injures 26

At least 26 people were injured, four seriously, when turbulence hit a China Eastern Airlines flight from Paris on Sunday, state media reports.
The turbulence struck as flight MU774 was on its way to Kunming, in the southern Yunnan province.
 

Butts

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FlyBe don't currently charge for printing a boarding pass at the airport. Quite like flying with them TBH (although I've only been on the Embraers to be fair).

Your opinion may be changed if you fly a Dash Q 400 which is what most of their fleet is made up of (turboprop)

With regard to the Embraers - the 195 is better than the 175 as it has row 15 with mammoth leg room :p
 

Bletchleyite

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If they're in financial difficulties as seems to be the case I'd watch for such charges coming along soon...they can't up their fares as they would be uncompetitive, so sneaky nickel and diming is probably the only option...
 

WestCoast

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I have noted that they have stopped printing that on boarding passes! Flybe is one of those airlines that if it didn't exist, you'd have to invent it - they fill so many gaps that other airlines have left or have never served. However, they do make some bizarre decisions, like having a base at Doncaster and flying routes to Spain this year (I get it's supported by the airport and gives the E195s something to do but I'd guess it's not making them much money!).
 

James268

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I have noted that they have stopped printing that on boarding passes! Flybe is one of those airlines that if it didn't exist, you'd have to invent it - they fill so many gaps that other airlines have left or have never served. However, they do make some bizarre decisions, like having a base at Doncaster and flying routes to Spain this year (I get it's supported by the airport and gives the E195s something to do but I'd guess it's not making them much money!).

Not sure on the actual revenue, but the flights to Spain are heavily loaded at weekends. Birmingham also have some routes to Spain and Milan and they have a good PAX load but only at weekends. Weekdays can have 20-30PAX on an E175
 

Harbornite

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Does anyone know which RAF A330 MRTT Voyager was at BHX today? I saw it pass overhead but I can't find details on flightradar, which is unusual for these flights.

Thanks in advance.
 

Iskra

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Hi all, I'm wanting to fly on an A380.

Can anyone recommend any good value ways of achieving this?

Additionally, I've never flown in any class other than Economy, can someone recommend a good value way of flying in one of the more premium classes (I appreciate this may be expensive but I don't mind that so long as it is good and worth it.)

Bonus points to anyone who can suggest good value premium class options on an A380 ;)
 

AlterEgo

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Hi all, I'm wanting to fly on an A380.

Can anyone recommend any good value ways of achieving this?

Additionally, I've never flown in any class other than Economy, can someone recommend a good value way of flying in one of the more premium classes (I appreciate this may be expensive but I don't mind that so long as it is good and worth it.)

Bonus points to anyone who can suggest good value premium class options on an A380 ;)

Define "good value".

Thai First Class on the A380 has regular one way fares between Bangkok and Hing Kong in the £500-600 range for a little under three hours' flying. If you go BKK-HKG you can avail of the Thai F lounge at BKK and get an hour long massage and buggy transfer.

That would be expensive to position for though - probably £500 for an economy return, UK-BKK.
 

atillathehunn

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Define "good value".

Thai First Class on the A380 has regular one way fares between Bangkok and Hing Kong in the £500-600 range for a little under three hours' flying. If you go BKK-HKG you can avail of the Thai F lounge at BKK and get an hour long massage and buggy transfer.

That would be expensive to position for though - probably £500 for an economy return, UK-BKK.

Value is a very subjective thing on a product which is almost completely defined by the soft product.

The only objective part is the hard product, which in first class is pretty much standard.

The value in terms of miles... well that might be a consideration.

With the problems in Qatar, they might be throwing away cheap business class tickets on their flights from around the UK.

Or head over to the Flyertalk BA section and get tips on Ex-EU to the States on one of the A380s for probably £1000 return.
 

Crawley Ben

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Hi all, I'm wanting to fly on an A380.

Can anyone recommend any good value ways of achieving this?

Additionally, I've never flown in any class other than Economy, can someone recommend a good value way of flying in one of the more premium classes (I appreciate this may be expensive but I don't mind that so long as it is good and worth it.)

Bonus points to anyone who can suggest good value premium class options on an A380 ;)

I've flown Gatwick - Dubai and return on an Emirates A380 (economy) and that was fine (& reasonably priced too as well). I would say give them a try
 

Tetchytyke

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Hi all, I'm wanting to fly on an A380.

Bonus points to anyone who can suggest good value premium class options on an A380 ;)

Emirates Business Class on an A380 is apparently can't be beaten, but be sensible about where you fly. Flying to Dubai is expensive. But if you fly a bit further- Amman and Muscat seem to be good choices- you can do well. I've seen Gatwick-Amman in business class for about £800 each way.

I've been looking because I'm the same. Having flown economy on an Emirates A380, I'm dying to try business class. But probably can't justify it just yet.
 
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