Cheers mate. Much appreciated.
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Aviation Discussion
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News out of Houston, Texas, is that Bristow Group, Inc., is dealing with serious financial issues. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is being discussed as a possibility.
The Bristow brand is best-known in the UK as the operator of helicopter services to North Sea oil and gas installations; less well known is that they’re also the parent of a company called Air Kilroe Ltd., which it’s even less well known is the corporate entity behind the Eastern Airways brand, whose scheduled flights are currently marketed under the flybe brand.
Only a small proportion of flights booked on flybe ticket stock, and/or via the flybe website, are Eastern Airways operated, but it’s also the case that British Airways Cityflyer services from London City to Düsseldorf are operated by an Eastern Airways aircraft.
There’s no suggestion of an imminent interruption to operations if Chapter 11 is sought, but it’s suggested that the Bristow Group’s ‘fixed-wing operations’ are part of the cause of the financial problems.
The Bristow brand is best-known in the UK as the operator of helicopter services to North Sea oil and gas installations; less well known is that they’re also the parent of a company called Air Kilroe Ltd., which it’s even less well known is the corporate entity behind the Eastern Airways brand, whose scheduled flights are currently marketed under the flybe brand.
Only a small proportion of flights booked on flybe ticket stock, and/or via the flybe website, are Eastern Airways operated, but it’s also the case that British Airways Cityflyer services from London City to Düsseldorf are operated by an Eastern Airways aircraft.
There’s no suggestion of an imminent interruption to operations if Chapter 11 is sought, but it’s suggested that the Bristow Group’s ‘fixed-wing operations’ are part of the cause of the financial problems.
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Butts
Veteran Member
Boarding another rammed Flybe Embraer 175 from Cardiff to Glasgow this morning, I still can't believe they are pulling out of Cardiff in October.
Another oddity at Cardiff Airport is the huge British Airways Hangar with a couple of Aircraft outside today - I believe they maintain part of the fleet there. They don't have any services from Cardiff these days so it's quite surreal. Has anyone ever seen a big BA Aircraft land there or take off recently? I suppose it's still used as a jouney by air from any of their UK bases is just like a short "Taxi Ride" With the Airport not being that busy it's probably quite easy to get in and out.
Finally I've got a 5 hour layover at Stansted t'rrow , anyone got any suggestions of how to fill the time "off site" - not London !!
Another oddity at Cardiff Airport is the huge British Airways Hangar with a couple of Aircraft outside today - I believe they maintain part of the fleet there. They don't have any services from Cardiff these days so it's quite surreal. Has anyone ever seen a big BA Aircraft land there or take off recently? I suppose it's still used as a jouney by air from any of their UK bases is just like a short "Taxi Ride" With the Airport not being that busy it's probably quite easy to get in and out.
Finally I've got a 5 hour layover at Stansted t'rrow , anyone got any suggestions of how to fill the time "off site" - not London !!
berneyarms
Established Member
BA aircraft make positioning trips to/from Cardiff from Heathrow or Gatwick as required. Similar to the positioning trips to/from Dublin for repainting.
Well it’s a bit of a desert out there. Bishop’s Stortford is a nice-ish market town. Rose & Crown or The Bridge House near the station are decent pubs. Or if you fancy something different, the Bishop’s Cave is a wine bar / cheese bar that’s quirky and fun.
For non-booze related activity, train to Audley End and a 25 minute walk will get you to Audley End House. There’s a miniature railway there if that’s your bag.
Butts
Veteran Member
The Edge/Bald Rick thanks for the suggestions.
YorkshireBear
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Heard plenty of similar stories about flybe in a lot of places thag are being pulled. Must be selling tickets too cheap.
thejuggler
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Me on Easter weekend Saturday afternoon - I was watching a rugby match in Cardiff and a 747 from Cardiff to LHR went overhead.
heart-of-wessex
Established Member
Yes they did the 747 refurbs at Cardiff, and still do maintenence there also stored some of there retired fleet there too
All heading towards their new future as Virgin Connect or whatever they are going to be called? Who knows what their future route network will look like.
On killing time - The Wetherspoons at Stansted is huge and seemingly always busy during the day, much prefer the one at Glasgow Airport. What did you end up doing?
Butts
Veteran Member
Unfortunately Wetherspoons at Airports do not have the free refills on the already inflated Coffee Machine products on sale. Glasgow is £2.65 for one cappo !!!
I would not spend any longer than required in Stansted due it not having a smoking area airside - suprising considering it's customer profile.
Got an Arriva Bishops Stortford £4.70 Day Saver and made my way into town which did have a Wetherspoons by Sainsburys and £1.30 for unlimited help yourself cappo's et al from the machine !!!. Had a walk around the town, unfortunately I had seen all the Films at The Empire Cinema. Ended up in The Library reading Which Magazine.
Talking of Airports those robbing bar stewards at WHS have jacked their meal deal up to £4.49... Boots meanwhile with a better selection is still £3.99 !!!
Flew RYANAIR EDI - STN and then STN to LUX - second journey much better as I was in 1C.
Returned today LUX to EDI and cleared UK Border with 3200 Bensons purchased in The Grand Duchy Duty Paid at sub £5 per packet - 160 packets at £6 plus saving per packet more than paid for my trip.
Didn't realise it was a Bank Holiday in Luxembourg today until the bus didn't turn up for what seemed like an age (Sunday Service) May 1st !!!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Sounds like a productive time was had in the end, although as I sip away at two different pints as I post this, I have to ask what sort of beverage you went with. Just coffee or something harder? First Class out of STN? Which airline?
I think he means seat 1C...
Butts
Veteran Member
- the only 1C on that Airline.
Butts
Veteran Member
As BR says it was seat 1C on Ryanair so no freebies or lounges - I can assure you it would not have been coffee had i been in the lap of .....two different pints ?
Whats that all about - is one classified as a chaser ?
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Thanks for clearing that up about 1C, not sure how I read that as suggesting First Class. I blame the early morning start for that one!
There were 3 different beers on cask I wanted to try yesterday in Spoons, one of which I didn't bother with in the end. Both were required so had a pint each of the other two. It had been a hectic day and I just fancied two pints to relax with!
EDIT:
I've got some holiday time in September and some in November approved, so at some point very soon I need to make a plan for my next instalment of Juliano's World Frenzy. Certainly plenty of options, and I have decided I want to try a new airline as well. Preferably I'll score a new airport in England as well, but we'll see what happens.
Current plan is to do a single country visit in Europe as well as some UK-based red penning on the trains in September, with the November trip *likely* to be a long-haul job. It's all to play for yet...
cactustwirly
Established Member
I'd highly recommend easyJet, probably the best LCC in the UK, and maybe the best Airline?
Very competent, nice planes, and the fares are pretty much the same price as Ryanair.
Personally I'd go for somewhere in Central/South Europe.
Butts
Veteran Member
I prefer Flybe as you know wherever you are travelling "piggy in the middle" does not await your presence even if you don't pay for a seat. Two by Two and much quicker boarding and egress due to the size of their fleet.
Embraer can't be beaten !!!
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
The aircraft are nice but the airline is rubbish. It isn't called Flymaybe for nothing.
I echo praise of Sleasy, a very well run operation with decent, well-maintained aircraft. Very much my first choice, I only look elsewhere if the schedule doesn't suit. Better than BA by a country mile.
cactustwirly
Established Member
Never flown Flybe, don't strike me as a good airline tbh, they're always cancelling flights, and they operate loads of outdated turboprops.
I wouldn't call them outdated; turboprops make a lot of sense for a large percent of the routes Flybe fly.
cactustwirly
Established Member
I'm using BA later this month, so I'm interested to see how they compare.
I was very impressed with my last easyJet flight, they have improved a lot over the last 10 or so years, quite frankly my last holiday wouldn't have been possible without their cheap fares.
Butts
Veteran Member
For the Airlines perhaps, but not the passengers.
Crap seats apart from the older variants, slow, noisy and small overhead bins.
Suraggu
Member
Wow.... The Bombardier Dash 8 is hardly outdated. Turboprops on shorter flights that they run are more fuel efficient than turbofans.
During the last 10 years I have probably flown with Flybe more often than any other airline and have never had a cancellation. The same cannot be said for other operators I have attempted to use.
Outdated or otherwise, the turboprops are fine for their routes in my view.
>>>>>>>>
I would certainly agree with those who say Easyjet are far superior to BA.
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
All this Dash 8 hateage! I've not flown on one for years, granted, but I do like them. Flybe I haven't flown with in years either, but I've not ever had an issue with them.
easyJet may get used again eventually, I booked my November trip yesterday and it's a long-haul job. 3 new airports will get scored, as well as a new airline and of course a new country. Deposit on it has been paid at least, remainder due in October. Will discuss the aviation side of it properly later, as I'm running a bit behind in preparation for work!
easyJet may get used again eventually, I booked my November trip yesterday and it's a long-haul job. 3 new airports will get scored, as well as a new airline and of course a new country. Deposit on it has been paid at least, remainder due in October. Will discuss the aviation side of it properly later, as I'm running a bit behind in preparation for work!
Suraggu
Member
Where you off to bud? Pacific Islands? Australia?
Craig2601
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I noticed TAP Portugal had business class flights from London Heathrow to New York for £750ish, is this good value or do they often have this fare?
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