Icelandair

[User0001]

Icelandair are increasing BHX-KEF to 3/4 weekly for the winter 2015/2016 season.

Flights operate Mon, Tue and Thu. from 24 Oct 1 Jan

1 Jan 30 Jan runs at 2 weekly

1 Feb onwards then goes 4 weekly, with a Saturday flight.

Great news to see a new flight increasing already.

 

[Ray Finkle]

There is also an extra Friday flight on 23rd October with the school half term having 4 flights (Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri) that week.

Very good to see them increasing frequency so soon, they've only been here two months but by all accounts they're proving very popular to North America 🙂

 

[Brum X]

There is also an extra Friday flight on 23rd October with the school half term having 4 flights (Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri) that week.

Very good to see them increasing frequency so soon, they've only been here two months but by all accounts they're proving very popular to North America 🙂

This is very positive news and even more positive they are increasing BHX so soon..

Daily in around 12 months ????????

 

[Ray Finkle]

The airports press release about the flight increases.

Icelandair Increase Frequency From Birmingham Airport

Icelandair has announced that it will increase services between Birmingham and Reykjavik from two flights per week to four, starting in February 2016.

The new flights from Birmingham Airport will operate each Tuesday and Saturday, in addition to the current Monday and Thursday services, bringing the frequency in total to four weekly flights from 1st February - 28th March 2016 inclusive.

Paul Kehoe, chief executive at Birmingham Airport has welcomed the airline’s decision to expand their operation from Birmingham. He said: “Icelandair launched their Birmingham – Reykjavik service in February and it has gone from strength to strength in that short time. It’s great to see the airline respond to passenger demand for this service by increasing the number of flights. Passengers are set to enjoy greater choice and flexibility, whether they want to stay in Reykjavik and explore all that it has to offer, or travel onwards to the USA and Canada, using Icelandair’s strong network of connecting flights.”

Expansion at Birmingham Airport has been announced alongside the airline’s decision to begin a scheduled service from Reykjavik (KEF) to Portland, Oregon on Tuesday 19th May.

Portland, Oregon will become Icelandair’s 14th gateway in North America. The new flights will operate twice weekly from Reykjavik to Portland, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and back from Portland to Reykjavik on Wednesdays and Fridays from 19th of May 2015.

Andres Jonsson, General Manager of Icelandair UK, said: “We are delighted to increase our service to Birmingham and the West Midlands along with beginning flights to our newest gateway Portland, Oregon in the USA. As for many of our North American destinations, flying Icelandair to Portland is the quickest and most convenient way to travel from Birmingham and our passengers can also opt to have an additional stopover in Iceland en-route for up to a week for no additional airfare to further extend their holiday experience.”

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/med ... m-airport/

 

[Brummiegem]

Today's flight FI494 is showing as a 1930 arrival.Is this a long delay or is this flight now an evening arrival??

 

[Ray Finkle]

It looks to be scheduled as an evening arrival today, not sure why as the website still shows morning flights.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Icelandair will be starting Chicago from March next year so another good connection added to the list.

 

[thunderchild]

They recently announced Montreal as well I believe.

 

[juliet-fox-9]

I have expressed my worries before on this point, that many BHX passengers will be all too willing just to connect to the U.S. via airports like KEF and that this could easily dilute passenger numbers on our direct US routes like Orlando.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It could also work the other way.

If BHX can go to the likes of Thomson, or dare I say even Norwegian, and say 'look at all these pax connecting through KEF to Orlando, there has to be room for more direct flights' it may help convince them to do something.

 

[Brum X]

I have expressed my worries before on this point, that many BHX passengers will be all too willing just to connect to the U.S. via airports like KEF and that this could easily dilute passenger numbers on our direct US routes like Orlando.

And Toronto

 

[IanFarquharson]

NEWS - Icelandair confirm BHX 4pw this winter

MON – TUES –THURS - FRI (All times are local) From 19 Oct

FI494 KEF - BHX 0750 - 1125
FI495 BHX - KEF 1325 – 1510


MON – TUES –THURS - FRI (All times are local) From 25 Oct

FI494 KEF - BHX 0750 - 1025
FI495 BHX - KEF 1225 - 1510

 

[nwoody2001]

A great result, especially from their 2x weekly start in Feb 15....

That's circa 6,500 seat capacity added per month over winter that wasn't on offer from BHX last winter... or circa 75,000 seats annually.

Every little helps! W15/16 is looking good!!

 

[thunderchild]

I was under the impression these increases were just for half term?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yeah the increases are just for the October school holidays and have been in there for quite some time.

For the actual half term week there are four flights with the week either side seeing three. It's then back to the normal 2x weekly schedule until Feb 1st when it goes 4x weekly, although as of April 11th it's then showing as back down to 3x weekly.

It all helps though :good:

 

[Brum X]

Icelandair at the Bullring

Great to see the team from Icelandair in Birmingham today to advertise there route and what they can offer as an alternative to the USA/Canada.

Hello Birmingham! Join us this weekend at the Bull Ring shopping centre where you can experience a mini Icelandair Stopover. One lucky visitor will win flights to North America including an unforgettable Stopover in Iceland for two.

 

[Brum X]

I have also seen them advertise this route on that big digital screen facing the bullring below the rotunda.


Now where is the marketing team from Aegean, you might wanna follow in Icelandair footsteps and get "plate smashing and greek dancing" in the middle of the NEW new street station main concourse. Now that might increase the LF for next summer, just a thought. :shout: :shout:

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't think I've seen or heard any advertising at all from Aegean. I guess most of it is internet based these days.

 

[juliet-fox-9]

I know Norwegian advertised their flights on the billboard near the drop & go, but have Vueling, Wizz, or any other of our new additions started advertising yet?

 

[User001]

Looking at the icelandair site, they seem to be remaining at 3 weekly next summer after looking like the 4th weekly flight would continue into summer.