Birmingham: Upcoming Flights & Passenger Travel Plans

[Jon Dempsey]

In my opinion, the only place Monarch fall down is boarding procedure. They haven't got their heads around priority boarding yet which causes a melee at the gate. Get that right and they're sorted.

Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2 all seem to have this working smoothly.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

in fairness I'd probably rather walk than use Ryanair

Surprised to see this Ray. I have taken 4 flights with Ryanair so far this year and everthing has been fine.
I like the self check-in which gets rid of the queues, boarding has been fine, seating has been fine (even for a six footer like me), on-board catering is fine, the cabin-crew have been polite and attentive - and the flights have arrived on time.

In my opinion, exactly what it says on the tin.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've used Ryanair in the past and had a similar experience. Comfortable seat, pleasant crew (except for the constant hassle of buying a scratch card) and I got where I needed to be ahead of schedule. When things are working they can be a great option and if you play by the rules there are bargains to be had. My concern is when things aren't working so well.

Yesterday I read an article about a flight from Dublin to Wroclaw that was forced to divert due to thunderstorms in Poland. Obviously safety comes first so no issue with the divert but the pax were then left alone in Berlin at 10:30 pm to fend for themselves, some of them had young kids. The Ryanair statement in the article said that it was too late to hire a bus and passengers should keep their receipts. For some a 2.5 hour flight turned into a 14 hour ordeal. Now I understand that all businesses have their off days but for me there are just too many of these kind of reports to risk it, especially as I travel with young children.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-new...o-poland-after-flight-diversion-35877639.html

Contrast that with yesterdays Jet2 to Girona. It diverted to Barcelona due to thunderstorms at GRO, after two hours on the ground in BCN (I believe there was some sort of disruption on board) the aircraft then made it's way to GRO to operate the return flight.

Everyone has a choice but I know where my money would go 👍

 

[Jon Dempsey]

I get your point Sir. I have not had a bad experience with Ryanair so I cannot complain. If I had then you know I would let rip ala FlyBe.

One thing I appreciate with Ryanair is that the boarding queue is formed and waiting to go sometimes before the arriving aircraft has disembarked.

However, my first choice is still with Monarch. When we flew down to Malaga, there were some pretty hefty storms over Cordoba which is usually ToD so we routed around. The co-pilot kept everyone informed and it was a very smooth flight.

 

[Karl C]

Morning all,

Took the slightly delayed Flybe 408 yesterday from BHX to BHD. Full flight with an air conditioning problem which meant everyone was sweltering on board. Took off anyway and was quick and smooth. Lady next to me was connecting from the Biarritz BE flight and paid £180 return for the whole journey. Beats the £124 one way fare I paid. Thieving gits.
Was also talking to a chap going to Taipei with Turkish, so people do get about from BHX.
Two days prior I used the Tui Dreamliner from DLM to LGW. Great aircraft and service. So wish they used them on shorthaul out of BHX.
On a side note.......need more clues as to the identity of new transatlantic airline the site has been alight with recently. Someone.....just a few more hints

All the best

Karl

 

[Ray Finkle]

Lady next to me was connecting from the Biarritz BE flight and paid £180 return for the whole journey. Beats the £124 one way fare I paid. Thieving gits.
Was also talking to a chap going to Taipei with Turkish, so people do get about from BHX.

I spoke to someone a few weeks ago who was on the return to BHX from Newquay, he said that a considerable percentage of the flight were connecting onto Belfast.

There is definite potential for more 🙂

 

[Karl C]

I know of three people who use the Newquay service regularly. One of them every week. One of them I introduced to the route as they didn't know it existed and now use every 6 weeks or so. Fares are always good and beats the extortionate train fares by a mile.
Saying this, I wasn't particularly happy with security yesterday. My face said it all. Was almost at the point of saying something, but it was busy and I held my tongue.
Onwards and upwards!

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Off to Malaga on 26th August :-}, but this time on ZB970 :-{

 

[Ray Finkle]

Off to Malaga on 26th August :-}, but this time on ZB970 :-{

I'll meet you in Wetherspoons for a quick one, we're off to Menorca on the same day 🙂

 

[Jon Dempsey]

I'll meet you in Wetherspoons for a quick one, we're off to Menorca on the same day 🙂

Cool, similar time? We're normally at the corner of Meriden. I'll PM you the mobile and we can arrange. 🙂

 

[Ray Finkle]

I think we depart around 07:30 ish but we usually get in extra early to grab some breakfast for the kids and for the wife to do some shopping.

Send me a pm closer to the time and we'll sort something out.

 

[Coathanger16]

So I don't usually post on this particular thread, but I thought I would this time.

Off to Auckland via Dubai on Wednesday. First time flying long haul from Birmingham so will be interesting to see what its like...

 

[juliet-fox-9]

So I don't usually post on this particular thread, but I thought I would this time.

Off to Auckland via Dubai on Wednesday. First time flying long haul from Birmingham so will be interesting to see what its like...

EK42, EK40 or EK38? 🙂

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hope it all goes well.

Have a great time 🙂

 

[Coathanger16]

EK42, EK40 or EK38? 🙂

EK38. First A380 flight as well 🙂

 

[paul]

Off to Amsterdam on Sunday for a well earned break

 

[elmdon74]

Doing my bit to keep up the passenger figures by booking the following spotting breaks,mid AUG BHX-CDG-BHX BE/AF,early Sept BHX-AMS-rail to DUS-AMS-BHX KLM,20/9 BHX-PMI-BHX day return Monarch,late Sept BHX-FRA-VIE-FRA-BHX LH/OS.Regards,Simon.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Have a great time both.

 

[paul]

Cheers mate

 

[thunderchild]

Tuscany next summer so after banging on about it for years I'd best book Jet2 to Pisa hadn't I?

Also a trip to Dublin next May to see Ed Sheeran!