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Has always puzzled me too.
There isn’t just first class and cattle class though, you’re ignoring business class - which seems to do perfectly well out of BHX. Major corporates pay for business class - not first class on Emirates, which is frankly opulent and not necessary for business travel.
Confess not clear on who is actually paying for first class - especially out of Glasgow!
There isn’t just first class and cattle class though, you’re ignoring business class - which seems to do perfectly well out of BHX. Major corporates pay for business class - not first class on Emirates, which is frankly opulent and not necessary for business travel.
Confess not clear on who is actually paying for first class - especially out of Glasgow!
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EK have definitely tried offering First from BHX before, can't remember exactly when but it was before COVID and it was on the 777. It didn't last long and they certainly don't seem to have the appetite or desire to offer First @ BHX again. Agree with other posters, no idea how it works from MAN & GLA but not BHX. I know a couple who live in Worcestershire who flew EK from MAN to Singapore recently as opposed to their preference BHX because they wanted to go First. I'm sure there must be similar examples.....but clearly not enough to get EK to give it a go!
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The question is does BHX want First Class? I remember reading an article a few years ago suggesting that BHX (and other airports) has requested to not have first class. The logic goes...
- EK aircraft with First Class hold circa 20% less pax
- First Class Pax spend the least time and their for money at airports, and
- When EK first started, even EK Business Class was by far the best long-haul product from BHX
Now, times have changed. On one hand, the likes of Qatar now offer a superior product, especially if they introduce Q-Suite at BHX on the 359 or 789. Even the likes of Saudia now maybe able to complete, especially compared to the outdated Business Class product Emirates off on the 77W. With Qatar getting load factors on average of 95% since they restarted, it would appear they are not struggling to fill their Business Class Cabin so maybe this would cause Emirates to reflect.
On the other had, many commentators are suggesting the days of First Class are over with the exception of key routes from key airports. With the likes of Qatar only offering First Class on their 388's and planning to retire them in a few years. Even Emirates are not installing First Class on their new 350's as a prime example.
When considering GLA as a prime example, something else to ponder. The BHX 2 class 388 has achieved an average load factor or 82% in the last 8 months, meaning the average load is just over 500 pax every flight. the question is could GLA even fill a 2 class 388 even if it was available? If not, and knowing that the 388 attracts 10% more booking than the 77W (according to EK), if there is only 1x flight a day, you may as well use a 3 class 388. Even 1x first class pax is better than 100 empty economy seats...
I suspect the variation on where Emirates offer First Class and where they don't is just as much a reflection of the lack of versatility Emirates Fleet than anything else which will explains the amount of 359/789/78X/778 & 779's they have on order....
- EK aircraft with First Class hold circa 20% less pax
- First Class Pax spend the least time and their for money at airports, and
- When EK first started, even EK Business Class was by far the best long-haul product from BHX
Now, times have changed. On one hand, the likes of Qatar now offer a superior product, especially if they introduce Q-Suite at BHX on the 359 or 789. Even the likes of Saudia now maybe able to complete, especially compared to the outdated Business Class product Emirates off on the 77W. With Qatar getting load factors on average of 95% since they restarted, it would appear they are not struggling to fill their Business Class Cabin so maybe this would cause Emirates to reflect.
On the other had, many commentators are suggesting the days of First Class are over with the exception of key routes from key airports. With the likes of Qatar only offering First Class on their 388's and planning to retire them in a few years. Even Emirates are not installing First Class on their new 350's as a prime example.
When considering GLA as a prime example, something else to ponder. The BHX 2 class 388 has achieved an average load factor or 82% in the last 8 months, meaning the average load is just over 500 pax every flight. the question is could GLA even fill a 2 class 388 even if it was available? If not, and knowing that the 388 attracts 10% more booking than the 77W (according to EK), if there is only 1x flight a day, you may as well use a 3 class 388. Even 1x first class pax is better than 100 empty economy seats...
I suspect the variation on where Emirates offer First Class and where they don't is just as much a reflection of the lack of versatility Emirates Fleet than anything else which will explains the amount of 359/789/78X/778 & 779's they have on order....
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Not sure how well F on EK is doing. I’m flying DXB / MAN in F in just over a week’s time and the flight I am on shows 2/14 in F and J is about 33% full. The other flight that day is 1/14 in F and about 50% in J. Of course, that is only a snapshot of one day.
I am happy to use MAN in order to fly F as the chauffeur drive service covers an area as far south as Solihull. That may explain why EK doesn’t offer F from BHX.
I will not fly EK J from BHX in case there is an aircraft swap to a 777. How EK have the cheek to charge the fares they do for the “luxurious” experience of 2-3-2 seating is beyond me. Even AF have refitted all 2-3-2 777s to 1-2-1.
I am happy to use MAN in order to fly F as the chauffeur drive service covers an area as far south as Solihull. That may explain why EK doesn’t offer F from BHX.
I will not fly EK J from BHX in case there is an aircraft swap to a 777. How EK have the cheek to charge the fares they do for the “luxurious” experience of 2-3-2 seating is beyond me. Even AF have refitted all 2-3-2 777s to 1-2-1.
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Yes BobBHX - In the years since the 388 has been operating from BHX, I'm not aware of any circumstance where the 388 has been subbed for the 77W... Have you ever know it?
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I flew out in business on the B777 and I agree it is not the “luxurious” experience" you would expect. Sitting in an isle seat, having a stranger in the window seat having to disturb you when he/she wants to stretch their legs is an inconvienience you can do without, especially when you're 'flat out' asleep! Now the A380 business seating is completely different.
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Yes BobBHX - In the years since the 388 has been operating from BHX, I'm not aware of any circumstance where the 388 has been subbed for the 77W... Have you ever know it?
Yes but correct me if I'm wrong, that was a scheduled 77W rather than a 77W subbing for a 388?
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As I said in a previous post, it’s the connecting flights that only use 77Ws (at the moment) that cause me the biggest issues.
I have just flown BHX/BKK in QR J and F. Food was OK but nothing special. I need a wheelchair and whilst the arrivals service at Doha was good, the departures service was the usual incompetent chaos. I think my Asian and Aus flights from now on are going to be on LH and/or SQ.
p.s. Yesterday’s rise in APD also makes an EU connection to long-haul more attractive. Whilst the bargain ex EU fares seem to have dried up post pandemic, the fares are still low enough to be worth booking.
Last edited by BobBHX; 6th Mar 2024 at 23:10.
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Jet2 to launch a very short winter season of flights BHX-Gdansk, Fridays and Mondays, looking at the dates I assume for Christmas markets. Bookable on website and app, also from Manchester. Looking at the sky high flight only prices, they're definitely aimed at Jet2 Holiday packages
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Quite surprised to hear that Brussels Airlines are suspending their BRU-BHX service from winter schedule end. I've been a big user over many years P2P and connecting equally. This will I think be the first time for easily more than 40 years without at least a once daily service. I remember not so long ago this was 4 times daily by Brussels Airlines and it was easy to do half day visits between the two it was so frequent. How can this market just evaporate doesn't make sense with such a well established service over so long? The airport must be very concerned.
Quite surprised to hear that Brussels Airlines are suspending their BRU-BHX service from winter schedule end. I've been a big user over many years P2P and connecting equally. This will I think be the first time for easily more than 40 years without at least a once daily service. I remember not so long ago this was 4 times daily by Brussels Airlines and it was easy to do half day visits between the two it was so frequent. How can this market just evaporate doesn't make sense with such a well established service over so long? The airport must be very concerned.
No need for MPs, MEPs, Councillors, business lobby groups, journalists and their associated hangers on to travel frequently to visit EU institutions.
Additionally business traffic is down generally since company bean counters discovered Teams and Zoom and corporate net zero policies mean questioning just how vital that trip to Belgium really is. Exactly the same applies to business traffic inbound to Birmingham.
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The Belgium government have impossed a tax on routes under a certain distance. The only two routes they served under that threshold were LHR and BHX. Obviously they wont axe a London service but BHX now deemed not viable inlight of the new rule. That and the benfit of Brexit as ATNotts referes too. Manchester escaped as it was just beyond the threshold but i am sure if it wasnt that would be gone too.
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This argument does not explain the departure from Edinburgh. Load factors ex EDI and BHX were variable. Brexit may have accounted for a (very) small reduction in passengers. The fact is that BEL has failed to promote itself as a transit airline for UK passengers.