FlyBe - 6
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: EDI, LHR, NQY
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Unfortunately JC25, your plan doesn't work because a flight with anything other the cheapest fare available is blocked out for redemption reservations. Plus, the points expire within 12 months - long before I've ever been able to find redemption space.
It also incorrect to conflate the issue of high tax (which is a disgrace, I'll agree) and Flybe's incredibly opaque surcharges which, uniquely in this industry, vary according to demand dynamics. (In other words, surcharges vary between passengers on the same flight, which makes a mockery of calling them surcharges...they're not fixed fees, they're just part of the fare.) Flybe NEVER pays UK tax on behalf a passenger, it just reduces its own variable surcharges occasionally on zero fares (and, in doing so, gets right up the nose of its most regular customers).
Nothing against Flybe as a very well-run business, but let's not pretend it's anything other than a master of the art of price-gouging, well above Ryanair.
Not to mention the flat fee of GBP 11 to pay by credit card (including the official Flybe credit card) if you please...
It also incorrect to conflate the issue of high tax (which is a disgrace, I'll agree) and Flybe's incredibly opaque surcharges which, uniquely in this industry, vary according to demand dynamics. (In other words, surcharges vary between passengers on the same flight, which makes a mockery of calling them surcharges...they're not fixed fees, they're just part of the fare.) Flybe NEVER pays UK tax on behalf a passenger, it just reduces its own variable surcharges occasionally on zero fares (and, in doing so, gets right up the nose of its most regular customers).
Nothing against Flybe as a very well-run business, but let's not pretend it's anything other than a master of the art of price-gouging, well above Ryanair.
Not to mention the flat fee of GBP 11 to pay by credit card (including the official Flybe credit card) if you please...
Last edited by ajamieson; 11th Mar 2013 at 14:22.
We talk about Flybe charging rip off fares and indulging in price gouging... but the company is also losing bucketloads of cash. The company doesn't seem particularly dozy or filled with fat. Can a company really rip off its customers while still making heavy losses or are customer expectations too high ?
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Finland
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Can a company really rip off its customers while still making heavy losses
The issue isn't just around taxes. For a Rewards4All ticket, you have to pay the taxes (which admittedly are high) but also the airline's fuel surcharge. In any other instance, the fuel surcharge is revenue - it's income taken by the airline and amassed in the general coffers out of which its bills are paid.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Age: 42
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I don't really disagree with anything that being said apart from the use of the words scam and rip off.
They're a business, trying desperately hard to make money in an incredibly tough market place. I'm really surprised that anyone here is actually surprised that nothing really comes for free.
I honestly wish airlines could make money by offering a nice low fare without any need for extras to top up revenue to try and make a few quid. Unfortunately I live in the real world.
They're a business, trying desperately hard to make money in an incredibly tough market place. I'm really surprised that anyone here is actually surprised that nothing really comes for free.
I honestly wish airlines could make money by offering a nice low fare without any need for extras to top up revenue to try and make a few quid. Unfortunately I live in the real world.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hampshire
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I use Flybe a couple of times per year from SOU-ORY. The fares are such a joke in May that im using Air France from London City. Even including the train fare to the big smoke it is still cheaper than Flybe. For goodness sake Flybe, if you cannot offer a competitive price on certain flights then surely it isnt worth offering that product. Just concentrate on flights that you can be competitive on.
Join Date: Sep 2012
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" For goodness sake Flybe, if you cannot offer a competitive price on certain flights then surely it isnt worth offering that product. Just concentrate on flights that you can be competitive on."
I'd think the reverse is true - being able to charge "high" fares is an indicator of an attractive ("competitive") route.
Any business should concentrate on where it can make money - so if FlyBE manages to sell sufficient seats at mentioned higher prices, then that's what would appear prudent from a business perspective...
I'd think the reverse is true - being able to charge "high" fares is an indicator of an attractive ("competitive") route.
Any business should concentrate on where it can make money - so if FlyBE manages to sell sufficient seats at mentioned higher prices, then that's what would appear prudent from a business perspective...
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: England
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Have you seen the "Flybe axing jobs" thread?
60% load factor is pretty poo and on the routes with good load factor, like the sun routes, the yields are rubbish.
It ain't working.
60% load factor is pretty poo and on the routes with good load factor, like the sun routes, the yields are rubbish.
It ain't working.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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'I'd think the reverse is true - being able to charge "high" fares is an indicator of an attractive ("competitive") route.'
Well if its cheaper to take the train to London and then get over to LCY and fly there to Orly then Flybe have reached the point where their fares are too high to remain competitive. And yes they are a business trying to make money, and its great to be able to support and fly from your local airport, but good old Joe flying public are now realising that Flybe have crossed that line between paying a premium for that and having to pay uncompetitive,extortionate fares.
Well if its cheaper to take the train to London and then get over to LCY and fly there to Orly then Flybe have reached the point where their fares are too high to remain competitive. And yes they are a business trying to make money, and its great to be able to support and fly from your local airport, but good old Joe flying public are now realising that Flybe have crossed that line between paying a premium for that and having to pay uncompetitive,extortionate fares.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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11th June - 13th June
Flybe SOU £99
CityJet LCY £110
If anyone can get from SOU to LCY and be given £10 back to them (therefore not spend any money at all) I will be amazed.
Its just the same old story, flexibility with dates. If you book last minute expect to pay a fortune. If you book a few months in advance, you can get them cheaper. Same pricing as most airlines. End of story
Flybe SOU £99
CityJet LCY £110
If anyone can get from SOU to LCY and be given £10 back to them (therefore not spend any money at all) I will be amazed.
Its just the same old story, flexibility with dates. If you book last minute expect to pay a fortune. If you book a few months in advance, you can get them cheaper. Same pricing as most airlines. End of story
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: England
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24/5, two adults to Nice.
LCY BA £841 Euro Traveller
SOU Flybe £1233 Plus (only ticket available)
Train ticket to LCY from SOU £82.
£310 cheaper than Flybe.
LCY BA £841 Euro Traveller
SOU Flybe £1233 Plus (only ticket available)
Train ticket to LCY from SOU £82.
£310 cheaper than Flybe.
Last edited by Lord Spandex Masher; 13th Mar 2013 at 16:14.
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Don't limit your options to just one airline or airport is my motto. You could flyeasyjet from Gatwick to Nice for £287.98, two adults oneway. No mention of a return date so didn't check.
Join Date: Sep 2010
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While I've been faffing with these tickets and prices I've noticed that New Economy is rarely available. Now I'm a bit cynical as the only option to travel with bags is to use the Plus tickets which cost a fortune.
For example NCL to NCE 26/7 returning 28/7 for two adults -
BA Club Europe £877
Flybe Plus £2461 'kin hell!
Essentials is £920 and that's hand baggage only!
For example NCL to NCE 26/7 returning 28/7 for two adults -
BA Club Europe £877
Flybe Plus £2461 'kin hell!
Essentials is £920 and that's hand baggage only!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hampshire
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11th June - 13th June
Flybe SOU £99
CityJet LCY £110
Thanks for your research Cloud 1, but i was looking at dates at the end of May, hardly last minute, and LCY-ORY is £111, Flybe SOU-ORY was around the £160 mark.
Flybe SOU £99
CityJet LCY £110
Thanks for your research Cloud 1, but i was looking at dates at the end of May, hardly last minute, and LCY-ORY is £111, Flybe SOU-ORY was around the £160 mark.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Gatwick
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or try Norwegian
London-Gatwick - Nice
Wednesday 15. May 2013 11:35 - Terminal: S
Flight DY2440 - LowFare
1 Adult £34.90
Return
Nice - London-Gatwick
Sunday 19. May 2013 09:25 - Terminal: 1
Flight DY2441 - LowFare
1 Adult £34.00
Total price
incl. all taxes and surcharges £68.90
I think bag charge is approx £7 for 20kg no card fee for debit, new route so keen pricing on all the ex LGW non Scandi routes, so you could get a stretched limo from NCL to LGW and still be quids in.........
Wednesday 15. May 2013 11:35 - Terminal: S
Flight DY2440 - LowFare
1 Adult £34.90
Return
Nice - London-Gatwick
Sunday 19. May 2013 09:25 - Terminal: 1
Flight DY2441 - LowFare
1 Adult £34.00
Total price
incl. all taxes and surcharges £68.90
I think bag charge is approx £7 for 20kg no card fee for debit, new route so keen pricing on all the ex LGW non Scandi routes, so you could get a stretched limo from NCL to LGW and still be quids in.........
Last edited by LNIDA; 14th Mar 2013 at 09:29.
Join Date: Sep 2012
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@LordSpandex "For example NCL to NCE 26/7 returning 28/7 for two adults -"
No new economy available because it's all Air France - and actually cheaper to be booked through AirFrance (I suspect including luggage, not sure about the impact of their new Hop! model).
@hampshireheady " LCY-ORY is £111, Flybe SOU-ORY was around the £160 mark."
Isn't £49 premium quite reasonable for not having to venture into London (given the time that takes) - of course depends how close one lives to London and how close to SOU, but I cannot see £160 being a rip-off at all (and Cityjet/AF certainly makes a loss with £111 ex LCY - with obviously the future of Cityjet being not very certain at all with AF trying to dispose of them).
No new economy available because it's all Air France - and actually cheaper to be booked through AirFrance (I suspect including luggage, not sure about the impact of their new Hop! model).
@hampshireheady " LCY-ORY is £111, Flybe SOU-ORY was around the £160 mark."
Isn't £49 premium quite reasonable for not having to venture into London (given the time that takes) - of course depends how close one lives to London and how close to SOU, but I cannot see £160 being a rip-off at all (and Cityjet/AF certainly makes a loss with £111 ex LCY - with obviously the future of Cityjet being not very certain at all with AF trying to dispose of them).