MANCHESTER - 8
My advice : never ever book with a lo co (EZY, RYR, LS, ZB) without checking the big boys ( LH LX SN BA TK etc) first.
In my own experience a low cost airline is rarely a lowest fare airline.
In my own experience a low cost airline is rarely a lowest fare airline.
The "fulls service is cheaper" view that many on here try to portray isn't very representative. There is no doubt that the legacy carriers can be pretty competitive but ultimately it depends where you are going and when you are booking. Book at the right time and you'll find that the LCC's are lower and the same goes with the legacies aswell. More often than not though, the LCC's will be cheaper or atleast comparative. The notion that many posters put across that the general public are clueless loons and only check LCC fares is frankly rubbish. The consumer these days is very savy.
You maybe surprised to know that EZY, ZB and one or two others have a very loyal following and that for many they are their first choice of carrier. Just because it's low cost it doesn't mean that every passenger decides to fly them as a last resort. For many on short haul the complimentary cheese roll and coffee or wine doesn't really make much of a difference.
The difference with people like us is that we are enthusiasts/keenly interested and so flying full service carries more interest than it does your average short haul joe who couldn't care less aslong as it's safe, on time, has 2 wings and gets them where they want to go. And I say this from personal experience so you can't kid a kidder. ;-) Joking aside there is alot of snobbery from enthusiasts like yourself. I've read many of your posts in the past and do come across as anti-LCC and you aren't the only one on here. So much that I reckon you wouldn't shed a tear if god forbid EZY went bankrupt yet with people like yourself there was an outpouring of grief when a Eastern European carrier with financial mismangement went bust.
I've worked for both full service and LCC so there is not an ulterior motive but it's just some observations i've made.
Easyflyer
Good grief man get a grip. What on earth are you talking about?
Nice of you to completely fully 100% misrepresent my opinion.
I fly ZB a lot (silver card holder- thank you) & also EZY.
This does not stop me from using (extensively) legacy carriers.
My next few trips MAN-BCN are with KLM & Lufthansa because the timings are more suitable and ZB were silly prices on given days anyway.
As my post said. Never book a loco without checking the legacy carriers as well - it may well suit both in terms of schedule and / or fares.
You and I may be savvy, but I can assure you, and I know plenty, that just leap to loco web-site and never even dream of checking a legacy carrier.
I would suggest you retract your assertion of snobbery too.
Why on earth do you deduce from "sensible travel advice" that I would like to see EZY go under?
Shocking and appalling post from you !!
Nice of you to completely fully 100% misrepresent my opinion.
I fly ZB a lot (silver card holder- thank you) & also EZY.
This does not stop me from using (extensively) legacy carriers.
My next few trips MAN-BCN are with KLM & Lufthansa because the timings are more suitable and ZB were silly prices on given days anyway.
As my post said. Never book a loco without checking the legacy carriers as well - it may well suit both in terms of schedule and / or fares.
You and I may be savvy, but I can assure you, and I know plenty, that just leap to loco web-site and never even dream of checking a legacy carrier.
I would suggest you retract your assertion of snobbery too.
Why on earth do you deduce from "sensible travel advice" that I would like to see EZY go under?
Shocking and appalling post from you !!
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All things being equal, it's common sense is to check both "legacy" and "no frills" carriers.
Those of us near LHR don't always check the "no frills" purely because they are not there. Can get to MAN quite happily on BA or BD from LHR, no need to go elsewhere just to go on U2 or FR, etc..
The savings (if there any) do not compensate for the aggravation of getting to the likes of STN, LTN, etc., and even if it wasn't a hassle, there's still the trains fares (for example STN £40+ round trip).
So, nothing to do with snobbery.
Those of us near LHR don't always check the "no frills" purely because they are not there. Can get to MAN quite happily on BA or BD from LHR, no need to go elsewhere just to go on U2 or FR, etc..
The savings (if there any) do not compensate for the aggravation of getting to the likes of STN, LTN, etc., and even if it wasn't a hassle, there's still the trains fares (for example STN £40+ round trip).
So, nothing to do with snobbery.
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Arrived back to MAN tonight on UAE19. Whisked through e-gates with no problem, bit of a queue it seemed at passport control, probably about 10 mins wait. Baggage arrived by the time we got down there. No issues, glad to be home!
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etihad at manchester
the bos of etihad talking to the M.E.N about the new call center and wanting to expand to 4 flights a day 
rampman
Manchester to be Etihad European HQ | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk
rampmanManchester to be Etihad European HQ | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk
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Car Hire
While I am here thought I would mention the dire state of the car hire operation and how it needs sorting ASAP.
Last week I was on business in Toronto and was absolutely gobsmacked by how good their system was. Modern, clean, efficient an absolute credit to the airport and a great welcome to visitors.
What we have at MAN is a collection of tatty portacabins on top of the T1 multi storey car park, cold, windy, crowded with suitcases spread all over the outside ramp and steps (too much hassle to get them into the cabins) It really is third world and sends a very bad image to users.
I suspect it is a temporary system but it has been like that for some time.
Another thing that really annoys me is the amount of litter that has accumulated all along the railway cutting embankments leading from Heald Green to the Airport. Looks really scruffy, image is everything and thats the sort of thing that people notice. Railtrack, MAG or whoever is responsible can we get this quite simple job done or are we waiting for the grass to grow over it again.
I am really proud of my airport and promote it to anyone who will listen at every opportunity, there are great developments happening and I know money is tight but lets not let things get too neglected. While I am on a rant;
"Chewing Gum" another pet hate of mine, its all over the pavements and looks disgusting, lets get its sale banned in the airport at least. Rant over
Last week I was on business in Toronto and was absolutely gobsmacked by how good their system was. Modern, clean, efficient an absolute credit to the airport and a great welcome to visitors.
What we have at MAN is a collection of tatty portacabins on top of the T1 multi storey car park, cold, windy, crowded with suitcases spread all over the outside ramp and steps (too much hassle to get them into the cabins) It really is third world and sends a very bad image to users.
I suspect it is a temporary system but it has been like that for some time.
Another thing that really annoys me is the amount of litter that has accumulated all along the railway cutting embankments leading from Heald Green to the Airport. Looks really scruffy, image is everything and thats the sort of thing that people notice. Railtrack, MAG or whoever is responsible can we get this quite simple job done or are we waiting for the grass to grow over it again.
I am really proud of my airport and promote it to anyone who will listen at every opportunity, there are great developments happening and I know money is tight but lets not let things get too neglected. While I am on a rant;
"Chewing Gum" another pet hate of mine, its all over the pavements and looks disgusting, lets get its sale banned in the airport at least. Rant over
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Wow Man777, your chest must be one empty place this morning with that lot off it.
Too add to that i would like to put forward the lifts to the said Car Rental "Shacks"...never more than two working and you can sometimes wait 10 minutes for a lift, not to worry though, you can always use the stairs which dont smell of urine in any way shape or form.
Im also a very proud local to a great airport, but these things need sorting, might only seem simple but they leave a sour taste in ones mouth (not to mention the smell in your nose)
Too add to that i would like to put forward the lifts to the said Car Rental "Shacks"...never more than two working and you can sometimes wait 10 minutes for a lift, not to worry though, you can always use the stairs which dont smell of urine in any way shape or form.
Im also a very proud local to a great airport, but these things need sorting, might only seem simple but they leave a sour taste in ones mouth (not to mention the smell in your nose)
Railtrack is responsible for the embankments, it's not just the litter is a problem.
Loads of rabbits, which then come through onto the airfield attracting foxes/buzzards etc.
Railtrack don't seem to to be willing/able to do anything.
Loads of rabbits, which then come through onto the airfield attracting foxes/buzzards etc.
Railtrack don't seem to to be willing/able to do anything.
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MAG financing changes
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EK
Sam Chipperfield
Per the link below some A380 services will be affected by wing checks in March and April but Manchester is not listed. I suspect maybe just a light load, BHX also received a three class 77W lunchtime.
Emirates A380 Operation Changes in March / April 2012 | Airline Route
Pete
Per the link below some A380 services will be affected by wing checks in March and April but Manchester is not listed. I suspect maybe just a light load, BHX also received a three class 77W lunchtime.
Emirates A380 Operation Changes in March / April 2012 | Airline Route
Pete
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G-VEIL is to be the first A346 in the new colours. I believe G-VFAR has just been done and renamed from "Diana" to "Molly" after a very brave and ill young lady.
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Seems a great shame at a time when Gatwick are getting a daily Hong Kong Airlines service, China Southern are starting services from Heathrow and Cathay Pacific using B773s in the near future, Manchester is being overlooked for a direct service form the region.
As has been mentioned many times before, we have the demand and catchment area, but it still puzzles me.
Especially when a certain airline from that region operates cargo flights into MAN......
As has been mentioned many times before, we have the demand and catchment area, but it still puzzles me.
Especially when a certain airline from that region operates cargo flights into MAN......
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Swing78 it is a great shame and you do make a valid point about MAN but unfortunately I think Management at certain airlines know that they can't take a risk on long-haul direct services to certain regions. With the huge demand on the middle east routes (DXB, DOH, AUH), they know that most pax are more likely to go via there because it has a good reputation and it's reliable. Unless the new DCT services can take a large proportion of the passengers away from going via these airports, it would never be viable in the eyes of those airlines especially in this current economy.
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You are right, it just completely baffles me.
It seems to me to bizarre to have three/four airlines slugging it on a route...MAN-MAD for example and it will all end in tears for one or more.
But there is no-one willing to give Emirates some competition by offering a service direct to the 'source' !!
With Hong Kong pretty much sown at from London by Cathay and BA, why would another airline come along and put a daily service against them? but HKA have and are willing to give some competition on the route! Thats on top of all your legacy carriers that can offer connections from Heathrow via their hub
Still........and indeed
It seems to me to bizarre to have three/four airlines slugging it on a route...MAN-MAD for example and it will all end in tears for one or more.
But there is no-one willing to give Emirates some competition by offering a service direct to the 'source' !!
With Hong Kong pretty much sown at from London by Cathay and BA, why would another airline come along and put a daily service against them? but HKA have and are willing to give some competition on the route! Thats on top of all your legacy carriers that can offer connections from Heathrow via their hub
Still....
....and indeed
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But there is no-one willing to give Emirates some competition by offering a service direct to the 'source' !!
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Yes, direct to China still seems a way off. Better news though, is that SQ are to retain daily MAN-MUC-SIN for most of this year, having initially dropped the Thursday frequency. It will only be six a week during April, May and October. Not sure about winter yet.
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As a regular 4/5 times a year traveller to Hong Kong I can say I would much prefer a direct flight from Manchester. Currently I use EK as I prefer them to transiting Heathrow or Europe. I know quite a few others would agree withme. I think SOE you may be surprised at the demand for a direct HKG flight.