BIRMINGHAM - 5
HS2 station
So by the time you arrive at this new HS2 station, got your bags off the train, found your way to the new 'capsule' that will take you to the airport (possibly via the NEC) how much time have you saved as opposed the the current way?
Now if you start your journey at the new HS2 station catch your train direct to LHR then there would be considerable time saving. LHR would be the benefactors because they would be taking business away from BHX with their cheaper fares and choice of destinations.
Anyone thought of the costs of traveling on HS2?
Now if you start your journey at the new HS2 station catch your train direct to LHR then there would be considerable time saving. LHR would be the benefactors because they would be taking business away from BHX with their cheaper fares and choice of destinations.
Anyone thought of the costs of traveling on HS2?
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Crewmeal,
At present hs2, won't serve LHR directly, so you'd still need a change at Old Oak Common, and even then, xrail still doesn't go to T5. We don't know if LHR Express will make a stop at OOC, nor do we know what the stopping patterns would be on hs2.
Afaik, the cost of tickets will be 'in-line' with current fares, although this doesn't explain how even part of the capital costs of the line would be paid for, nor how the then holder of the WCML franchise would react to what would surely be unfair competition if track access on the new line was 'given away' below a fairer market rate - although the WCML itself is also still subsidised at present (so I understand), even if VT do turn a small operating profit in the region of £2-3 per passenger.
So yes, in terms of routing, hs2 could lose BHX many more passengers than it gains them, but that is assuming (a) that LHR will have room to take them and (b) anyone from further north speeds straight past BHX and onto LHR, which might not be the case.
Either way, I'd see hs2 as a big gamble at best from this perspective - even with the runway extension, how many high yield lh routes will be added?
If the station was combined with the current one, there would at least be a much better chance of gaining on the parking revenue, whichever airport passengers end up flying from, if they fly at all.
At present hs2, won't serve LHR directly, so you'd still need a change at Old Oak Common, and even then, xrail still doesn't go to T5. We don't know if LHR Express will make a stop at OOC, nor do we know what the stopping patterns would be on hs2.
Afaik, the cost of tickets will be 'in-line' with current fares, although this doesn't explain how even part of the capital costs of the line would be paid for, nor how the then holder of the WCML franchise would react to what would surely be unfair competition if track access on the new line was 'given away' below a fairer market rate - although the WCML itself is also still subsidised at present (so I understand), even if VT do turn a small operating profit in the region of £2-3 per passenger.
So yes, in terms of routing, hs2 could lose BHX many more passengers than it gains them, but that is assuming (a) that LHR will have room to take them and (b) anyone from further north speeds straight past BHX and onto LHR, which might not be the case.
Either way, I'd see hs2 as a big gamble at best from this perspective - even with the runway extension, how many high yield lh routes will be added?
If the station was combined with the current one, there would at least be a much better chance of gaining on the parking revenue, whichever airport passengers end up flying from, if they fly at all.
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Either way, I'd see hs2 as a big gamble
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getonitt,
Despite its exorbitant cost, hs2 still has cross party support. Justine Greening is an accountant, so she might baulk at the figures, but eslewhere throughout the House are politicians who have seen a taste of what they have on the continent and are salivating for the UK to have some more.
The rest of that is for jetblast, so within the context of BHX, my comment was on the design of the station, which I have not seen debated much elsewhere.
If hs2 doesn't happen, then obviously we stick with the station we have, but the runway extension is going ahead regardless, and even if hs2 was scrapped, that doesn't mean the budget gets transferred to the roads.
Despite its exorbitant cost, hs2 still has cross party support. Justine Greening is an accountant, so she might baulk at the figures, but eslewhere throughout the House are politicians who have seen a taste of what they have on the continent and are salivating for the UK to have some more.
The rest of that is for jetblast, so within the context of BHX, my comment was on the design of the station, which I have not seen debated much elsewhere.
If hs2 doesn't happen, then obviously we stick with the station we have, but the runway extension is going ahead regardless, and even if hs2 was scrapped, that doesn't mean the budget gets transferred to the roads.
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Flybe
What's happening with Flybe? Following on from the Budapest speculation, Bergen is now showing in the drop-down for routes from BHX staring 16th May but flights aren't bookable. There are also some new Scottish destinations as well as Donegal and Knock showing. I take it they are codeshare routes?
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What's happening with Flybe? Following on from the Budapest speculation, Bergen is now showing in the drop-down for routes from BHX staring 16th May but flights aren't bookable. There are also some new Scottish destinations as well as Donegal and Knock showing. I take it they are codeshare routes?
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Thomson Winter 2012/3
It would appear that TOM Hurgada and Luxor are set to return from BHX for Winter 2012/3. Boa Vista and Sal appear again as do the usual Canary Island flights.
Daza
Daza
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BE Budapest
The Budapest route on the drop down menu is simply the Air France flight that BE codeshare on. It operates out of CDG so has always been bookable via BE Call Centre but finally they are trying to get them online. Others that will start appearing if they have not already are:
BHX-LYS (AF)
SOU-MRS (BE SOUORY AF ORYMRS)
I expect many more as well because if my memory serves me right the codeshare included links to Vienna, Athens and a host of others
BHX-LYS (AF)
SOU-MRS (BE SOUORY AF ORYMRS)
I expect many more as well because if my memory serves me right the codeshare included links to Vienna, Athens and a host of others
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Code-share
Cloud1
Thank you for the information and I suppose that was going to the likely answer it is just odd how after 14 months it has taken so long.
As you say, Lyon is also only now bookable despite it being a direct flight.
In theory I would have expected all Air France's European destinations appear if not worldwide but I suppose with IT Sorftware even in this day and age it is not that easy.
Daza
Both already bookable by the look of it. More flights than this winter so I suspect a 738 all winter?
Day changes Boa Vista moves to Wednesday and its Tuesday spot is taken by an extra Arrecife. Thursday sees Tenerife go but a second Las Palmas added.
Friday sees TFS, SSH and Hurghada compared to just TFS this year.
FUE is back on Wednesday with PFO, Luxor and Boa Vista which makes four based so that will probably end up on the Thomas Cook like this year. Enfidha stays on a Wednesday as an away based aircraft. Monday is the same as now FNC, LPA & SSH as is Sunday AGP, TFS, ACE & SSH.
Pete
Thank you for the information and I suppose that was going to the likely answer it is just odd how after 14 months it has taken so long.
As you say, Lyon is also only now bookable despite it being a direct flight.
In theory I would have expected all Air France's European destinations appear if not worldwide but I suppose with IT Sorftware even in this day and age it is not that easy.
Daza
Both already bookable by the look of it. More flights than this winter so I suspect a 738 all winter?
Day changes Boa Vista moves to Wednesday and its Tuesday spot is taken by an extra Arrecife. Thursday sees Tenerife go but a second Las Palmas added.
Friday sees TFS, SSH and Hurghada compared to just TFS this year.
FUE is back on Wednesday with PFO, Luxor and Boa Vista which makes four based so that will probably end up on the Thomas Cook like this year. Enfidha stays on a Wednesday as an away based aircraft. Monday is the same as now FNC, LPA & SSH as is Sunday AGP, TFS, ACE & SSH.
Pete
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IST & AGP
Turkish has been doing better recently and is of no surprise although not
bookable as yet.
Ryanair have added an extra Malaga in July on a Tuesday and then it seems
to change to Friday in August but both flights are operated from Malaga rather
than the BHX base. This brings the Malaga back to a similar frequency to this summer when there were two flights on a Saturday.
Murcia as pointed out a few posts ago is still just twice weekly.
The last LH Cityline Munich CRJ-900 has operated this afternoon with it reverting
back to all 195 operation, which is quite an increase in seats.
Following on the one Frankfurt operated by Lufthansa metal changes in just
over a week to the A319 from the 735/733 mix.
Air France once again have some A320's scheduled in January making the summer change on AF1564/5 to the CRJ1000 curious.
BHX has also seen the three class United (ex CO) 757's with the six less
seats although that will make little difference except for the fact there
are now 45 economy plus seats to sell along with the 16 business-first
and 108 economy!
Pete
bookable as yet.
Ryanair have added an extra Malaga in July on a Tuesday and then it seems
to change to Friday in August but both flights are operated from Malaga rather
than the BHX base. This brings the Malaga back to a similar frequency to this summer when there were two flights on a Saturday.
Murcia as pointed out a few posts ago is still just twice weekly.
The last LH Cityline Munich CRJ-900 has operated this afternoon with it reverting
back to all 195 operation, which is quite an increase in seats.
Following on the one Frankfurt operated by Lufthansa metal changes in just
over a week to the A319 from the 735/733 mix.
Air France once again have some A320's scheduled in January making the summer change on AF1564/5 to the CRJ1000 curious.
BHX has also seen the three class United (ex CO) 757's with the six less
seats although that will make little difference except for the fact there
are now 45 economy plus seats to sell along with the 16 business-first
and 108 economy!
Pete
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UA/CO
The 757 is still a 2 class cabin aircraft. Economy plus is just extra legroom seating similar to monarch's aircraft that is available to purchase but free to Mileage plus elite members.
Currently 23 have been upgraded to have the Economy plus seating with the rest due for completion by the end of January.
Currently 23 have been upgraded to have the Economy plus seating with the rest due for completion by the end of January.
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Worcbert;
Re United 757s
Surely then, you will now have economy seats at one price, premium economy at higher price, and business class as the most expensive..so to the passenger thats 3 choices at different prices..
so although its only seating thats different its still 3 class options
Nigel
Re United 757s
Surely then, you will now have economy seats at one price, premium economy at higher price, and business class as the most expensive..so to the passenger thats 3 choices at different prices..
so although its only seating thats different its still 3 class options
Nigel
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Class is not simply based on price.
Economy Class is sold at numerous different prices.
On UA Economy Plus is simply the economy product with 4in extra seat pitch.
Premium Economy on VS and Ba for example is in a different cabin, different seats, different catering, different check in.
These things diferentiate the class - not simply the fare paid.
Economy Class is sold at numerous different prices.
On UA Economy Plus is simply the economy product with 4in extra seat pitch.
Premium Economy on VS and Ba for example is in a different cabin, different seats, different catering, different check in.
These things diferentiate the class - not simply the fare paid.
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UA economy plus
The UA Economy plus is sold or given as an "extra". Like a exit row seat that are an additional cost. The class or "bucket" that the seat in economy is sold does not change due to a economy plus seat being sold or taken by elite passengers.
The service is the same, the food's the same the only benefit is the legroom
The service is the same, the food's the same the only benefit is the legroom
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Lyon
ticketondeparture
The article concerned has been trashed in some quarters and although the service is far from safe it is supposed to be only "under review", which can be
interpreted on similar lines as a football manager being told by his chairman that his job is safe, a week before he gets the sack.
Obviously the Parent (Air France) has a strategy in place for the French regions (See the growth with NCE, MRS & BOD) but Lyon's position has not been commented on as much other than easyjet's expansion and AF haven't yet shown any desire to fight fire with fire like they have at Nice.
The 50 seat business model we are constantly told is bust and Brit Air have been reducing their fleet steadily and this is probably where the problem arises for the Lyon to BHX, Prague and Hamburg services.
Most list the CRJ1 fleet at 14 but looking at Libhomeradar this shows two have not flown for months and another two possibly on maintenance or gone.
One flew BHX-LYS on 16/12 and then has a positioning flight number and another flew Orly - Norwich yesterday although whether this data is reliable I am not sure.
Eight of the fleet have been active in the last two days with a reduced timetable (Lyon and Orly bases) but I imagine it is a case of something will change in the not too distant future.
As I have said before a twice a day CRJ700 would seem to be overkill on the current pax numbers but I would hope for a daily service (CR7 or CRK) by either Brit Air or even flybe (Q400/175/195), as they code-share the route.
A daily 175 would only be a loss of 24 seats a day and seems an ideal alternative but we will have to wait and see.
Pete
The article concerned has been trashed in some quarters and although the service is far from safe it is supposed to be only "under review", which can be
interpreted on similar lines as a football manager being told by his chairman that his job is safe, a week before he gets the sack.
Obviously the Parent (Air France) has a strategy in place for the French regions (See the growth with NCE, MRS & BOD) but Lyon's position has not been commented on as much other than easyjet's expansion and AF haven't yet shown any desire to fight fire with fire like they have at Nice.
The 50 seat business model we are constantly told is bust and Brit Air have been reducing their fleet steadily and this is probably where the problem arises for the Lyon to BHX, Prague and Hamburg services.
Most list the CRJ1 fleet at 14 but looking at Libhomeradar this shows two have not flown for months and another two possibly on maintenance or gone.
One flew BHX-LYS on 16/12 and then has a positioning flight number and another flew Orly - Norwich yesterday although whether this data is reliable I am not sure.
Eight of the fleet have been active in the last two days with a reduced timetable (Lyon and Orly bases) but I imagine it is a case of something will change in the not too distant future.
As I have said before a twice a day CRJ700 would seem to be overkill on the current pax numbers but I would hope for a daily service (CR7 or CRK) by either Brit Air or even flybe (Q400/175/195), as they code-share the route.
A daily 175 would only be a loss of 24 seats a day and seems an ideal alternative but we will have to wait and see.
Pete
To think back in Maersk days they would fill a CRJ200 daily on the LYS route. It's not particularly a business route, so why the decline in pax numbers to warrant all this uncertainty? BA had the marketing tools then, AF have them now. What's gone wrong? (Please don't say BHX management)