BIRMINGHAM - 5
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SAS BHX-ARN
It looks as if the new SAS ARN service from BHX reduces to five weekly (daily ex Tue and Sat.) for Dec 2012, Jan and Feb 2013. Six weekly returns on 26th Feb. Discovered this while trying to book a pre-Christmas break.
Daza
Daza
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Berlin
Back from Berlin, went out on the first service Sunday 3rd June, as mentioned by Ian a few posts back.
I assume the fact it was a late Sunday evening, a UK bank holiday weekend and it was not going to the much heralded new Berlin airport was the reason why the first indication that it was the first service was at 37000ft over Germany during the first officers update of the progress of the flight?
No business pax outbound or inbound tonight but a very different make-up to each flight. Outbound Sunday the load was between 80-90 and most seem to be UK leisure pax and of course there was nothing too shocking about that.
Tonight was only third flight and was there was about 60 passengers but a much different make-up. There were a lot of Germans in suits and a lot of German speakers full-stop.
One source shows the A319 as 138 seats, which I must admit sounded a lot to fill for a BHX-Berlin flight on a daily basis but you never know.
What was interesting was the ultra-slimline racaro seat Lufthansa now use giving a lot of legroom for an aircraft the size of an A319 with 138 seats.
I would imagine very good for most LH missions but anything longer than three hours might affect your back even with the leather.
Pete
I assume the fact it was a late Sunday evening, a UK bank holiday weekend and it was not going to the much heralded new Berlin airport was the reason why the first indication that it was the first service was at 37000ft over Germany during the first officers update of the progress of the flight?
No business pax outbound or inbound tonight but a very different make-up to each flight. Outbound Sunday the load was between 80-90 and most seem to be UK leisure pax and of course there was nothing too shocking about that.
Tonight was only third flight and was there was about 60 passengers but a much different make-up. There were a lot of Germans in suits and a lot of German speakers full-stop.
One source shows the A319 as 138 seats, which I must admit sounded a lot to fill for a BHX-Berlin flight on a daily basis but you never know.
What was interesting was the ultra-slimline racaro seat Lufthansa now use giving a lot of legroom for an aircraft the size of an A319 with 138 seats.
I would imagine very good for most LH missions but anything longer than three hours might affect your back even with the leather.
Pete
When Maersk operated the daily flight, it was mainly economy passengers that filled the 737. Many times we used to carry over 100 down the back with the curtain divider at row 2.
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BBC News - Birmingham Airport passenger numbers increase
Seems things are on the up from Birmingham
Stockholm now has a press release on the website.
Seems things are on the up from Birmingham
Stockholm now has a press release on the website.
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BHX-ARN
Here is the official BHX press release.
SAS Announce New Route to Stockholm from Birmingham Airport - Birmingham Airport
Good news LH Hamburg, LH Berlin and now SAS Stockholm! Great news for legacy and low fares carriers at Birmingham this year.
SAS Announce New Route to Stockholm from Birmingham Airport - Birmingham Airport
Good news LH Hamburg, LH Berlin and now SAS Stockholm! Great news for legacy and low fares carriers at Birmingham this year.
Last edited by Daza; 6th Jun 2012 at 15:38.
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Quote: “The airport does not need another station it has one connected to the national rail system with three fast trains an hour taking about 75 minutes to London. As for the WCML being at full capacity in 2020, I would suggest that is just scaremongering by the proponents of HS2. I have driven trains over the WCML for about 15 years now and the capacity issues are more down to bully boy tactics by Beardies bunch over timetabling, rather than actual capacity issues.”
Interesting point McGoonagall!
Quote: “You seem to be confusing journos who have dumbed down the project and focused on the speed and are ignoring what those involved in the project are saying.
For once this country is looking ahead, the capacity issue that everyone agrees is coming (other than you Fairdealfrank - even the anti's do not argue that case) and plans are put in place to avoid the WCML running out of capacity.”
Not so, Manchester Kurt, the truth is that the HS2 was hastily cobbled together just before the 2010 election, so it's not the journos who dumbed it down! Politicians saw another band wagon rolling and as usual, jumped on it.
Have no objections to the principle of high speed rail, so please do not imply this. The objections are to the sloppy way it’s been put together and the way it has alienated millions. It’s lack of connectivity with existing transport interchanges is probably the best way to ensure it’s a white elephant.
Common sense dictates that they need to take the time to come up with a sensible scheme that links into and compliments existing rail, road and air options and so extends choice. It is, after all, an expensive and long term project, so use the money wisely and do not settle for second best.
Interesting point McGoonagall!
Quote: “You seem to be confusing journos who have dumbed down the project and focused on the speed and are ignoring what those involved in the project are saying.
For once this country is looking ahead, the capacity issue that everyone agrees is coming (other than you Fairdealfrank - even the anti's do not argue that case) and plans are put in place to avoid the WCML running out of capacity.”
Not so, Manchester Kurt, the truth is that the HS2 was hastily cobbled together just before the 2010 election, so it's not the journos who dumbed it down! Politicians saw another band wagon rolling and as usual, jumped on it.
Have no objections to the principle of high speed rail, so please do not imply this. The objections are to the sloppy way it’s been put together and the way it has alienated millions. It’s lack of connectivity with existing transport interchanges is probably the best way to ensure it’s a white elephant.
Common sense dictates that they need to take the time to come up with a sensible scheme that links into and compliments existing rail, road and air options and so extends choice. It is, after all, an expensive and long term project, so use the money wisely and do not settle for second best.
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Berlin
Pete,
Were you on the Tuesday evening flight? My in-laws were on that and they reckon there were only a handful of empty seats. They were down the front though so perhaps couldn't see.
They really liked the legroom
Were you on the Tuesday evening flight? My in-laws were on that and they reckon there were only a handful of empty seats. They were down the front though so perhaps couldn't see.
They really liked the legroom
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Berlin
ZULUBOY
I was on the Tuesday evening inbound to BHX in row 12, it was around here that most the passengers were seated. Business was empty and the last seven rows looked to have only a few pax as well.
I did a rough head-count at the gate a few times and I never got to more than 60 and everyone had a seat in what I can only describe as a compact area.
I won't go into detail of how Tegal works but I would say that the BBI delay has given them a few headaches to deal with but it made BHX look super efficient, especially when we landed the airbridge was ready and we walked virtually straight through immigration plus the "e-gates" were working as well.
With hand-luggage only we were waiting for our lift at the railway station within 15 minutes of touching down.
Pete
I was on the Tuesday evening inbound to BHX in row 12, it was around here that most the passengers were seated. Business was empty and the last seven rows looked to have only a few pax as well.
I did a rough head-count at the gate a few times and I never got to more than 60 and everyone had a seat in what I can only describe as a compact area.
I won't go into detail of how Tegal works but I would say that the BBI delay has given them a few headaches to deal with but it made BHX look super efficient, especially when we landed the airbridge was ready and we walked virtually straight through immigration plus the "e-gates" were working as well.
With hand-luggage only we were waiting for our lift at the railway station within 15 minutes of touching down.
Pete
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China pattern,
They were only rumours about the United flights, and you would expect them to use "The Olympic Gateway " airports down south.
Perhaps the best pointer so far was the story yesterday in the papers that many of the Olympic Atheletes will arrive in the UK in dribs and drabs on existing scheduled flights.
However will fly back mainly from Gatwick on chartered planes all together.
Therefore anything we pick up will be a real bonus at BHX..
As we are masters of the long park ups with FR Air Finland etc hopefully BHX can pull in that type of traffic.
Nigel
They were only rumours about the United flights, and you would expect them to use "The Olympic Gateway " airports down south.
Perhaps the best pointer so far was the story yesterday in the papers that many of the Olympic Atheletes will arrive in the UK in dribs and drabs on existing scheduled flights.
However will fly back mainly from Gatwick on chartered planes all together.
Therefore anything we pick up will be a real bonus at BHX..
As we are masters of the long park ups with FR Air Finland etc hopefully BHX can pull in that type of traffic.
Nigel
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Noticed some comments elsewhere referring to bmi A320 G-MIDX. Well I was on it yesterday on LH956, it's still in Star livery but has bmi's new brown leather seats! Also the fixed business class has been removed. Nice fresh interior, but the crew were very agitated. I spoke to cabin manager and she said they didn't know how long they would continue to fly for LH, and that they weren't being given any info by IAG/BA, some have been offered roles at LHR.
The in flight mag was May 2012! Full Star/LH/bmi flight announcements etc. you'd think they were still within that group.
Would I be right in thinking that whilst flying for LH they can't do so with re-painted BA a/c?
The in flight mag was May 2012! Full Star/LH/bmi flight announcements etc. you'd think they were still within that group.
Would I be right in thinking that whilst flying for LH they can't do so with re-painted BA a/c?
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G-MIDX
G-MIDX has only recently been used daily on the FRA route - either from MAN or BHX. G-MIDS was the regular plane from BHX until it went into EMA for the change to BA colours on 26 May. My understanding is that BD were/are in contract with LH for a two year period starting end March 2011 - although this could have been changed as part of the IAG deal. The flights from MAN have generally been in bmi colours since the contract started. Lufthansa web site shows bmi as operator of three of the four daily flights for the winter 11/12`timetable (i.e. as now).
Last edited by BHX2FRA; 7th Jun 2012 at 21:52.
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BHX-FRA
LH online timetable shows BHX-FRA 3 x daily operated BD flights until 30/3/13 plus 1 x daily LH operated: from 1/4/13 it reverts to an all LH operation 4 x daily using a combination of 735/319 equipment
This would substantiate the comment made about this being a 2 year contract but of course this could all now change with the IAG deal having gone through, you would have though LH being so keen to get rid of BD at any price they would want to sever all links with the airline.
This would substantiate the comment made about this being a 2 year contract but of course this could all now change with the IAG deal having gone through, you would have though LH being so keen to get rid of BD at any price they would want to sever all links with the airline.
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BHX-FRA
Whilst LH might not like IAG operating the BHX-FRA flights for the rest of the contracted period it does make commercial sense for both parties.
Presumably bmi had no need for the A320s themselves when they entered into the contract so we can presume IAG have no need for them now - let them continue to earn money oservicing the contract (assuming its a profit making contract!).
If LH pride encouraged them to seek to end the contract it would cost them money. They lost plenty of book money on the sale of bmi to IAG, why would they want to lose actual cash by terminating the contract early (presumably with penalties).
The A320 also offers greater capacity than the aircraft planned to replace them next April.
Perhaps G-MIDX will remain on this route and retain its Star Alliance livery until the end of the contract.
Off Stand - you may be correct about G-MIDS's livery. I was basing my comments on Jethros Fleet Listings which indicated a repaint at EMA on 26 May and G-MIDS flew in to EMA on that day.
Presumably bmi had no need for the A320s themselves when they entered into the contract so we can presume IAG have no need for them now - let them continue to earn money oservicing the contract (assuming its a profit making contract!).
If LH pride encouraged them to seek to end the contract it would cost them money. They lost plenty of book money on the sale of bmi to IAG, why would they want to lose actual cash by terminating the contract early (presumably with penalties).
The A320 also offers greater capacity than the aircraft planned to replace them next April.
Perhaps G-MIDX will remain on this route and retain its Star Alliance livery until the end of the contract.
Off Stand - you may be correct about G-MIDS's livery. I was basing my comments on Jethros Fleet Listings which indicated a repaint at EMA on 26 May and G-MIDS flew in to EMA on that day.
Last edited by BHX2FRA; 8th Jun 2012 at 08:51.
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Off Stand
So there is a chance then that a BA liveried aircraft could fly BHX-FRA if LH fulfill their contract with BD on this route until 2013? Unless it's going to take that long to repaint all the 319's? How very odd! I think we will see BHX-FRA going back to all LH operations sooner rather than later.
Out of interest, the BD crew operating BHX-FRA are LHR based? I assume they have to stay in BHX when doing these flights? Does anyone know how these flights are rostered?
So there is a chance then that a BA liveried aircraft could fly BHX-FRA if LH fulfill their contract with BD on this route until 2013? Unless it's going to take that long to repaint all the 319's? How very odd! I think we will see BHX-FRA going back to all LH operations sooner rather than later.
Out of interest, the BD crew operating BHX-FRA are LHR based? I assume they have to stay in BHX when doing these flights? Does anyone know how these flights are rostered?
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BHX-FRA
GayFriendly - for the summer schedule which includes a long layover in FRA in the morning, one crew operated the first flight in and out. A second crew then operates the second and third returns (afternoon and evening). I have been on two lengthy delayed afternoon returns from FRA. The first time a replacement crew was waiting in BHX to fly the third return. The second time the crew had to work the extra three hours.
The night time flight ban at FRA now causes issues. If the plane cannot get out of FRA by 2300 it is stranded there - last week a late running flight diverted into Cologne to avoid this issue.
The night time flight ban at FRA now causes issues. If the plane cannot get out of FRA by 2300 it is stranded there - last week a late running flight diverted into Cologne to avoid this issue.
Last edited by BHX2FRA; 8th Jun 2012 at 09:18. Reason: typo
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BHX-FRA
Thanks for the info BHX2FRA. I have always been fascinated by the intricacies of crew rostering ever since my days as crew working for BA - when we would nightstop in MAN after doing only three short sectors but do ATH (from LGW) as a very long there and back.....I often see KL and LH crew at BHX at all hours of the day so the same kind of night stopping on short haul must still happen?