BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL

[DC9_10]

We're of to Boston and Cape Cod 5th To 15th September. £750.00 rtn 2 reserved seats, inflight meals and bags. Bargain. Our friends who booked today paid £877.00.

[mart901]

AerRyan

That's grand. Call it what suits I should be more gracious.

Anyways on the subject of Norwegian I believe they sold out all the £65 seats in 6 hours yesterday. I'm not sure what the BFS bookings were like exactly but all the promo seats are gone according to Norwegian, the booking for DUB/ORK/SNN were over 5000 in those six hours.

[AerRyan]

If bookings go well up to October, I can see Norwegian extending it through winter.

[DC9_10]

Mart, yesterday afternoon we could have got our seats for £630.00 and in the space of an hour they went up to the price we paid. Mrs DC_9 used debit card so don't think there was a fee. The price our friends paid today is higher which might suggest it will be popular. Hope so and good luck to Norwegian. Can't wait to report back on the experience.

[mart901]

Looking forward to hearing. I checked in the morning was £65 o/w but November dates weren't available for the return, I tweeted them to see when winter would be on sale, they replied unsure. By 5pm when I was back in and able to book winter was on sale and a bare bones return flight was like £340 return. It's gone up slightly since. When all said and done it's cheaper via LHR and luggage/meals/drinks included. And DUB most expensive of all. Fair play to Norwegian though and I'm sure there will be sales again soon

[DC9_10]

Our fares are all in Mart. Luggage meals etc and seat choice. Think we might bring a few little beverages on board for the trip from the duty free as you only get a free drink with your meal.

[mart901]

That's great then

[DC9_10]

The only thing that surprises me are the long layover times at BFS for the aircraft's. Surely they could throw in a few European flights like Copenhagen in between, especially in the peak summer months. Just a thought.

[AerRyan]

It's the same story for SNN, ORK, DUB and EDI. I think it's a buffer in the schedule in order to prevent Norwegian having the same issues it had with the 787's in Gatwick

[BFS BHD]

Likely end up being more spain routes (BCN, ALC etc) instead of new airports like Copenhagen.

[DC9_10]

BFS BHD, probably right but they seem a bit more adventurous than the run of the mill LoCos. Hopefully, a Scandinavian route will come to fruition in the future.

[AerRyan]

I don't agree, Ryanair is the main LCC in Europe and they're very adventurous, just because Norwegian started US routes, doesn't mean that all of a sudden they'll be starting all these peculiar routes.

[DC9_10]

AerRyan, yes Ryanair are very forthcoming with routes, no one disagrees with that and good on them. They have pushed boundaries where no other operator would. Norwegian have also and good on them too. When I worked in revenue, for a long time I might add, two of the largest markets for transfer passengers were Lisbon/Oporto and Copenhagen. Fares were high especially when BMI had the Belfast market all to itself. The tobacco industry connection was always a money spinner for BMI for Star Alliance as Murray Sons closed production in Belfast and Gallaher outsourced pipe tobacco production to Orlik in Denmark. That connection still exists as a lot of workers transferred to Orlik. I just think Copenhagen would be a great addition as the market is there.

[A320.b744]

Norwegian did mention that if the transatlantic services were a success, they would consider Scandinavian flights from Belfast. Though I'd say it'd be 2019 at the earliest for these potential routes to be announced.

[owenc]

The prices will probably come down again.. Maybe £280-300 return?

[mart901]

When the CEO of Norwegian was interviewed in regards to BFS yesterday he said if the routes were successful others may follow, most likely Scandinavia

[True Blue]

I see in the article in today's telegraph, Bfs hope that a third route to America might be announced soon. Any guesses on that?

[BFS BHD]

Was that in the newspaper True Blue or on the website if it was on website have you got a link?

[BFS BHD]

Just found it online. Sounds like the MD means it will be another airline. Delta was mentioned when United pulled out.

[DC9_10]

TB read that today also.Graham Keddie has said on going discussions and a hopeful announcement within a timeframe and start up of six months. Imagine the possibilities for our main airport in the north. I'm sharing my love in ( as Cutters from Derry) likes to say with over five million passengers a year.