LUTON -8

[Aluminium shuffler]

LTNman, as you say, it can't overtake STN or LGW, not even close. The access will never be as good, the car parks smaller, the apron markedly less efficient and the runway (including entries, exits, length and the need for backtracks) will always reduce maximum flow below what the others can manage, even after the planned redevelopment work. The site is too restricted by the existing infrastructure and really needs a fresh start with a clean sheet.

[LTNman]

It beggars the question what is the airports ultimate capacity? At some point those green fields on the flat lands south of the runway will become attractive but after this present work is finished another extension to the lease would be required.

[runway08]

We could all be using teleportation devices when that becomes an issue

Lets bask in the next 5/10 years, Luton will have enough room to do its own thing for now.

I still havent seen any promotion of the Compagnie flights.

[LTNman]

They have run smallish adverts in the Business sections of the London Evening Standard

[Boeing737-8]

Just been looking at sun express flights
Lands at 8:15
Takes off at 9:05
This would land right in the middle of Wizz hour

[PLAMALTN]

More Long Haul?

Whilst belting down the M1 this morning I heard an interview with the new Airport CEO.

He has mooted the idea that LTN is becoming more and more attractive to long haul customers as LHR/LGW become more crowded.

Is this another watch this space? or just wishful thinking? Perhaps there is some scope for 787 operators in the (nearish) future?

[wallp]

I've been looking on the (not very good) La Compagnie website and I see that passengrs have use of the 'Aspire Lounge' at LTN. As I understand it, anyone can book to just this lounge, it's not specifically for La Compagnie passengers ? Is this a temporary measure until they get a dedicated facility? I just wondered what special facilities or arrangements departing passengers will get?

[LTNman]

Just Goggled Aspire lounge Luton Airport. The new larger lounge which opens in the spring will now have full size Spa facilities and snooze pods. Whether that lounge can accommodate a full load going to New York on top of its normal passengers remains to be seen.

I can only assume they have taken over the empty space on the other side of the staircase as I am sure there was provision for 2 lounges when the terminal was built.

[whitelighter]

I even get in the Aspire lounge free with my Bank card.

And I think my Amex card

And yes, I think you can pay £15 and get in - certainly you can at STN and other Aspire lounges.

T5 BA Club lounge it isnt...

[wallp]

Not exactly the exclusive or 'boutique' experience passengers paying business class prices might expect. Am surprised they don't have a lounge which is dedicated to La Compagnie only

[22/04]

I think what Business Class passengers expect depends on where they are and what they paid.

I can tell you that the Premium Plaza in Delhi used by Virgin Atlantic isn't great either and BA don't have a dedicated lounge there.

And as a Budget Business Class, all that might be really important is escaping from the Madding Crowd.

I am more concerned about the amateur marketing and website of this product than the lounge. Doesn't bode well

[LTNman]

A dedicated lounge for one flight a day is probably a cost to far.

[wallp]

The website is awful. It's their major marketing tool and its badly constructed. It doesn't bode well at all.

As for the lounge, yes I agree that a dedicated lounge for one flight a day is probably a cost too far. It could be a lounge that's used by other carriers at other times of the day? If I'm paying the prices they're charging I expect something which is a little better than something which anyone can buy and use if they choose.

I wish La Compagnie well but I've seen nothing yet to suggest that they have their product offer right.

[Angels-One-Five]

To be fair La Compangie are making it work out of paris - is the london market radically different?

The non-exclusive lounge is a pain and will put some off but it's the flight where you spend the bulk of your time. The web site is poor, but it works and at least pricing is now in Stirling and you can book tickets for £1300 each return right through out the summer.

I'm almost tempted

[wallp]

Competition is fierce. Yes the price is good, so lets hope they get the marketing right to really promote the service.

[Lee Baker Street]

25 MPPA?

@LTNman 'It beggars the question what is the airports ultimate capacity?'

I would say the building of a remote pier to the east of the airfield (currently car park and future car park area) could easily accommodate up to 16 a/c.

That would result in accommodating an extra 5 to 6 million resulting in Luton being able to handle up to 24 million passengers and if they extended the runway by a modest 900 feet within the perimeter of the airfield (which I believe is possible) then slightly larger a/c could be accommodated resulting in a possible extra million making Luton able to handle 25 MPPA within the current airfield boundary.

That's my view anyhow

[wallp]

Even if a remote pier was built and the runway extended, could the airport infrastructure cope?

With improvements planned to the terminal, would they be enough for 25mppa or would the terminal need to be extended further or even be complemented with a second facility? Could the road and rail facilities which service the airport cope without further expansion?

Whilst a runway extension is a nice idea, is it necessary? Luton's bread and butter is likely to remain low-cost, short haul. Even if some more long-haul is added, Luton can already accommodate the 787, A330 and presumably the A350 too?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Luton getting up to 25 mppa but there are infrastructure challenges that would need to be addressed to make that happen over and above the changes currently being planned.

[LTNman]

The terminal has a modular design and could be expanded south across what is now the taxi rank. I think the real issue would be the CTA. This can't be expanded and any additional expansion to the terminal just shrinks the available space for the road layout, bus station and parking.

A plan was mooted by the airport many years ago to move the landside facilities to a new building on the other side of the tunnel leaving the existing terminal as pure airside. Going back in time even further there was another plan to build a pure landside terminal over the railway line. It would be hugely expensive and some sort of driverless train would be needed to join both buildings.

Of course there always remains the option to expand south of the runway with terminal two but both these options would be years away.

[pabely]

La Compagnie

They are getting some press on CNN Money

Fly business class to London for 50% less - Feb. 4, 2015

[Buster the Bear]

Wizz to increase Luton - Sofia flights

Wizz Air to Fly to Five New Destinations from Sofia - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency