Belfast International-2
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Being new to this thread please excuse my naivety. With the announcement today that FR are switching from LGW to STN ex BFS and the slots now floating about for LGW in IAG workshops,is there any possibility of IAG reinstating BHD/LGW using either BA or EI?
Or maybe them being sold to Norwegian?
I use the BFS/LGW route for business and it has always been rammed. Living in the east of NI when EI pulled out of BHD /LGW it is a pain routing out of BFS. EI's rotations were always well used.
Love to hear others views on this one.
Or maybe them being sold to Norwegian?
I use the BFS/LGW route for business and it has always been rammed. Living in the east of NI when EI pulled out of BHD /LGW it is a pain routing out of BFS. EI's rotations were always well used.
Love to hear others views on this one.
Owen - we all realise you have an absolute loathing for Easyjet and Gatwick. We get it. But please get your facts right! Thameslink from Blackfriars (owing to the long term upgrade if London Bridge!) is now as quick as 45 mins. Gatwick Express is 30 mins (I'll give you that one). Southern to London Bridge - fastest trains do it in 51 minutes. Southern to Victoria - fastest trains do it in 35 minutes (and at half the price of the Gatwick Express to boot). Take it from the 10's of thousands of people who commute it daily as well as one off trips. We can all make statistics do what we want on forums such as these. Check the timetables if you want further clarification - and yes those are the currect timetables allowing for leaf fall and the redevelopment of London Bridge which has thrown all the times out.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
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Thameslink to London Bridge is around 30 minutes.
And of course, all options into London accept contactless payment, a time saver.
But back to flying...
I'm intrigued by what Ryanair will that Stansted aircraft after it arrives at 1415.
And how do people notice this stuff! I need to concentrate more...!
And of course, all options into London accept contactless payment, a time saver.
But back to flying...
I'm intrigued by what Ryanair will that Stansted aircraft after it arrives at 1415.
And how do people notice this stuff! I need to concentrate more...!
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Norn Iron
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It's hardly fair to say that Easyjet took a hammering on LGW. Ryanair picked a fight, muscled in and lost. Easy's yield management was arguably better. They didn't seat dump either.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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They did, part of the move is they dropped LGW for winter and therefore most likely broke the slot conditions and couldn't just restart in March again. It was a costly exercise for both operators on the route.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Belfast
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Suggest you re-read Husky One’s post. easyJet did nothing you say they did.
Ryanair on the other hand price dumped, failed to grab a market share and retreated to Stansted.
Ryanair on the other hand price dumped, failed to grab a market share and retreated to Stansted.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Whatever way you try and dress it up, they lost a lot as well. The route may not of been loss making however it suffered. Just look how expensive it's got now.
The minute Ryanair pulled LGW they could never of gone back on it. Now the question is was it a tactful pullout or just necessary in light of the problems.
The minute Ryanair pulled LGW they could never of gone back on it. Now the question is was it a tactful pullout or just necessary in light of the problems.
Join Date: May 2013
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cuthere, unfortunately since I'm booking such short notice I have no choice but to drive down next week. Cheaper than flying and cheaper and more convenient than getting the train and trekking across London. Frustratingly I actually need to be at Heathrow! So flying really is the most convenient way! Alas... I enjoy driving, so it's not all bad!
Join Date: Aug 2016
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At the official Treasury-permitted mileage rate of 45p/mile, to cover not just fuel but all mileage-related costs (tyres, servicing, and general wear and tear), your 500 mile round trip would give you over £200 in expenses. No chance of a train ticket for less? And if course National Express probably have direct services to LHR....
Join Date: Nov 2011
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I have to say for cheapness overall LTN comes up trumps. If we are talking convenience then all this STN V LGW talk goes over my head, BE BHD-LCY can't be beaten, using up avios it costs me £35 return and a few quid on the DLR, landing where I can see the city.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Whatever way you try and dress it up, they lost a lot as well. The route may not of been loss making however it suffered. Just look how expensive it's got now.
The minute Ryanair pulled LGW they could never of gone back on it. Now the question is was it a tactful pullout or just necessary in light of the problems.
The minute Ryanair pulled LGW they could never of gone back on it. Now the question is was it a tactful pullout or just necessary in light of the problems.
I assume the reason fares are high now is because easyJet are yield managing in the face of expected competition which is now gone. We all know airlines plan months in advance so this winters scheduling and fare decisions will have been made when competition from Ryanair was expected.
Also, some of the early weekday Gatwicks are now on A319’s instead of the A320, that’s 30 less seats on what would primarily be a business orientated flight. Of course prices are therefore going to be higher now overal capacity has reduced.
Ryanair stimulated a cheap, evidently, unsustainable market. I’m sure this was predicted on here and called out by others quite a while back. It looks like they are doing the same at STN, lead in fares were at 9.99 when I looked last night.
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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Ezy do not offer the best of schedules, especially at weekends. I flew Fr a number of times early Saturday/Sunday morning, flights were full. There is a market that Ezy do not serve. I use Lgw for connections, that will not be as easy now with just Ezy, longer waits or go over the night before. I also found Lgw to London the most suitable in terms of cost and length of journey, by picking the right trains.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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The special £35 tax/charges on avios short haul trips doesn't apply on BE services.Normal taxes charges apply ,so a rountrip on BHD/LCY is currently 9000 avios plus £ 89.94 cash. You can get an easyjet flight for that sort of cash and save yr avios.
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Probably something the airport CEO watched with gritted teeth: The aircraft of an airline doing business exclusively with your biggest competitor up the road comes in only to block your runway. The rules of the game if you have the best suited runway, but nevertheless slightly annoying...