I use Qatar out of Manchester once every 2 weeks at the moment, I have seen good loads. I'd say at least 80% but I did have one occurrence mid-April when the aircraft was nigh empty - Id say around 30% - but seems rare from my experience. Seems Qatar to Doha is booming with popularity - it's one of the best airlines I've used for hub ongoing connections.

Believe the new morning EK service has lowish pax numbers inbound and outbound, and with ok cargo loads, but EK expected it.
The A330s can't be as nice to travel in as the B777 and A380s, either.

I enquired about what I could expect in business class/lounges with BMI/Swiss to Barcelona about three weeks ago and I was grateful for replies.

Here goes: BMI lounge fine; five business classes passengers to Basel (89 in total); Basel airport lounge like an arboretum - very nice as airside otherwise dead. Business on Swiss Avro to BCN (3, rest of plane full) incredible service.

On way back in economy was rather surprised to find myself upgraded to business on ZRH-MAN leg. Business (about 16) and rest of plane full (A320). Think they'd overbooked and my name came up on computer as 'suitable for upgrade' as had travelled business (just a week) before.

At MAN the iris recognition didn't recognise me - I found the instructions very unclear - but at least I didn't have to go right to the back on failure, and although there seemed to be a massive queue it cleared well - about six minutes with seven staff on T1. Case waiting on belt - not bad for half-term.

So well done BMI/Swiss/MAN. I know a lot of you on the forum are regular business passengers and use your time in lounges, having a meal, getting on and off first for, erm... business. But I would recommend it as a treat, especially if airlines lower the prices a bit at weekends like Swiss do.

5 business class passengers was 4 more than the last time I flew the route. Total numbers sound about right, maybe strengthening slightly. Glas you had a good flight with the guys at BD and LX. I would say the product at LX is more consistent and overall better, but with a bit of focus and continuing investment in their product BD could be equally as good as LX and the likes.

The EK morning flight is a very early morning depp from DXB, and does not connect that well (for me anyway) with other services. Also A330 not as good seat wise as A380/B777. Jet lag would also be a problem if you can not sleep on planes, as it makes for a very long day after you arrive in Man.

lots of diversions today for some reason

ZB533 1355 Palma Diverted - Call Flightline on 090 10 10 1000
LS880 1400 Alicante Diverted - Call Flightline on 090 10 10 1000
WW3882 1420 Bordeaux Diverted - Call Flightline on 090 10 10 1000
ZB581 1425 Faro Diverted - Call Flightline on 090 10 10 1000
BD1344 1430 Lyon Diverted - Call Flightline on 090 10 10 1000

According to another website, there was a large thunderstorm around that time, hence the diversions

There where some really violent Thunderstorms over the Airfield earlier this afternoon hence the following diverted.

EMA = 1x Monarch A321, 1x Thomson B738, 1x bmi baby 733 & bmi regional E135
LBA = 1x Jet2 B733, 1x Thomson B752 & 1x Thomson A320
LPL = 1x Monarch A321, 1x bmi baby B733 & 1x Ryanair B738
BHX = 1x Monarch A320 & 1x Thomas Cook B763

The thunderstorms were very violent! I was travelling from Stockport back to Leeds via M60 and M62 and the conditions on the roads in my little car were appalling so I dread to think what the skies were like!

eJJ ;)

The thunderstorms were around, but not so violent. (I was playing golf at Styal through the afternoon, and my round was not disrupted.) Try the tropics in summer for seriously heavy-duty storms. Indonesia, Goa, Singapore, Jamaica and Orlando spring to mind.

Which is not to say that diversions are a bad idea, especially when flying with the plog fuel that one's company generally wishes. (Non-pilots disregard)

Who would have made the call regarding the weather?

Each pilot or ATC?

I presume the airfield didn't close?

The airfield did not close. Pilots were advised of the thunderstorm and asked if they wished to make an approach. Obviously, aircraft radar is better for weather and no one but the LH even considered an approach. The main problem was that the cell moved straight up the 23R ILS (ILS as was before it got taken out!)

New Jet2 routes!
 

3 new routes from Jet2 from March 2012:

Milan (Bergamo) 2x/week Wed & Sun
Paris CDG 4x/week Mon, Tues, Fr & Sun
Toulouse 3x/week Thurs, Fri, Sun

.....on sale now!:)

Wow really wouldnt have expected to see Paris, they are clearly trying to go for the leisure market here but that could now be 8+ flights on some days, surely thats too much?

It is however good to see Toulouse back after bmibaby leave at the end of this summer.

The main problem was that the cell moved straight up the 23R ILS (ILS as was before it got taken out!)

What took the ILS out? Lightning?

Flights have dropped since AF/BE started code sharing so I would think there is room for LS to restart the route

Ian B

It "failed" during the thunderstorm. Can only but assume.

LS To Paris
 

IAN

I cant see the AF/BE consortium letting LS on Paris as they seem to have a monopoly with this route with a lot of connecting passengers to/from Paris..

They maybe happy to let the Mickey Mouse pax (Going to Euro Disney) go on LS but I doubt it..

In my opion AF control which Airlines/at what time go to CDG

I might be wrong but I dont think so

So My assumption is

They will let LS Operate (They cant stop them) but they will get ****e slots at CDG and will only be picking up local (Eurodisney traffic)

An opionion only please dont shout at me as I might be wrong


Regards



NNN

There's a good mish mash of flight times on the route some Sundays and Mondays are in the afternoon while Thursday and Fridays get a late morning departure from MAN. What I have noticed though is all flights have a scheduled 45 minute turn time.