Fair point, they will indeed target those wanting to get to the Wharf in a hurry but they're not going to succeed without flying a jet I suspect. Time will tell.

It all depends on your reason for travel, I've just booked two returns on BHD-LCY going out on the lunchtime flight which is perfect for me as no early start and there in time to have dinner and a show, shopping the next day and return on the late flight. Perfect!

Show......the west end!! And you flying to East of London? Please inform us of the price you paid as I think EI BA or Ezy might be cheaper?

dan - hope you have a great time. LCY is a far more civilised airport than Gatwick, Luton or Stansted. If the price is the same or only marginally more than other UK airports, you've picked the right London airport

Gaz....at least he's flying to London and not Hounslow....LCY is still 30 mins closer to the west end (minimum)....all pointless arguments at the end of the day. The consumer will pick what they perceive to be the most convenient airport if it's up to them. If it's corporate travel then the company policy will dictate the options available.

Tartinton
Would love to find out his price. Yes it's horses for courses as far as flying to London is concerned
As I have previously posted I hope pax look at the full cost of the weekend away, airport car parking flight cost and travelling to hotel.
In the past even though LHR slightly more expensive the underground on Piccadilly line to west end just as cheap, and even STN or previously SEN just as good and three stops on central line to holborn from Liverpool street
Hope he has a great weekend

Its horses for courses I suppose. For instance, for where I'm based by M11 LCY can be a good option - I do miss WW flying STN-BHD which was so quick city to city. I don't suppose BE will drastically affect any other operator but at least they will have a foothold again in the Belfast-London market. Also, despite the negative comments the DH8 is pretty decent to fly on, fairly familiar size for LCY and BHD pax - also wondering will it lead to connections through BA or other airlines. LCY is a lot better known and greatly developed route network since the last attempt at BHD. Another point about the DH8 is its not a 150+ seater jet to have to fill, cheap to operate and so not such a huge gamble. After all this time EI still have yet to fly more than 3 rotations out of either LON airport. BE are well known from BHD and seem intent on being well known at LCY, I'd say they have everything going for them, wish them well - certainly more niche than cutthroat LGW.

GAZMO why are you so concerned how much I paid? it isn't the only factor. Last time I travelled EI from LGW I had a horrible experience, hemmed in with no knee room in the last row on a delayed flight. Tried to engage with crew as to what caused the delay and they couldn't of been less interested.
I like flybe 2:2 seating as I can sit with my partner undisturbed, also fewer annoying onboard announcements. I know the Q400 maybe a little rough around the edges compared to the jet but you get a better feeling of flying the way they move and the sense of speed on take off. Add that to the 79.99 return fare I am chuffed!

Dan, have to agree...just posted this on the FlyBe forum...

From 1 May BA will codeshare on EI"a service to LGW.

Virgin have missed a trick there. :(

Sounds like the 319s. If they haven't fixed the seat layout in those by next time I've to fly to LGW (ex DUB) I may have to reconsider my self-imposed FR ban. Basically only the front 8 rows have legroom as the seats are positioned for business/economy on IB still.

Yes it was a 319. Very unpleasant being seated at the back.

LGW not showing as option when you try to book on BA. Says we do not operate

I think it will only come up as part of a connecting flight.

144 seats is standard for 319 (except for ezy who have 156 due to their specific requirements and additional emergency exits), so no reason why EI cannot improve the distribution of them. Aer Lingus have made no effort to change the seating configuration as they have had feedback and the crew were aware of it... Crew have said on LHR and LGW to me, we will move you up to the front ... Not so nice when the 319 is on the European sectors bring in a cramped seat.

Its laziness or an unwillingness to pay to have it done rather than an impossibility definitely. Easyjet's 156 layout isn't even that horrendous compared to the post-row-8 seats on EI; I've done it quite comfortably from CPH-MAN but I can't actually sit straight in the EI seats.

It might be worth putting it all in perspective. The majority of EI 319 flights are sectors of around 1 hour. I've done LGW-NOC on one and found it no worse than say EZY and I'm 6ft. Try doing standard legroom seat on MON A321 to the canaries, that's like 4 hrs in the life of a battery hen. I quite like the recaro seats and I wish EI would re space them but it comes at a cost in a market that's demanding low fares and that's the driver of such decisions ultimately.

To reposition the seats is not complicated but it is very time consuming. They are screwed into rails on the floor with connection point about every inch or so, essentially there are teeth you slot the bottom of the seats into and secure. The thing is when you are doing alot of work with the seats you can do bugger all else under the floors. Time is money

More than likely EI are waiting until heavy C Checks are required to re-plan the seating layout.