It's working out at a 23% cancellation rate on the NCL-LHR route so far.

Iberia Express don't even fly out of BCN so would consider that unlikely. Most likely one for Ryanair I'd say.

Ryanair currently operate NCL-BCN

Keep an eye on what happens with tomorrow’s flight, from what I’ve heard the outbound leg will be near empty. Todays isn’t much better either.

You can usually tell by their fares as they sell from low to high and don’t usually reduce them.

Today’s probably isn’t that bad without being anywhere near full but tomorrow looks completely empty on the outbound.

However, judging by the price of the inbounds for today and tomorrow (£171.99) and the seat map, it’s pretty full.

You are correct on today.

Athens
 

Athens to start in June with A3 2x weekly

thanks to Sean1997 on twitter

Interesting. Slightly leftfield. Wonder how well it will do… 0500 arrival… nice

Athens was last served around 20 years ago with Kosmar Holidays and Excel Airways
times were the same then and it did ok

Think Aegean have done similar timings when they've started at EDI and MAN. Is getting the early morning ferries to the islands still a thing??

I would be thinking more about getting the early morning flights to the islands, rather than the ferry. Aegean/Olympic and SkyExpress have a large wave to the islands departing ATH about 7 am or 8 am
Worth noting that Aegean have a flight departing Heathrow at 22:15, arriving Athens 03:50 - it departs daily, even in January and February.

In the summer their edi service arrives in edinburgh in the late evening and flies back overnight - it's the last scheduled departure.

5 people got off the LHR to NCL today.

Aegean
 

I certainly used the BHX service when it operated with onward connection early morning to Rhodes. Lets say I won't be doing it again after getting a a right ear-bashing from the rest of the family as the outbound was just horrible. Departed BHX around 22:45 and arrived around 4am local time and I fell into the trap of going for the cheapest option to save around £250 and opted for the 7.30am connection rather than 6am one and what a mistake. Everything was closed until 6am yet some flights were departing at that time and there were hardly any seats with loads of people lying on the floor. This was then followed by a connection onto a Dash 8 :eek:.

Even the return didn't work out as I opted for the 10am departure from Rhodes to give us time to nip into Athens on the way back before the return to BHX but two of the party were unwell and all decided to abandon the trip leaving around 7 hours airside but we did get a break as non-schengen we were in a quiet spacious part of departures and it was actually quite calming and the better half was able to lay across three seats to rest her back that had gone that morning.

Hopefully the arrivals aspect has improved for those early morning departures from Athens.

This time around Aegean have given BHX a mid-morning departure which is lovely outbound but an early start coming home if you are on one of the islands.

Pete

Aegian operated Valencia to Athens 2/3 times per week this summer with a 02.00 departure from VLC, to connect with the onward lights to the Islands I assume.

Aegean is great news, just need Turkish to get their flights on sale now and that’s a decent chunk of market sewn up!

Based on the rumours I’d expect to see a x4/5 weekly NCL-IST A32x/737 announcement to commence between March-October 2023. Fingers crossed.

Aegean flight times are actually decent for connections, holidays and short city breaks. The fares are also bloody good. 55EUR each way, you’d only get better with Ryanair. Connections available as well, timed great for them and pretty standard for the market. Late out of the UK, early into ATH is normal.


As for Flybe, flew NCL-LHR 21/11. 22 pax onboard. Not bad all things considered.
Departed bang on time, landed early, aircraft have had a spit and polish legroom and onboard service better than BA I felt. Tea, coffee, juice, water and biscuits or savoury snacks. Lovely friendly crew. Paid £58 for the mid-range fare, was £39.99 for the cheapo.

Would I fly them again - yes probably. Would I trust them to get me there if my schedule was tight - probably not.

BA will continue getting my regular business until at least the end of W22/23 in March. Come S23 let’s see if Flybe pull a bit of credibility out of the bag (and see if the route survives). If so, I’ll book again and not just for the novelty factor.

For the people - I hope they don’t Cock up this time. But I won’t hold my breath

" Late out of the UK, early into ATH is normal"

I have never seen a 22:25 departure and an 03:15 arrival as anything other than hell on earth - and what a way to start a holiday! I'd need a separate holiday to get over it

I am with you there, especially if you are staying in a hotel with a 3pm check-in.

Hopefully the route isn't dependent on your patronage for its success. As has been mentioned above, that doesn't seem to be the market they are aiming at. This is a strategy that Aegean have employed successfully at other UK airports, so hopefully it will be a success.

There's also a reply to the airports post on FB that there had been extensive campaigning from the local Greek community for an ATH route.

At least AEGEAN are giving plenty of time for prospective passengers to find out about the route (start date 16th June 23) unlike our friends at FLYBE who gave would-be travellers 1 weeks notice of the commencement of service.

RYANAIR have now published timings and days of operation on the Paphos route for summer 23, leaving CORK as the only route with no dates or timings after Mar 23.