Low cost 767 service to USA

[Woodman]

I've heard stories of a 'low cost' 767 service to the USA starting next summer either from, or based in, LTN.

Anyone know anything?

[cowboy]

No. But sounds like a great idea!

[SAS23]

Ah yes, this would be the low cost airline using refurbished L 1011's :D

[LGW Vulture]

Count to ten......and Ignore!!

[Cello]

Both Blue Fox and Mama Air are planning new services next year.

Their websites are :

http://www.bluefoxairlines.com (based Stansted) and

http://www.mama-air.com (based Manston)

Cello

[foxmoth]

Don't know about Mama but I don't think Blue Fox is aiming for low cost as such but specialising in business pax.

[nitefiter]

be like bmi baby then!

[Miss Management]

Whatever next?
We now have Mama, Baby, I suppose next to come are DaddyAir and even MistressAir or just plain StressAir?

[shafted@work]

maybe a bit to early for pubicair????!!!!!:D

[justforfun]

www.skybus.com

Dunno anything else about it....... :rolleyes:

[Woodman]

Justforfun

That link goes to an internet training company. Did you mean that?

Skybus sounds like a likely name.

[justforfun]

Sorry folks, that should be www.sky-bus.com

:D

[Findo]

Can anyone think of a low cost long haul operation ? I'd be interested to know what sort of business model they use.

Not since the Laker Skytrain era has anyone tried this... and there are not any survivors.

[LTNman]

From the Sky-bus website

Initial route - London (Luton - hub for EaseyJet/Go) to Orlando, Florida
(Sanford - served by many European holiday charter operators and PAN AM
domestic services) continue to Portsmouth NH (Pease International - hub for
PAN AM and feeder to JetBlue) and then back to London. Operate 2 aircraft
one flying London-Orlando-Portsmouth-London other on
London-Portsmouth-Orlando-London route expand to 4 aircraft to offer day or
night flights either way between Orlando/Portsmouth and London. Unrestricted
$150 one way fares, discounted below $99 - profitable flights at 76% Load
Factor. Dry lease B767-300ER aircraft operated by own or contract
flight/cabin crews. Inventory of 550 seats/day. Marketing includes
commercial TV program offered to European/USA TV networks featuring ongoing
airline operations (as pioneered by EasyJet in UK). First expansion would
include service Orlando/Portsmouth to Dublin (Shannon Ireland - Ryanair Hub)
and London (Stanstead - Go Hub). Further expansion to USA West Coast.

[Woodman]

That's an interesting concept. The website doesn't say who is behind the business, anyone know? US or UK?
It looks as though its on Buster The Bear's doorstep. Surprised he hasn't nosed something out.

[Buster the Bear]

Looks like a web site a kid has come up with on a lunch break!

Portsmouth Pease, was that not a destination to be offered by Caledonian Wings from Prestwick, the 'Guv's airline?

If it happens, I will stop climbing trees and scratching my @rse! Cannot give up honey though!

[Ringwayman]

From the "business model" page:

"SKY-BUS EXPANDED OPERATIONS
Within 3 years $250MM sales US carrier to European and Asian destinations with all next generation Boeing 767-500 ER fleet. Linking Virgin Airlines (Australia), China National, EasyJet with JetBlue and Pan Am domestic USA networks."

Have Boeing got plans for 767NG?

[no sponsor]

That'll be a fun travelling experience.

296 pax, four toilets, everyone listening to their radio tuned into the in-flight frequency (lovely on that night flight home). And what's the idea of the closet for 296 business jackets? Where do the crew ****?

If its charging business class fares, it won't work.

[leonbrumsack]

Sky-Bus certainly doesn't sound like your average airline! The details about their aircraft seem a little odd too:

- 8 groups of 6 seats facing each other

- 2 groups of 6 seats adaptable to seat 8 children 14 & Under

- TV entertainment provided, audio on FM radio channel 98 MHz - Bring your radio

What do others think about this? Is Sky-Bus real, or just another fantasy?

[Scudhunter]

Some of you might have heard about the new transatlantic start-up out of Luton, called SkyBus (http://www.sky-bus.com).

Various papers including the Mirror and Express have carried this story overnight, quoting their e-ticket chap Jonathan Aslett as a UK director.

And then a little bird tells me that he's the same Mr Aslett who happens to be mentioned here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1515539.stm)...

[Localiser Green]

"to European and Asian destinations with all next generation Boeing 767-500 ER fleet"

Can't wait to see their 767-500ERs :rolleyes:

I'm no web designer but I could come up with a better site than that, one which isn't littered with spelling mistakes too.

[Unwell_Raptor]

Oh no. It's deja vu again.

[Departures Beckham]

I noticed on their seating chart (http://www.sky-bus.com/seating_layout_b767er.htm) that they will have some seats facing eachother.

I'm sure I read in an AAIB report at some stage that facing seats were banned because in the event of a rapid deceleration (namely when an aircraft contacts the ground in a manner not desirable by the airline) unsecured objects and items from the overhead compartments would most likely be propelled into the bodies of rearward facing passengers; whereas with forward facing seats they would hit the back of the seat rather than the body of the passenger.

Can anyone confirm whether my recollection is correct?

[LTNman]

Seem to remember that RAF VC10’s had rearward facing seats because it is safer.

[RIAB]

They still have...

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Hmmm... just visited the company web site and (having read the newspaper clipping) with great trepidation clicked on the link entitled "Ready for some fun?"........... Was almost relieved when it didn't send me off to some porno site but what did I find.....? Three children pressed up against the window of a ..............?

Dubious indeed!

Sick Git! - allegedly

[Anti Skid On]

Haha - claims the rear seats are so that 8 under 14's can be seated on seats designed to accomodate 6 adults - wonder how they fasten the lap belts.

Also, they claim the front 4 rows are kept to last for walk on customers - that's wishful.

Agree re. the website - registered to Noah Systems Ltd. of Lancaster (full details here) (http://www.register.com/whois-results.cgi?049c8712e79ad09ecbb112555210d380bb33577a090d250a 7488da59576f129b) - good to see you can run an airline from a Freeserve account!

[newswatcher]

A NEW budget airline is planning to offer flights between Britain and America for as little as pounds 62 one way.
Sky-Bus International will operate between Luton and Florida and New England in a move expected to trigger a transatlantic flight boom.

The service is the first to offer cheap flights between Britain and the U.S. since Sir Freddie Laker's illfated Skytrain service to New York 25 years ago.

Sky-Bus - which will have a yellow and black livery similar to a U.S. school bus - plans to offer unrestricted one-way fares of pounds 100, with some tickets discounted to around pounds 62. Most people would buy a return flight at pounds 124.

Virtually all the seats will be sold on the Internet, but fares could get even cheaper for those who hold their nerve and take part in a lastminute airport seat auction.

The airline promises to auction off at least 20 seats an hour before each daily departure to ensure the plane is as full as possible.

Sky-Bus will be a no-frills service, with in-flight meals on the Boeing 767-300ER aircraft limited to cold snacks. Passengers will be able to top up their own packed lunches by buying sandwiches and hot drinks.

Initially, Sky-Bus plans to use just two 767 aircraft, each capable of carrying 294 passengers. But it has major expansion plans.

These include operating flights from Stansted in Essex, as well as Dublin and Shannon in Ireland. U.S. routes would also be increased to include the West Coast.

Just as with Britain's budget airlines, Sky-Bus will save money by operating out of smaller airports.

One aircraft will fly to Sanford, which is near Disney World and Orlando in Florida. It will then go on to Portsmouth, near Boston, before returning to Luton. Another flies from Luton to Portsmouth and on to Sandford.

Tickets could be even cheaper, in real terms, than the Laker Skytrain, which offered one-way fares for as little as pounds 59. But Sky-Bus director Jonathan Aslett said: 'This is not the same as Laker, as his operation competed directly with existing airlines from the same hubs.

'By picking no-frills hubs we can link easyJet passengers from Luton with transatlantic services and, at the other end, link them with JetBlue, Pan-Am and South West airlines.' Sky-Bus has start-up costs of around pounds 7.5million and has already secured one lease with U.S. aircraft backers. It has applied for a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority and route authorisation.

Assuming it gets the finance, Sky- Bus will announce a formal launch in February, with flights starting around July.

A British Airways flight to Orlando next July is currently selling for pounds 315 but has the benefit of BA's service and backup aircraft.

Travel industry experts welcomed Sky-Bus's efforts to break the stranglehold by the likes of BA, Virgin Atlantic and U.S. operators United and American.

Phil Davies, editor of Travel Trade Gazette, said: 'The idea of providing a no-frills transatlantic air bridge tying into easyJet's European network and its equivalents on U.S. domestic routes is a compelling concept.

'Let's hope Sky-Bus gets the chance to get off the ground and prove itself. It should not fail through a lack of demand.'

[captchunder]

Check out Scudhunters twist in the tail...


skybus boss convicted child porn peddler (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72404)

[newswatcher]

what's a "softwear" company?

[Scudhunter]

Evening Standard has picked up the story and run it four times bigger than its original article about the airline.

[gul777]

Hello, does anybody know about this new operator SkyBus, a new low cost trans-atlantic carrier:confused :confused:

[Justice Too]

Info regarding skybus can be found on www.sky-bus.com, they are planning to start a low cost transatlantic operation out of Luton to an airport in New Hampshire (USA) with a Boeing 767-300 ER.

Gul777 I hope this info helps you! :)

[PaperTiger]

See: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=72404

[FormerFlyer]

I can't believe it, however this SkyBus thingy has even made it into the TTG (Travel Trade Gazette) - quite a sizeable peice on inside front page :rolleyes:

[dayoff]

Don't think Sanford, and certainly not Portsmouth, are listed as far129 scheduled service gateways!:cool:

[TwinAisle]

Where do you start with this???

1. Any pilot out there happy with their aircraft having a radio transmitter aboard, and x hundred passengers being asked to "bring their own radio"???

2. How the hell can he quote a break even load factor AND have a variable mix of seat costs pray tell? Does he calculate his yield or does he get Mystic Meg to do it?

3. 18 hours a day in the air? Hope this is not an average....

4. All this guff about flying in to hubs..... anyone want to guess what MOL would say if someone asks Ryanair to interline??

5. Breakeven in 12 months..... Hmmmmm

6. Did a five year old do the website? It looks like a school project..

Is this serious??? Please let the answer be no....

TA

[jockmcstrap]

THE boss of a new budget airline was exposed yesterday as a child sex pervert.

Jonathan Aslett, 54, launched no-frills airline Sky-Bus International earlier this week, offering cheap flights to the US.

But yesterday it emerged he was ordered to sign the sexoffenders register after child porn was discovered on his computer. The tycoon is still wanted for questioning by the FBI over similar allegations.

Police from the Obscene Publications Squad found nearly 400 sick images stored on his computer’s hard drive after a tip-off.

Bachelor Aslett, from Lancaster, admitted 13 charges of making indecent photographs of children in August last year and was fined £3,250.

Manchester Crown Court also heard that Aslett, who lived in the States for 20 years, is still wanted for questioning there.

Trial Judge Stuart Fish told him: “You and people with your tastes create a demand for this material which other people are only too willing to meet.”

Michele Elliot, from child protection charity Kidscape, said: “It really is outrageous he feels it is OK to set up a business like this, an airline that will be carrying children and families.

“When people hear about this I wonder who is going to be prepared to work for him.

“It is a question of trust. I can’t believe anyone would want to work for him or put money into this venture. He has been convicted on this side of the Atlantic and is wanted on the other.

“I would certainly not want to use his airline.”

Aslett, who also runs a computer softwear firm, plans to offer flights between Luton and Florida from £62 on the net.

Sky-Bus, which has been compared with Sir Freddie Laker’s pioneering Skytrain venture in the 1970s, claims it has already applied for a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority and for route authorisation.

But the CAA said it had heard nothing from the company.

Yesterday the British Air Transport Association warned people to be wary of the venture.

Spokesman Roger Wiltshire said: “They need to prove they can operate properly.”

Aslett was unavailable for comment yesterday.

[jockmcstrap]

THE boss of a new budget airline was exposed yesterday as a child sex pervert.

Jonathan Aslett, 54, launched no-frills airline Sky-Bus International earlier this week, offering cheap flights to the US.

But yesterday it emerged he was ordered to sign the sexoffenders register after child porn was discovered on his computer. The tycoon is still wanted for questioning by the FBI over similar allegations.

Police from the Obscene Publications Squad found nearly 400 sick images stored on his computer’s hard drive after a tip-off.

Bachelor Aslett, from Lancaster, admitted 13 charges of making indecent photographs of children in August last year and was fined £3,250.

Manchester Crown Court also heard that Aslett, who lived in the States for 20 years, is still wanted for questioning there.

Trial Judge Stuart Fish told him: “You and people with your tastes create a demand for this material which other people are only too willing to meet.”

Michele Elliot, from child protection charity Kidscape, said: “It really is outrageous he feels it is OK to set up a business like this, an airline that will be carrying children and families.

“When people hear about this I wonder who is going to be prepared to work for him.

“It is a question of trust. I can’t believe anyone would want to work for him or put money into this venture. He has been convicted on this side of the Atlantic and is wanted on the other.

“I would certainly not want to use his airline.”

Aslett, who also runs a computer softwear firm, plans to offer flights between Luton and Florida from £62 on the net.

Sky-Bus, which has been compared with Sir Freddie Laker’s pioneering Skytrain venture in the 1970s, claims it has already applied for a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority and for route authorisation.

But the CAA said it had heard nothing from the company.

Yesterday the British Air Transport Association warned people to be wary of the venture.

Spokesman Roger Wiltshire said: “They need to prove they can operate properly.”

Aslett was unavailable for comment yesterday.

[Moses Mashomba]

Doesn't this remind you all of another story featured here recently?

Must be something in the smell of Jet A1 that attracts this sort to want to run airlines!

[LTNman]

Oh dear, we now have four threads on the same subject. See Transatlantic low-cost...with a twist, Low cost 767 service to USA and Do we know you? Time for this one to be closed down.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

[maninblack]

I'm sure that this will be a great help in attracting the right sort of corporate support........What is it with prospective airline tycoons at the moment?

[t3953]

Hahahahaha!!! Ill be laughing about this one for a while to come! And the perv wants to operate out of SNN and DUB aswell!!! Well it would give the SHAMrock and excuse to drop its standards further with this competition but at least the SHAMrock will win the customers with young children!!! :rolleyes:

[Frosty Hoar]

I'm surprised that Stellios hasn't tried long haul already as a logical compliment to existing operations from LTN.

If the long haul low cost business model is considered unviable by existing low cost operators why should it work for anybody else.:( :)