Aviation Discussion

[AlterEgo]

Just got back from a return to Hamburg. Flew Ryanair out (737-800) and Easyjet back (A320).

Manchester Airport I found quite easy to use - I did airport doors to Departure lounge in 25 minutes, although this was at 4am in the morning! T3 Departure lounge feels quite cramped, and so I'd not like to be flying from it at a busier time. Gate 55 was announced on time, and departure on time too. Plane was probably about 70% full - I did hear a figure of '95' being banded about but that seemed to low.

Calm flight overall, couple of moments of turbulence but nothing too out of the ordinary. Friendly crew, efficient service and on-time arrival. Ryanair choose not to use one of the stands close to the terminal, so it was a wait on the tarmac for the bus to turn up, with a great view of the Apron in the meantime! Very quick through passport control at Hamburg, no more than 5 minute wait.

First remark on Hamburg Airport T1 - what a tight security area. No room to repack your luggage which I always find one of the more stressful bits of flying! Flight back was announced as delayed as early as lunchtime, and our 17:30 flight eventually left at 18:45 - the plane shouldn't really have left any later than 18:10/15, although a lon gwait for buses saw us waiting for 1/3rd of passengers who eventually joined us just after half past. Flight was a little bumpier given the storms earlier that day. Passport Control at MAN was longer - this time around 15 minute wait.

To be honest I preferred the Ryanair flight - for the main reason that they allow a 2nd piece of carry on luggage, even on the cheapest fares. I typically take a cabin bag and then a rucksack (for use during days out) with me, and so Ryanair suits me down to the ground. On Easyjet it was almost reaching sit on my case levels, although a couple of bulky souvenirs from Miniatur wunderland possibly also had an impact. The new check in restrictions on Ryanair are a bit of hark back to the bad old days when they had a reputation of not being very customer friendly, but I don't find the interior too garish, nor the announcements of trying to sell stuff to frequent.

I'll do a longer report on Hamburg later, but safe say I absolutely fell in love with the city and was very sad to leave.

I hope you visited Miniatur Wunderland!

 

[CC 72100]

I hope you visited Miniatur Wunderland!

Certainly did - absolutely excellent and considering how long you can spend there really good value. I was there for about 4 hours but could have stayed all day in all honesty!

MW is better with someone else - the more you look, the more you 'see' and so I was possibly missing some of the finer details by going by myself.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and to be honest I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't. It's not 'just' a model railway, it's so much more.

 

[fowler9]

Prague had one, I'm actually pretty sure Auckland did to. I don't think Brisbane did but then they are banning smoking outdoors in public areas in Australia. I think Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires did but I couldn't afford ciggies by the time I got there. Ha ha. I think Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez in Chile did to (Name slips off the tongue). Sorry, went back to smoking areas.

 

[Techniquest]

Ryanair seems to be getting good reviews lately!

 

[fowler9]

Ryanair seems to be getting good reviews lately!

I'm hoping to give a good one after this weekend.

 

[atillathehunn]

I'm hoping to give a good one after this weekend.

I've made my peace since I seem to have fallen through a crack in their seating algorithm and they allocate me great seats free of charge. I've had exit rows, row 1, row2, a string of window seats. I'm waiting for the fall, but I'm willing to ride the high for now.

 

[fowler9]

Just had a Chinook fly low over ours (Near West Allerton Station) towards JLA, circled twice approximately over the Mersey and then flew off towards Wales. We get Chinooks over pretty regularly but not seen one circle over the river before.

 

[Butts]

Just checked my Christmas Flights from Glasgow to Birmingham on Flybe.

Both are on Q400's

No Embraer for Butts.....

Can people comment if they think my £68 return fare is good value ?

 

[Techniquest]

I'll take those Dash 8 flights! £68 EDI-BHX and back during the Crazy Season is exceptional!

 

[fowler9]

£68 during silly season must be a bargain!

 

[Butts]

I'll take those Dash 8 flights! £68 EDI-BHX and back during the Crazy Season is exceptional!

Out Christmas Eve and back New Years Eve
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£68 during silly season must be a bargain!

£35 is about the "rack rate" for the cheapest band of fare between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Birmingham
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I have just booked my self onto one of the last ever (in economy) BA Breakfast Flights from Edinburgh to London on Monday 9th January. (The new paying M&S regime starts on the 11th)

Ironically I used the £10 E-Voucher I got for moaning about the withdrawal of free catering on my Motor Show Geneva Flights in March to reduce the fare to the outrageous sum of £34. I'm a bit annoyed because I could have got on one for about £7 cheaper but I had to tie it in with my time off work, the ending of the free breakfast service and coming back the same day on The Chieftain for The Flat Fare Offer of £30 in 1st Class.

Weird really on the plane I want the Breakfast Offer but on the Train I want the All Day option !!!

Just hope it does not snow, but I've got 4 hours to get from Gatwick to Kings Cross

 

[gsnedders]

In case anyone cares, Air France are flying 787s from CDG–LHR and back. £249 for return tickets in business class, if anyone wants to get an experience of long-haul business class on the cheap! "Bookings are currently available for travel until 25th March 2017, further travel dates will be available at a later date. Fare is available until 08 December 2016 for travel between 06 February 2017 and 25 March 2017", apparently. See here.

 

[Airline Man]

Out Christmas Eve and back New Years Eve
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


£35 is about the "rack rate" for the cheapest band of fare between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Birmingham
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have just booked my self onto one of the last ever (in economy) BA Breakfast Flights from Edinburgh to London on Monday 9th January. (The new paying M&S regime starts on the 11th)

Ironically I used the £10 E-Voucher I got for moaning about the withdrawal of free catering on my Motor Show Geneva Flights in March to reduce the fare to the outrageous sum of £34. I'm a bit annoyed because I could have got on one for about £7 cheaper but I had to tie it in with my time off work, the ending of the free breakfast service and coming back the same day on The Chieftain for The Flat Fare Offer of £30 in 1st Class.

Weird really on the plane I want the Breakfast Offer but on the Train I want the All Day option !!!

Just hope it does not snow, but I've got 4 hours to get from Gatwick to Kings Cross

BA staff aren't very happy about the management decision to scrap free food on short haul flights. The new BA CEO is from the budget airline Vuelling and is trying to do the same to BA as his old company. However, the BA cooked breakfast is surprisingly tasty. Enjoy it whilst you can.

 

[me123]

BA staff aren't very happy about the management decision to scrap free food on short haul flights. The new BA CEO is from the budget airline Vuelling and is trying to do the same to BA as his old company.

Hopefully not going down the exact same path. I've flown with Vueling and was very disappointed with the service.

However, the BA cooked breakfast is surprisingly tasty. Enjoy it whilst you can.

The sausage is admittedly very good, but the rest... tasty is a bit of an overstatement. I would have said it's inferior to the East Coast FC breakfast.

 

[Alex 2901]

Quick question, sorry to sound daft, but some point within the next two years (probably for my 18th, don't think an apprentices wages at £125 p/W will get me far yet lol), but something I've wanted to do since I was 10 was a flight in an A380, I actually remember the first one I saw, G-XLEA when it was brand new in 2013!

What would be the easiest way to this at current, and get as many aircraft under my belt as possible (never been in a jet, I've been in a helicopter, a Bell 206, which was less than pleasant, to say the least!)

Origin would likely be Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds

 

[atillathehunn]

Quick question, sorry to sound daft, but some point within the next two years (probably for my 18th, don't think an apprentices wages at £125 p/W will get me far yet lol), but something I've wanted to do since I was 10 was a flight in an A380, I actually remember the first one I saw, G-XLEA when it was brand new in 2013!

What would be the easiest way to this at current, and get as many aircraft under my belt as possible (never been in a jet, I've been in a helicopter, a Bell 206, which was less than pleasant, to say the least!)

Origin would likely be Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds

Manchester has 2 A380 services per day from Dubai. Tickets in the off season aren't that outrageous.

Birmingham has 1 A380 service, though it doesn't always operate, from Dubai.

London has many - Etihad, Qatar, British Airways, Korean, Singapore, and others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

Find yourself a cheap return, noting that there is no guarantee a particular aircraft will operate a particular route and a cheap hotel at the other end.

I would very much recommend combining this with a holiday somewhere so you enjoy the experience.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

In case anyone cares, Air France are flying 787s from CDG–LHR and back. £249 for return tickets in business class, if anyone wants to get an experience of long-haul business class on the cheap! "Bookings are currently available for travel until 25th March 2017, further travel dates will be available at a later date. Fare is available until 08 December 2016 for travel between 06 February 2017 and 25 March 2017", apparently. See here.

Would suggest this offers poor value for money. There are wide body business class experiences available from Iberia and LAN for less for a longer ride up front.

 

[AlterEgo]

Would suggest this offers poor value for money. There are wide body business class experiences available from Iberia and LAN for less for a longer ride up front.

Iberia doesn't usually price up at much less than £250 return. Plus, that's an older product on an older aircraft.

LATAM (for LAN is no more) is much cheaper but requires two positioning flights which add to the cost.

Neither of those have the cachet of catching an aircraft on an unusual rotation, on welcome flights. I've already booked, though I probably wouldn't have tolerated a price much north of £250.

 

[Butts]

The sausage is admittedly very good, but the rest... tasty is a bit of an overstatement. I would have said it's inferior to the East Coast FC breakfast.

I know what to expect and agree the EC Breakfast is better but you have far more space on a "4" to yourself in an HST. The BA one is like a novelty. Try eating it without knocking your neighbour out if you are in a middle seat.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Iberia doesn't usually price up at much less than £250 return. Plus, that's an older product on an older aircraft.

Yes, I've used that one, it's an ageing Airbus of some kind (it fitted a journey to Spain I was making, it wasn't just for a pleasure ride). It wasn't cheap at all.

I'm quite up for a go on the 787 using Air France's offering, probably a day trip out on the 787 and back on Eurostar if I can find one of the new units.

Edit: ISTR they did the same thing with the A380 when they first got that.

 

[Butts]

Anyone been on a Lufthansa Regional Flight ?

Just wondering what goodies we will get going from Birmingham to Frankfurt for the MS next year.

Is it a packet of crisps and Scotch job as per BA before the changes.

 

[anme]

Anyone been on a Lufthansa Regional Flight ?

Just wondering what goodies we will get going from Birmingham to Frankfurt for the MS next year.

Is it a packet of crisps and Scotch job as per BA before the changes.

Depending on the time of day, you will probably get a croissant with ham or cheese or a sandwich or similar, plus drinks (including alcohol). On short flights not at meal times, catering may be limited to a small snack e.g. some chocolate.

 

[Butts]

Depending on the time of day, you will probably get a croissant with ham or cheese or a sandwich or similar, plus drinks (including alcohol). On short flights not at meal times, catering may be limited to a small snack e.g. some chocolate.

Cheers, hopefully they will not "by popular demand" switch to the BA Model in the intervening period.

 

[fowler9]

Manchester has 2 A380 services per day from Dubai. Tickets in the off season aren't that outrageous.

Birmingham has 1 A380 service, though it doesn't always operate, from Dubai.

London has many - Etihad, Qatar, British Airways, Korean, Singapore, and others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

Find yourself a cheap return, noting that there is no guarantee a particular aircraft will operate a particular route and a cheap hotel at the other end.

I would very much recommend combining this with a holiday somewhere so you enjoy the experience.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Would suggest this offers poor value for money. There are wide body business class experiences available from Iberia and LAN for less for a longer ride up front.

Manchester has 3 A380's a day now doesn't it?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Quick question, sorry to sound daft, but some point within the next two years (probably for my 18th, don't think an apprentices wages at £125 p/W will get me far yet lol), but something I've wanted to do since I was 10 was a flight in an A380, I actually remember the first one I saw, G-XLEA when it was brand new in 2013!

What would be the easiest way to this at current, and get as many aircraft under my belt as possible (never been in a jet, I've been in a helicopter, a Bell 206, which was less than pleasant, to say the least!)

Origin would likely be Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds

If you are happy just flying on anything to experience jet travel then there are loads of options. I have flown 17 times in just over 2 years. What I have done on several occasions is just booked some time off work ages in advance and then as soon as tickets went on sale I booked where was cheap. Did that for Riga and Wroclaw at least. Both worth a visit, Wroclaw more so than Riga in my opinion.

 

[atillathehunn]

As fowler points out, any old jet can be obtained very cheaply. Find an LCC going to a country that you want to visit and you can even pay single figures for the flight.

The A380 might run you £300-£500 off season return.

EK21/22 were slated to go A380 and quite possibly did during summer season, but for the last week (data available on flightradar) it has been a 77W.

 

[fowler9]

As fowler points out, any old jet can be obtained very cheaply. Find an LCC going to a country that you want to visit and you can even pay single figures for the flight.

The A380 might run you £300-£500 off season return.

EK21/22 were slated to go A380 and quite possibly did during summer season, but for the last week (data available on flightradar) it has been a 77W.

Ah right, cheers mate.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Quick question, sorry to sound daft, but some point within the next two years (probably for my 18th, don't think an apprentices wages at £125 p/W will get me far yet lol), but something I've wanted to do since I was 10 was a flight in an A380, I actually remember the first one I saw, G-XLEA when it was brand new in 2013!

What would be the easiest way to this at current, and get as many aircraft under my belt as possible (never been in a jet, I've been in a helicopter, a Bell 206, which was less than pleasant, to say the least!)

Origin would likely be Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds

As an option Poland can be very cheap to fly to and is cheap when you get there, I fly to Warsaw tomorrow. Second visit and want to see the stuff I didn't see last time. I've also been to Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw, all worth a visit. Budapest is very reasonable as well and is stunning.

 

[AlterEgo]

Yes, I've used that one, it's an ageing Airbus of some kind (it fitted a journey to Spain I was making, it wasn't just for a pleasure ride). It wasn't cheap at all.

I'm quite up for a go on the 787 using Air France's offering, probably a day trip out on the 787 and back on Eurostar if I can find one of the new units.

Edit: ISTR they did the same thing with the A380 when they first got that.

Just as a note, the Business fares only price up as a return. There's no affordable one way option.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just as a note, the Business fares only price up as a return. There's no affordable one way option.

That's a bit annoying, as the times don't make for a useful day return. Is economy the same?

 

[AlterEgo]

That's a bit annoying, as the times don't make for a useful day return. Is economy the same?

I think you can get a reasonable one way economy fare. It's the way AF's fares work, which can be very frustrating. I was hoping to do similar to you, out in Business, back on E*.

 

[Butts]

I think you can get a reasonable one way economy fare. It's the way AF's fares work, which can be very frustrating. I was hoping to do similar to you, out in Business, back on E*.

The problem with the Business Class Fare is the APD it's a lot higher than cattle and hence the headline lead in much higher.

 

[AlterEgo]

The problem with the Business Class Fare is the APD it's a lot higher than cattle and hence the headline lead in much higher.

That doesn't account for the one way fare being far more than the return. It's well over £300 one way, just £250 return. It is to do with the fare structure, not APD or taxes.

It's the same with many airlines in many jurisdictions.