MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25728 posts, RR: 75 Posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 1232 times:
To satisfy the average of two passengers who fly between Nashville and Bermuda daily, officials in the two cities are looking at the prospects of launching a direct link between them:
This makes no sense, because even the article admits the daily O&D averages two people! I guess since the Bermudan government has used subsidy money to subsidize all the logical new destinations...Washington National, Miami, Chicago (UA's BDA-ORD service performed really poorly and was discontinued), Orlando, etc., they are now looking for ones that make no sense.
MSYtristar From United States, joined Aug 2005, 5429 posts, RR: 55 Reply 1, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1210 times:
This reminds me of when Pan Am flew a 707 from JFK to Rock Sound once weekly. It was common that the only passengers on the flight were Mr. and Mrs. Juan Trippe as he had a residence there.
UA's 744 Y-class seat is more comfortable than DL's new 77L Y-class seat.
DAL767400ER From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 5434 posts, RR: 54 Reply 2, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1203 times:
Whatever the officials in the two cities are smoking, that stuff is bad. The closest these two cities could get to direct service would be same plane service through ATL, MIA, PHL or CLT, but not nonstop.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25728 posts, RR: 75 Reply 7, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 913 times:
Quoting Ckfred (Reply 5): Is Bermuda simply not a popular destination from the Midwest, compared to other island destinations in the Carribean?
It has limited appeal. The majority of the tourists going to Bermuda are from the Northeast and Florida, and there is little else. It is also expensive, but airlines love that part. American Airlines' recently launched MIA-BDA service, for example, and it only averages loads in the high-60s/low-70s, but the yield is outstanding, and the flight makes a nice profit.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25728 posts, RR: 75 Reply 9, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 888 times:
Quoting AirWest (Reply 8): NW runs DTW-BDA with an A320 on saturdays in the summer, so there must be some midwestern demand.
Yes, some. Considering the fact that there are dozens of flights between the US and Bermuda and only one of them isn't from a city on (or very close to) the Atlantic coast says something.
The flight is brand new this year, no idea how it is performing, but if UA couldn't make Chicago work, I don't see how Northwest is going to make Detroit work.
MasseyBrown From United States, joined Dec 2002, 4007 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 886 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 7): It has limited appeal. The majority of the tourists going to Bermuda are from the Northeast and Florida, and there is little else.
Isn't it also limited in size? My understanding was that the island had no compelling interest in expanding their hotel facilities. They lack the infrastructure and population to do more and find massive construction and importing workers unappealing prospects.
Its appeal has always been limited to a northeastern (BOS, NYC, PHL) clientele, probably because in the days of ships it was the closest island by days; Eastern tried service from Chicago and Detroit in the 70's without success.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25728 posts, RR: 75 Reply 12, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 851 times:
Quoting Hiflyer (Reply 11): UA operates every Sunday this season.....
I stand correct. I'm surprised, because the flight performed horribly last year and I read an article that UA wasn't bringing it back. Though this year it is only operating for eight weeks during July and August.
Kmh1956 From Bermuda, joined Jun 2005, 3263 posts, RR: 11 Reply 13, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 801 times:
Bermuda checking in here.....
*First of all, we're NOT in the Caribbean.
*Never in a million years will the intelligent Bermudian inderstand why the current Tourism Ministry wants to introduce a Nashville service. Makes no sense whatsoever, except to be a further drain on the taxpayer's $$$.
*
Quoting Stirling (Reply 6): Bermuda appeals to the "old-money" elite of the Northeast US, which the local tourist board is looking to diversify.
Bermuda is a very expensive destination. Sadly, the new Minister of Tourism does NOT try to appeal to the 'old money' elite, which we used to get in droves and who used to spend lots of money here. Instead, he's trying to bring in mega-cruise ships which carry somewhere in the region of 3000 passengers, most of whom are definitely NOT 'old money elite.' Trust me, I've seen what comes off the cruise ships and 'old money elite' is not a phrase that springs to mind.
Unfortunately, our tourism has gone the way of the typewriter...too many destinations to our south are offering low fares, low hotel rates, all-inclusive resorts and most importantly the SERVICE that goes along with it.
Ever since the introduction of the 'mandatory' 15% gratuity in restaurants etc the service has gone downhill. Having been in the restaurant business during this period, I can safely say that I made more in tips without the mandatory gratuity than with. You have to be willing to work hard, and most aren't willing to do that. So what you end up with is surly, lacklustre service from local staff.
*AA no longer flies from/to BOS from BDA...what a pain! I used to love that flight, as it left at a reasonable hour and there was plenty of time to get up to NH during daylight to visit my daughter in college. That left DL, which used to leave at 4.55pm. During the summer that's not too bad, but in visiting in February it was pitch dark by the time I got to NH. They've since changed that flight time, though, to 1.50pm...much better!!!
'Somebody tell me why I'm on my own if there's a soulmate for everyone' :Natasha Bedingfield
A330323X From United States, joined Oct 2003, 3039 posts, RR: 52 Reply 14, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 781 times:
Quoting Kmh1956 (Reply 13): *AA no longer flies from/to BOS from BDA...what a pain! I used to love that flight, as it left at a reasonable hour and there was plenty of time to get up to NH during daylight to visit my daughter in college. That left DL, which used to leave at 4.55pm. During the summer that's not too bad, but in visiting in February it was pitch dark by the time I got to NH. They've since changed that flight time, though, to 1.50pm...much better!!!
US Airways also serves BOS-BDA, with a seasonal daily flight.
I'm the expert on here on two things, neither of which I care about much anymore.
Kmh1956 From Bermuda, joined Jun 2005, 3263 posts, RR: 11 Reply 17, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 753 times:
Quoting A330323X (Reply 14): US Airways also serves BOS-BDA, with a seasonal daily flight.
Yeah, I did that flight a couple of years ago....supposed to be direct, didn't find out until arrival at the airport that they'd changed the direct to seasonal and that we had to go through Philadelphia. Upon arriving at Philadelphia was told that they couldn't find me on the manifest for the connecting flight that I should have been on. Booked me on the next flight. Upon arrival in Boston.....our luggage was in PHL....
I won't be flying that one again, thank you.
'Somebody tell me why I'm on my own if there's a soulmate for everyone' :Natasha Bedingfield
Ba97 From Canada, joined Apr 2004, 366 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 715 times:
Bermuda is an odd thing. I say this, my wife is Bermudian and all her family is on the island and old "original Bermudians". I have watched the hotel business dry up and the Island lose its way in attracting tourism. It is fantastic place to visit. Yes expensive but a wonderful relaxing place. The problems I see relate to things like it is not kid friendly. Not being able to rent cars is an issue obviously for a family and not many places are beach front. The service issue is an understatement. People come to the island knowing it is different than other islands and receive service that is embarrassingly poor in so many ways.
There seems to be a pool of dedicated Bermuda travelers. A small pool. This new connection would work if Bermuda got its act together on so many things. Many connections could work. Few visit the place and leave not wanting to return. Problem is getting them there in the first place instead of FLA or Mexico, where things are more geared to the tourist.
It is amazing what I pay to fly from YYZ on the one-a-day AC flight (economy seat booked 5 months in advance running $700cdn). They know they have a captive market between business and repeat visitors.
there is economy class, business class, first class...then Concorde..pure class
Dutchjet From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 7864 posts, RR: 61 Reply 21, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 644 times:
Whats interesting is that BDA is a summer destination and not a winter sun holiday spot like the caribbean islands or mexico......therefore the traffic patterns are different and a big market from the midwest to Bermuda never really developed. As discussed above, BDA has remained a destination that is most popular for people in the northeast US.
Kmh1956 From Bermuda, joined Jun 2005, 3263 posts, RR: 11 Reply 22, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 623 times:
Quoting Ba97 (Reply 18): say this, my wife is Bermudian and all her family is on the island and old "original Bermudians".
Yeah, I'm 12th generation Bermudian....we've been here since the 1600s, so your wife and I are probably related!!!!
Quoting Ba97 (Reply 18): It is amazing what I pay to fly from YYZ on the one-a-day AC flight (economy seat booked 5 months in advance running $700cdn). They know they have a captive market between business and repeat visitors.
Its the same to fly out of here for vacations....prices are outrageous. My daughter and I are flying to London next week for vacation, and the tickets were over $1000.
I think you need a passport now, along with perhaps a driver's license or some other form of photo ID. Welcome to the "new normal!" Anyone with better information, please correct me if I'm wrong. Flying out, we do pre-clear US Customs and Immigration, but as I'm not American I don't know what the requirements are.
Quoting Dutchjet (Reply 21): Whats interesting is that BDA is a summer destination and not a winter sun holiday spot like the caribbean islands or mexico......
Again...we're nowhere near the Caribbean, so our weather isn't as hot in the winter. Temperatures can run from the low 50s to the mid-60s, sometimes into the 70s. However, we DO quite well with winter golfers, as we have no snow and our courses are still green!!!
'Somebody tell me why I'm on my own if there's a soulmate for everyone' :Natasha Bedingfield
Dutchjet From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 7864 posts, RR: 61 Reply 23, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 603 times:
Quoting Kmh1956 (Reply 22):
Again...we're nowhere near the Caribbean, so our weather isn't as hot in the winter. Temperatures can run from the low 50s to the mid-60s, sometimes into the 70s. However, we DO quite well with winter golfers, as we have no snow and our courses are still green!!!
I know that Bermuda is not in the caribbean, I said that BDA is a summer destination and NOT a winter holiday spot LIKE the caribbean islands....
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25728 posts, RR: 75 Reply 24, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 555 times:
Quoting Kmh1956 (Reply 22): I think you need a passport now, along with perhaps a driver's license or some other form of photo ID.
The rules very well may have changed to include a passport, I don't know, but it definitley is not "passport and other form of photo ID". Many people don't have photo ID other than a passport.
Caymanair From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2004, 683 posts, RR: 1 Reply 25, posted (4 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 530 times:
hey all,
well, i think BDA, like the West Indies, has been struggling with this tourist problem for a long time.
we all want to attract relitively few, but very wealthy, tourists from all over the world. these types of tourists spend more on thier vacations, become repeat visitors, and often invest millions of dollars each into the local economy. They do very little damage to our environment, and they seem to enjoy our culture and local traditions. services to locals and service standards are also increased at a larger rate.
on the other hand, we could always decide to attract millions of not-so-wealthy tourists, these tourists do exactly the opposite. These are the types that generally impact the country in a negative way. (look at the dutch side for example).
cruise ship touists are the worst form of tourist. they spend little to no money in the country, are most likely not to return, cause the most dammage, and force the most negative change.
now i dont mean to discriminate between tourists because of their wealth, but this can be proven with actual statisics (although im not sure how to get them on a computer).
it just seems like bermuda is wrestling to decide where thier focus will be.
donovon
26 Kmh1956: My bad!! Sorry... There's an old saying in Bermuda that goes something like 'cruise ship visitors arrive with $100 and expect to leave with change."
27 Ba97: Kmh1956 Related- odds are you met the present family also. Great great.....grandpa arrived in 1730 or so. I will be arriving in a few days, so I hope
28 Kmh1956: After over 160 years in business, Trimingham's and Smith's have both closed, having been bought out by HSBC. The main Coopers store has been knocked d
29 BOSPMV: a great amount of people from the new england area choose to take a cruise out the Bermuda rather than fly out there.
Sponsor Message: 
From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25728 posts, 
From United States, joined Aug 2005, 5429 posts, 
From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 5434 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
. How 'bout US sending their A311 on that route?
From Italy, joined Jun 2004, 3943 posts, 
From Bermuda, joined Jun 2005, 3263 posts, 
From Canada, joined Apr 2004, 366 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 7864 posts, 
From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2004, 683 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
