A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4103 posts, RR: 53 Posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 6416 times:
Hey,
Apologies if this has been posted but I did a search and couldn't find anything.
British Airways are to launch a number of destinations from March 06. About time we got some more new routes, very interesting ones too, primarily leisure. This is the first time BA will ever fly to Albania or Iceland.
From the BA customer email I recieved:
March 2006 is no ordinary month for British Airways from London Gatwick.
Black Sea beaches, volcanic Vikings and undiscovered Albania are all just a few hours away, as British Airways introduces four new routes to Europe next summer from London Gatwick. We're proud to feature British Airways' first ever flights to Albania and Iceland.
Visit Tirana, capital of Albania, from £205 return starting 27 March 2006. The service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Year-round.
Flights to Reykjavik, the world's most northerly capital commences 26 March 2006 with prices from £149 return. The service will operate five times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Year-round.
From March 26, you can try Turkey's third city, Izmir, from £149 return. The service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. Year-round.
Head to the Black Sea via Varna, Bulgaria from £149 return,from 29 March 2006. The service will operate two times a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Summer only.
For a limited time only, you can experience the stunning Greek isle of Rhodes for a special route launch price for just £99 return (usually £129) for bookings made until 30 November 2005. Flights start 3 May 2006. From 07 May 2006, we will also operate a weekly flight to the unspoilt surroundings of Ajaccio, Corsica for just £69 return.
Lazyshaun From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 545 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 6350 times:
Wow, I think BA is the only airline, which is not Icelandic, to operate to Iceland, isn't it?
About time Icelandair got some competion from another country!
Although if BA want to really compete with them on frequency and capacity, then they will have to do more than 5 a w/k. Icelandair are at Heathrow once daily 752 and once daily 753! Plus I've seen the 767-300 on more than one occaision! Unless BA are using the 777...
Although those prices are bloody good. Any idea on the equipment they will use? Probably 737 for all of them. I don't really know much about Gatwick, so can you tell me which a/c types are based there? I know at Heathrow They have every thing apart from the 737, but are their any 32X's based there? A bit hard to tell sometimes with GB Airways based there and whereing BA titles!
Are there any 757 or 767 based there, which could be used?
Runway23 From US Minor Outlying Islands, joined Jan 2005, 2043 posts, RR: 39 Reply 2, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 6328 times:
These routes were announced back in August if I remember correctly.
We have 737-300/400/500 based at LGW as well as two A319's (we had G-EUOH in yesterday) then you have the triple 7's and GB's fleet of A320 and A321's.
I would love for us to have some more long hauls preferably a NY to compete with CO but I dont see it happening any time soon.
Adriaticflight From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 497 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 6195 times:
I don't think BA has any 757s or 767s at Gatwick. I am sure these flights will be with 737-400s. Its interesting to see BA in Tirane. The Albanian population here is UK is quite large and BA have been flying to Pristina in Kosovo-Metohija (where many albanians live) for a number of years.
I might just be tempted to have a weekend in Tirane next year - and as a Balkan historian i am fascinated by how life is there.
The Iceland flight is good. Nice to see competition on that route.
AV8AJET From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1266 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 5978 times:
Also with ATL, IAH, MCO and DFW (daily) plus TPA and other Caribbean Destinations, I would think the LGW based 772's are pretty much utilized to their maximum. I would agree with others and say these new routes will be 737's maybe even the odd A319. Although I wouldn't discount an odd 772 to Iceland on odd days for cargo and peak holiday seasons.
Speedbirdcrew From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 5779 times:
All the fights mentioned will be operated by 737's some confusion as to which type but I'd expect them all to be operated by 737-436 a/c I'm looking forward to KEF, shame its not gonna be somewhere I can get off the aircraft though!
B742 From UK - England, joined Mar 2005, 3760 posts, RR: 21 Reply 7, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 5767 times:
Quoting Lazyshaun (Reply 1): Wow, I think BA is the only airline, which is not Icelandic, to operate to Iceland, isn't it?
No these airlines all operate to KEF:
Austrian Airlines
Hamburg International
MyTravel Airways A/S
Corse Air International
European Aviation Air Charter
LTU International Airways
Condor
First Choice Airways
Spanair
Futura Intl Airways
Travel Service
Any idea which type of the 737 will operate KEF flights?
Quoting Runway23 (Reply 2): These routes were announced back in August if I remember correctly.
Yea, this is old news isn't it? (Well KEF defantly is)
Thats what BA.com says, however it also says everysingle other flight is a 733 flight, and we dont have that many 733's. Expect a 734 to be on the route at its launch
HS748 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 5684 times:
For travel out to KEF on 27th March and returning on 29th March BA is charging £149 from LGW and FI is charging £453 from LHR! Looks like FI will have some serious competition on its hands for point-to-point, particularly as BA have a very civilised departure time ex London of 0930.
A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4103 posts, RR: 53 Reply 11, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 5655 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 8): Reports indicate it will be a 733 route.
Quoting Speedbirdcrew (Reply 9): Thats what BA.com says, however it also says everysingle other flight is a 733 flight, and we dont have that many 733's. Expect a 734 to be on the route at its launch
With BA you never really know which 737 varient you will be on and they've often changed it on the day of departure from the original schedule when i've flown. BA have 5 -300's, 18 -400's and 10 -500's,
Quoting LGWspeedbird (Reply 3): I would love for us to have some more long hauls preferably a NY to compete with CO but I dont see it happening any time soon.
It will almost definately never happen, BA are steering more to leisure destinations from LGW. The JFK 76 service went after 9/11.
The flights are down as 737's though one of the destinations I looked at was an Airbus A320 operating as GB Airways,
Happy Flying,
Sam
Despite the name I am a Boeing man through and through!
BHXFAOTIPYYC From Portugal, joined Jun 2005, 1644 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 5575 times:
Just back from a meeting with BA on Friday. They fully intend to move everything from LGW to LHR when T5 is ready. That is not counting GB Airways who do what they please (somewhat of a love/hate relationship between GB/BA and the OPO matter didn't help)... so hate to burst anyones bubble, but LGW expansion is not a permanent BA plan.
Breakfast in BHX, lunch in FAO, dinner in TIP, baggage in YYC.
Concorde001 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 1230 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 5502 times:
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 12): Just back from a meeting with BA on Friday. They fully intend to move everything from LGW to LHR when T5 is ready. That is not counting GB Airways who do what they please (somewhat of a love/hate relationship between GB/BA and the OPO matter didn't help)... so hate to burst anyones bubble, but LGW expansion is not a permanent BA plan.
How will BA move everything from LGW to LHR? A) They don't have the slots and B) even if they wanted them, they can't buy them because there aren't any!
AA54Heavy From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 189 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 5316 times:
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 12): Just back from a meeting with BA on Friday. They fully intend to move everything from LGW to LHR when T5 is ready. That is not counting GB Airways who do what they please (somewhat of a love/hate relationship between GB/BA and the OPO matter didn't help)... so hate to burst anyones bubble, but LGW expansion is not a permanent BA plan.
Did you personally meet with BA? lol, sorry, sounds funny
But yeah, ummmm, negative on moving everything to LHR.....so what you're saying is that BA would no longer exist at LGW? riiiight...if they could move everything they would've, but slots issues abound
A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4103 posts, RR: 53 Reply 15, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 5311 times:
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 12): Just back from a meeting with BA on Friday. They fully intend to move everything from LGW to LHR when T5 is ready. That is not counting GB Airways who do what they please (somewhat of a love/hate relationship between GB/BA and the OPO matter didn't help)... so hate to burst anyones bubble, but LGW expansion is not a permanent BA plan.
I hate to burst your bubble but that is the most stupid post I have ever read on this forum
Despite the name I am a Boeing man through and through!
VV701 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 6680 posts, RR: 17 Reply 16, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 5189 times:
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 12): Just back from a meeting with BA on Friday. They fully intend to move everything from LGW to LHR when T5 is ready.
Of course this is not possible even for the few 772 long hauls, at least until Bermuda 2 is history. But if Bermuda 2 does become history I would expect BA to be very anxious to move its LGW 772 fleet to LHR possibly by transferring some short haul flights in the opposite direction.
FlyCaledonian From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1974 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 5015 times:
Maybe expect the few remaining shorthaul business routes at LGW to move to LHR once T5 opens, and maybe not even then until mixed mode use of the runways happens. Leisure routes will stay at LGW - both long and shorthaul - as BA generally relies on O&D plus domestic feed for these. There's certainly no way BA could move the entire LGW operation to LHR, unless it's about to announce a massive slot swop with bmi!
Now while I could well believe this is an option that is being explored (as much as I love working from LGW) why would they happily tell a travel agent this but then not release the info on this to the thousands of people it would affect, it just don't add up that an official decision has been made..
A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4103 posts, RR: 53 Reply 19, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 4786 times:
Quoting FlyCaledonian (Reply 17): There's certainly no way BA could move the entire LGW operation to LHR, unless it's about to announce a massive slot swop with bmi!
Oh no! I'm just grateful we don't see BMI at all
Despite the name I am a Boeing man through and through!
Willyj From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 467 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 4140 times:
Quoting B742 (Reply 7): No these airlines all operate to KEF:
Austrian Airlines
Hamburg International
MyTravel Airways A/S
Corse Air International
European Aviation Air Charter
LTU International Airways
Condor
First Choice Airways
Spanair
Futura Intl Airways
Travel Service
Most of these are charter airlines, which makes sense to me as I think of Iceland as more of a tourist destination than a business one. Furthermore, Icelandair has the country pretty well connected for the business travelers who do need (or get) to go to Iceland. However, I am really suprised to see the only other full service carrier is Austrian Airlines. Is there a reason for this service? I would expect SAS, Finnair, KLM, among others far before Austrian.
Crosswind From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 2574 posts, RR: 59 Reply 21, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 3511 times:
Quoting Willyj (Reply 20): However, I am really suprised to see the only other full service carrier is Austrian Airlines. Is there a reason for this service?
The Austrian Airlines service is a charter too, it only operates in June, July and August twice a week. Infact none of the airlines listed above operate anything other than seasonal or occasional charters to Iceland.
I believe SAS dropped their own flights to KEF a few years ago in favour of a codeshare with Icelandair...
Cure From Italy, joined Sep 2005, 227 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 3474 times:
Quoting B742 (Reply 7): No these airlines all operate to KEF:
Austrian Airlines
Hamburg International
MyTravel Airways A/S
Corse Air International
European Aviation Air Charter
LTU International Airways
Condor
First Choice Airways
Spanair
Futura Intl Airways
Travel Service
You can add Azzurra Air (some 2-3 years ago I guess) MXP-KEF
Sorry, I thought "had ever flown regular flights to KEF"
I stand corrected.
V
25 BHXFAOTIPYYC: Whoa, thanks for the flame fest everyone.... Let me just say a couple of things, namely to the people who seem to think I'm taking crap.... firstly, y
26 RoseFlyer: I am sorry and I understand that you may be in a position to have more knowledge than us, but I (along with many others) just cannot believe your sta
27 AIR MALTA: But what is the issue with OPO. Why did that service stop? And why is there a love/hate relationship between BA and GT? I was thinking something. BA
28 STARCREW: Wasn't there a recent post on here suggesting MRU was moving to LGW from LHR?
29 Asgeirs: It's nice to see some more players in the market for flights to/from Iceland. However, I don't think those flights will be much of a threat to Iceland
30 Richardw: I think FR/U2 is the reason. Same for LEI and reduced frequency to VLC. NTE may be affected in the new year. Better to fly the Club class PAX to SSH
31 Yago: Great news as I've been planning to go to Iceland for quite while now and although I like Icelandair, their fares are always a bit too expensive for m
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