Flyblu looking good

[Bexx]

I've been meaning to post about this for over a week now, though a lot of you already know quite a lot about this new airline. I went down to the travel show at the NEC a couple of Saturdays ago, to see the stand for Flyblu, who are planning to start flying from Birmingham to Orlando Sanford twice a week from June. They had a mock up of the proposed cabin with a couple of rows of seats for both their Silver and Gold class. Their Gold cabin seats were HUGE - really fabulous, but even the Silver class seats were wonderful, with acres of legroom - they promise a 38" pitch!! They will also be using handheld entertainment consoles in both classes.

Their emphasis is on comfort and service rather than promoting themselves as a cheap option but, even so, their prices seem very reasonable for what they are planning to offer. Whatever, it will be great having the choice of another scheduled service to Orlando.

 

[mkingdon]

Any indication of a go live date?? I mean, when in June

Cheers

Craig

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Becky, any idea of how much they will charge for flight-only during August?

Regards

Rob

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've just found their website, so I can answer my own question. Their website gives indicative quotes at the moment (no online booking currently) so take these with a pinch of salt.

Gold class (45" seat pitch) return in August 2004 is approximately £1,050 per person.
Silver class (up to 38") is approximately £750 per person.

I'm pleased that FlyBlu are trying to create a new "good value for money" class of service, but at these prices I think I would opt for TCD's Sunshine First cabin which offers even more leg room than FlyBlu's Gold, but costs less than their Silver service.

Regards

Rob

 

[Bexx]

Craig - The maiden voyage is planned for 3rd June.

Rob - I think all their flights are flight-only and they charge for each leg separately. You can get fare quotes from their website at www.flyblu.co.uk . Don't get excited at the amount in large blue numbers, remember to add on the tax underneath!!

 

[Bexx]

Too late!!

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by Bexx
they charge for each leg separately.

So that'll be £750 for my left leg and £750 for my right, unless one of them wants to fly Gold ?

 

[chunkster20uk]

When I did a quote for mid november it came in a lot lower than £750, it was about £800 for the two of us return.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by chunkster20uk
When I did a quote for mid november it came in a lot lower than £750, it was about £800 for the two of us return.

Ahhh, the joys of being able to travel out of school holidays!

I'm sure that FlyBlu will have done lots of research before deciding where to pitch their prices. I would be happy to pay a little more than I normally do for a more enjoyable flight, so I'm pleased that FlyBlu are trying to provide this. However, if my quick quote from their website last night is anything to go by the price premium was just a little bit too large for me to consider it good value for money.

Regards

Rob

 

[kazzie]

In the travel trade papers this week it says that they have not obtained something or other in time (ATOL license?) So from June until the beginning of July they will have to lease other aircraft, probably Air Atlanta (I guess these are the same Virgin use at Manchester?)

I would be most unhappy if I had booked with FlyBlu and then be on an aircraft that surely can't provide the same service as FluBlu is offering Unless they will be removing lots of seats from economy and leaving far more leg room

 

[Bexx]

I haven't done a huge amount of research, as I'm new to this travelling during school holidays thing, but their fares for flights in October, even round the half term, seem considerably lower than Virgins - at the moment, anyway.

SidB - this way you could treat one leg going out and the other travelling home.

 

[Sue F UK]

Just looking into booking flights for July and here is what we have found:

Dates: 25th July / return: 5th August

Cheapest option: BMI, Manchester + Washington to Tampa/Orlando + Washington to Manchester = £1764 for two adults and one child.

Flyblu option: Birmingham to Tampa/Orlando to Birmingham = £2243 for the same.

A difference of £479 overall. Not too bad I thought for a direct flight plus better service and larger seats. Plus the timings are way better - Flyblu don't leave Sanford until 9.30pm whereas BMI leave at 1.40pm - a big difference on our last day.

However, although Flyblu are taking reservations they are not taking deposits and this makes me wonder if they are hedging their bets in case they can't get off the ground in time. I guess we are just a bit nervous placing our precious holiday plans in the hands of a brand new company.

 

[Bexx]

However, although Flyblu are taking reservations they are not taking deposits and this makes me wonder if they are hedging their bets in case they can't get off the ground in time. I guess we are just a bit nervous placing our precious holiday plans in the hands of a brand new company.

That's so understandable. Luckily we don't go until January which gives us time to see how it all develops, so I'm not worried about making a provisional booking with them at this stage. I suppose the big problem with people being nervous about booking with them for this summer, is that they may not get enough bookings to "take off" at all, and that would be a shame.