Flyblu

[SEVANS2208]

Has anyone used them? Any comments? Thinking about trying them for our next trip so any feedback welcome!

What's the parking and hotels like at Birmingham?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

They haven't flown yet, AFAIK they will not start until May of this year. First flight has gone back many times since 2003.
If you have a child under 7 then you cannot use their Gold cabin.
They hyave changed their name by the way to Fly Who
Their web site is now http://www.flywho.com/
Parking at BHX is fine, good availability. Hotels I cannot help you with as we live too close
Try someone like ABC holiday extras etc for hotels.

 

[Bexx]

First flight has gone back many times since 2003.

It's not quite that bad. They were originally meant to start in June 2004, but should hopefully be starting in June 2005. Okay, so there has been a delay, but can anyone here say it's actually easy to start up an airline?!?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Many companies have tried and many more failed than succeeded, and that's without alienating part of their core buisness, i.e. people who can afford Gold class cabins but are precluded from using them because they have the audacity to have young children, going on essentially a bucket & spade route. But that's their loss and Virgin/BA's gain I suppose

 

[Bexx]

But what most people would be upgrading to on other airlines using this bucket and spade route - Premium Economy, Sunshine First etc, is not much different to what FlyWho are offering in their Silver Cabin. I don't think too many people are going to see a 38" seat pitch and personal entertainment systems as roughing it. I have two young children, so won't be able to travel Gold class for at least another six years - but the Silver class still looks pretty good!!

IF FlyWho do fail (and I've got everything crossed that they don't) - I don't think it will be for this reason.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I tried the silver seats at the Travel show.
whilst yes, they have excellent leg room, they feel tighter than other economy seats, so you win on leg room, but the seat is tight.

 

[Bexx]

Yes, I tried them at the show too and I have to admit that I didn't notice whether they were narrower than other airline economy seats. Anyway I'm not sure they will be using those actual type of seats. The chap I talked to at the show said that other people had mentioned that the silver seats weren't deep enough and they were welcoming such suggestions so they could figure out what most people found comfortable in a seat, and plan accordingly.

We shall see.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

It will be good for people who will use them if that is what happens.

 

[martina857]

Gone bust today!!!!

M

 

[Bexx]

I know that the partner they had planned to use hadn't worked out, and the start date was postponed again - I don't think they've actually gone bust.

 

[Miffy2003]

I must say I do hope they can get off the ground (no pun intended!) as any extra options to do away with Virgin's monopoly on scheduled flights can only be a good thing. I've nothing against Virgin and have travelled with them several times but a little competition often benefits consumers. The fact that they fly from BHX would be a bonus for me too living in the South West as it would be slightly easier and quicker to reach than Gatwick is presently.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Gone bust today!!!!

M

Where was that announced?
do you have a URL for it?
TIA

 

[florida sun]

I just checked on their web site and it says nothing of them going bust. I do hope not, I was hoping for an alternive way of getting to Florida in the winter months without having to go to Gatwick.

Sue

 

[Hilary]

Another one here hoping they do get going ok. As miffy says, any competition has to be good for the punters like us (and I hate having to go to Gatwick )

 

[martina857]

I was booked with them for July school hols in Gold cabin, they called me yesterday to tell me the flight was not available and that they had CEASED TRADING !! They spouted some rubbish about some other company taking on all their flights DEPENDING upon when you would be travelling, so basically if it's a busy time like mine then TOUGH luck!!

M

 

[Elle]

Yes it is true, I called them as press yeterday and was informed they had "ceased trading with no immediate plans to carry on"

Elle

 

[terrynewpack]

I find it difficult to believe anyone is surprised at this outcome and I am amazed anyone even thought about travelling with them before they even had a plane.
There is a need for more Florida flights but lets hope any expansion is led by existing operators and not 'one man bands' who even if they did get off the ground would find it difficult to provide the service that people expect today.

Terry

 

[Bexx]

but lets hope any expansion is led by existing operators and not 'one man bands' who even if they did get off the ground would find it difficult to provide the service that people expect today.

So do you mean that people don't expect a particularly good service today? I thought that Flywho's aim was to provide a better, more comfortable service than is presently available for economy class flyers.

And why should we have expected them to fail - every airline has to start somewhere.

 

[terrynewpack]

So do you mean that people don't expect a particularly good service today? I thought that Flywho's aim was to provide a better, more comfortable service than is presently available for economy class flyers.

And why should we have expected them to fail - every airline has to start somewhere.

Absolutely the opposite. I clearly say that people expect service today and an operator planning on having one or two aircraft just can't do it. Can you imagine the delays.
Every airline has to start somewhere and usually it is by raising capital. The launch last year was postponed because one of the main backers pulled out.
All this lot have had to show so far is a seat. Your not going to get far in that without an aircraft.
Lets be honest they couldn't even sort their name or decide what sort of plane to use. Not much chance of getting off the ground with that sort of progress and thats why myself and thousands more regular travellers thought they would fail.

Terry

 

[Bexx]

Lets be honest they couldn't even sort their name or decide what sort of plane to use. Not much chance of getting off the ground with that sort of progress and thats why myself and thousands more regular travellers thought they would fail.

But surely every plan has to evolve, so saying that they had to change their ideas a couple times doesn't necessarily imply that they were doomed to failure. I don't know the ins and outs of the birth of Easyjet and Virgin Atlantic, but it would seem to help if the company is started by a multi millionaire! An advantage I don't think Flywho had?

I'm sorry if I appeared snippy to you - I'm not being personal. I just haven't enjoyed some of the negative attitudes I've read, toward a company who have tried their hardest to deliver something a bit different. It's a shame if it really has failed - Flywho could have been a very welcome addition to the Florida route.