Flyblu

[Frances999]

Great idea !!
Seriously though why do parents want to pay a lot extra for a bigger seat their child either cant or doesnt want to sit in anyway ?

Because the parents want the bigger seats! We appreciate premium airline accommodation and ensure it is adequately budgeted for as it is a major part of our holiday experience. I am a nervous flyer and the claustrophobia of the economy cabin worries me just thinking about it. Okay, PE may not have acres of space, but it is worth every penny for me for the extra room. Having my children with me is, obviously, also essential. I agree that if children are screaming or causing havoc then obviously the parents should be told to try and calm them down. What annoys me about the "no under 7 policy" is that it is in the most premium cabin. Why should one be restricted to the "economy" cabin just because they have young children? It is unfair.

 

[Frances999]

Incidentally, in economy adults are normally nosiy or someone is always getting up from there seat aand disturbing you.

 

[kevin harrison]

I am a nervous flyer and the claustrophobia of the economy cabin worries me just thinking about it. Okay, PE may not have acres of space, but it is worth every penny for me for the extra room. . Why should one be restricted to the "economy" cabin just because they have young children? It is unfair.

This is another reason we go PE, my wife is a nervous flyer and she will not fly in economy because she feels claustrophobic also.

It is unfair, but irrelevant now anyway. No serious airline flying to Florida will be daft enough to try it again.

 

[TraceyL]

Don't TCD have age restrictions in their cabins? They're still operating

 

[Hilary]

I have to say that anyone who flies to the childrens entertainment capital of the world and expects NOT to encounter children on the flight is either mad, dillusional un-educated or possibly all three!!!!!!

That's the first time I've heard Orlando referred to as the 'children's entertainment capital' - I thought it was the 'entertainment capital'.

I really don't understand why some people find it so hard to accept that other posters have different preferences when looking for a flight. Some are going to want a Virgin flight whatever, some will choose the best price, some will opt for a regional airport for convenience. Some people might even *shock, horror* prefer a cabin without small children - and, personally, I wouldn't class any of them as "mad, dillusional un-educated or possibly all three".

If we don't like what one airline is offering, we fly with someone else! I, for one, welcome as much choice as possible when I'm spending that kind of money.

 

[Miffy2003]

I'm defending these people for trying. I won't belittle their efforts, whatever the outcome.

I agree wholeheartedly with Becky here!

As a parent of two small children (who I believe are pretty well behaved) I can understand why airlines adopt a policy of having an age limit on their premium seats.

Frances & Kevin, I have no doubt whatsoever that your children are well behaved and that you care enough to ensure they are not disruptive in the PE cabin. However I have heard many stories where this has not been the case and children have been allowed to run amok (and I agree this is not the child's fault, it is the parents'). I guess this is why certain airlines enforce policies with age limits.

 

[Frances999]

Frances & Kevin, I have no doubt whatsoever that your children are well behaved and that you care enough to ensure they are not disruptive in the PE cabin. However I have heard many stories where this has not been the case and children have been allowed to run amok (and I agree this is not the child's fault, it is the parents'). I guess this is why certain airlines enforce policies with age limits.

I understand Karen, but on the MCO routes is this really necessary? On every Orlando flight there will be children. As Kevin said, some adults (and teenagers, considering the age limit is 7) can be disruptive too.

 

[Frances999]

Setting up an airline is not easy but here is a story about an 18 years old lad who has just done it. Can't get you to Florida yet but I wouldn't bank on him not doing it in the next few years.

Terry


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4371945.stm


http://www.flyalpha1.com/

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing the links!

 

[Miffy2003]

I understand Karen, but on the MCO routes is this really necessary? On every Orlando flight there will be children. As Kevin said, some adults (and teenagers, considering the age limit is 7) can be disruptive too.

LOL Frances, how true. I suppose equally an 8 year old could be as badly behaved as an under 7 too.

 

[TraceyL]

…
Sunshine Upper Deck benefits…
34 inch seat pitch
No Children under 9yrs
Priority Check-in & Priority Boarding
30 Kilo luggage allowance
Welcome Aboard Refreshments
Upgraded meal service
Dedicated in-flight cabin crew
No Children under 9 yrs

They class it as a positive selling point

 

[Frances999]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I just read that TCD also offer another premium cabin which does allow children of all ages. This isn't so bad as FlyBlu.

 

[Bexx]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I just read that TCD also offer another premium cabin which does allow children of all ages. This isn't so bad as FlyBlu.

I believe you're right - I think it's called Sunshine First? But that could be because Flywho's Silver, or so called Economy, cabin offered at least the same benefits as Sunshine First, so the Gold Cabin would be more like the Sunshine Upper Deck. Flywho DID NOT offer an economy cabin as such - another point which I'm sure some of you will put down to why they might have failed.

 

[martina857]

That's the first time I've heard Orlando referred to as the 'children's entertainment capital' - I thought it was the 'entertainment capital'

If you want to be that picky then yes you are right.

]I really don't understand why some people find it so hard to accept that other posters have different preferences when looking for a flight. Some are going to want a Virgin flight whatever, some will choose the best price, some will opt for a regional airport for convenience. Some people might even *shock, horror* prefer a cabin without small children - and, personally, I wouldn't class any of them as "mad, dillusional un-educated or possibly all three".

Well I would ))) Because as I said before if you expect to travel to Orlando of all places in the world and not encounter children on the plane then... well I said it earlier ! I am all for personal choice, thats why I booked flights with this bunch of idiots, I have flown with most if not all of the major airlines to America and liked some but not others, I tell of my personal experience and realise some will like the ones I do not.

THAT was not my point, if the person booking a flight lacks the common sense to realise that unless you fly with what is in MY OPINION the very very worst carrier to Florida TCD, and upgrade to the Sunshine Worst class then YOU WILL encounter small children... Period.

M

 

[aden]

Hi.

I would like to ensure that the record is set straight regarding the various messages on this and other forums that speak of us having CEASED TRADING. I appreciate that word is going round about our status and I will clarify that in a moment, but this statement is NOT TRUE. I am especially troubled to read posts that refer to calls purportedly from us and telling this news. We have made no such calls.

A BRIEF EXPLANATION

After the troubles of 2004, we felt it necessary to protect passengers who wanted to take a chance on a booking with us by pairing up with a large ATOL bonded sales agent. This agent would actually have the legal charge of chartering all our flights. It would be their tickets you would have purchased when booking with us.

Regrettably, when the time came for us to deposit the first non-refundable $1m on the first aircraft, the ATOL agent cried off the deal claiming all kinds of issues were still unresolved. That is unquestionably true. We had no satisfactory account why they had not actually established the computer reservations system and begun taking payments on the dates agreed. These significant issues were indeed doing us no good and we had to call a halt.

So despite the disappointments once again, we felt it necessary to call a halt to the Florida programme for the foreseeable future WHILE we get our ducks in a row and actually start to operate. Only THEN will we tell you about it!

============================================================================
We have made arrangements to re-accommodate every single passenger who had booked with us, and those flights were secure. We will be happy to hear from anyone who has not been so advised as we can still secure your travel if you move fast. Call me directly if you need further help on this matter. I am available through our reservation number on 0870 11 22 767.
============================================================================


I do have to say that we have been saddened to see how people can be so quick to condemn us when they have no idea what is involved in this venture.

I had actually considered offering £200,000 per annum to anyone who can do a better job than me to get this venture started when you have to raise the money yourself, develop the team, establish the transatlantic relationships, establish secure ATOL protection, develop a trade and direct sales team with systems and a distribution network, train that team, create the aircraft lease fund, find the aircraft and contract that, establish USA license approvals (dept of trade, dept of transport, CAA and US lawyers!), engage approved maintenance contractors and managers, flight deck team, cabin crew team, design and make the uniforms, the lit and print, the catering package, develop the staff training programme, field calls from complaining people, deal with the BBC, the national and travel press and the local papers too, hire staff to help build this, relate to local and foreign suppliers, attend dinners and speak at most of them and then deal with letters of complaint from people who think you should have phoned them back a little sooner!!!

This is only a scratch on the surface of my week. Poor old me!

FlyBlu/who has been a genuine attempt to bring a little more style and comfort to your otherwise ‘hard work’ Florida travel experience. We invested huge sums in this effort (it would make you weep I promise) but we still missed the target simply because we tried too hard to secure your position and to ensure the product was perfect before we delivered it.

We will continue to work on this and continue to look forward to launching this service, but for the time being I feel I cannot even consider giving any indication when that will be.

Thank you for your support, and for your hope.

Aden and the team.

 

[Bexx]

Thank you for letting us know what has happened, Aden. I wish you every success for the future of this venture.

 

[terrynewpack]

I have no doubt it is a big job starting an airline but starting any number of businesses is a big job.
Getting finance and getting as you say 'your ducks in a row' is imperative but these are also things that should really be done before you start marketing.
I accept that you haven't ceased trading because to do that you have to start.

Good luck for the future.

Terry

 

[SEVANS2208]

As the one who started this thread (silly me!), I'd just like to add my comments on a couple of issues raised:

Firstly, thank you Aden for clarifying what is really going on with FlyBlu/who. I echo Becky's comments and I really do hope that you get things off the gound (so to speak).

Secondly, I am a mother of 2 reasonably well behaved girls (ages 4 & 11) and I would have no hesitation of taking them onto PE (or equivalent) if I could afford it. There is always a possibility they would mis-behave (boredom or illness are the main reasons), but I think that as most parents themselves find it v. embarrassing when their children do play up, we do everything we can to passify them. At the end of the day, it is the parents responsibility to look after their children, no matter where they are sat.

Saying that though (talk about sit on the fence!), I can see the "need" for a PE class that does have an age restriction - yes, even going to Orlando. We all expect there to be children on flights to Orlando, but on some occassions (honeymoons or business travel, for example) you do want/need a bit more peace and quiet than you normally get in "cattle class".

I appreciate everyone has different opinions and this is probably an issue that will never be agreed on!

 

[Elle]

I would like to ensure that the record is set straight regarding the various messages on this and other forums that speak of us having CEASED TRADING. I appreciate that word is going round about our status and I will clarify that in a moment, but this statement is NOT TRUE. I am especially troubled to read posts that refer to calls purportedly from us and telling this news. We have made no such calls.

Hi Aden,

I would also like to set the record straight ) That was exactly what I was told when I called your booking line to confirm. I trust you have now told your staff not to use those words )

Good luck for the future,

Elle

 

[pauldents]

Last September we flew PE outbound and UC return with my 19 month old daughter (who was incidentally, really well behaved). This still didn't stop a guy in his 50's walking up to our seats, staring at my daughter, shaking his head and tutting!

I dont understand people who complain about children being in the premium classes on flights (especially on a bucket and spade route). Were you not a child once?!

Surely you know the airlines policy before you book?

If you have a problem with it, please take it up with the airline.

PS On the 15th September@ 11.15am, we will be travelling UCS in the new suites. My daughter who will be 2 years and 7 months (shock horror!) and will have her own, paid seat. You have been warned!


Thanks.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

This is quite right.
We have a three year old who has travelled UC every time we have flown to the uSA, which is every six months. So he has travelled 6 times now, mostly in a paid for seat.
If iI choose to spend my hard earned cash to have my son travel in UC, then that is my perogative. I have been on flights where the most obnoxious, loud and generally distruptive person is a so called "adult" who has partaken of too much falling down juice.
This is why even if Fly blu/Who ever take off, I will NEVER use them as I see their policy and of TCD as discriminatory against people with children under a certain age.
Still, its there loss of £6,000 a time and more for Virgin!