New insider info on flight to Florida

[SimonV]

Here's some really fascinating hot-off-the-press info on a new airline, who aim to be specialising in Florida next year.

FlyBlu are a Birmingham-based enterprise who intend to offer a more comfortable and quality-conscious scheduled service to Sanford, Tampa and Miami, flying at slightly offbeat times to take advantage of quieter check-in and immigration procedures. They will be carrying around 230 passengers on Boeing 767s configured in their own, innovative seating style. The service throughout will be identical (think Virgin's Premium Economy), but there will also be 48 seats with a big 48" seat pitch. As I understand it, their price structure will probably be in between an economy and business-class fare, so it won't be a cheap option, but they are aiming to cut down on much of the check-in hassle and provide a more upmarket service than any other scheduled economy class. They hope to be able to take bookings from January.

The big question is, do you think this would appeal country-wide, or is it something purely for the Midlands, who are currently starved of any direct-flight scheduled options??

(PS: This came from World Travel Market in London today, and I happened upon FlyBlu purely by chance. Interesting, huh?)

 

[Disney owl]

Definately sounds interesting.

More choice can only be good for us all.

Thanks Simon.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I think this might be popular - just look how much attention TCD's Sunshine First/Virgin's PE/BA's WT+ have got to see that there are a fair number of people who are prepared to pay a premium fare (although not full business class) to get a more comfortable journey. I'd be happy to fly from Birmingham (150 minutes drive) rather than Gatwick (45 minutes) if the 9 hours on the plane where more comfortable than a regular economy seat.

Thanks for the info Simon. Any idea when prices will be released?

Regards

Rob

 

[Hilary]

Definitely worth watching for details to be released!

 

[DizneyDaze]

Great news in general but a definate plus for us who are midlands based

 

[UKDEB]

This does sound interesting. Birmingham would be great for us - Gatwick is over 2 hours + contigency time.

What do you call offbeat times? I would prefer to fly in the early hours of the morning and arrive in Orlando midday EST, rather than the teatime arrivals we get now. Not sure if I'd be quite so keen to travel during the evening.

 

[kazzie]

I think there is definitely a market for this and not just local to the Midlands but Country wide.

I read some figures last week that said economy travel to MCO was down something like 7% but premium economy was up 40% or something like that.Which shows more people are willing to pay more to travel in comfort,who couldn't travel first class.The growing market is the middle area that this airline will be tapping.

 

[Penny12]

Hmmm, most interesting...if for no other reason than providing a bit more competition on the Orlando routes, which is always a good thing I think Great for the Midlands too!

 

[SimonV]

Their idea of offbeat times would be something like a 1-2pm check-in at Birmingham (when the airport is almost empty, apparently), arriving in Orlando around 6pm (2-3 hours later than most), and departing again around 9pm on the return flight.

I don't expect to see any prices before January as they still have a lot to put in place, but I think the idea has a lot of merit and it will be really fascinating to see it take off (if you'll pardon the phrase ).

 

[JANNYANS]

This sounds very similar to a scheme a company called Sky -Bus is supposed to be doing .They should have started in July from Luton but as yet nothing .

 

[UKANGEL]

sounds like an interesting alternative!

 

[JANNYANS]

here's their web site
http://www.sky-bus.com

 

[MalcolmC]

If only EasyJet or RyanAir would start flights to Orlando for £100 single, there would be a stampede!!!!

 

[elisebutt]

Well as it would only take me 20 mins on the train direct to International, I'm all for it, even if I had to splash out a few more quid, probably save that on not struggling to get to heathrow.
I wish they did direct flights from Birmingham to London as well

 

[BevS97]

they have a website too http://www.flyblu.co.uk/

 

[chris16]

Hello, bit of an old post, but they have now started providing "quotes" for flights even though you cant book - but you can e-mail them if you want to be on their maiden flight at the start of June.
I compared my PE flight at the end of July.
Their silver ticket (their economy but 38 inch seat pitch (same as virgin PE) was about a £1000 cheaper (2 adults and 2 children) and their gold (45 inch seat pitch) about £600-700 more for the 4 of us.
Certainly not a cheap option and you can only judge them once the flights have started but their 38inch seat pitches seem good value compared to virgin.
Hopefully they will succeed and provide some competition in the PE market.
The website has been listed above
Chris

 

[kazzie]

Thanks Chris,I'm off to take a look now

 

[chunkster20uk]

FlyBlu

Start their flights in June Birmingham to Orlando.

I have just come off the phone to them and although they are not taking cash bookings at the moment, if you email the quote you get off the screen to res@flyblu.com they will hold the seat for you. When they do take proper bookings they will require a deposit and then full payment 12 weeks prior to departure.

Remember that their basic seats 'silver' are the equivilent to Premium Economy and 'gold' are like first class.

I just did a quote for November 2 adults return £780 plus tax, not bad!

 

[Bexx]

It all looks VERY interesting. I've just had a look at the website, but couldn't see anything about flight times - am I missing something? It will be interesting to see what sort of entertainment is on offer, and if meals cost extra.

Many thanks for the information Simon.