Flying from Aberdeen

[supersneak]

In the local Press & Journal today there was an article stating that BA were going to be ceasing their flights from Aberdeen - Gatwick from March 2008. This is a popular route with people going to Orlando because of the easy transfer and straight through baggage facility. What will BA do for people that have already booked?

[bmitch]

Yes, just read that and coming from Aberdeen that was so disappointing! Always thought it was a very commerical route for BA as flights we always pretty full. Let hope another airline picks it up otherwise it will be back to heading for Amsterdam or Manchester for a connection. It does say that most of BA flights will be located in Termnal 5 so wonder if they move the Orlando flight from Gathwick to Heathrow?

[supersneak]

Must agree, we've used that route 4 times and it was always full. We have booked again next year, so will have to see what BA do for existing bookings. The transfer from Heathrow would take too long on current timings.

[Dopeysfriend]

BA cut the Newcastle to Gatwick route last year leaving only Newcastle to Heathrow an option. This obviously meant a trip across London from Heathrow to Gatwick for Orlando flights. Luckily Jet2 took over the route but when it's a different carrier it's always something else to think about when booking connecting flights.

Christine

[Robert5988]

BA really seem to be concentrating on London these days and leaving inter-UK flights to other airlines. Their presence in Manchester is much less than it was a couple of years ago.

I believe I am correct in saying that they only have one long haul service operating outside of London and that is Manchester to New York once a day; rumour is that even this is soon to go.

[Andy & Arlene]

Well that's interesting because I have already booked my flights to Orlando for next October with BA from Aberdeen via Gatwick. It is the start of our October school holidays and I know from previous experiences that that flight is always choc a block. Well it will be interesting to see how long it takes them to contact me to let me know and also what alternative I will be offered.

I am actually quite surprised about this as I thought it was a well used route.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Well it will be interesting to see how long it takes them to contact me to let me know and also what alternative I will be offered.
[/quote]

The Frequent Flyer forums are full of posts about schedules on all major airlines being changed and unsatisfactory alternatives being offered with no compensation; provided you are notified in time there is little action you can take.

So if they do realise about your situation in time, all the cards are in BA's hand. They will obviously have to offer you a full refund if you want it, but the alternative flight arrangements will very probably be unattractive.

I would start looking at what flights there are from Glasgow/Edinburgh that connect(and hope those don't get cancelled)

It saddens me that BA are withdrawing all these domestic routes and I blame Willy Walsh[msnmad] Aberdeen was one of my first ever flights as crew with BA, we used to do 4 day trips operating the Heathrow and Gatwick flights.

They need to rethink[msnmad]

My advice is to contact them asap, don't wait for them to contact you[msnsmile]

[Andy & Arlene]

I have received notification that I must travel from Aberdeen to Heathrow the night before, for my flights next October. Then transfer to Gatwick by the coach link. All at my own expense. This is going to add on approx £400 plus to the cost, what with the hotel, coach between the 2 airports etc. On the return journey, once we land at Gatwick, we have to travel to Heathrow to get the flight home. I have the option of cancelling, which I think I might do, as I have found alternative flights with BMI/United. Although an extra stop in the States and not arriving until later, the cost is the same as the ones I paid for with BA.

[ravtino]

It makes me cross to think that everything revolves around people flying from London, loads of us up North, we deserve a better service from airlines! (rant over)

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ravtino
It makes me cross to think that everything revolves around people flying from London, loads of us up North, we deserve a better service from airlines! (rant over)
[/quote]

Expect BA to cut regional services further rather than re-introduce them.

I flew transatlantic from New York into Manchester on BA last weekend. All the crew were London based who fly up and down to staff this service. The view seems to be that the route's days are numbered and the aircraft will eventually be used on the expanding servcies from London.

[supersneak]

Hi Andy and Arlene,

Being in the same boat, we have decided on BMI Aberdeen to Manchester and Virgin to MCO.
The transfer time is a bit tight (2 Hours), so we have opted to go the night before.
Very disappointed with BA over this. :(

[Andy & Arlene]

I have now changed flights as well, going BMI Aberdeen to Manchester, then Delta to Minneapolis (I think), then onto Orlando. It was the best I could get, so did not have much choice.

[bmitch]

Yes, it does leave us with less option in in the frozen North! We do a variety of routes - last one was Abd-Gtw-Dallas then back via Chicago-LHR-Abd but we won't do that one again in a hurry! Well, can't cause no more Gatwick.
Think Manchester will be more of an option in future via BMI or even Amsterdam.