Direct Shedule Flights - BHX

**Matt** · 03-04-2004, 17:57

I have just read the following article:

Flyblu is a brand new carrier that will be flying from BHX airport directly to Florida beginning in June. There will be 2 flights a week to both St.Petes/Clearwater and Sanford Int'l.

There will also be a once a week service to Fort Lauderdale.

Flyblu will have now legroom than most, up to an extra 6inchs over some sirlines and 70 less seats on its Boeing 767. Silver prices start at £366 return and £548 for Gold Class.

Flyblu will become the first scheduled airline to commence flights to Orlando since Virgin launched 2 decades ago.

www.flyblu.com

See peeps, another choice opened up for all of you wishing to travel direct from one of the central UK airports.

Matt

**floridadreamvilla.co.uk** · 03-04-2004, 19:10

The only problem I can see is they still have no aircraft - and having no aircraft means no AOC (Air Operators Certificate - the CAA approval they need to start and airline) - AOC's can take months to get and involve a very complicated procedure including proving flights with real aircraft. I can't see it happening on time.

**ruthless333** · 03-04-2004, 20:46

There is another thread about Flyblu in another forum - Great Deals -

I have actually spoken to their 'sales' office as I am looking for flights for next year. I appreciate what you are saying about having the planes available and the necessary paperwork etc., and must admit wasn't aware of this! But in fairness to them (actually spoke to the partner's wife - lovely to speak to a real person rather than a telesales trained junior - found them really helpful.

Not everybodies cup of tea maybe, but I would certainly consider the extra journey time to Birmingham rather than use Manchester, just to be able to access the Sanford airport option (they are also looking at using other airports in USA). I wanted the extra space and comfort and found their prices to be very good for what they were offering - Obviously only time will tell if they put their money where their mouth is....................

I know many have used the FLIGHTS link on this forum and found good prices - maybe with Flyblu being a new carrier, it would be possible for the owners of Orlando Villas to discuss recripricol deals with them - new company, new business - they might be open to new business links?
Just an idea, don't want to step on any toes here!!![msnscared]

03-04-2004, 21:52

Heres a few points I wrote from the other thread..........

Matt, don't know where they get the 70 seats less???? They intend to carry more than most airlines!!!

Flyblu are intending to carry 230 passengers on the Gold and Silver configeration. Just as a comparision......
BA 767-300 Heathrow - East Coast USA 3 classes - 181 passengers
BA 767-300 Manchester - New York 2 classes - 215 passengers
Air Canda 767-300 Manchester - Toronto 210 passengers
American Airways UK-USA 2 classes - 212 passengers
Flyblu tell me that they have not got the aircraft yet, but they will be leasing them, but they don't know who from or what there registrations will be so I cannot do a search yet. They are not using brand new aircraft.

03-04-2004, 21:59

and more.............

Flyblu is being started up by an ex rock drummer called Aden Murcutt, he will also be the Chief Exc. He is a 47 year old business man from Solihull who feels the Midlands gets a raw deal flight wise, acrross the Atlantic.
He wants to compete with Virgin from Manchester and BA from Gatwick, he plans to operate with two Being 767-300ER's they are going to lease them but they have not been delivered yet - and they don't know when they will be. When I spoke to them they did not know who they were even leasing them from!
The 767-300 is not as big as the 747's operated by Virgin or the 777's operate by BA to Florida.
I did find the operators licence application with the Civil Aviation Authority though, but I don't think its been granted yet as John has said.
They are recruiting staff through Jan/Feb. The web site looks quite impressive although you cannot book online.
Personally I am always a little wary of new airlines, especially when the Chief exc has no experince in the airline industry, having said that Richard Branson has done a good job.

**Ray&Sarah** · 03-04-2004, 23:02

We agree with Flyblu, for those of us living in the South West we are very limited for flights. It is either a drive to Heathrow or Gatwick, or alternatively encountering the M5 and M6 to Manchester. We will definitely consider using an airline that can offer direct flights from Birmingham.
Richard Branson has proved that you do not need to be born into airline business, and to be far he has shock the industry up a bit, maybe it is time for someone else to give it a shake.[msnwink]

03-04-2004, 23:04

I agree but I would give them a few months to get up and running - who wants to be a guinea pig!

**fiona** · 03-04-2004, 23:23

Well their flights into Sanford, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale at the beginning of July at over £700 return

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03-04-2004, 23:27

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by fiona
Well their flights into Sanford, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale at the beginning of July at over £700 return

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[/quote]

I got a quote for August and they were very close to what I have paid with Virgin and that was with out a car!