Discussion
Puggit said:
Thinking of using Flybe for a business trip next week, Southampton to Newcastle return. Saves having to use BA from Heathrow, and keeps my non-T5 record intact 
Hand luggage only - what are people's views/experiences?
I do Flybe SOU / NCL frequently. Never had a problem. Southampton airport is a breeze as there are no big queues at security, and you can check in flybe online - meaning that you can get there a lot later.Hand luggage only - what are people's views/experiences?
Also, if you are doing a day return, the short term car park is literally across the road from the terminal building, so no hanging around for buses. If you are parking longer than 24h, I'd suggest that the long term will be cheaper, but it means getting a park and ride bus (typically every 10 minutes).
I'd choose SOU over Heathrow every time.
Oh, by the way, the plane will be a twin prop Dash, so the flight may be marginally longer.
mybrainhurts said:
SeeFive said:
Oh, by the way, the plane will be a twin prop Dash, so the flight may be marginally longer.
Never been in one of those....Do your nuts tingle after a flight..?
Why do they approach like dive bombers...?
Landings vary a bit, but they seem to manage to get them on the floor the right way up most times, even if at times it feels that the altimeter is set to about 10 feet below the level of the runway. Mind your head on the low overhead lockers.
I really like T5, it's actually quite a nice place to be if you've got a transatlantic flight to catch, some seriously posh shops and scary prices, hardly any of the 'week in falaraki' crowd.
Anyway, back on topic, I've flown twice from southampton this year with Flybe and they've been superb. Although i understand they have a less than glowing reputation at other airports they fly from (Exeter is a bad one apparently).
Anyway, back on topic, I've flown twice from southampton this year with Flybe and they've been superb. Although i understand they have a less than glowing reputation at other airports they fly from (Exeter is a bad one apparently).
Sitting in Surrey office today courtesy of FlyBE via Southampton...from Edinburgh.
As I was on Monday. And twice last week. And the week before. And next week. etc. It's my weekly commute.
Although LHR is closer to the office that SOU, I choose SOU as it's a decent wee airport - non-pretentious (unlike T5), quick-ish to get through security, security not manned by blood relatives of Stalin, baggage comes through quick, and no bus required to/from car hire (a BIG plus for me!). FlyBE have delays, but fewer than Willie Walsh's London Airways. And even with (not infrequent) 'operational issues' on the Dash 8s, FlyBE have always managed to get me there...unlike London Airways who left me to my own devices after cancelling the connecting flight to SFO a few month back. Had a stand-up fracas with a surly security bloke the other week at T5; just reminded me again why I choose to avoid the place.
Fairly sure Newcastle is on the Dash 8s, so a bit noisy, lower and slower than a proper jet [no oxygen masks....not a lot of people notice that] but overhead bins will take reasonably sized carry-on side-on, but not end-on so they can run out of locker space real quick. Some of the timings on some of the routes get the new Embraer 195 and they're much nicer. All the Embraer 145s (that I really liked) have been retired now (and they had no sensible carry-on baggage space at all), together with the RJ100s.
As I was on Monday. And twice last week. And the week before. And next week. etc. It's my weekly commute.
Although LHR is closer to the office that SOU, I choose SOU as it's a decent wee airport - non-pretentious (unlike T5), quick-ish to get through security, security not manned by blood relatives of Stalin, baggage comes through quick, and no bus required to/from car hire (a BIG plus for me!). FlyBE have delays, but fewer than Willie Walsh's London Airways. And even with (not infrequent) 'operational issues' on the Dash 8s, FlyBE have always managed to get me there...unlike London Airways who left me to my own devices after cancelling the connecting flight to SFO a few month back. Had a stand-up fracas with a surly security bloke the other week at T5; just reminded me again why I choose to avoid the place.
Fairly sure Newcastle is on the Dash 8s, so a bit noisy, lower and slower than a proper jet [no oxygen masks....not a lot of people notice that] but overhead bins will take reasonably sized carry-on side-on, but not end-on so they can run out of locker space real quick. Some of the timings on some of the routes get the new Embraer 195 and they're much nicer. All the Embraer 145s (that I really liked) have been retired now (and they had no sensible carry-on baggage space at all), together with the RJ100s.
I have done Southampton to Newcastle - nice short flight.
My only gripe with Flybe was when I went to Aberdeen (via Leeds) and they cancelled the return leg Leeds > Southampton and put us back on the original plane to Exeter - then had a coach back to Southampton, which meant I didn't get home until 2am !)
My only gripe with Flybe was when I went to Aberdeen (via Leeds) and they cancelled the return leg Leeds > Southampton and put us back on the original plane to Exeter - then had a coach back to Southampton, which meant I didn't get home until 2am !)
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