Air France Frequence Plus - AF opens ORY-BRN (Jan 2009) and shuts it down (end of March 2013)

From January 19, Air France offers a daily flight BRN-ORY (dep 06:40, arr 07:55) and ORY-BRN (dep 18:50, arr 20:20) with a 48 seater ATR 42-500. Source (German): travelinside (http://www.travelinside.ch/travelinside/de/index.php?we_objectID=8623)

I don't really know the market at BRN, but I'd guess, it's rather small. A connection to TATL and Asian destinations will include a transfer to CDG which is rather inconvenient, the train from BRN to ZRH is surely the better option if you have checked baggage and need to go through CDG.

The schedule is also quite inconvenient for individual tourists heading to COI-destinations, because there usually is a rather long layover.

If PAR is your final destination, there's also competition from the TGV which offers direct city to city trains at reasonable tariffs.

Flights aren't bookable yet on AF's website, the destination has been added though.

In my opinion, this flight is doomed, like the BRN-BRU one, but we have to wait and see first. I'd rather see a comeback of the ZRH-LCY Cityjet flight, but this is just a dream. :(

Wow, wonderful news! Thanks for posting it!

BRN (Belp airport) is seriously underserviced for a capital city -- all those diplomats have to hoof it to GVA or ZRH, or sell out to LH (see below).

Except it's ORY and not CDG. And the timings . . . late in, early out.
Still, it means that there's an AF crew overnighting in BRN every day. Could be fun.

I need regular and affordable flights for my commute AMS-BRN.
LH have a 4 to 5 hour but relatively expensive routing through Munich (AMS-MUC-BRN), with its wonderful (truly!) transfer services for people of reduced mobility.

At the moment, I use AMS-BSL on LX, with Business returns available for EUR 91++ (EUR 162 all-in, return not one-way!), and then take the bus-train to Berne HBF (CHF 42 return) through Basel SBB.

But flying into Belp has my strong preference. I shall definitely try this, using my free transfer rights as a Club 2000 twixt CDG and ORY.

- Paul

BRN is one of the cutest airports for a capital city, I'm sure some of us have a living room larger than the boarding area. And how efficient with 15mn check-in time. From the moment you fly above the city center before landing and the moment you are at home (or in your hotel room) downtown it can be less than 30mn. And in the pre-Shengen times (haven't tested it since) I loved that single Swiss border police officer standing on the tarmac to welcome passengers (never were too many) and check their passports.

This being said, the announcement looks strange and calls for a few questions:

Which franchise/code share airline will actually fly the route? I know none that operates the ATR 42-500 (only CCM operates ATR 72-500)
What is the interest for AF to connect a feeder flight to ORY airport (for city center to city center travel the direct TGV service is just as convenient)?
How come did they choose to have a crew and plane overnight in Switzerland (very expensive) for a single daily operation?
Why does the route not yet appear in AF's reservation system?

Rereading the article mentioned by the OP it seems that there are actually two daily flights between BRN and ORY. The morning flight departs BRN at 6:40AM and it is not said when it departs ORY for return (presumably around 8:30AM if the machine is ORY based). The evenning flight departs ORY at 18:50 for return and it is not said when it departs BRN. So there might not be a need for an overnighting crew in BRN after all.

I need regular and affordable flights for my commute AMS-BRN.

There used to be a non-stop flight on that route marketed by KLM (and operated by Darwin if I recall well) up until about 3 years ago. Let's hope the ORY flight will hold better. Currently the only major airport BRN is conveniently connected with is MUC (feeder flights for LH).

Which franchise/code share airline will actually fly the route? I know none that operates the ATR 42-500 (only CCM operates ATR 72-500)


Airlinair

I need regular and affordable flights for my commute AMS-BRN.
...
At the moment, I use AMS-BSL on LX, with Business returns available for EUR 91++ (EUR 162 all-in, return not one-way!), and then take the bus-train to Berne HBF (CHF 42 return) through Basel SBB.


Mmm, not so sure now. Yes, there are to be two daily return flights.
On the AF reservations system, the flights are bookable, just for ORY-BRN vv.
AMS-BRN is shown as no flights.
ORY-BRN return is EUR 239. Add a minimum of EUR 160 for AMS-CDG. EUR 399.

Travel time and cost (excl local travel) from my NL village to my Bern burb :
on AF: AMS-CDG/ORY-BRN = 5 hrs minimum, depending on Paris traffic, EUR 399 (and 1500 Flying Blue miles, *2 because Club 2000 = 3000)
on LX/SBB: AMS-BSL/BSL-BRN = 4.5 hours, EUR 190 (and 4000 Miles+More miles, plus 1000 because Senator = 5000)

For a change, looks like LX have won. Come on, AF, you can do better than this!

The schedule has been fixed now:

AF3323 Days 123456 Dep BRN 0640 ARR ORY 0755
AF3321 Days 123457 Dep BRN 1700 ARR ORY 1815
---
AF3320 Days 123456 Dep ORY 0840 ARR BRN 1010
AF3322 Days 123457 Dep ORY 1850 ARR BRN 2020

Tickets in N-class start at CHF 176 all inclusive.

Tickets in N-class start at CHF 176 all inclusive.

Well, the basic fare is good (too good). For a return, weeks 3 - 5, ORY-BRN I am getting a base fare of EUR 41 (yes, return) plus those damn Chiracien taxes of about EUR 110. Say EUR 150 all-in. Chirac's delusion of being lauded as an environmentalist (his Paris taxes) help no-one, but he would never understand.

Add on an AMS-CDG return, EUR 260 all-in, and the option of flying AF from AMS to BRN melts away when compared with the business clare fare of LX to BSL and onwards by rail -- less than half the price.

Il y a toujours des petales qui tombent...

Feb. 16 2009 is the last day to book the introductory teaser fare (175 CHF return) BRN-ORY.

The cheapest fare beginning Feb. 17 2009 jumps to 262 CHF.

My experience with this routing is very positive. The ground connections, both in Berne and Paris, are excellent.

I would especially recommend this routing for long-haul travel, where one would like to enjoy a full day in Paris.

On my next trip to NYC, I would be able to arrive in Paris (center city) before 09h00. There is a flight to JFK that departs CDG at 19h00. Such a routing would allow for a leisurely visit to Musee D'Orsay, a fine lunch in Paris, some shopping and then a RER trip to CDG to catch the evening flight.

This does not count as a stopover, as one has to change from ORY to CDG anyway.

On the way back from JFK, I would enjoy a second day in Paris before continuing home to Berne.

Two free days in Paris as a bonus! This routing is far more attractive than the ZRH-JFK non-stop alternative on Swiss.

Feb. 16 2009 is the last day to book the introductory teaser fare (175 CHF return) BRN-ORY.

The cheapest fare beginning Feb. 17 2009 jumps to 262 CHF.

My experience with this routing is very positive. The ground connections, both in Berne and Paris, are excellent.

I would especially recommend this routing for long-haul travel, where one would like to enjoy a full day in Paris.

On my next trip to NYC, I would be able to arrive in Paris (center city) before 09h00. There is a flight to JFK that departs CDG at 19h00. Such a routing would allow for a leisurely visit to Musee D'Orsay, a fine lunch in Paris, some shopping and then a RER trip to CDG to catch the evening flight.

This does not count as a stopover, as one has to change from ORY to CDG anyway.

On the way back from JFK, I would enjoy a second day in Paris before continuing home to Berne.

Two free days in Paris as a bonus! This routing is far more attractive than the ZRH-JFK non-stop alternative on Swiss.

If you have time and want to benefit from Paris and what it has to offer, it is indeed a superb way of going not only from Bern to New York but of making a three city trip.

Other than that, if your objective is just to go to New York, why would one voluntarily spend time changing airports in Paris, take the filthy and slow RER to CDG where travel time from "door-to-door" (=time to leave Musée d'Orsay before departure of flight) is more than 2 hours including change of train, bear CDG, bear Air France when the alternative is a 1h15 ride on a nice and reliable Swiss intercity train from Bern nonstop to Zurich airport, you can get your boarding pass at Bern station, sufficient to arrive at Zurich 30 min before departure, and then you have ZRH departure instead of CDG, and you have Swiss instead of AF - I think the choice would be clear for 99,999% of people.

But then, everybody finds his own hapiness.

I think the choice would be clear for 99,999% of people.


I find it incredible that you are the self-appointed oracle for 99.999% of humanity. Just how does one attain such a position?

I find it incredible that you are the self-appointed oracle for 99.999% of humanity. Just how does one attain such a position?

OK, I correct myself: 99,999% of Switzerland-based users of the AF and the LX forums on flyertalk and 99,999% of people who want to go from Switzerland to New York, without the wish of adding Paris to their trip.

Very easy logic: the BRN-ORY-CDG-NYC option means:


A much much much longer travel time from Switzerland to New York, because of the additional stop in Paris, plus airport transfer in Paris
Hassle in Paris with luggage if you have some, because AF does not check your luggage through to NYC when an airport transfer ORY-CDG is involved. But maybe the Musée d'Orsay has wonderful baggage storage possibilities that I am not aware of
Having to go through an airport which most people find terrible (CDG that is)


The alternative means:


A shorter travel time, because of the nonstop flight from Switzerland to NYC. Most people prefer nonstop flights, right? Maybe not 99,999%, but let's say 98%. The difference being mileage runners, aviation freaks or those unaware of better options
Much easier and more comfortable transfer to airports (SBB CFF compared to RER in Paris, no debate here)
No hassle with luggage, you can even check it in at the train station in Switzerland and don't have to worry about it until New York
A much more relaxing airport at ZRH than at CDG


And unless you're traveling on one of LX's A330s in Business Class, then I'd even argue that LX is the nicer travel experience in the sky. But even that A330 problem is going to be resolved soon.

But again, I am talking about people who want to go straight from Switzerland to New York. It's a different case for people that want to stop in Paris, then it's great. But then the same would go for people who want to stop in London, Milan, Amsterdam, Munich, Frankfurt... any transfer connection is good. But you seemed to compare "taking a whole day of transfer in Paris is nicer than going directly" - I maintain that most people would disgress. Without being an oracle. Just common sense.

Trying to book an ORY-BRN return flight for next spring I realize that they are no longer in the system after March 31st, 2013.

It looks like the route will be discontinued.. :(

AF has reported that is will drop all service to/from Berne, Switzerland (BRN) at the end of March 2013. :(

That's really a pity :( as both BRN and ORY were quite convenient.

However prices have been outrageously expensive for the last 12 months or so - therefore I used MLH or ZRH instead.

Hopefully SkyWork will take over the route.