poshphil

Apologies if this is posted in the wrong place. My brother in law is getting married in Larnaca late May and we're trying to book reward flights to get out there but are struggling. Ideally we'd be looking to fly out 25/26th and back 5-7 days later, from either London airport. I'm guessing it's because it's in the May half term, but as far as I can tell there's nothing going out in Economy for 2 people from the 19th until the 28th and then coming back from the 25th May until 5th June. Business is also not a great deal better, there's a 4 day gap at the start of June with no availability which would all be reasonable days for us to return on.

Is this something that is likely to improve as we get a bit nearer or is this is a good as it's going to get? Need to know if we should think about paying for flights instead.

MrSimonR

But LCA already has direct services on a multitude of airlines from almost every major UK airport.

BA can't compete on cost with these direct low-cost services.

The market for premium fares, from the regions, with a connection via LHR/LGW is extremely limited to non-existent.

The LCA-LHR route does well from direct traffic (in both directions), connections to North America and freight (both directions).

Cyba

You travelling not just over summer season but also over a bank holiday weekend were demand will be particularly high. I wouldn't count on anything opening up between now and then. Flights will be full.

magyaar

Agree with that: and I would actually try to book as soon as possible - my experience of LCA flights is that prices very rarely drop from any destination with any airline.

LadyB

This is one long thread & it may be that much of the info is irrelevant to me.

I've just booked (in the sale) a 6 night AI holiday in Limassol, going into Larnaca airport, leaving in 5 weeks. How is Larnaca airport for arrivals & departures? We arrive around 6pm on a Saturday & depart around 7pm on the following Friday.

Any useful tips or info you lovely people can impart please? Anything useful will be gratefully received, thank you

LadyB

Sorry to bump but can anyone help with the questions above please? Thank you

MrSimonR

LCA is one of the nicest airports anywhere. On arrival you deplane through dual airbridges, so it's quick to get off the plane, quick to get through passport control, and bags come out quickly. You will be through the airport in 5 minutes if hand baggage only or 15-20 minutes with bags. There is an ATM in the baggage hall.

On departure there are only a few flights in the evening, a Dubai flight, a Gatwick one, and maybe 1-2 to Russia. The terminal will be quiet. Check-in is easy, there is a dedicated check in desk for CE/Gold/Silver. You can pick up a lounge invite from check-in, or simply present your BP at the Swissport Lounge. It's a very pleasant airport to use, the lounge is nice, and the staff are all great. Anything more specific you'd like to know, just ask.

LadyB

Thank you MrSimonR, very kind of you to respond with that info.

Professor Yaffle

Having done two LHR-LCA trips in the last week, I have to say that this route no longer deserves it's Grrrrr heading (at least in off season). The 767s have been in good condition, plenty of space in CE, decent food, very few chavs up front, and (on Sat night back to LHR) the best crew I have encountered in ages And a good use of miles IMO.

Pity Cyprus is such a hole

dc2447

Chavs?

ITT someone flying to Larnaca is trying to be elitist in a non ironic way

MrSimonR

LCA flights are very good these days: nice timings, usually A gates for departure and arrival, a great team on the ground at LCA, excellent food and consistently the best nicest crews (the team on last night's BA663 were ALL outstanding and a pleasure to fly with).

MrSimonR

OT - but S7 has just announced LCA-DME and PFO-DME flights:
http://www.s7.ru/home/about/news/s7-...os-and-larnaca

nomad1974

Great news and frequencies are not too shabby either, for startup service ^

BApilotinsider

Cyprus Airways dropping to one LHR daily after selling a slot.

http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/13/cy...east-airlines/

BA or bust

We did a trip to LCA a few weeks ago having got a great deal in the summer sale last year. IIRC correctly the flights in CE for the two of us was some £1200.

But adding 7 nights in a 5 star hotel only made it some £1400. I will never understand BA's pricing model.

Naturally we booked in a flash.. And had a great time! ^

Service outbound was excellent, great crew and good quality food. Return was pretty average. The 767 is a great A/C but as others have stated, BA really needs a better hard product for a 4 hour flight. Personal IFE would be essential I think.