orbitmic

Were other LCY services also late that day? If not, you just experienced one random case of a plane being delayed at one point just contaminating all further rotations, which can happen just as easily at LGW or LHR as it does at LCY. LCY does have drawbacks: in the winter, delays and cancellations due to weather are more likely than at other airports, and problems with the DLR do happen too. At the same time, delays due to congested air traffic upon landing are a lot more likely into LHR. On the whole, in the summer at least, it is certainly not a case of LCY flights being chronically more delayed/cancelled than their LHR or LGW counterparts.

Schultzois

I may just have bad luck when it comes to LCY. If it were just one I'd consider what orbitmc says and maybe it's "one random case" but it was 2 out of 2 not 1 out of 1. The first time I tried LCY (almost ten years ago) I also had a cancelled flight followed by transfer to LHR for a much later flight. To be very fair the station manager (after the fact, and having read something here on FT) reached out to me and kindly arranged a separate journey to show me how "it's supposed to work." As intimated by richardwft above, we ended up with weather issues on the way back and were preparing a diversion when thankfully at last minute we were allowed to proceed to landing. Ever since then I've just felt that if LCY works, it's great, but when something goes wrong, it goes more wrong and you've got a lot less protection. Honestly this summer I picked LCY because it was way cheaper. something like 400 r/t in Club for LCY when for LHR it would have been double.

Raffles

As far as I can see, Avios availability is ONLY loaded as 2 Y and 0 J.

This seems to be in breach of the 4/2 deal ....

adrianlondon

I wish they'd bring back (well, it was BMI) the flights to Basel. Trouble is, this city isn't doing so well economically at the moment as the major expat-employing companies are going through a state of flux, but many of the LHR-BSL flights are totally rammed.

orbitmic

I actually agree with that bit. Part of the reason is the sheer number of rotations/alternatives. I mean you were flying to NCE, LHR has 7 flights daily there in the summer so depending on when you arrive, it is much easier to be put on the previous flight or the next one which might leave before yours if delayed. At LCY, there is basically no way out. And as mentioned, in the winter, the vulnerability to weather can lead to complete closure much more easily than at LHR or LGW.

ajamieson

Not just you Schultzois I've noticed LCY flights have been all over the place in recent weeks. And yes, seems to be peak summer schedule that is less resilient. Still prefer LCY when it's available though.

In terms of routes, what seems to work well is additional frequencies to LHR (eg FRA, TXL, LIN) so people can mix and match. BUD would be nice but suspect it will be something else.

FlyerTalker39574

schrodingerdog

What is going on in BSL?

Is one of the cities in my watch list as is a major hub of the pharma industry, and I was seriously considering looking for work there.

adrianlondon

Briefly, cos this is totally OT, but there's lots of outsourcing/nearshoring/relocation going on. Not all departments though, so don't let that put you off. If you see jobs to apply for, then you're fine! I'm in IT though, which got hit first I love it here - highly recommended - trying to stay. Pity that it's not possible to fly here via LCY, but flying to Zurich and taking the train is an option, although just going to LHR is typically quicker.

Mikey Mike Mike

Air Canada are retiring their fleet of E190s next year once the CS3's oops - sorry, I meant when the A220's start arriving.

Before moving to Canada in 2014, I lived a 10 min cab ride to city, many a day I've landed and been indoors in 30 mins. The route selection and cutting is eccletic sometimes. ie Madrid, then no Madrid, Mahon (and then a switch to LGW and LHR). I once emailed Cityflier and asked about Berlin and they said there was no business case - now I think there are three flights. Scandanavia perhaps (Copenhagen and Stockholm back), would love a Manchester back as I had used the VLM F50 flights years ago.
I love the success of cityflyer - the scottish crews in particular are great, I'm glad they kept food and drink (no way BOB would work with a crew of two) and the 2x2 seating and pitch is great. The model of commuter flights, leisure during the day, and moving out to other bases for the weekend flying is clearly effective

I'm guessing the subbing to Eastern will stop given the poor reliability this year, but it's just so good to see a good product in the IAG group which grows and protects quality like some of it's siblings

Globaliser

But do they have the magic button that allows them to land at LCY?

abligh

When I was doing LCY<->EDI a lot, I soon realised the trick was to buy two singles (which in EuroTraveller at the time was the same price-ish as a return), so when the fog came down I would hot foot it to KGX and still have the return.

orbitmic

Indeed, unfortunately, the time when two singles were the same price - or often even cheaper! - than one return seem to have long gone. On most of my routes, singles now work at about 2/3 of the price of a return, so buying two singles represents an insurantial cost of 33% or so which is a lot.

FlyerTalker39574

Mikey Mike Mike

i'm pleased if LCY - MAH is operating - I could only see LHR and LGW. Mind you, currently living in Toronto means it's slightly irrelevant! I'd often fly to MAH for a week, hope to MAD for the weekend and get the monday evening flight back.
I think AC are the only operator of the E190 at Toronto, though some of their subs - ie sky regional fly E170/175s.
My earlier post had a typo which altered it completely - it's good to see one airline in the IAG group holding up quality over cuts. I realise that BOB not working with a crew of two (and one doing biz) is driving the free food drink but still.
Weekly I'm flying an E190 (off topic - sorry) between Torotno and Ottawa - the purser does three rows of club, and the second crew does T&Cs and water/juice on a 40 min flight. Fast!!