DXB-LHR Loads Unbelievable
Mar 7, 2011, 9:11 pm
#17
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Original Poster
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There's no shortage of people though willing to pay them - even at those fares. I caught the flight back from LHR to DXB on Sunday (EK2) and when I checked in, there were 75 out of 76 seats booked in J.
I wanted to see about upgrading from Y to J using miles. Amazingly, a seat became available but at a cost of 85 pounds (silly UK taxes).
I wanted to see about upgrading from Y to J using miles. Amazingly, a seat became available but at a cost of 85 pounds (silly UK taxes).
Mar 7, 2011, 9:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2009
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There's no shortage of people though willing to pay them - even at those fares. I caught the flight back from LHR to DXB on Sunday (EK2) and when I checked in, there were 75 out of 76 seats booked in J.
I wanted to see about upgrading from Y to J using miles. Amazingly, a seat became available but at a cost of 85 pounds (silly UK taxes).
I wanted to see about upgrading from Y to J using miles. Amazingly, a seat became available but at a cost of 85 pounds (silly UK taxes).
But sure, there are people (look at the thread of corporate travel policy allowing EK) who do spend that much on a DXB-LHR J ticket.
Mar 8, 2011, 7:33 am
#22
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Mar 9, 2011, 5:42 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Add me to that list. Also decent connections from DXB with flight times that differenciate from the oneworld/*alliance herd who all take off from my local at the same time - four flights on four carriers within an hour, then nothing for 23. Except EK
Mar 9, 2011, 7:15 am
#26
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Mar 9, 2011, 12:04 pm
#27
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Mar 9, 2011, 3:24 pm
#28
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Decent pre-rush hour arrival in DXB, but less choice of connecting flights onwards. Hopefully there will swap over to a 777 soon, especially if they continue to do well cargo wise.
Mar 11, 2011, 6:55 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 567
For provinical UK traffic BA gave up on those markets a long time ago and EKs just being a successful grasshopper capitalising on the inability of UK and europeen airlines to get their logistical and fleet mgmt act together Thus KLM has also been trying to feed into those markets for 15 years (remember Air UK??) but Eks service and connections are tough to beat not to mention their boldness in putting capacity there ahead of demonstrable demand
Today's Schiphol airport (the original building opened in 1967) was designed to handle international transit passengers. And the UK was one of its most important markets. Indeed at one stage Schiphol even promoted itself as "London's third airport."
SQ copied KL's marketing stategy in the 1970s. Now EK (and the other Gulf carriers) are emulating the business model started by KL and SQ.
But KL still remains a force in the UK. Just look at the number and variety of UK airports it serves.
Mar 11, 2011, 11:47 am
#30
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To be fair to KL, the Dutch carrier has been active in the transfer market to/from the UK for decades, not just the 15 yrs you mention.
Today's Schiphol airport (the original building opened in 1967) was designed to handle international transit passengers. And the UK was one of its most important markets. Indeed at one stage Schiphol even promoted itself as "London's third airport."
SQ copied KL's marketing stategy in the 1970s. Now EK (and the other Gulf carriers) are emulating the business model started by KL and SQ.
But KL still remains a force in the UK. Just look at the number and variety of UK airports it serves.
Today's Schiphol airport (the original building opened in 1967) was designed to handle international transit passengers. And the UK was one of its most important markets. Indeed at one stage Schiphol even promoted itself as "London's third airport."
SQ copied KL's marketing stategy in the 1970s. Now EK (and the other Gulf carriers) are emulating the business model started by KL and SQ.
But KL still remains a force in the UK. Just look at the number and variety of UK airports it serves.
What you explain is very interesting to me. I started flying international regularly in 1989 as a student going home from univ in the UK and KLM was aggressive in marketing its transit product The closest airport to my Univ was (and is) Stansted. 20 minutes on the train and you were at the airport and it was a snip to go anywhere from there on Air UK/KLM. That trend continues to date in East Anglia. I have friends who live in Norwich and they use KLM to the world direct form Norwich.
But when EK enters the market you get a whole new concept of service and network spread so KLM loses out, I guess. When I travelled eEast on work from MAN in the early 1990s there was no EK. I flew KLM Today my ex-colleagues never use KLM to go anywhere east or South its EK all the way! Colleagues based within a reasonable distance from London flying business class also choose the Ek limo service to LHR/LGW and then on to the world.
One by one.... so MAn, BHX, Glasgow, Newcastle... soon perhaps Leicester, Norwich etc...?