Flying with Flybe?
Sep 26, 2016, 4:48 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
Bouncing this thread, because I completed quite a few Flybe sectors this year. It seems to have improved vastly, although I still don't like the company. They have managed to reduce flying to a very unglamorous and forgettable affair. Like germanwings, they seem to have no culture behind them (as, for example, KLM does, thanks to its history) and there is no "feeling" when you fly them. However, that is unimportant for most flyers.
Unlike my previous experiences, there seem to be far fewer irrops, although staff at Dusseldorf airport were laughing about how it is known as "Flymaybe" (as if I didn't already know). Flights got me to where I needed to go safely and punctually (MAN, ABZ). Cabin crews were generally friendly, and one talked about how she had begun way back in the Jersey European days (which was the original name of Flybe).
The Embraer aircraft are, obviously, more comfortable and quieter than the Dash-8's (the seats in this latter are impossible to have a snooze in). The BoB menu is not too bad, with interesting items such as porridge (which is actually palatable) and cranberry tea. Sandwiches were pretty good quality and cost GBP4 and you get a decent cup of English breakfast tea. I experienced no baggage issues, although I went with hand baggage only (a small rucksack).
Lastly, it is now possible to redeem Avios on Flybe flights and this can provide very good value for certain dates and itineraries. For example, MAN-DUS round trip was 9,000 Avios plus about GBP54 taxes, an itinerary that would have cost EUR307 as a cash fare (which would have been a Get More fare). Using your Avios at avios.com, rather than at the British Airways Executive Club, yields more seat availability, apparently. Remember that all Avios award tix, whether booked at avios.com or BAEC, come with a free baggage allowance despite what is stated on the e-ticket. You can also collect Avios for paid tickets, but only at avios.com and Avios are awarded for the base fare without the taxes component.
Unlike my previous experiences, there seem to be far fewer irrops, although staff at Dusseldorf airport were laughing about how it is known as "Flymaybe" (as if I didn't already know). Flights got me to where I needed to go safely and punctually (MAN, ABZ). Cabin crews were generally friendly, and one talked about how she had begun way back in the Jersey European days (which was the original name of Flybe).
The Embraer aircraft are, obviously, more comfortable and quieter than the Dash-8's (the seats in this latter are impossible to have a snooze in). The BoB menu is not too bad, with interesting items such as porridge (which is actually palatable) and cranberry tea. Sandwiches were pretty good quality and cost GBP4 and you get a decent cup of English breakfast tea. I experienced no baggage issues, although I went with hand baggage only (a small rucksack).
Lastly, it is now possible to redeem Avios on Flybe flights and this can provide very good value for certain dates and itineraries. For example, MAN-DUS round trip was 9,000 Avios plus about GBP54 taxes, an itinerary that would have cost EUR307 as a cash fare (which would have been a Get More fare). Using your Avios at avios.com, rather than at the British Airways Executive Club, yields more seat availability, apparently. Remember that all Avios award tix, whether booked at avios.com or BAEC, come with a free baggage allowance despite what is stated on the e-ticket. You can also collect Avios for paid tickets, but only at avios.com and Avios are awarded for the base fare without the taxes component.
Oct 3, 2016, 6:12 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
Now that BA are moving to a Buy on Board model I am now moving my loyalty to FlyBe for UK domestic and near European flights. This is for three reasons: (1) as BA no longer will be offering a full service flight experience there is no real reason to traipse to LHR any longer for 5 Tier Points when LCY is 20 mins from where I live; (2) there is no risk of a middle seat as there is on a BA HBO fare given BE's 2x2 seating; (3) I'll still get some avios on a BE flight.
Dec 31, 2016, 2:21 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Bouncing this thread, because I completed quite a few Flybe sectors this year. It seems to have improved vastly, although I still don't like the company. They have managed to reduce flying to a very unglamorous and forgettable affair. Like germanwings, they seem to have no culture behind them (as, for example, KLM does, thanks to its history) and there is no "feeling" when you fly them. However, that is unimportant for most flyers.
Unlike my previous experiences, there seem to be far fewer irrops, although staff at Dusseldorf airport were laughing about how it is known as "Flymaybe" (as if I didn't already know). Flights got me to where I needed to go safely and punctually (MAN, ABZ). Cabin crews were generally friendly, and one talked about how she had begun way back in the Jersey European days (which was the original name of Flybe).
The Embraer aircraft are, obviously, more comfortable and quieter than the Dash-8's (the seats in this latter are impossible to have a snooze in). The BoB menu is not too bad, with interesting items such as porridge (which is actually palatable) and cranberry tea. Sandwiches were pretty good quality and cost GBP4 and you get a decent cup of English breakfast tea. I experienced no baggage issues, although I went with hand baggage only (a small rucksack).
Lastly, it is now possible to redeem Avios on Flybe flights and this can provide very good value for certain dates and itineraries. For example, MAN-DUS round trip was 9,000 Avios plus about GBP54 taxes, an itinerary that would have cost EUR307 as a cash fare (which would have been a Get More fare). Using your Avios at avios.com, rather than at the British Airways Executive Club, yields more seat availability, apparently. Remember that all Avios award tix, whether booked at avios.com or BAEC, come with a free baggage allowance despite what is stated on the e-ticket. You can also collect Avios for paid tickets, but only at avios.com and Avios are awarded for the base fare without the taxes component.
Unlike my previous experiences, there seem to be far fewer irrops, although staff at Dusseldorf airport were laughing about how it is known as "Flymaybe" (as if I didn't already know). Flights got me to where I needed to go safely and punctually (MAN, ABZ). Cabin crews were generally friendly, and one talked about how she had begun way back in the Jersey European days (which was the original name of Flybe).
The Embraer aircraft are, obviously, more comfortable and quieter than the Dash-8's (the seats in this latter are impossible to have a snooze in). The BoB menu is not too bad, with interesting items such as porridge (which is actually palatable) and cranberry tea. Sandwiches were pretty good quality and cost GBP4 and you get a decent cup of English breakfast tea. I experienced no baggage issues, although I went with hand baggage only (a small rucksack).
Lastly, it is now possible to redeem Avios on Flybe flights and this can provide very good value for certain dates and itineraries. For example, MAN-DUS round trip was 9,000 Avios plus about GBP54 taxes, an itinerary that would have cost EUR307 as a cash fare (which would have been a Get More fare). Using your Avios at avios.com, rather than at the British Airways Executive Club, yields more seat availability, apparently. Remember that all Avios award tix, whether booked at avios.com or BAEC, come with a free baggage allowance despite what is stated on the e-ticket. You can also collect Avios for paid tickets, but only at avios.com and Avios are awarded for the base fare without the taxes component.
Bumping and asking
I've waded through the BAEC pages on baggage allowances: on a sunny day these can be interpreted as free bags on avios bookings. This chimes with Concerto's view.
While i have every confidence in our esteemed fellow poster, i'd feel that bit more confident if i could get a third vote in favour of AWARD BOOKINGS ON FLYBE ARE NOT HBO.
We're talking Manchester Amsterdam.
Jan 1, 2017, 4:15 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Priority Club Plat, Accor Gold, Flying Blue, Exec Club.
Posts: 963
Some advice if possible from those in the know regarding cancellations.
Flight was cancelled 30/12 due to poor weather, it had already been cancelled when we arrived at the airport (although no prior text or anything). Stayed in the airport all day as booked on evening flight. This was then also cancelled. Flybe arranged hotel/ meal/ bfast and transport.
Booked onto morning flight next day, 31/12. Weather not perfect, but better and improved, and most flights operating. Only cancellation to destination airport. Flight cancelled on arrival at airport.
Rebooked on evening flight the following day..... hotel etc covered (and thank you for that).
I suspect the third cancellation was aircraft movement/ aircraft in wrong place. Can we claim under EU cancellation rules for this?
Also, the car park will be charging an extra £10 a day. Not the end of the world, but can I claim this from Flybe?
They have been reasonable and I can't complain about how we have been treated overall, other than we will be over 3 days late getting home (the flight we will hopefully get arrives late, so will need an overnight hotel).
Flight was cancelled 30/12 due to poor weather, it had already been cancelled when we arrived at the airport (although no prior text or anything). Stayed in the airport all day as booked on evening flight. This was then also cancelled. Flybe arranged hotel/ meal/ bfast and transport.
Booked onto morning flight next day, 31/12. Weather not perfect, but better and improved, and most flights operating. Only cancellation to destination airport. Flight cancelled on arrival at airport.
Rebooked on evening flight the following day..... hotel etc covered (and thank you for that).
I suspect the third cancellation was aircraft movement/ aircraft in wrong place. Can we claim under EU cancellation rules for this?
Also, the car park will be charging an extra £10 a day. Not the end of the world, but can I claim this from Flybe?
They have been reasonable and I can't complain about how we have been treated overall, other than we will be over 3 days late getting home (the flight we will hopefully get arrives late, so will need an overnight hotel).
Jan 4, 2017, 8:54 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
Bumping and asking
I've waded through the BAEC pages on baggage allowances: on a sunny day these can be interpreted as free bags on avios bookings. This chimes with Concerto's view.
While i have every confidence in our esteemed fellow poster, i'd feel that bit more confident if i could get a third vote in favour of AWARD BOOKINGS ON FLYBE ARE NOT HBO. (...)
I've waded through the BAEC pages on baggage allowances: on a sunny day these can be interpreted as free bags on avios bookings. This chimes with Concerto's view.
While i have every confidence in our esteemed fellow poster, i'd feel that bit more confident if i could get a third vote in favour of AWARD BOOKINGS ON FLYBE ARE NOT HBO. (...)
(...) Flight was cancelled 30/12 due to poor weather, it had already been cancelled when we arrived at the airport (although no prior text or anything). Stayed in the airport all day as booked on evening flight. This was then also cancelled. Flybe arranged hotel/ meal/ bfast and transport.
Booked onto morning flight next day, 31/12. Weather not perfect, but better and improved, and most flights operating. Only cancellation to destination airport. Flight cancelled on arrival at airport.
Rebooked on evening flight the following day..... hotel etc covered (and thank you for that).
I suspect the third cancellation was aircraft movement/ aircraft in wrong place. Can we claim under EU cancellation rules for this? (...)
Booked onto morning flight next day, 31/12. Weather not perfect, but better and improved, and most flights operating. Only cancellation to destination airport. Flight cancelled on arrival at airport.
Rebooked on evening flight the following day..... hotel etc covered (and thank you for that).
I suspect the third cancellation was aircraft movement/ aircraft in wrong place. Can we claim under EU cancellation rules for this? (...)
I'm sure you can claim under the EU protection....for the moment. Use one of the online agents that will do it for you and keep a percentage for their work.
May 9, 2018, 8:13 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Netherlands
Programs: BA Gold; Flying Blue Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 481
I can confirm their rules around hold luggage hasn’t relaxed at all. Booked 4 tickets with Avios meaning we all had 23Kgs allowance. We decided only to take 2 cases and the first case was weighed, tagged and sent and was 21Kgs. Second case was 24kgs and they told us too heavy. Had to remove 1kg. Were not willing to be flexible about this even when we pointed out other case was only 21Kgs. Unfortunately as first case already gone on conveyor we couldn’t transfer between cases. We still took the extra kg in our hand luggage so not sure the logic here. We were flying AMS-MAN
May 20, 2018, 4:18 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,027
I can confirm their rules around hold luggage hasn’t relaxed at all. Booked 4 tickets with Avios meaning we all had 23Kgs allowance. We decided only to take 2 cases and the first case was weighed, tagged and sent and was 21Kgs. Second case was 24kgs and they told us too heavy. Had to remove 1kg. Were not willing to be flexible about this even when we pointed out other case was only 21Kgs. Unfortunately as first case already gone on conveyor we couldn’t transfer between cases. We still took the extra kg in our hand luggage so not sure the logic here. We were flying AMS-MAN
Jul 31, 2018, 5:40 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BA - Silver,Hilton-Diamond, IHG - PlatAmb, GHA - Plat
Posts: 766
Just done 2 sectors with FlyBe
MAN - SOU, such a fuss for a domestic flight Shouty grumpy agents at checkin and the gate, so much so the gate agent was screaming at passengers that they needed to have their Photo ID etc, and rows xx - xx plane left late due to the pilot and ground crew disagreeing about trim )weight and balance.
Flight was a bit meh, but only 40 minutes on a DH8
SOU - MAN - Flight cancelled due to plane going tech, given food voucher for the airport, was offered rebooing to LBA, but due to car in MAN, was put in a taxi for the 4hr drive at 6pm, found out later that the flight to LBA had gone tech as well. Now waiting for the EC261 payout...
All in all not a positive experience of flying FlyBe ort as they are called now FlyMayBe
MAN - SOU, such a fuss for a domestic flight Shouty grumpy agents at checkin and the gate, so much so the gate agent was screaming at passengers that they needed to have their Photo ID etc, and rows xx - xx plane left late due to the pilot and ground crew disagreeing about trim )weight and balance.
Flight was a bit meh, but only 40 minutes on a DH8
SOU - MAN - Flight cancelled due to plane going tech, given food voucher for the airport, was offered rebooing to LBA, but due to car in MAN, was put in a taxi for the 4hr drive at 6pm, found out later that the flight to LBA had gone tech as well. Now waiting for the EC261 payout...
All in all not a positive experience of flying FlyBe ort as they are called now FlyMayBe
Aug 19, 2018, 7:53 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Ireland
Programs: BA Silver, A3
Posts: 1,101
I need to add hold luggage on a return flight Belfast City BHD to Leeds/Bradford LBA but only need it for the outbound journey. The site forces me to book both ways. Is there any around this?
Thanks
Thanks
Aug 21, 2018, 2:59 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
Aug 21, 2018, 2:59 pm
#26
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
Aug 23, 2018, 2:58 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci.
Posts: 2,047
Trying to check in for tomorrows LCY-JER
just says free airport check-in available ! No option to on line check-in
what does this mean?
cant believe an airline that operates flights well into the evening closes its customer service helpline at 18:30!
just says free airport check-in available ! No option to on line check-in
what does this mean?
cant believe an airline that operates flights well into the evening closes its customer service helpline at 18:30!
Aug 24, 2018, 8:52 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 727
Aug 24, 2018, 11:38 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
you can do a kiosk check in at LCY with practically no queues...