On Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:25:39 +0100, "Michael"
wrote:

I live on Anglesey - getting to Liverpool/Manchester
for easyjet and Ryanair is tedious enough, going to London so I could use
the allegedly superior service of "normal" airlines would be ridiculous.

I think more than those two fly from Manchester. Soon, there will be
only one as Ryanair pull out (though quite a few other budget airlines
in their place).

The boundaries are getting very blurred now though, especially on
shorter flights. I went to Bilbao earlier in the year, the best
option from Manchester being SN Brussels via, errm, Brussels. It was
either an hour's journey to Manchester or trying to get to Stansted.
Low cost, so no in-flight service but bookable seats and a luggage
allowance. For a couple of flights that take less than an hour then I
don't really care.

In the US, Virgin America have an interesting price policy, where they
offer no-frills or full service on the same planes. You pays your
money, etc. I got from San Diego to San Francisco for $49 to connect
with a KLM flight to Manchester (via AMS) - overall much cheaper than
any scheduled alternative.

In message , at 22:12:45 on
Sun, 11 Oct 2009, Mr G remarked:
The boundaries are getting very blurred now though, especially on
shorter flights. I went to Bilbao earlier in the year, the best
option from Manchester being SN Brussels via, errm, Brussels. It was
either an hour's journey to Manchester or trying to get to Stansted.
Low cost, so no in-flight service but bookable seats and a luggage
allowance.

I always thought Brussels Airlines regarded themselves as a full service
carrier. They used to do codeshares with BA (when BA still flew from
regional airports up to about a year ago), and are a member of one of
the three big FF clubs.
--
Roland Perry

On Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:36:40 +0100, Roland Perry
wrote:

I always thought Brussels Airlines regarded themselves as a full service
carrier. They used to do codeshares with BA (when BA still flew from
regional airports up to about a year ago), and are a member of one of
the three big FF clubs.

The advertising I've seen positions them as a budget airline. They do
have a 'premium' fare class, which probably equates to full service.
On the Manchester-Brussels flight, FWIW, they were code sharing with
BMI and accepting Diamond Club cards.

In message , at 20:21:37 on
Mon, 12 Oct 2009, Mr G remarked:
I always thought Brussels Airlines regarded themselves as a full service
carrier. They used to do codeshares with BA (when BA still flew from
regional airports up to about a year ago), and are a member of one of
the three big FF clubs.

The advertising I've seen positions them as a budget airline.

They can't make their mind up. But codeshares with a full service
airline are the give-away.

They do have a 'premium' fare class, which probably equates to full
service. On the Manchester-Brussels flight, FWIW, they were code
sharing with BMI and accepting Diamond Club cards.

--
Roland Perry

"Mr G" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:36:40 +0100, Roland Perry
wrote:
. They do
have a 'premium' fare class, which probably equates to full service.


I don't like paying significant money for service I don't get. I am short
fat bald fly badly dressed and have little 'presence' the net result is that
I tend to be ignored or dealt with last
in Business Class. So I prefer to save the BC premium and spend it
enhancing the journey by paying at the time, rather than up front and hope
to get the service.

For instance most airlines have a 'by invitation' to use lounge,while if you
pay a fee for a general lounge, you will get it.

It is the same reason I don't belong to the RACE recovery service, they
openly state that as I am not a woman I will not be helped until all
unaccompanied women are recovered.
Strangely if I call a garage directly they generally just ask where I am.
The RAC do not offer a second rate service discount to men.

In the end of a day I want to go somewhere for a specific purpose. Cattle
class or FC the flight is still going to be a pain. A decent hotel on
arrival and a nights sleep is more likely to result in mission success than
class of ticket.

From your comments you appear to travel a lot but not live near a suitable
airport, that is a lifestyle decision and not really an airline issue.

"Mr G" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:25:39 +0100, "Michael"
wrote:

I live on Anglesey - getting to Liverpool/Manchester
for easyjet and Ryanair is tedious enough, going to London so I could use
the allegedly superior service of "normal" airlines would be ridiculous.

I think more than those two fly from Manchester. Soon, there will be
only one as Ryanair pull out (though quite a few other budget airlines
in their place).

The boundaries are getting very blurred now though, especially on
shorter flights. I went to Bilbao earlier in the year, the best
option from Manchester being SN Brussels via, errm, Brussels. It was
either an hour's journey to Manchester or trying to get to Stansted.
Low cost, so no in-flight service but bookable seats and a luggage
allowance. For a couple of flights that take less than an hour then I
don't really care.

In the US, Virgin America have an interesting price policy, where they
offer no-frills or full service on the same planes. You pays your
money, etc. I got from San Diego to San Francisco for $49 to connect
with a KLM flight to Manchester (via AMS) - overall much cheaper than
any scheduled alternative.


I take your point, easy/Ryan were just examples. I have taken 2 stage
flights to Europe from Manchester, but never found it as quick or cheap as a
direct flight on a no-frills - assuming that one flies the route.