Plakias Forums

Plakias => Holiday Companies => Topic started by: John R on October 24, 2006, 11:51:47 AM

Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 24, 2006, 11:51:47 AM
Yesterday (23 October) all British Airways Connect 2007 direct flights (Flight BA6810) between Manchester and Heraklion disappeared from the BA website system. Still on the timetable but no means of booking them. I rang up BA and their rep had no suggestions other than a pending major amendment to those flights - including the possibility of withdrawal. That rep was also surprised when she could not access them herself. Her system said all flights fully booked !! - which she agreed was very unlikely. The last few 2006 flights were available and bookable.

I know some people have already booked these flights for 2007 - have they received any notifications from BA.

Perhaps it is simply website maintenance

Anybody out there know anything about this ?

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Mike G on October 24, 2006, 01:24:24 PM
John,

There are similarities with the First Choice pull out in 2004, i.e. disappearance from the website, lack of knowledge on contacting them, denials, etc. I gathered from various postings that it was a good, economical service so let's hope it is a website problem only.

Mike
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 24, 2006, 02:12:31 PM
Quote from: Mike G
I gathered from various postings that it was a good, economical service so let's hope it is a website problem only.

It certainly was a good and exceptionally economic service - I used it only a matter of 3 weeks ago !!

Today, BA website announced that they are revamping their site (imminent) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it might be a temporary result of that activity.

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: boxerlover on October 24, 2006, 09:39:36 PM
Quote from: John R
Quote from: Mike G

I gathered from various postings that it was a good, economical service so let's hope it is a website problem only.

It certainly was a good and exceptionally economic service - I used it only a matter of 3 weeks ago !!

Today, BA website announced that they are revamping their site (imminent) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it might be a temporary result of that activity.

John R

I have everything crossed too John.  Not the news I was wanting at all to hear. I have not yet booked (which is unusual)  as I am still trying to arrange some reasonable annual travel Insurance.

If you get to know anything more,  please keep us posted. Thanks.

John
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 24, 2006, 11:06:32 PM
Quote from: boxerlover
I have everything crossed too John.  Not the news I was wanting at all to hear. I have not yet booked (which is unusual)  as I am still trying to arrange some reasonable annual travel Insurance.

If you get to know anything more,  please keep us posted. Thanks.

John

First let me say how great it was to meet up with you two again this year.

The Sunday Telegraph Travel paper had an article on insurance for older people and they tracked down 5 companies they said worth a look :-

Sunworld Plus (0800 389 5904) - maximum age 75

Allclear2go (0870 142 5220) - maximum age 79

Global (01903 203933) - 90 years age limit for single trip

Medicover (0870 735 3600) - no upper age limit

Marrs (0870 920 2222) - no insurance for over 79 on this last one

So Medicover and Global might be worth investigating if you have not already done so.

I'll keep you posted if / when I find anything on BA flights

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: boxerlover on October 25, 2006, 08:19:49 AM
Quote from: John R
Quote from: boxerlover


I have everything crossed too John.  Not the news I was wanting at all to hear. I have not yet booked (which is unusual)  as I am still trying to arrange some reasonable annual travel Insurance.

If you get to know anything more,  please keep us posted. Thanks.

John

First let me say how great it was to meet up with you two again this year.

The Sunday Telegraph Travel paper had an article on insurance for older people and they tracked down 5 companies they said worth a look :-

Sunworld Plus (0800 389 5904) - maximum age 75

Allclear2go (0870 142 5220) - maximum age 79

Global (01903 203933) - 90 years age limit for single trip

Medicover (0870 735 3600) - no upper age limit

Marrs (0870 920 2222) - no insurance for over 79 on this last one

So Medicover and Global might be worth investigating if you have not already done so.

I'll keep you posted if / when I find anything on BA flights

John R

It was great to meet up with you two as well John

Many many thanks for this information.  I have not researched these companies so keep your fingers crossed.

John
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: DOTTY on October 25, 2006, 09:36:27 AM
Quote from: John R
Quote from: Mike G

I gathered from various postings that it was a good, economical service so let's hope it is a website problem only.

It certainly was a good and exceptionally economic service - I used it only a matter of 3 weeks ago !!

Today, BA website announced that they are revamping their site (imminent) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it might be a temporary result of that activity.

John R

Hi we have been in touch with BA via phone our flight has changed slightly otherwise all seems OK.
Lovely to have met everyone in Plakias. Now looking forward to May and Stella's also anyone who is back then.
(Gypsy) Dotty
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 25, 2006, 01:35:17 PM
Quote from: DOTTY
Hi we have been in touch with BA via phone our flight has changed slightly otherwise all seems OK.
Lovely to have met everyone in Plakias. Now looking forward to May and Stella's also anyone who is back then.
(Gypsy) Dotty

Thanks for that info. That sounds like more hopeful news. I assume the slight change was moving the flight slightly later (4pm from Manchester ??)

Expedia are still advertising them - at a very high price - describing them as Their own charter flights operated by BA. I hope they haven't bought the whole season from BA. The person at BA who I rang said that all filghts were showing up as fully booked !

I'll be happier if/when I see those flights back on their website.

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on October 25, 2006, 05:38:48 PM
"I'll be happier if/when I see those flights back on their website."

Hi John,

Us too.  We share your concern as we have been looking to book flights for a return visit to Plakias next year, staying again at Stella's of course.  Nice to meet you and your wife over there earlier this month.

Regards
Graham (the motorsport journalist and longtime Ferrari fan if you don't otherwise remember me!)
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 25, 2006, 08:06:20 PM
Quote from: G&S
"I'll be happier if/when I see those flights back on their website."

Hi John,

Us too.  We share your concern as we have been looking to book flights for a return visit to Plakias next year, staying again at Stella's of course.  Nice to meet you and your wife over there earlier this month.

Regards
Graham (the motorsport journalist and longtime Ferrari fan if you don't otherwise remember me!)

Hi Graham

Yes - great to meet you two at Stella's Plakias and enjoyed your company on the journey back to Manchester etc.

I was thinking about you when this all blew up - just hoping it will blow down again. I've emailed BA asking about flights BA6810/1 for 2007 but no reply yet. If I hear anything at all I'll report to the board.

Fantastic race in Brazil on Sunday - watched it all !!

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on October 25, 2006, 09:26:37 PM
Hi John,

Glad you enjoyed Interlagos.  I think Fernando and Renault deserved their double success when you look at the season as a whole, but what a brilliant final F1 race from Michael - seemed to capture more headlines than any other aspect of the race and won over many of his hitherto critics.  Don't be surprised to see him back racing in the future, albeit not in F1 - he's already turned down a £7m offer to drive for Audi in next year's DTM championship (German touring cars).

Anyway, not wanting to be accused of turning this forum into a motorsport one, you may be interested to know that when I rang BA yesterday they laid the blame with the operating airline GB Airways, saying they hadn't yet decided on their routes for 2007.  The latter told me something similar.  However, this doesn't explain about bookings already made or the flights currently being offered via Expedia.

Like you, we'll monitor the situation closely until the position becomes clearer.  Between us we can help to keep forum members informed.  The BA Connect Man-Her flights this year were such a good deal that I don't intend investing quite a bit more elsewhere unless we end up with no alternative.

Will probably see you again at Stella's next year, as we're now thinking of going for the last two weeks in September rather than our usual October visits.  12 times in the last 15 autumns in Plakias (12 at Stella's) may sound a bit sad to some, but we all know just how good it is.  The rest of the year can take care of heading elsewhere, including more racetrack visits than I care to recall!!

Best regards
Graham
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 28, 2006, 02:23:06 PM
Quote from: G&S
Like you, we'll monitor the situation closely until the position becomes clearer.  Between us we can help to keep forum members informed.  The BA Connect Man-Her flights this year were such a good deal that I don't intend investing quite a bit more elsewhere unless we end up with no alternative.

Things don't look good - including for those who have already booked. I received this reply from BA today in response to my email sent to them :-

"The Services from Manchester to Heraklion were affected due to the changes to schedule of British Airways franchise partner, GB Airways from 26 March 2006 to October 2006.

At present we are unable to say if we will offer this route in the future. If we do plan or begin operations on a new route, you will be able to view the latest information on ba.com.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us."

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: boxerlover on October 28, 2006, 02:42:00 PM
Quote from: John R
Quote from: G&S

Like you, we'll monitor the situation closely until the position becomes clearer.  Between us we can help to keep forum members informed.  The BA Connect Man-Her flights this year were such a good deal that I don't intend investing quite a bit more elsewhere unless we end up with no alternative.

Things don't look good - including for those who have already booked. I received this reply from BA today in response to my email sent to them :-

"The Services from Manchester to Heraklion were affected due to the changes to schedule of British Airways franchise partner, GB Airways from 26 March 2006 to October 2006.

At present we are unable to say if we will offer this route in the future. If we do plan or begin operations on a new route, you will be able to view the latest information on ba.com.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us."

John R

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear............this is not what we want to hear at all John.  

I suppose all we can do is to keep our fingers crossed that BA will offer an alternative schedule next year.

John
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 28, 2006, 03:29:59 PM
Quote from: boxerlover
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear............this is not what we want to hear at all John.  

I suppose all we can do is to keep our fingers crossed that BA will offer an alternative schedule next year.

John

I daren't wait too long as I don't want to miss the opportunity of a good (convenient) flight from Newcastle.  Sadly it is  much more expensive and will not allow me to extend my 2 weeks for a few days (at no additional cost) which the BA flights allowed me to do on this last recent visit.

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on October 28, 2006, 07:48:39 PM
Sorry to hear the BA response to you, John.  Agreed with all that it's not what we wanted to hear.  Fully understand your position re the Newcastle flights.  Reviewing our strategy re the way ahead, but will probably wait a little while at least to see if there's any chance of stance from BA.

Graham
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 28, 2006, 08:36:16 PM
Quote from: G&S
Sorry to hear the BA response to you, John.  Agreed with all that it's not what we wanted to hear.  Fully understand your position re the Newcastle flights.  Reviewing our strategy re the way ahead, but will probably wait a little while at least to see if there's any chance of stance from BA.

Graham


I've been surfing all over the place to try and get more clues. Some booking agencies are still offering those BA6810 flights from Machester for 2007 but I suspect they are also out of date (and hence they and their customers may get a shock) Some evidence for this is their showing the old flight times when immediately prior to cancellation they had been altered a little.

If you go to http://www.gbairways.com/where-we-fly/route-map/ (http://www.gbairways.com/where-we-fly/route-map/) then it is quite clear that there are lots of flights from Gatwick - including to Heraklion but when one puts the mouse pointer on Manchester there are very few flights shown and certainly none to Heraklion.

I've booked my Newcastle flight !!

John
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on October 28, 2006, 09:09:58 PM
I think you've done the right thing booking your favourable (if not on price) flights from Newcastle, John, as my gut feel is that BA or one of their franchisee operations probably won't run Man-Her next year.  I note GB Airways have introduced some new routes ex Gatwick for 2007 and maybe economics and/or their fleet size has dictated the dropping of the Man-Her flights, although seat occupancy both ways did seem v good earlier this month for scheduled flights.

I too had noticed that the 2007 Man-Her flights still being offered by Expedia are based exactly on this year's timings and not the slightly revised ones originally offered via ba.com until recently.  As you say, they and potential travellers are likely to find they have a problem here sooner or later.

We're still v much planning to return to Plakias/Stella's next autumn and I'm working on our options.  

Graham
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Doggy on October 30, 2006, 12:43:46 PM
Hi List

I'm new to the list.  I too have been having problems with this flight, but I thought I would register to tell you of a response I have had from British Airways yesterday:-

Dear Mr Jones

I am sorry it has taken so long to reply to you.

Please be assured GB Airways have not cancelled flights to Heraklion. They are finalising their schedules for next summer and this route will be available to book in the near future.

If you have any further queries regarding our routes and schedules, please call your local sales office where one of our agents will help you. Their contact details can be found on ba.com at:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ctclist/public/ (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ctclist/public/)

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards
Diana R
British Airways
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 30, 2006, 01:23:21 PM
Quote from: Doggy
Please be assured GB Airways have not cancelled flights to Heraklion. They are finalising their schedules for next summer and this route will be available to book in the near future.

That may be excellent news for some. I wish they would all talk the same story !!

I've booked now via Newcastle on a flight which is somewhat more expensive but very much more convenient for us so I'm not too bothered though all in all I would have chosen the BA flights with their cheap prices and flexibility on dates.

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: boxerlover on October 30, 2006, 05:32:24 PM
Quote from: Doggy
Hi List

I'm new to the list.  I too have been having problems with this flight, but I thought I would register to tell you of a response I have had from British Airways yesterday:-

Dear Mr Jones

I am sorry it has taken so long to reply to you.

Please be assured GB Airways have not cancelled flights to Heraklion. They are finalising their schedules for next summer and this route will be available to book in the near future.

If you have any further queries regarding our routes and schedules, please call your local sales office where one of our agents will help you. Their contact details can be found on ba.com at:

[url]http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ctclist/public/[/url] ([url]http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ctclist/public/[/url])

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards
Diana R
British Airways


This could be very welcome and good news indeed.

I have heared this morning from some friends who have already booked to fly to Heraklion in May with British Airways from Manchester.

They report that their schedule times have altered........albeit by only half an hour.........  this could explain the reason why the flight times have been taken off BA's existing schedule whilst they update their website. I do hope so and have all my fingers crossed.

John
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on October 31, 2006, 10:24:11 AM
Sorry to have to advise this, John ®, but important news for others no doubt.  Those BA Man-Her flights are now available to book online via BA's website.  £260 return incl. taxes for two in Sept.  Timings slightly later than this year's flights both ways.

What a pity BA seemed to be giving out mixed messages to us before today.

Graham
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: John R on October 31, 2006, 02:05:55 PM
Quote from: G&S
Sorry to have to advise this, John ®, but important news for others no doubt.  Those BA Man-Her flights are now available to book online via BA's website.  £260 return incl. taxes for two in Sept.  Timings slightly later than this year's flights both ways.

What a pity BA seemed to be giving out mixed messages to us before today.

Graham

No problem - I'm just pleased for everybody else. Like you - I wish their advisers would get their act together and speak with one voice.. I'm now happy with our Newcastle flights - more convenient, but the extra cost and loss of an extra 3 days or so in Plakias (which would have made up the cost actually) is a bit of a pain. I always act just that little bit too fast. Normally I have next year's flights already booked when I'm in Plakias so this year was for me a bit nail biting and when BA's flights made that temporary disappearence all my nails became very short !!]

I don't think I'll do it this time (did it last year !!) but if I sacrifice the deposit on my Newcastle flight, the BA flights will still be cheaper than the balance that I owe !!!)

John R
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: Noopsy on November 01, 2006, 05:54:11 PM
Quote from: John R
The Sunday Telegraph Travel paper had an article on insurance for older people and they tracked down 5 companies they said worth a look :-

Sunworld Plus (0800 389 5904) - maximum age 75

Allclear2go (0870 142 5220) - maximum age 79

Global (01903 203933) - 90 years age limit for single trip

Medicover (0870 735 3600) - no upper age limit

Marrs (0870 920 2222) - no insurance for over 79 on this last one

So Medicover and Global might be worth investigating if you have not already done so.

John R

John

The above information is really useful.

I normally insure with Mondial (through Expedia) but this year there was some hitch, and I had to insure with Lloyds TSB which turned out to be more expensive.  Next year I will make enquiries with a few of the companies you mention to see if I can get a more competitive quote.

Noopsy
Title: BA Flights - Manchester
Post by: harribobs on November 03, 2006, 09:19:02 AM
i think i have the answer as to why the flights weren't coming up on the BA connect

all below is quoted from a FLYBE press release to the trade this morning




Today marks a major step in Flybe’s history as we are pleased to
announce we have reached agreement in principle with British Airways to acquire British Airways’ BA Connect airline.

The deal, which we expect will be completed by the end of this year, will mean Flybe will become EUROPE'S LARGEST REGIONAL AIRLINE.

Since the launch of Flybe over 5 years ago we have been successfully serving UK and European regions and continued to expand our network to allow more travellers to benefit from Flybe’s unique added value service and high frequency flights.
 
Well, it will allow Flybe to offer even more opportunities to travel from your region to other destinations across the UK and Europe on our existing network and to many new destinations.

Acquiring the BA Connect route network means we will provide an even wider selection of services into key European cities such as Paris, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Milan.

We will continue to offer low fares, and through integration of additional aircraft will seek to offer you the UK’s best selection of daily flights on many of Flybe’s existing routes.    

 
Flybe is commited to retaining its added value services for the business traveller, with its Flybe Economy Plus product, a brand new Frequent Flyer programme, which will remain the UK’s most generous and developing new and improved Executive lounges.

Once the acquisition is completed, we expect that from early 2007 you will start benefiting from the new larger Flybe, with Europe’s widest selection of regional flights being on sale through Flybe.

Please continue to use Flybe as you have been for bookings and other travel services as we progress the exciting changes outlined above.