Jaunted

Flybe

LCC News: Name That Plane

July 9, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

Low cost carriers listen up: When you're after a few more pages of publicity, try randomly naming your planes after moderately famous people. It's worked for British regional LCC Flybe several times already and they've just done it again.

This time Flybe has named a Bombardier Q400 plane the "Kevin Keegan" after the manager of the Newcastle United soccer team; its registration number now ends with "KKEV".

If all the airlines get into the plane-naming hysteria, maybe we could start using plane names instead of flight numbers? As in, "Can I check in for the Angelina Jolie to LA?"

Related Stories:
· Regional Airline Launches King Kev [Holiday Extras]
· Coming Soon to Cardiff: Airport Photo Shoots [Jaunted]
· Flybe coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ack Ook]

Flybe

Cheater Travel: Who Paid Your Seatmate To Be Here?

April 1, 2008 at 2:15 PM | 0 Comments

If the person next to you looks excited to be in the air during a commuter flight, he could be a plant! UK discount carrier Flybe was facing a $550,000 bill from Norwich International Airport for not making passenger quotas, so they hired 172 people to pose as passengers on their Dublin-Norwich runs.

At less than $80 a head, this subterfuge saved the airline about $545,000--but now Norwich officials have found out, and they're angry.

We'd love to interview the evil genius at Flybe who came up with this plan: We'll be suspicious of our fellow passengers forevermore.

Related Stories:
· Airline Hires Temps to Fill Plane [Reuters, via Yahoo]
· Flybe: A Budget Airline with Its Own Credit Card [Jaunted]

[Photo: kpmarek]

Flybe

Flybe: A Budget Airline With Its Own Credit Card

October 8, 2007 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments

British airline Flybe has been around since before the idea of a budget airline was really born, but in recent years it's been trying to remodel itself into what we can best describe as a "low frills" LCC. With its official bases in Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Southampton and Exeter, it serves a lot of Western Europe and this year took over old British Airways regional routes as well.

Flybe offers flights at reasonably low prices, for example £20 ($40) from Manchester to Belfast. This year they've had some trouble with flight cancellations due to staff shortages but of course, they claim they're over all that.

Where Flybe really departs from other European LCCs is its announcement this week of the "spend and fly" credit card. To be tied in with Flybe's rewards4All frequent flier program, the credit card will launch in January 2008. Besides making Flybe stand out from other European LCCs, they're undoubtedly hoping to increase customer loyalty in a fickle market. We think they'd do better to focus on some of their previous successes: matchmaking, for one.

Related Stories:
· Flybe Plays Wingman [Jaunted]
· Flybe [Official Site]

[Photo: fraserspeirs]

Flybe

Airline Report: Flybe Plays Wingman

October 6, 2006 at 9:39 AM | 0 Comments

There's a story making the rounds, no doubt to the delight of Flybe execs, of a couple who met on a Flybe flight from Belfast to Newcastle. Michael, in seat 2C, was smitten with Juliet in seat 2B from the moment they met. The two chatted throughout their flight, but when it came time to part ways, poor Mike couldn't muster the courage to ask Juliet for her phone number.

But our determined suitor didn't give up there. Once the regret became too much, Michael contacted the airline and begged to be put in touch with his seat mate. While Flybe stuck to their guns and declined to give Juliet's info directly to him, they did send a letter to her parents' house on his behalf. Two weeks later, she received it, and the two started dating.

Now they're set to get married in November. Not only will Flybe get you laid, they'll get you a lifetime contract on it! No airline has ever played wingman better. Cheers, guys, for putting Airtroductions to shame.  The only thing left for Michael and Juliet to do is see about that mile high baby.

[Photo: stonefaction]

Related Stories:
· On the wings of love [Belfast Telegraph]
· Please find the girl in seat 2B [The Sun]