A fare paying punters view

As someone who has helped some of the worlds largest companies set up new business ventures (including a rather large airline based at LHR), I can appreciate some the the highs and lows that Martin and his team must be experiencing.

Whatever the outcome of Alphaone, he will emerge from this launch period with some tremendous learning that will stand him in good stead to further expand Alphaone or launch other ventures.

There are people who post on this board with little or no real exposure to Alphaone other than through what they read in the media.

I’ve held about a dozen tickets with Alphaone and in every case they have got me to my destination. If they can pull together a viable operation and maintain the enthusiasm and customer commitment I’ve experienced to-date, they could do well.

PS all this is assuming that A1 is still in operation and hasnt already died off – who knows ?

I’m flying them first week in February – so I’ll let you know!

When I last checked they weren’t taking any further bookings, so you had better check if you want to fly 2/3 Jan. I’m sure that we will see a much more reliable service in the 1Q 2006.

I doubt the mods will mind a trip report?!
Besides, I think rockjock was shot down on principle.

You here, are the only one on the forum with actual experience of Alpha One!

I’m not sure why Rockjock was shot down – he seem to be making only factual and responsible points. Rather that take the chance of mentioning any of the unmentionables, I’ll wait until the Mods open a thread. All I can say was it was a very interesting experience from booking to arrival. Credit goes to those involved.

Nice pics.

Nice pics, travelled on them today, but it was a piper chieftian without logos.

why do you CARE????

Me, I don’t care, I have 0 involvement in such things:)

I fly the IOM – EDI route about 80 times a year, that’s why I CARE. When there is a reliable carrier on this route it reduces my travel time by 5 hours.

The alternative routes via london or manchester are pretty unpalatable when you are doing it more than once a week.

I CARE about Alphaone’s presence on this route because, as BA and Euromanx proved just a year ago, the route will not sustain two carriers. An established carrier was planning to offer an IOM – EDI service from Spring 2006, however my guess is that with Alphaone’s IOM government grants for opening this route, the other carrier will not be incentivised enough to duplicate the service.

The worst possible outcome is that Alphaone muddle along on this route providing a below standard level of service.

May I therefore suggest that you go fly in your own airspace, and leave this thread open for those who do have some invovement and interest in this route.