FlyKeen use the EMB-110 Bandeirante aircraft on the IOM-BLA route. They still have the problem of being regarded as “that funny little airline” in the Isle of Man – a combination of no web reservations, infrequent flights, only one destination and really small planes.

An operator called Platinum Air 2000 used to use J31’s and linked BLA-IOM-BFS (or BHD, not sure).

Prior to that Comed Aviation also used Bandeirantes.

All have struggled with the route.

BLA’s main attraction is good proximity to the motorway, as well as being a fairly “downtown” airport. I looked at flying IOM-BLA once but to be honest, I think that route is a non starter. LPL flights are cheaper, far more frequent and regular and are operated by a well known airline.

I wonder why oneworld won’t take Swiss ?

IOM
LPL
MAN
LGW
AMS
LHR
JNB
NLA
PER
MEL

Airlines: BA, SAA, Qantas.

Aircraft: ATP, 146, 319, 744, EMB135. I am flying JNB-PER-MEL with Qantas but I don’t know what the aircraft type will be. My brother did it a few months ago and got a crappy moth eaten 742 but I think these are being replaced quite soon?

I know a few people in the large Italian community in Melbourne, and apparently one reason why AZ withdrew from MEL (and Australia) is that people didn’t like to fly with them because of poor service. I suppose withdrawl of the 747 fleet might also have had something to do with it.

Any yes, their MD-80’s are absolutely filthy, at least the exteriors were when I walked post lots of them at LIN and FCO a few months ago.

Not sure if it is relevant, but at LCY you normally have to use a taxi fro central London. Last time I was there (about 10 months ago) they were building an extension of the Docklands Light Railway – anyone know how complete it now is?

As Keltic said, blonde rooinekker “lobster” in the sun!

Descibing the A321 as a pig was rather poor form.