V-Flyer

My usual trip report is from the middle (PE) cabin of a Virgin 747 or airbus, so now for something totally different. A business meeting in Manchester on a Friday afternoon and the desire to get home quickly afterwards resulted in me trying Flybe from Manchester to Southampton. Booked a one way ticket in advance at a reasonable price compared to train. Did OLCI earlier in the day, very similar to any other that I’ve done except they wanted £6 to choose a seat. I declined the offer and decided to take what the computer allocated and if necessary perhaps I could change it at airport or on board.
Getting from Manchester to the airport is relatively straight forward, trains run frequently from Piccadilly station. When I arrived the next service was shown due on platform 13, this turned out to be about the furthest platform from the concourse (worth remembering if you’ve got loads of bags or cases) and I ended up just missing the train. Luckily the next train was only 5 mins later, again from platform 13. A rather scruffy old Northern Rail train arrived and took about 20 mins to get to the airport station. T3 was takes about 5-10 mins to walk from the station. Went to the Flybe check in area and used one of the self service machines to collect my boarding pass. Short walk to security where it took about 10 mins to get through. Interesting to note they checked boarding pass but did not ask for any photo ID. Had about half hour in the departure lounge, which was fairly busy but plenty of room to sit down and relax with a coffee. Went to the Gate about 20 mins before scheduled departure time, boarding commenced shortly after. Photo ID checked for the first time at boarding gate. Aircraft was about half full but on boarding asked cabin crew if I could move to a window seat but told that everyone had to sit in their allocated seats. Only a short flight so not a problem. Pushed back from the gate on time at 1715, quite a few other aircraft in front of us and take off was about 1735. Flight time was a mere 35 mins during which there was a trolley selling drinks & snacks; compared to other budget airlines quite reasonably priced. Very smooth and comfortable flight for a small aircraft. Landed at Southampton at 1810 and arrived at the gate less than 5 minutes later. Aircraft doors opened fairly quickly, as I had no luggage straight through arrivals and was on the platform at railway station by 1820 waiting for train to Eastleigh.
Overall fairly impressed with Flybe and would use them again, only complaint was the charge to select your seat, even at check in.

I've enjoyed my few FlyBe flights.

They are one of the worst for extra charges and yet are under the radar, Ryanair and easyJet drawing most flak.

Thank you for the TR.

I have enjoyed my BE flights between Southampton and Manchester especially sat at the back of the dash-8 where you can see the wheels touch down.

Thanks again for the trip report

Chris,

I was expecting a dash-8, but the aircraft was Embraer 190, looked fairly new, was very quiet and fast take off compared to dash-8. I think its similar to the BA aircraft from London City airport.

Robin

The e195 is on of the few aircraft I have yet to experience but they do look nice when you see them at the gate.
Unusual for one to do the MAN - SOU route so you were lucky!