Here's why BA+BAA ≠ VLM+MAN

On Monday last, I arrived at VLM's MAN ticket desk with no ticket at 1705 and asked if there was a chance of getting on the 1720 to LCY, departing fifteen minutes later. I was expecting a "yeah, right" answer. Instead, it was no problem. The ticket agent called ahead to the gate, I bought ticket, I checked in, and cleared security where there was no line. We departed the gate at 1715, and yes I did break a sweat. I joked with the gate staff that "BA would never let me do that". Am I the new Mystic Meg? Well, let's see...

Today, I arrived at EDI having already checked in on line for a BA 1800 departure to LCY. After fifteen minutes clearing security, I arrived at the airside Terraces lounge at 1655 and asked if there was any chance of making the 1710 departure, as it was showing as Boarding. No chance I was told. Now if I'd seen them lifting a finger in an effort to even try, maybe I'd have some sympathy.

Cheers, Howard






Topic moved to 'other airlines' by mod.... Nick

[^]Yay for VLM! It's one of my favourite airlines (after VS, of course). Their flights from LCY are superb. Great service onboard, good snacks and always on time.

TBH, I wouldn't judge BA as I can't see any other airline in the world excelling themselves in the way VLM did (does?)

VS.

Point is, you got excellent service. Fromt he airline first and airport (who didn't hinder them with drag second).

Good stuff. Wish that would happen to me ...

Yep, that's my experience of VLM as well. A meeting finished early, I headed out to Schiphol and asked to get onto an earlier flight.

There was one leaving in 30 minutes. I had the cheapest fare, and I didn't expect much, but I was checked in for the next flight, even with a checked bag, with no extra fees, and no questions asked.

Wow, an airline which actually understands their customer base. I think VLM are great.

Mike

Originally posted by mike-smashing
Wow, an airline which actually understands their customer base. I think VLM are great.

I've used VLM quite a lot recently to LUX, MAN and RTM from LCY. I used to travel to LHR-AMS on BA to work at ESA's R&D facilities at Noordvijk located about half way between Schiphol and Rotterdam. Now I travel LCY-RTM on VLM. This means I can work in the Netherlands in the morning and then back to Canary Wharf in the afternoon. Before, it was only realistically a full day's trip, what with the sitting on the tarmac, immigration & security delays at AMS and LHR.

Concerning AMS in particular, if you're unlucky enough to land on the fifth(?) runway at Schiphol you can add another fifteen minutes to the taxiing time. Immigration at Schiphol both on the way in and at the Schengen point on the way out can be irritatingly slow. There's also a further delay in the form of a tedious bus ride at AMS if your flight happens to be a Fokker (sic).

LCY and RTM invariably have negligible delays of any sort, except fog, but that affects AMS badly too.

Cheers, Howard