VBird Flight Niederrhein Copenhagen

AN124 · Post by **AN124** » 24 Jan 2004, 17:16

On 22 January I flew to Copenhagen with VBird. The new Dutch Low Cost Carrier.
Once we arrived at the Airport of Niederrhein wich is an old RAF base I was really surprised with the Terminal. A really nice and big terminal with a nice retaurant with a great view over the apron.

During checkin the lady told us that the plane had a delay of half an hour due to bad weather in Finland where the plane came from so we went to eat something in the Restaurant.
After passing the security check we wait for about 5 minutes before we could go to the Bus that brought us to the plane.
The registration of the plane was PH-VAD and painted in a really good looking cls.
When boarding the plane I was really surprised by the space you had. You had more then enough legg space and nice leather seats.
Durign the flight we even had a movie.
Also the prices aboard the plane where normal. 1 Euro for a Coke.
After a really smooth flight we had a nice landing a Copenhagen.

Also the Airport from Copenhagen is a really nice airport with lots of shops and good connection to Bus and Train.

Yesterday 23 January it was time the fly back again. After a quick checkin we walked into a "Traffic Jam" at the security check. For some reason everything went really slow.
At the moment we arrived at out gate (A20) the plane that would bring us back just came in. This time we flew with the PH-BMC wich is an A320 leased from Dutchbird but with the VBird seats inside.
Aboard this flight was Roberto Stinga the person who owns VBird.
Again we had a reallyt smooth flight with a really beautifull flight attendant.She was also aboard on the flight to Copenhagen.
Again we had more then enough legg space and a movie during the flight.
After a really smooth toughdown in Niederrhein the flight was over in 50 minutes.

Next time I go the CPH I will fly VBird again. A really nice airline with good service and nice and clean planes.

Best Regards,
Yvo

JetB · Post by **JetB** » 24 Jan 2004, 17:35

Yvo, this sounds like an interesting company, do they have in flight entertainment ?.
Somebody here at the company has to make test flights before we book for large groups.
That way we know the product and the company standard.
I hope its me that can go this time, I like there cs.
Anything you didnt like ?

OO-SBZ · Post by **OO-SBZ** » 24 Jan 2004, 18:38

Thanks for the report AN124.

I have always been interested in V-Bird since they operate from Maastricht

As I can see V-Bird is different from Ryanair

a generous pitch (not only if you get an exit seat

)

nice (and beautiful

) flight attendants

in flight entertainment

affordable catering aboard

I hope they'll develop their network from Maastricht

BeN

AN124 · Post by **AN124** » 24 Jan 2004, 18:58

Well its not really in flight entertainment but at least they showed a movie during the flight. (Mr Bean episodes)
At this moment the sound is provided by the onbaord system the pilot also uses because the sound outputs for the seats aren't installed yet.
This will bedone by LTU technics as far as I know.

BobCleas to be honest there wasn't anything I didn't like. Or it has to be that the sound system wasn't working as it should be.

Best Regards,
Yvo

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 25 Jan 2004, 13:09

Very nice report Yvo. It seems that V-bird is a nice airline

Can you maybe tell us what loadfactors the flights had ?

Ciao
Chris
8)

AN124 · Post by **AN124** » 25 Jan 2004, 14:21

Loadfactors of the flight where 30 people on the flight to Copenhagen and around 70 to 80 people on the way back.

Not that good loads. But I think VBird will get their planes filled they only need some time to become known by the people.

Best Regards,
Yvo

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 25 Jan 2004, 16:49

Thanks for the figures Yvo.

I'm surprised they aren't able to fill the planes more than that !!

BTW they should make an advertising campaign if they want to be know

Chris
8)

B737229 · Post by **B737229** » 25 Jan 2004, 16:53

Talking about loadfactores, Vbird will stop their route to Roma CIA in near future, because of lack of succes!

Hope the do better on their other flights

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 25 Jan 2004, 16:55

Yvo - that sounds like a very good carrier, especially with in flight entertainment being offered, I've never had that on a European flight. Maybe the company models themselves on JetBlue, the US low cost carrier, they apparently have seat back videos and things in their aircraft. A very interesting report as well - thanks!

AN124 · Post by **AN124** » 25 Jan 2004, 17:12

Louise you are correct about the VBird concept.
They indeed model themself with JetBlue.

Only I think it's a pity that loadfactors on some of their routes is poor.
But they got also some routes that do it better. The Munich route for example has better loadfactors.

I really hope they surive because they have a great service and a good concept. Maybe they need to start searching for another airport becuase niederrhein is a little bit in the middle of nowhere o be honest.

Best Regards,
Yvo

OO-SBZ · Post by **OO-SBZ** » 25 Jan 2004, 18:44

AN124 wrote:I really hope they surive because they have a great service and a good concept. Maybe they need to start searching for another airport becuase niederrhein is a little bit in the middle of nowhere o be honest.

Best Regards,
Yvo

I must admit I had never heard of Niederrhein before...
Is it close to a big/major German city?

BeN

AN124 · Post by **AN124** » 25 Jan 2004, 19:13

Ben,

Please see attached image. Niederrhein Airport is located in the neighbourhood of the pointer.
The drive the Dusseldorf will take you half an hour just as the drive to Eindhoven.

Best Regards,
Yvo

OO-SBZ · Post by **OO-SBZ** » 25 Jan 2004, 19:17

Thanks for the quick answer Ivo

BeN

A318 · Post by **A318** » 26 Jan 2004, 12:08

It's the same distance for me as driving to CRL so another option to travel cheap and as I just read in better conditions. Just looked at the web site from the airport, looks pretty interesting:
http://www.airportniederrhein.de/relaun ... in_eng.htm

Greetz,

Erwin

OO-SBZ · Post by **OO-SBZ** » 26 Jan 2004, 19:27

A318 wrote:It's the same distance for me as driving to CRL so another option to travel cheap and as I just read in better conditions.

The conditions are indeed better than with Ryanair

But if you happen to live in Liege, LGG - MST - BRU - CRL are the best options...

Regards,

BeN

V-Bird · Post by **V-Bird** » 21 Feb 2004, 12:02

Hey Guys,

Indeed the Copenhagen route is not our best one, but the Helsinki, Muchen, Manchester and palma de mallorca are much beter. @the moment we have one a320 on lease from Dutchbird, and in rthe coming month there will be a fleet expansion, because we also have some holidays flights in the near future. V-Bird is looking for a young a321, i keep you in touch

V-Bird · Post by **V-Bird** » 21 Feb 2004, 12:04

Just forgot,

also 4 a320 wil be added to the fleet,

Kind Regards

Post by **sn26567** » 21 Feb 2004, 13:32

Thanks for interesting news, V-Bird.

And welcome to Luchtzak!

OO-SBZ · Post by **OO-SBZ** » 21 Feb 2004, 14:00

V-Bird wrote:Just forgot,

also 4 a320 wil be added to the fleet,

Kind Regards

Waaaaaaaw it looks like we have 'Mr V-Bird' on our web-site

Welcome on Luchtzak V-Bird !

Best regards

BeN

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 21 Feb 2004, 17:30

Welcome on Luchtzak V-Bird, and thanks for this very interesting info

V-Bird is looking for a young a321

Maybe an ex-Sabena

BTW it's nice to see them allready expanding !!

Ciao
Chris
8)