Starting a long haul operation with no long haul planes...

Mr_Wang

I'm heading East this year and having already booked a flight from Singapore I was looking to book a flight to Bangkok.

Norwegian Long Haul have a ridiculously cheap flight out there but there are a couple of potential issues that I am hoping some will have a little knowledge about.

Norwegian doesn't have any long haul planes, the idea is they are taking delivery of the Dreamliner this April and launching their long haul route in the process.

The flight is from Sweden direct to Bangkok and of course with the issues surrounding the dreamliner there are a few potential issues which may or may not arise.
Considering the flight would be booked on a credit card, and I have travel insurance, where would I stand if something went wrong with the delivery or the dreamliner remains grounded? I am not a spotter and couldnt care less about the aircraft used. Just want to find out whether I would end up out of pocket or in Bangkok.

I know nothing about the EU legislation governing any of this...

Thanks in advance

richardw

Their baggage and food and drink fees are far from cheap.

Obviously_the_best

I'd take the flights. If they don't have the planes, they should offer you a re-route or refund, whichever you prefer. Either that or they'll fly a 737 and do a tech stop along the way.

stoneman

We used to fly non stop on a 737 to Vegas from London, and Bangkok is about the same distance. The problem that might arise is that usually on a flight of that duration an airline would usually have different classes of travel, and AFAIK there are no 737's fitted like that with Norwegian, so they might opt for the reroute or refund. I personally wouldn't chance it.

Alan_Bowen

The 737 certainly cannot fly non stop from Vegas, even with a strong tailwind but don't worry, Norwegian didn't become the huge success that it is without having a Plan B. They have already plans to charter a Boeing 767 to operate the routes to the Far East and the US and I have no doubt they will. My only concern would be a change of timing for the flights, make sure you leave plenty of time if you are booking connecting flights at either end. Now if only our government had a Plan B , or indeed any plans........

Mr_Wang

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

The 737 certainly cannot fly non stop from Vegas, even with a strong tailwind but don't worry, Norwegian didn't become the huge success that it is without having a Plan B. They have already plans to charter a Boeing 767 to operate the routes to the Far East and the US and I have no doubt they will. My only concern would be a change of timing for the flights, make sure you leave plenty of time if you are booking connecting flights at either end. Now if only our government had a Plan B , or indeed any plans........

Thanks for that - How credible is the 767 plans?

Alan_Bowen

The plans are fixed, they made an announcement last week, or possibly even the week before. These Scanadanavians do not let the grass grow under them,they know it could be 6 months before the 787 is certified again, no doubt the cost is being partially covered by the refunds being extracted from Boeing for the delays.

Mr_Wang

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

The plans atre fixed, they made an announcement last week, or possibly even the week before. These Scanadanavians do not let the grass grow under them,they know it could be 6 months before the 787 is certified again, no doubt the cost is being partailly covered by the refunds being extracted from Boeing for the delays.

Thanks Alan.

Much appreciated.

budgetflyer

How much are your flights Mr Wang? The dates I've looked at are around 700 to 800 Euro. Not really worth the hassle of having to get to Sweden for.

Mr_Wang

budgetflyer wrote: »

How much are your flights Mr Wang? The dates I've looked at are around 700 to 800 Euro. Not really worth the hassle of having to get to Sweden for.

July 17th

1 adult & 2 kids all in for £793 (including getting to Arlanda)
Next cheapest I've found was around £1040 total.
The flight is to Bangkok but ideally we'd rather be in Hong Kong or Macau.
Thanks

bagand96

As Alan said there'll be plans in place for non delivery of the 787. Boeing will be picking up the tab, so the airlines won't be too worried about e lease costs. Same for Thomson.

It could be a VERY lucrative summer if you have a couple of 767s/A330s available for lease!