Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

General Aviation Discussion => Spotting Trips => Topic started by: Dave on June 20, 2010, 10:40:37 PM

Title: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Dave on June 20, 2010, 10:40:37 PM
I've just returned from a mini trip to Heathrow and I have to say, such an amazing place when the weathers right. I was fortunate enough to enjoy two full days of sunshine with fellow forum member BHD and such an immense number of widebody aircraft. It was like viewing airliners.net or jetphotos.net on a slideshow. Lovely sunsets both evenings.
 
I was wondering if anybody would be up for a minitrip to London Heathrow towards the end of summer? Maybe go over for a day or maybe stay the nightm and make it a two day trip?
 
Flights can be obtained for around £65 return on BMI from Belfast City Airport and a decent hotel room for two people can be booked for £29. Alternatively, flights to Stansted can be booked for about £20 and then a £29 bus ride from STN to LHR can be used. And of course, the ever popular McDonalds has THREE restaurants along the north perimeter road alone!
 
Getting around the airport is easy with many free buses running around the perimeter. Spotting itself is easy, all arrivals use one runway, whilst the departures use the other runway, so you never miss a thing.
 
A two day trip can cost around £120ish (including food, snacks, etc) which is money well spent for an enjoyable two days. So just throwing idea's around and seeing if anyone would be up for it. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Merlin on June 21, 2010, 08:23:20 AM
Did you have a particular time in mind?

I had planned a side trip to Heathrow when I'm over next month but it would only be for a few hours. Would certainly be up for a longer visit.
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Dave on June 22, 2010, 02:22:40 PM
As of the moment, it's just an idea to see if anyone would be up for it. Obviously setting a date that suits everyone is the priority. Maybe some weekend near the end of August?
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: BHD on June 23, 2010, 02:01:15 PM
 Great trip with you Dave last week and would love to do it again in August - count me in!
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Dave on June 25, 2010, 03:01:19 PM
Currently BMI have several return flights to Heathrow for £47.59 at the start of August  ;D
 
Tempting!
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Angry Turnip on June 25, 2010, 10:30:27 PM
Would it be possible to go over on a morning flight and come back on the last flight the same day for that sort of money?
 
If so that would be good-can`t afford to get a hotel but a day trip for £50 or so would be worth considering.
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Dave on June 26, 2010, 12:22:09 PM
Yes, that can indeed be done although it often requires booking months in advance. One option is to use Aer Lingus from BFS.
 
Departs BFS at 7.15am (arrives at LHR at 8.45am) and return from LHR in the evening at 7.15pm. For example, this can be done on Wednesday 4th August for £55. That should give 7 to 8 hours at the airport which is hardcore  ;D
 
Hotels, if shared with someone is £15 a night which isn't too bad but doesn't include breakfast. Last time, myself and BHD stayed for two nights at the Ibis hotel which cost us £31 each for both nights.
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Merlin on June 27, 2010, 06:20:13 PM
  Currently BMI have several return flights to Heathrow for £47.59 at the   start of August  ;D
   
  Tempting!
 
 
  Have looked at the entire first week of August and I'm afraid there are   no return flights available for £47. You can get a single flight for £46   and a return for £69.

Departs BFS at 7.15am (arrives at LHR at 8.45am) and return from LHR in the evening at 7.15pm. For example, this can be done on Wednesday 4th August for £55. That should give 7 to 8 hours at the airport which is hardcore  ;D

Is this offer available through a third party website?

I only ask because I've been looking at this on BMI's site and they aren't offering any flights from BFS to LHR. Their Heathrow flights go from BHD with the cheapest price currently £70 return.
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Dave on June 30, 2010, 04:45:39 PM
  Have looked at the entire first week of August and I'm afraid there are no return flights available for £47. You can get a single flight for £46   and a return for £69.

It seems the BMI £46 return flights were part of a sale last Friday. Didn't last too long. Now the cheapest they have is indeed £69.
 
Is this offer available through a third party website?
I only ask because I've been looking at this on BMI's site and they aren't offering any flights from BFS to LHR. Their Heathrow flights go from BHD with the cheapest price currently £70 return.

The reason why you didn't find it was because its an Aer Lingus fare and route, as mentioned as an option just before hand in my post above  ;)
 
Aer Lingus offer BFS-LHR-BFS for £55
 
BMI offer BHD-LHR-BHD for £69
 
And Ryanair offer BHD-STD-BHD for a price thats constantly changing with sales, so anywhere between £10 to £30
 
Hope this helps.  ;D
 
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Temple on July 01, 2010, 12:49:54 AM
Do you guys go to murtle lane, great or photos at LHR. have been going since late 80s.
By the way how do u load photos to the site?
Cheers
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: Merlin on July 01, 2010, 08:20:16 AM
Is this offer available through a third party website?
I only ask because I've been looking at this on BMI's site and they aren't offering any flights from BFS to LHR. Their Heathrow flights go from BHD with the cheapest price currently £70 return.

The reason why you didn't find it was because its an Aer Lingus fare and route, as mentioned as an option just before hand in my post above  ;)

My excuse is that I've been staring at the screen too long resulting in my reading what I thought was there instead of what you actually said  :-[
Title: Re: Heathrow trip anyone?
Post by: redpaul on July 15, 2010, 08:38:51 AM
Do you guys go to murtle lane, great or photos at LHR. have been going since late 80s.
By the way how do u load photos to the site?
Cheers

You mean Myrtle Avenue? That's where I go to, will be there most days from July 21st.

Paul