Flybe: Brest to Newcastle

The carrier: Flybe

About

Flybe has emerged as a budget airline to watch. Flybe is now Europe’s largest regional low-cost airline. The UK-based low-cost carrier acquired most of British Airways' BA Connect routes in 2007, and currently operates a dense route map in and out of the UK, with especially good connections to destinations in France.

Most notable about Flybe: its connections to out-of-the-way corners of the British Isles that don't get a lot of low-cost air traffic, like Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey. Flybe operates out of more UK airports than any other airline.

Upside

Recently expanded network has yielded impressive destination list. Lots of new airplanes.

Downside

Booking over the phone is extremely expensive. In general, there are many hidden fees and charges.  Some of these include a booking fee of €5, as well as a credit card supplement (€1.50), and a charge for seating.  All tickets are non-refundable. 

Baggage

* Carry-on: Up to 10 kg of hand luggage.
* Checked: Depending on your class (economy, economy plus), you are allowed between 20-30 kg of stuff. Anything over this is charged €14 per kilo for the first three kilos and then €17 for between 4-6 kilos.  After that the charge is €23. 

* Please visit Flybe’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You can pre-book seats up to 24 hours before the flight departs. You may pre-assign your seat for €8 per flight per sector and €22 for bulkhead and exit row seats.  Once seats have pre-booked and paid for the charges are non-refundable.

Check-in and Ticketing

Online check-in is available at most airports from 36 hours to 1 hour before departure. 

Departure: Brest, France - Brest Bretagne Airport (BES)

Brest Bretagne Airport or "Aéroport de Brest Bretagne," formerly known as "Brest Guipavas Airport," is an airport serving the French city of Brest. Though the main operator is Air France, serving mostly Paris and Lyon, other scheduled services are offered to the U.K. and Ireland, noticeably by Flybe and Ryanair.

Location: Brest Bretagne Airport is located in the commune of Guipavas and 7 kilometers (5 miles) northeast of Brest.

Transport:

- Rail: Travelers are able to ride to and from the rail station and airport by shuttle service.

- Bus: A shuttle service links Brest’s city center and Brest Bretagne airport several times a day. It stops at a tourist office, Place Albert, Saint Luc and the main railway station. Tickets can be purchased on the bus.

- Taxi: A taxi service is available from the terminal building, with a large fleet of cars for short or long distance trips.

Service: The airport contains a restaurant and a couple shops for passengers to pick up last-minute souvenirs, newspapers or magazines.

Arrival: Newcastle, United Kingdom (NCL)

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