With the departure of BMI Baby from CArdiff, this can only be good news for us in the West

But it doesn't help with long haul - Don't think there is anything left now,other than the odd flight out to join a cruise - there isn't much left from Bristol either

You're right Dave I think the only long haul departing from Bristol are thomson flights to Mexico. It seems ridiculous that people in Wales have to travel over 3.5 hours to get a long haul flight anywhere.

On the Vueling website they say about Cardiff Airport:

It is one of the most important in Wales and one of the most used in the United Kingdom. You can find connections with other destinations in Europe and North America.

Are we talking about the same Cardiff .....???

With KLM connections at Schipol yiu can fly all over the place. We flew from Cardiff to Malaysia this year no problem and the cost was less than flying from London. I was suprised how busy the KLM flights between Cardiff and Amseterdam were.

That's interesting Sunbear. I always assumed that flights to Amsterdam from cardiff were quite pricey but tbh I've only looked at them once many years ago. Will have to take another look at the options on offer

We flew from Cardiff KLM via Amsterdam to Las Vegas , great only
30 mins from home
annx

shirley,

Connecting long haul prices often bear no realtion to the total cost of the individual legs. There are other options for connecting flights. For Cardiff - USA try Aer Lingus via Dublin. Also the Flybe flights from Cardiff to Paris are code shared with Air France so you might find reasonable prices through Air France to places they specialise in (ex-colonies in the Caribbean and South Pacific perhaps). And since KLM and Air France merged either website may offer the other's services (not always at the same price!!) and for some destinations they may give a price out via Paris and back via Amsterdam, which would be interesting! KLM and Air France code share with Delta so either might have options for the USA - theoretically you could book with Air France and never use one of their planes!

If Swiss International ever get round to setting up a code share deal with Helvetic on their Zurich flights then you'll find some options going East. Helvetic already operate some routes for Swiss so if the Cardiff route gets established there's a good chance of this.

For discounted prices on these odder long haul options also try Expedia or travel agents that specialise in a particular region.

Thanks Steve. I'll certainly have a look although I'm all booked up now past Summer 2012 so I'm in no rush

I'm sure you'll find the time if it's at the right price!

Helvetic will be adding a stop into the Cardiff-Zurich service from December - at Bristol!!! They say it's to fill up the seats. But the fuel used on the extra take off and landing is likely to swallow up the extra income. I reckon they are testing the market to see which airport is most popular and this time next year only one will have a service.

I don't see any point in them doing that as Bristol and Cardiff are so close to each other. We're an hour and 15 mins from Cardiff but I'd rather make the extra 40 mins or so journey to Bristol by car, than fly from Cardiff, land in Bristol, hang about on the plane and then go through Take off again I would have thought there'd be many more like me. I might be wrong but I doubt people would opt to fly from Cardiff, Knowing they'd be landing again soon in Bristol before continuing with their journey

Bristol Airport is south of the city which does add a bit more time for travellers from Wales, it would be at least 70 minutes from Cardiff. But if they ever swapped/merged sites with BAe at Filton (north of city, near M4/5 interchange) then Cardiff Airport may as well close - and if I've noticed that then it must have gone through the mind of someone on the board of Bristol Airport!

A bit of good news, Cosmos has announced it will operate flights and holidays direct from Cardiff to Orlando next summer:

http://www.tbicardiffairport.com/en/news/1/206/orlando

Cardiff gets new Spain flights

Vueling is launching flights from Cardiff Airport to Alicante and Palma this summer.

The scheduled services will start on 22 June and will be operated by 150-seat Airbus A319 aircraft three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The airline also begins Cardiff-Barcelona services in March, departing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, then from March 24 the schedule changes to Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The flights have been timed to coincide with cruises, which generally sail from Barcelona on a Saturday.

Lead-in fares to all destinations will start from around £40 one way.

With permission from Travelmole

Hooray, some good news for Cardiff airport. I'll be interested to see how their flight prices compare to Easy jet's from Bristol. I've never heard of the airline but with prices starting at £40 per flight I'm assuming they're a budget airline. Off to check out peak time flights as it's the only time I can fly.

Bit peeved that they're not flying to Malaga though

With the departure of BMI Baby - this can only be good news for Cardiff.

hm thought it was a bit too good to be true. just done a comparison with Easy jet from Bristol which is who we've booked with this year (bmi baby from Cardiff last year). I requested a return flight for 2 to Alicante flying out on 2nd Aug, returning on 16th. Total cost for Easy jet just over £400 whilst this new airline from Cardiff came out at just over £600

Breaking News.

Patrick Duffy, Managing Director of Cardiff Airport has resigned from his position. This was announced within the last hour by the Commercial Director of Cardiff Airport. Reasons cited so far are the continued criticism of the airport and those made by the Welsh Government. Last night the BBC Wales Week In Week Out programme gave a scathing and lack lustre opinion on the airport which has lost over 800,000 passengers in the last year. More information as it arises.