Boa Vista Experience

[andre]

It is possible to order the new 2010/2011 brochure from www.capeverdeexperience.co.uk, or to view the virtual brochure online.

Of interest re Boa Vista, on page 33 are the following flights:

From Tue 21/12/10 until 8/3/11 Stansted 9am flight to Boa on Hamburg International(?), returns almost midnight.

From Fri 24/12/10 until 11/3/11 Bristol 9am flight to Boa on Hamburg International.

They are also advertising the Thurs flight from Gatwick with Thomson and the Friday flight from Manchester with Thomson. The brochure allows you to book various resorts.

I have a small screen laptop and have thus ordered a hard copy. I have not studied the finer detail, however I would believe that you can book flights only.

I do believe this must be genuine, considering the cost involved in setting up this brochure.

regards

andre

[Chris]

Hi Andre,

Both flights are listed onj the Airline's timetable - see
http://www.hamburg-international.de/en/media/flight_information/timetable/winter_timetable_2010-2011.pdf

The flights involve a stop at Banjul, so flight time is an hour or so longer.

No idea of the prices yet...

Chris

[andre]

Stansted is good for me. A stopover in Lisbon is longer and rather expensive, so a hour on mainland Africa is not an issue, just a matter of hte price.

I originally believed the Bristol flight was via Banjul, the Stansted direct. In all honesty, the dual destination makes the feasibility and longevity ot the facility better. I would hate to see another Astraeus or TACV flop from Stansted.

Regards

Andre

[andre]

Seen on the Cape Verde Experience website. I believe many will concur on the Thomson experience! I now have my new brochure. I hope we see a turnaround in the Boa Vista scenario, one for the better, with easier and more affordable access.

New Stansted and Bristol flights into Boa Vista

Due to demand for a higher quality service into the Cape Verde islands, and the increasingly popular hotels we offer on Boa Vista, we are pleased to announce that for the Winter 2010/11 season, we'll be putting on two new and exclusive flights to Cape Verde with Hamburg International Airlines.

As we always seek to listen to our customer's needs we felt it imperative to provide a flight that matched the overall quality of the holiday experience we provide. The Thomson Airways flights we have used in the past scored very poorly with our customers for 2009/10 with an average score of just 51%. We have always had a good working relationship with Hamburg International and the flights we used for our Gambia product scored 81% for the same period.

The flights will operate from December 2010 until March 2011 - a Tuesday flight from Stansted Airport, and a Friday flight from Bristol Airport. Both flights are via Banjul - the return leg of the Stansted flight, and the outbound leg of the Bristol flight - so this opens up an exciting opportunity for multi centre holidays with The Gambia. How about a week at the Sheraton, followed by a week at the Iberostar on Boa Vista? Sound tempting...

Andre

[andre]

From London-Stansted (STN) To London-Stansted (STN) United Kingdom
Flight From To Day Dep. Destination Arrival Via Flight From To Day Dep. Origin Arrival Via
4R 7322 21.12.2010 08.03.2011 Tue 09:00 Boa Vista (BVC) 13:55 4R 7323 21.12.2010 08.03.2011 Tue 14:45 Boa Vista (BVC) 00:05 +1 via Banjul (BJL)
4R 7322 21.12.2010 08.03.2011 Tue 09:00 Banjul (BJL) 17:10 via Boa Vista (BVC) 4R 7323 21.12.2010 08.03.2011 Tue 18:00 Banjul (BJL) 00:05 +1

There appears to be a 50 minute stopover in Banjul on the return leg. I can live with it!
Now for prices!

Andre

[Chris]

I have just spoken to Cape Verde Experience, and they advise me that their flight-only prices will be released within the next week or so.

Bristol Airport is great for us. We need to check the timings though - CV Exp website shows a 9am departure, but the Hamburg Intl timetable shows 6am - same time difference for the return flight as well.

Chris

[andre]

Chris,

1 week later, no success on website re booking flights, I phoned CVE, they advise HOPEFULLY by end of week. Was told should be done by Friday, when should be able to book online as well. No news on prices!

Regards

Andre

[Chris]

The flights are now on the website - from £599 per person.................

[jak]

I have just recieved the following communication:

Subject: New Flights from Stansted and Bristol to Boa Vista

Dear Sir.

I am pleased to announce that there will be 2 new flights this coming winter to Boa Vista from the UK.
http://www.capeverdeexperience.co.uk/Docs/Travel-Info/Flight-Information/New-Exclusive-Flights.aspx

Flight details are as follows:
STN/BVC/BJL/STN 21/12/10 - 08/03/11
BRS/BJL/BVC/BRS 24/12/10 - 11/03/11

Flights will route via BJL in The Gambia offering multi-centre options between the two countries.

Flights are operated by Hamburg International Airways whom we have used for the previous 2 winter seasons for our regional flights to Banjul, and they have received the highest customer service score above any airline we use including Thomson Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines and Moanrch Airlines.

I wanted you to be aware in case you get any enquiries about new flights to the island. If you need any further information please visit contact me or visit http://www.capeverdeexperience.co.uk/

Very best regards


Paul Kenny

[thecrock]

still a touch expensive........

[Bert]

Just did a quick search to find out where else I could fly to for £599 return including taxes and within 2 minutes found a return flight to Sydney for £579 all inc! £599 for a return to Boa Vista is daylight robery - that's double the price that Astraeus used to charge. CV Experience clearly want people to book the whole holiday with them which is fair enough I suppose. Not until you get an airline flying to Cape Verde who have no vested interest in the accommodation side of people's holidays will flights to Cape Verde become cheaper. Hopefully when some of these big developments start opening in the next 12 months that might just start to happen...

[andre]

Bert,

As you say. People will always make comparisons. Just not worthwhile unless you urgently need to get out there. Thomsons need not feel threatened.

It is possible closer to departure date, if holiday packages not well sold, that fares could head south!

Andre

[jak]

I have just recieved the following communication:

[andre]

I genuinely wish Cape Verde Experience well, however at these prices people would rather go to Sydney/Cyprus, wherever. New York return incl taxes etc is available at £277!

[jwynne]

Same old Same old Cabo Verdean scenario.............lets jus rip em all off.... £500 - £600 for a return flight is quite frankly absolutely ridiculous, and in a recessionary time too.