FLYBE Dash-8 Q400 Trip Report: Newcastle-Southampton

[@MrGreatplum]

Comedy gold from the pilot! Imagine the nectar points! 😆

[@iansargent1159]

It was so funny 😁

[@spirishabroad]

“Someone’s stolen some cable so the serviced is suspended from here to the airport” brilliant

[@davidtuttle7556]

I didnt think Newcastle was that close to MANChester. Such a scummy thing to do.

[@matthewrobertson95]

This is why I love watching your trip reports; never knew the UK has so many internal flights and local/regional airports!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Matthew Robertson Yep, there are literally dozens of passenger airports in the UK - I’d estimate about 70-80, maybe 40 of which are international-equipped.

[@salochnakanta8797]

Me to

[@alexcrawford6162]

Those gates used to handle all the Gill Airways flights to Northern Ireland as they required extra security measures during the Troubles and were segregated from the main terminal.

[@Jet2Guy]

why u hattin on da dash-8? im hatin on da 737-800 coz its bloody everywhere

[@bowlerstuff9589]

and ryanair fly it?

[@nicolashallaert5565]

and i hate on the airbus A320 hahaha :p

[@kingsweden4636]

@@nicolashallaert5565 nah the A340 sucks

[@SchneiderMarcel]

Very nice report! I´m a regular flyer with FlyBe on their Dash 8 and I must say, i really like that type of Aircraft. It is a bit cramped, when the flight is fully booked, but most of the flights are very nice.

[@PeterNGloor]

I think both the ATR's and the Dashs are rather basic comfort-wise.

[@FOHeming]

Anyone see the smiley face on the landing gear at 9:02

[@Paul_Lucas]

FOHeming Yep :-)

[@ferret5002]

I did not

[@Boffin55]

Love flying on the Q400, and here in the Vancouver/Seattle area, they're everywhere, because Air Canada, Westjet and Alaska's regional carriers use them for a heck of a lot (the 1st, 3rd and 4th largest Q400 fleets). Horizon's Q400s are quick on, quick off, and the trick is to take the very last seat in the back, as most operators load from both doors.

[@davidgriffiths3713]

The Captain was very talkative.

[@Robbins996]

I’ve flown this route a few times now and, last time I did, I had the same crew both ways and they remembered me on my return journey. As a blindy, I’ve had issues with airport assistance at times. But Flybe’s on board crew were always amazing. I really hope LoganAir swoop them up and treat them well

[@scrambledegg81]

Pilot deserves a medal for that commentary. xD

[@cndam]

scrambledegg81 generally always found British pilots to be good on the P.A.

[@Boffin55]

DHC8-400s are awesome aircraft, bringing jet like speed with turboprop economy, and allowing city pairs like NCL-SOU to exist

[@goodtimes474]

lol pilot sounds thrilled lol.

[@ChloeHowie]

I personally Love the Q400 also I think those gates at Newcastle actually used to be an Irish Pub and play area but that's going back the the 90s and early 2000s.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Anthony Howie Wow, it really comes across like an old office. I suppose it could have been a play area too I guess!

[@kevinduval5751]

Nice One Aspire, for going that bit further, & offering more than the statutory norm! Damn Cable thefts, they steal Live Cables, screws up the trains for ages :( Thanks Paul..

[@RockerboiProduction]

Completely lost on how you could hate the Dash 8. Such a beast, iconic and overall amazing airplane. And it just looks amazing too hehe. Head over heals in love Dash 8>Any ATR

[@devon896]

Agreed the Dash 8 is superior in every way, built like a tank, fast, quiet, comfortable. Has a much better safety record than the ATR (that's why a lot of American & Canadian operators ditched the ATR). As someone who used to work on both I would never fly an ATR unless there was no other way to get where I needed too.

[@PCEngineer2007uk]

You are correct - Gate 2 used to be a block of offices back in the early/mid 90s. The roof terrace at the airport was still in use back then!

[@brannbecker3105]

I quite like the Q400. I work for an airline that operates a number of them and they are fantastic. I'll be sad to see them go. And those aft cargo pits are luxuriously huge.

[@paceflight]

Oh, Paul....The mighty Q400 is a fantastic airliner, just remember to maintain a perspective. I used to pick up new Q400's at the factory in Toronto and deliver them to Horizon Airlines. It is the fastest commercial turboprop airliner out there and handles nothing like it's predecessor Dash8-100,-200,-300. I believe the cost metric we were told was fill 40% of the seats and the rest was profit.....hard to argue against that.

[@Speedbird1FLY]

Hi Paul, thanks for your report. The seat looks rather small, I ve never tried this aircraft type. Newcastle airport looks rather nice, good breakfast in the lounge too PS I finally managed to edit the video on my trip on the Bergen line train. Epic journey. All the best

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Speedbird1 FLY Cheers - I’ll check out the video a bit later ;-)

[@Speedbird1FLY]

Cheers Paul. Have a nice day - a bit of trip planning for me today (I recently booked a bmi Regional from BRS to CDG. In Jan I am off to SIN - hope I get time for 1 or 2 day trips on local airlines)

[@Speedbird1FLY]

Will you ever fly another Q-400: www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/flybe-plane-crashlands-with-no-nose-gear-at-belfast-airport-a3688221.html :0

[@simmer484]

Speedbird1 FLY another Flybe landing gear issue, seems to be their preferred modus operandi

[@Paul_Lucas]

+MiddleAgedMassive It’s a problem inherent with the aircraft, not Flybe. SAS dumped all their Q400 aircraft some years back because of failures.

[@johnstansfield5265]

I live in Southampton and fly this route three or four times a year, as well as other Flybe routes using the Q400 (eg. SOU-DUB). Always had great service from them and found the aircraft fine for the short distances and flight times involved.

[@annarubin4089]

Used to work on the Dash8, really loved it. It was a great little plane to work on.

[@andrewjditton]

Top job again Paul! Your editing gets better and better, and after my flight last week, I know that the filming is no easy task either. Looks like you have better luck with your GoPro than I do though.

[@EirikMNewth]

First: Thanks for your channel - as a fellow traveller I really appreciate it! Second: Yes, I too have come to hate the Dash-8. I live in Norway, and this aircraft is used on flights to most smaller airports which means I have to fly the Dash quite often. The cabin is narrow and seating is cramped, but the main problem is the noise and vibration. The main advantage of the Dash is it's lower flight altitude, which makes for some gorgeous views of Norwegian fiords when skies are clear. But the vibration, man.....

[@PickleKrabs]

I like the dash 8. It’s small and cosy

[@theblueberrysquad4522]

Great video Paul! I love it when you fly from smaller airports!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Susan Hatchett Thank you Susan! 👍🏻

[@SkyblueAviation]

Brilliant report Paul! As I have travelled the Dash8 with only 1 piece of hand luggage, I had no reason to complain about space haha! ✈️🇨🇦

[@MrTsVideoEmporium]

... love the Captain's P.A .... "Nectar Points" and the weather update ;)

[@marcbrunjes8686]

Me too, I hate or dislike the Dash8. My absolute fav prop airliner is the SAAB 2000... sadly there are a few left only! Greetings from Germany n thanks for your wonderful Trip reports.

[@simmer484]

I have flown Flybe dash 8s from Exeter a number of times. The window seats have the fuselage intruding on the foot space. More than an hour like this would cause me real discomfort. It really does take off like a rocket. When they throttle back in mid-flight you feel it big time. It is as if they put the handbrake on, quite remarkable sensation. Perfectly pleasant regional plane IMO. Some other regionals seem to be wider though and I wonder if the foot space is much better.

[@marcs8991]

Live your old stuff!

[@RocasThePenguin]

Someone's stolen some cable. Ah, Britain. And yes, I love the Dash 8.

[@ajsim6611]

OMG! I travel in and out of Newcastle all the time and never knew about the lounge 😂😂😂

[@ryan-ny2yr]

Brilliant video i have been flying from Newcastle for practically all my life and i never knew there was a ba lounge at the airport but I love ncl for its small yet quirky terminals !

[@tdb7992]

Love it when you upload mate! I lived in Newcastle for years before moving back to Australia. I'll sign up to your patreon later in the week when I get a chance - then you can have a beer on me on each trip :) Cheers!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thomas Baker Thanks so much for the support Thomas! Newcastle is a great city - my mother is a Geordie.

[@tdb7992]

Mine too! I go back and visit her every few years. Seeing you at NCL Central brought back so many memories. I refuse to ever fly in a plane that uses propellers by the way.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Thomas Baker The station has changed quite a bit. Nowadays the portico where cars and taxis used to drop off is glassed off and now is a ticket machine lobby. Very sterile and a bit of a shame!

[@bhughes1986]

Great vid - subscribed. I spoke to a Flybe pilot at a careers event in November and it appears to be a great company to work for. When I’ve finished my training I’ll definitely be handing in my CV. ✈️

[@TR_M88]

Hi Paul, another great trip report, thanks! Totally agree about the Q400, I’ve flown on tonnes of them between where I now live in Jersey and back to where I was born in the North of England and find them noisy, rattly and cramped. Used to be a MASSIVE bonus if you got an Embraer! Give me an ATR any day personally turbo prop wise as a passenger Love that there’s more ‘on camera’ interaction in your videos now too :)

[@jameschristmas3206]

My first ever flight was on a Flybe Dash 8 so they will always have a special place in my heart❤️

[@MKTTransportVideos]

One of my favourite aircraft to fly on too. This was a particularly good flight I had back in July: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gae6gICGndmrfrs

[@robwarrenn]

Been told pilots love to fly these aircraft, just not that great for passenger comfort.. I agree they look great too 😁

[@davidgraham370]

My first propeller flight... Always used to flying jets in and out of Hong Kong so when I moved to Glasgow via manchester in 2015 I had to fly in a q400... was crapping myself until we took off and I was surprisingly impressed... loved it

[@christopheralexopoulos5605]

I love the Dash 8 it’s a beautiful aircraft

[@railotaku]

Someone has to! TBH The Dashes are fun, but I'd not want to be flying them regularly!

[@cistaro56]

I love dash 8s. As a former grounds crew, easy to load and get in and out of the airport. Only trouble was keeping people away from the props and under the wing.

[@ph1l1patc]

Gates 1 and 2 are the remnants of the 1960s terminal which hasn't had parts attached to it like the front of the terminal and the departure lounge which used to be the viewing terrace which then got built over and is now where the Metro Bar is. The airport have said that the next part to be refurbished will be the pier and the gates as they missed those out when they did the departures refurb.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Philip Dobinson Thanks Philip. I’m amazed they didn’t refurbish those at the time. It really does feel like a forgotten old office or something temporary! I recall the old viewing terrace - my grandfather lives nearby in Prudhoe and he used to take me up there to watch the aircraft. Distinctly remember seeing old Air 2000 planes. Takes me back!

[@Group51]

Yup. Irrational. I’ve flown them a few times, Switzerland, Norway and Belfast and St. Lucia come to mind. I can’t recall any complaints. I’ve never flown in an ATR though.

[@JoeLikesTrains]

RIP FlyBe, you will always be remembered

[@stevewalker4892]

One advantage of the Dash 8 over the ATR is that on the Dash 8 will not tip on to its tail if everyone disembarks through the aft door.

[@FullerFlights]

Hey Paul! Great to see a report into my local!! Sou is a great little airport even though you do have to endure the dash 8's! Easyjet start up next month though! So it's gunna be great to see the 320's and 319's here on a regular basis! Thanks for another great report!

[@philippegosselin7756]

I've taken a Dash-8 Q400 often between Montreal and Toronto with Porter airlines (1h15 flight). It's usually in same day trips so I don't have too much luggage. I found that the space is always good for my backpack and they have blinds. And the service with Porter is usually really good. It might just be the flybe version of the plane that is not great

[@abtravel0279]

absolutely adore these cool planes. Flybe are my favourite airline as well so this would be a dream flight for me. cant wait to work on these as well. lovely report. i'll be doing a report in the summer hopefully when i next fly on one

[@davidsadler419]

Cheers Paul. I'm with you on the Q700. My preference is for the ATR or Fk50. I do miss the F27 and the Elizabethan.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+David Sadler Never had an opportunity to fly on a F27 or an Elizabethan (I think that’s a nickname for the old Airspeed Ambassadors right?). Luckily I am getting a rare chance to take a F50 later this month as VLM have started back up on the London to Antwerp route. Can’t wait for that - the F50 is a proper aircraft.

[@ebob1967]

It has been a long time since I have flown on a Dash-8 (or really any propeller aircraft). Here in the U.S., most of the big airlines have replaced their turboprop planes with regional jets.

[@ClaireMcHardy]

I was going to like the video but it had 747 likes and couldn't bring myself to change it. Editing on the taxying footage was particularly good on this one. thumbs up.

[@Nanonic001]

Radio Top Shop at the controls today!

[@rollingtroll]

Hey, I heard The Coral's "Dreaming of you" :D 1:45 I never flew a Dash 8 but I always like the way they look. Looking at aviation videos though, they seem a handful when crosswinds appear. Gate looks like a big hospital's waiting room. 6:08: Third leg. I love how you can see the wheels of the Dash 8. That makes it quite interesting on take-off and landing. I wonder how you always get TO The airport you're flying from. Train? Bus? Car?

[@kriskruz3792]

RIP Flybe we will miss you!

[@hkflightreviews5484]

Great trip report Paul , love the detail in it :) Looking forward to the next one

[@seanlatimer5871]

Love the Q400. Great Canadian aircraft👍

[@MaartenVVonk]

Thanks Paul for another great report, cheers mate 😉👊🏼

[@chrism1102]

I flew on the Q400 with WestJet Encore yesterday. I'm with Paul on this one. Not a fan! The interior was cramped and overhead storage limited. I could barely fit my miniscule carry on. WestJet's service was "meh". Complimentary Soft drinks, chips and cookies were served. No booze because of the short flight time. Flight attendants were nice enough. I really like the fact they hire realistic "plus sized" body types. All in all I'd rate 'em 3 stars.

[@lochness7072]

The last Airplane I went on was a Dash-8 on Horizon Air from OAK to PDX. I like them because there is almost no G's on takeoff and landings aren't so loud. Btw I sat in the seat right behind Paul, and I saw Crater Lake with a very good view! ;D

[@MegaDeano72]

Exeter to London City was long enough on one of these... leave me on the 787 for 10 hours to Mexico... much preferred... and the bar prices at LCY are scandalous...! Good reviews buddy.!

[@joshuafleming6206]

Thanks Paul , my Sunday is now complete !

[@adamroberts8726]

you should look into flying with eastern, they operate 3 erj 145s, and two 170s (one of them is owned by flybe however)

[@TOBLEROWAN123]

they have tarted up NCL since unwas there last , is the old BA terraces lounge still there?

[@Paul_Lucas]

+TOBLEROWAN123 Yes it is, but it’s not called Terraces any more - it’s been refurbished into the new style.

[@jpaulrice]

HI Paul. As usual, I started my day here in Florida with coffee and a travel. I agree all flying is good and every landing you can walk away from is better. ( just made that up)

[@Paul_Lucas]

+John Rice Cheers John! On the topic of walking away from landings, a Dash-8 had yet another nosegear issue the day before I travelled and crashed in Belfast 👎🏻

[@paulwhitear4983]

Always like your trip reports. Its nice to know where we`re flying over. Are Newcastle and Southampton, old RAF bases.

[@jamescasey2347]

Hi Paul, great upload, cheers for that. Have you thought of Knock Ireland West airport for a short trip? Tiny, but cool, little airport in the West of Ireland, some great shorts of the countryside during the approach.

[@akkersja]

Some of those scenes brought back memories of my time in the UK.

[@dbailey62]

I like the Q400 as it was such a step up from the 100's and 300's that were so predominant. AC still flies some I believe and they are noisy. Little more than buses with wings. The phase inverting noise reduction on the Q400 really does keep the noise down. Usually I'd be flying Porter's Q400's from Toronto to Ottawa and that particular airline has a deal with Steam Whistle so it's free beer! Tough to dislike that! That being said, yes, it's a basic experience but it really is a commuter aircraft. Ninety minutes would be my limit!

[@maplebacon__]

I love the Q4 in particular. They’re everywhere over here in Canada! I find you either love them or hate them though. There’s no in-between haha

[@Paul_Lucas]

AAL284 Talking of Dash 8s, one airline I’d really like to try is Porter in and out of Billy Bishop Airport. One for the bucket list!

[@laquintonarmbrister6]

@@Paul_Lucas I've done it recently and highly recommend. May change your view on the mighty Q

[@ferret5002]

Im so Sorry to see how nice flybe WAS and that unlikey It collapsed😭

[@oliversmith6404]

Nice video, and thanks for giving us a look inside the lounge as I'm going to NCL airport in a few weeks! Unfortunately, the Metro is utter c**p and is constantly delayed or out of service. Using it to commute is a nightmare...

[@stevehofmaster7489]

Good video,and yes I can agree with you the 400 is not one of my favorites either.We fly them out here a lot between Seattle and Portland about a 35 min trip.They are a cramped cabin,not bad service though.Alaska Airlines partner Horizon operates them on the shuttle flights Portland, Seattle, Spokane.Thanks so much for this video,take care.

[@momiami7974]

Love watching your trip reports. Exciting to watch

[@vinniesuperstar8923]

When I flew into Birmingham from the south east it was easy to see the old course of the Great Central Railway heading towards Rugby. Google Maps makes it so easy!

[@Tims_Travels]

Another good video. The captain’s announcement made me laugh!

[@PhilBehan87]

The late night Ryanair flight from this gate is the only time I’ve had the police running things as much as staff - we had no trouble but it was a little rowdy. That gate is nicely tucked away and it’s not too sad if it gets trashed I guess!

[@ph1l1patc]

Great video, you'll have to come back to Newcastle and hopefully the metro will be running that time. Also, the view from the assistance area upstairs are great over the apron and runway if you do another video from Newcastle.

[@markchadwick2286]

Glad you told me what that weird light was in the centre of screen lol, I was beginning to wonder..lol !!

[@niacrowley5912]

I used to live under the flight path for dash 8s on their approach into Southampton and my God they are loud for such small aircraft

[@MegaDeano72]

Ponteland is where our old military ranges were...we did basic up there at Ouston, an old WW2 airbase

[@briand1102]

Having spent many hours flying in Dash 8s from EDI to BHX or SOU, although its not my favourite aircraft I don't mind them. I used to think that the landing gear looked very sturdy however with the recent undercarriage incidents suffered by FlyBe I'm not so sure now. My one bug bear with the aircraft is the lack of storage space - if you're not one of the first boarders then it can sometimes be difficult to find space in the overhead lockers, and as you demonstrated, there's not much room under the seat in front. Quite like SOU as an airport, although if your flight is delayed it's not the most exciting place to be trapped.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Must say, Newcastle airport looks very nice & modern. (Apart from the gate you boarded from, perhaps.) Don't think I've ever seen it before.

[@matthewdavies3074]

Q400 is very good plane Paul, the ones I have flown have been quite decent. BE average fleet age is a lot lower than BA!

[@abhishekhkumar4097]

Great Video I Live In Southampton! Easyjet are coming to SOU in the next couple of days with their A320 you should do a trip report on it!

[@petehind1]

Excellent as always, nice to see my local airport! And there are always problems with the Metro haha

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Pete Hind Cheers Pete - I know about the Metro, I’m up in Newcastle quite often - family up there!

[@petehind1]

Paul's Trip Reports Ah nice one! I live about two miles from (and under the flight path of) Newcastle Airport as well. You'll be well versed in Metro problems then haha 😂

[@sebastianmcgavin490]

How do you get lounge always

[@Nimrod24]

Wow, incredible shot of the landing gear, nice one Paul!

[@MrGreatplum]

I’ve not actually been on a propeller aircraft since I was in the Maldives on a sea plane! Before that, it was a Cessna caravan in Tanzania. I’d love to take a larger plane such as one of these... pretty much the mainstay if Flybe’s domestic fleet isn’t it?

[@Paul_Lucas]

+MrGreatplum Yes it is, although they do operate quite a few E95 and E75 aircraft now which are infinitely preferable!

[@MrGreatplum]

Paul's Trip Reports - hoping to get across to the Channel Islands next year from Gatwick so might get to try then!

[@Zlin0035]

I had my first flight on a turboprop this year back in the summer.. I was kinda impressed by it. the Dash 8 isnt my favourite turbo. I think id prefer the Saab 340's of LoganAir . but the legroom was great and the flight attendant was very professional with Flybe. my own trip-report coming as soon as I find video editing software that doesnt cost an arm and a leg .

[@exunderscorejai]

Curious as to what point you started hating Dash 8s? I've only been on one once from Dusseldorf to Salzburg with Air Berlin but had a brilliant time. Admittedly the weather was good so landing wasn't too ropey but as it was a commuter flight most people knew each other, the pilots left the door to the cockpit open and were bantering with the attendants. It was awesome.

[@jackaviation5393]

Notfiction gang love this video keep it up

[@jasminderpinder]

Like dozens of others, I love learning about theses small regional airports that we'd never have known of if not for you, so thanks again (I've mentioned this before :) ). Have you done any trips from Manchester? Would be interested to see what that's like since I might be flying through there soon.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+jasminderpinder Flown from Manchester many times - though it was before I started filming!

[@ph89787]

Nice video. If and when you are able to. Could you do a trip report on Qantas. It doesn’t have to be all the way to Australia.

[@sammyryan8161]

Great video as always! I think the Q400 looks a lot like a toothpaste tube especially in the white scheme. I'm yet to have the privilege of flying on one though.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Sammy Ryan I can’t say they’re the most comfortable to fly on...!

[@sammyryan8161]

I get that impression due to the little leg room which will probably be an issues for me.

[@comercialaviation]

My home airport

[@SB-gw7cc]

16:03 Do they have to get THAT close to a railway line??

[@lissiowen1671]

Hi Paul, love your videos! I was curious if you did do a jet2 trip report as I cannot see it on your channel? Thanks 😊

[@Paul_Lucas]

It’s being released on Sunday.

[@haraldlorentzen40]

I really like the Dash-8 Q400, but the one you were on here looked really run down. Never had any trouble when flying the Q300/400's that Widerøe are operating. There is something about turbo props that I like, the sound the engines makes is one of them. True, the Q400 is not a 737 or a 787, they are ment to be regional "jets" so to speak, so comfort is not that of the big jets.

[@SD_-iu8dn]

Harald Lorentzen Flybe can’t buy anymore q400s as they simply don’t have the money for it

[@oxyo3531]

when I was at Newcastle airport recently I am sure I saw a flybe dash 8 in that space. Perhaps we where there on the same day.

[@chrissutton4256]

Air New Zealand operate the smaller Dash 8-Q300 on many internal regional flights - not high on my list of favourites!

[@johnnyboy3949]

The only good thing about the dash is it’s a Turbo prop. The cabin feels small inside and the leg room in the window seats is awful. The atr-72 is far superior, it feels more spacious inside yet you get the cosy feel of 2+2 seating. The atr is probably my favourite aircraft. As regards Flybe a lot of people berate then but I actually quite like them. I travel a lot with them around the uk and I’ve never had many issues at all with them. They are fairly cheap and for an hour or so flight they are great. Now let’s see what virgin are going to do with them