Flybe launching flights from London Heathrow to the Isle of Man

Flybe has announced a new service from Heathrow to the Isle of Man.

Starting on 21st April and using a 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft, it is initially scheduled to run for the Summer season to 26th October.

It will, apparently, be the first direct flight in nearly 20 years between the two airports.  The service will operate daily, leaving the Isle of Man at 13.50 and landing at Heathrow at 15.10.  The return flight departs at 17.05 and arrives in the Isle of Man at 18.25.

It is not clear where the slot is coming from, but it is presumably a Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Air France or KLM slot which someone else had been slot sitting on their behalf.

Flybe will also be flying from the Isle of Man to Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester this Summer and is currently running a seasonal ski service to Geneva.

Tickets are available now at flybe.com.  I’m not sure if they will be made available for Avios redemption or not, given that the Flybe partnership with Avios ends on 30th April.

You will still earn Avios on cash flights to the Isle of Man as long as both the outbound and return legs are completed by 30th April.

Your best option to maximise your miles when paying is American Express Preferred Rewards Gold.  This offers double points – 2 per £1 – when you when you book flight tickets directly with an airline.  Our review of Amex Gold is here.

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