A meager ray of sunshine accompanied, this Thursday, November 7, 2024, shortly after 10 a.m., the first Brest-London flight of the Volotea company. Not enough to put a smile on the face of the 177 passengers (out of 180 available seats).
“A direct flight to London was empty in Brest,” say Marité and Jean. The two Landernéens regularly go to Nantes to visit their daughter who has lived in the British capital for more than seven years. “For a while, we took a flight from Dinard. We also tried the Eurostar. But it took us nine hours to get there! », remembers Marité. “It’s still going to be faster!” », adds Murielle, 65, who is going to join some British friends. “And there, I paid a third of what it usually cost me,” she says.
Lots of tourists
A limited cost that also appeals to tourists like Marie-Noëlle: “€180 round trip for two, it’s worth it! “, she emphasizes. Priscilla and Steeve, from Landerneau (29), are also closely following the new Volotea line openings: “We were impatiently waiting for this one. »
For Lise, Hugo, Julia (4 years old) and Isaac (13 months), this will be the first family trip to enjoy the Christmas decorations. The first to board, Laurent, goes to meet a friend. “But I’m an art gallery owner, so I’ll also look for business…” he confides.
In the other direction, it was business that brought Christina and her family to Brest. “I’m Polish. We came from Bilbao to meet someone I work with, but there was no direct flight,” she explains in English. Most of the 86 other passengers on the flight have family ties in the area. Deborah, a Brestoise who has lived in Brighton for 17 years, has completely changed her plans to fit with the new offer. “I’m coming to stay with my family for two months. When I saw this direct flight, I was super happy! »
“Awesome line!” »
For Sabaya, 35, a resident of London, this new line is “great!” » She visits her sister, who lives 20 minutes from Brest. “I bought my ticket last night and here I am. Before, it easily took a day. »
Same problem for Archie, 19 years old: “Before, I went to Nantes. To get to me, she also had to travel a long way. It feels good to finally have this line! », breathes this Englishman who happily finds his girlfriend from Brest in the terminal. “Hoping that the line continues,” Jean crosses his fingers.
