{"id":16668,"date":"2015-09-21T12:51:33","date_gmt":"2015-09-21T11:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/?p=16668"},"modified":"2016-04-26T14:08:11","modified_gmt":"2016-04-26T13:08:11","slug":"a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"A First-Hand Account of a Thomas Cook Regional Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Thomas Cook recently announced a <a href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/08\/your-shortcut-to-paradise-new-regional-connections-on-thomas-cook-long-haul-routes\/?blg\" target=\"_blank\">hanger-load of regional connection opportunities<\/a> for holidaymakers living in the far flung corners of the United Kingdom. In order to sleuth out the specifics I\u2019ve tried the whole process myself, flying from the Isle of Man to Cancun. Here are all the facts and figures from my first-hand recon, so\u00a0we can all\u00a0find that <strong>shortcut to paradise<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16680\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2015\/09\/airplane.jpg\" alt=\"airplane\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/airplane.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/airplane-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_56_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-69d7a6cf8b070\" ><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input aria-label=\"Toggle\" aria-label=\"item-69d7a6cf8b070\"  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69d7a6cf8b070\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#Whats_this_%E2%80%9Cregional_connection%E2%80%9D_lark\" title=\"What\u2019s this \u201cregional connection\u201d lark?\">What\u2019s this \u201cregional connection\u201d lark?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#Weve_all_got_baggage\" title=\"We\u2019ve all got baggage\">We\u2019ve all got baggage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#Speed_and_agility\" title=\"Speed and agility\">Speed and agility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#The_anatomy_of_a_regional_connection\" title=\"The anatomy of a regional connection\">The anatomy of a regional connection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#Whos_on_the_guest_list\" title=\"Who\u2019s on the guest list?\">Who\u2019s on the guest list?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#Show_me_more\" title=\"Show me more!\">Show me more!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/#How_can_I_get_connected\" title=\"How can I get connected?\">How can I get connected?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_this_%E2%80%9Cregional_connection%E2%80%9D_lark\"><\/span>What\u2019s this \u201cregional connection\u201d lark?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you&#8217;re unfamiliar\u00a0with the term &#8220;regional connection&#8221;, then we can define it in two simple steps in terms of the Thomas Cook service:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 \u00a0 An <strong>internal flight<\/strong> with <strong>Flybe<\/strong> from a smaller UK airport to Manchester<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 An <strong>international flight<\/strong> with <strong>Thomas Cook<\/strong> from Manchester<\/p>\n<p>Why is this good news? It saves you having to get all flustered travelling out to one of the nation&#8217;s major airports. Just <strong>hop on a short flight <\/strong>from your local airport and <strong>benefit from all the amazing international destinations on offer at Manchester<\/strong>. Doesn&#8217;t get easier than that, folks.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16673\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2015\/09\/flybe.jpg\" alt=\"flybe\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/flybe.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/flybe-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Weve_all_got_baggage\"><\/span>We\u2019ve all got baggage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The baggage bonuses of a Thomas Cook regional connection are twofold. Firstly, the regional connection affords you the <strong>same baggage allowance<\/strong> as your international flight, so no need to pack light. Secondly, your bags will <strong>move directly from your Flybe flight to your Thomas Cook flight<\/strong>, so there\u2019s no need to re-check-in your luggage.<\/p>\n<p>When you initially check in your luggage you\u2019ll receive a <strong>ticket stub<\/strong> with a <strong>barcode<\/strong>. When you arrive at the transfer desk at Manchester the gentlefolk from Thomas Cook will <strong>scan this little magic patch<\/strong> and your bags will automatically be loaded onto your international flight. Easy as that.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16676\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2015\/09\/baggage.jpg\" alt=\"baggage\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/baggage.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/baggage-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speed_and_agility\"><\/span>Speed and agility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An added perk of a single check-in is the speed with which you enter Manchester airport. A <strong>special security lane<\/strong> alleviates you of any substantial queuing, and you\u2019ll be making your way around the duty-free quicker than a <strong>greased-up cheetah<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll probably have the ability to do online check-in for both your Flybe and Thomas Cook flights. You can check-in for both flights <strong>before you begin<\/strong> the whole connection process, which makes the journey\u00a0even faster. Having all your boarding passes printed before you go is the best way to guarantee everything goes to plan.<\/p>\n<p>If you can\u2019t check-in online, or don\u2019t have access to a printer, no sweat. The Flybe desk and the transfer desk at Manchester have the ability to <strong>print your boarding passes for you<\/strong>. This was how I went about my regional connection, and I encountered no issues whatsoever.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16674\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2015\/09\/waiting.jpg\" alt=\"waiting\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/waiting.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/waiting-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_anatomy_of_a_regional_connection\"><\/span>The anatomy of a regional connection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The regional connection process consists of <strong>5 intuitive stages<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>1. \u00a0 Jump on your Flybe flight to Manchester<br \/>\n2.\u00a0 \u00a0Follow the yellow signs labelled Flight Transfer to find the Transfer Desk<br \/>\n3. \u00a0 Do your business at the Transfer Desk<br \/>\n4. \u00a0 Enjoy the life and times of Manchester Airport<br \/>\n5. \u00a0 Catch your international flight with Thomas Cook<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16678\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2015\/09\/skyline.jpg\" alt=\"skyline\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/skyline.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/skyline-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whos_on_the_guest_list\"><\/span>Who\u2019s on the guest list?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You can currently do Thomas Cook regional connections from a<strong> generous scattering<\/strong> of airports:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 \u00a0 Isle of Man<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 Belfast<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 Aberdeen<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 Edinburgh<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 Inverness<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 Exeter<br \/>\n\u2022 \u00a0 Southampton<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Show_me_more\"><\/span>Show me more!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While I was out in the field I made\u00a0a little video encapsulating the <strong>speed<\/strong> and <strong>ease<\/strong> of the Regional Connection process.\u00a0Behold:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J6UXf3fUcMQ\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_get_connected\"><\/span>How can I get connected?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you think a regional connection is right for you,<strong> just give us a call<\/strong> and we&#8217;ll hook you up. It&#8217;s super easy to get connected, and we&#8217;re hyped to help you out.<\/p>\n<p>Paradise just got a little bit closer, Holidaymakers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thomas Cook recently announced a hanger-load of regional connection opportunities for holidaymakers living in the far flung corners of the United Kingdom. In order to sleuth out the specifics I\u2019ve tried the whole process myself, flying from the Isle of Man to Cancun. Here are all the facts and figures from my first-hand recon, to help you find that shortcut to paradise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":16673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[675],"tags":[1071,1101,1072,1073,1260,1068,850,953,1100],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A First-Hand Account of a Thomas Cook Regional Connection - Blue Bay Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/09\/a-first-hand-account-of-a-thomas-cook-regional-connection\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A First-Hand Account of a Thomas Cook Regional Connection - Blue Bay Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Thomas Cook recently announced a hanger-load of regional connection opportunities for holidaymakers living in the far flung corners of the United Kingdom. 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In order to sleuth out the specifics I\u2019ve tried the whole process myself, flying from the Isle of Man to Cancun. 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Journey-Maker. Data-Miner. My job encompasses these titles (and more) as I ruminate on data-driven projects in the name of world domination. My life revolves around personalising every holidaymaker's experience using data, critical thinking and a little gumption. My weapons of choice are automations, blogs, social media and PPC advertising. 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