Thomas Cook

[ethanegcc]

Apparently Tampa airport staff have been told to expect a Thomas Cook announcement soon. One to watch.

In the expansion mode Thomas Cook seem to be in, I can't see Miami being dropped. If so, it could be a good replacement for BOS for Virgin Atlantic.

 

[ethanegcc]

Apparently Tampa airport staff have been told to expect a Thomas Cook announcement soon. One to watch.

In the expansion mode Thomas Cook seem to be in, I can't see Miami being dropped. If so, it could be a good replacement for BOS for Virgin Atlantic.

As for the rumour VS/TCX will take over all transatlantic flights is highly unlikely. Surely United or American would not codeshare with Virgin who have a joint venture with Delta or Thomas Cook who partner with Alaska and JetBlue? If any British carrier is to take over AA flights, it will be BA.

 

[Jerry]

In my ignorance, I was astonished to find that Seattle is just over 800 miles from San Francisco.
San Diego on the other hand - another destination suggested - is only 120 miles from Los Angeles.
I've already commented on the proximity of another rumoured route - Tampa - to Orlando.

Now I appreciate there may be good commercial reasons for flying to cities reasonably close together - for cruise connections for example - or possibly for two-centre holidays or business trips or simply because the new destination has its own unique attractions for business or leisure. So I guess an airline in expansion mode might consider 'do we increase frequency on an existing, fairly nearby service. e.g. LAX, or introduce new flights to San Diego say 2 x weekly'?

Yep the distances are vast! Portland to Los Angeles is a 2 and a half hours flight and about a 15 hour drive.
With Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles TCX pretty much has the West Coast covered. Any new destinations they look at may well be better off focused in the South New Orleans maybe? Or maybe the Mid West Chicago maybe?

 

[Jerry]

In my ignorance, I was astonished to find that Seattle is just over 800 miles from San Francisco.
San Diego on the other hand - another destination suggested - is only 120 miles from Los Angeles.
I've already commented on the proximity of another rumoured route - Tampa - to Orlando.

Now I appreciate there may be good commercial reasons for flying to cities reasonably close together - for cruise connections for example - or possibly for two-centre holidays or business trips or simply because the new destination has its own unique attractions for business or leisure. So I guess an airline in expansion mode might consider 'do we increase frequency on an existing, fairly nearby service. e.g. LAX, or introduce new flights to San Diego say 2 x weekly'?

Yep the distances are vast! Portland to Los Angeles is a 2 and a half hours flight and about a 15 hour drive.
With Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles TCX pretty much has the West Coast covered. Any new destinations they look at may well be better off focused in the South New Orleans maybe? Or maybe the Mid West Chicago maybe?

 

[User001]

added info to my aircraft utilisation post as missed of PUJ (Punta Cana) which also pushes Thursday's to requiring 8 based.

So, if indeed the press and schedules are correct with 8 based A330, looks like we can expect the highly rumoured new routes and possible expansion on existing routes. There is even enough slack for some short haul rotations if need be.

I have been assured from a very good source Miami is not dropped.

 

[Land23R]

I have been assured from a very good source Miami is not dropped.

Perhaps they are thinking of a change of days of operation for optimum a/c utilisation, especially if there are more routes to be announced.

 

[ethanegcc]

added info to my aircraft utilisation post as missed of PUJ (Punta Cana) which also pushes Thursday's to requiring 8 based.

So, if indeed the press and schedules are correct with 8 based A330, looks like we can expect the highly rumoured new routes and possible expansion on existing routes.

8 based is quite an achievement. As I enquired in my previous post -

1) do they currently only have one Air Tanker operating from MAN (G-VYGM)?

2) Will they be acquiring their own aircraft for summer 2018, or Air Tanker again?

 

[User001]

Currently, TCX have A330 wise

G-VYGK (GLA)
G-VYGM (MAN)
G-CHTZ (MAN)
G-MDBD (MAN)
G-OMYT (MAN)
G-TCXB (MAN)
OY-VKG (MAN)
OY-VKF (STN)
G-TCXC (LGW)
G-MLJL (MAN)

 

[ethanegcc]

Currently, TCX have A330 wise

G-VYGK (GLA)
G-VYGM (MAN)
G-CHTZ (MAN)
G-MDBD (MAN)
G-OMYT (MAN)
G-TCXB (MAN)
OY-VKG (MAN)
OY-VKF (STN)
G-TCXC (LGW)
G-MLJL (MAN)

Thanks. So that's 7 currently. Do you know whether the 8th will be an air tanker or one of their own aircraft? Unfortunately, it seems the Air Tanker will be operating the SEA route.

 

[User001]

It is disappointing that air tanker will be operating SEA, as I think all west coast routes should have a premium cabin to be honest.

I also think SEA has the potential to pick up business class pax as it's quite a big business hub.

Lastly, with cruises, SEA also has the potential to be year round.

 

[ethanegcc]

//

It is disappointing that air tanker will be operating SEA, as I think all west coast routes should have a premium cabin to be honest.

I also think SEA has the potential to pick up business class pax as it's quite a big business hub.

Lastly, with cruises, SEA also has the potential to be year round.

Exactly my opinion. Surely the Air Tanker birds would be better going to MCO/PUJ etc.?

 

[User001]

Air tankers probably best doing BOS/MCO/PUJ. I would say JFK due to distance but then they are looking at adding business to JFK so one assumes the PE cabin sells well.

Or better still, just have a consistent product on long haul?

 

[ethanegcc]

Or better still, just have a consistent product on long haul?

That's got to be the ambition. Come on Thomas Cook; you've got the routes, get a consistent product, install the Wi-Fi and get business class. Then you can truly be an airline that appeals to all.

 

[User001]

Did you have a drink half way through that post?

 

[Dobbo]

Haha!

Slight tangent, do we see TCX / Condor persisting with the A332 long term?

I'm not expecting an order of B787 or A350, but there must be a long term fleet plan for the long haul fleet.

 

[ethanegcc]

Haha sorry!

I'm surprised you could even decipher that Dobbo to like it! I did it on my phone - I will stick to my laptop for posting on here from now on.

 

[Dobbo]

Haha sorry!

I'm surprised you could even decipher that Dobbo to like it! I did it on my phone - I will stick to my laptop for posting on here from now on.

Now you've corrected it I've un-liked it!!

 

[Aceshigh]

But please can ALL these start April 1st rather than end of May ?

 

[ethanegcc]

Agreeing with all the points made. Thomas Cook have RD under control. They should now have three priorities:

1. Continue to gain the traction on the transfer market on both ends of our TATL routes (Flybe on the British end/JetBlue and Alaska on the US end)

2. Get a consistent product. Install Wi-Fi as soon as possible (as has been planned) to attract the business customer and help transfer traffic to return. If AirTanker a/c have to be leased, put them on more holiday orientated and shorter routes.

3. Address the seasonality issue. Routes like LAX and SEA should atleast be operating from 26th March-26th October. If not more...

But otherwise, Thomas Cook are doing something great. In my opinion, if they can focus on those three things, they are on to a winner at Manchester.

As a conclusion, I noticed MAN had tweeted about the new route, calling Thomas Cook the 'gift that keeps on giving' and I think they may be correct 🙂

@Dobbo you probably didn't agree at all and just liked to highlight the complete blunder I'd made!

 

[Dobbo]

It is interesting that the state of Colorado is apparently offering an incentive to (it is presumed Norwegian) to start DEN-CDG.

Manchester/Northern England is not Paris, but good for thought for TCX...