I am back!!

[Kevin Farnell]

No surprise is the absence of transatlantic service excepting TUI to Caribbean whilst Manchester forge ahead in that arena as is expected with a designated gateway airport.

There is no longer a status of 'Gateway Airport' between the UK and the US. This was the case back in the 1970's when the route allocations were highly regulated, requiring approval from both UK and US governments and had to use a designated 'Gateway Airport' (LHR, LGW, STN and PIK if I remember correctly). Even then, Manchester Airport was not a true 'Gateway Airport', but given temporary status to allow a service to start.
The market has since been deregulated which has allowed in past years BHX, EDI, GLA, BRS, BFS and NCL all to operate transatlantic scheduled services.
The only difference that Manchester enjoys is 'pre-clearance' as authorised by US customs.

Kevin

 

[thunderchild]

The only difference that Manchester enjoys is 'pre-clearance' as authorised by US customs.

Not yet. At present it’s only a rumour for when the new piers are in place but due to the fact the end product might not match up to the original vision who knows?

 

[IanFarquharson]

There are no US-pre clearance airports in the UK just in Ireland

 

[Scottie Dog]

Jenny, I'm sorry to hear your opinion of travel agents! I worked in the corporate travel side of the industry from 1968 to 2015 - although the last 10 years were spent on the accounts side. During that time I and my colleagues were very aware of the need to book our clients from their local airport, although sometimes their companies agreements with airlines meant that we had no alternative but to route them via a London airport.

I do believe that now a days a number of retail travel agents have a far greater knowledge of the destinations than they do of British geography and the range of flights that are offered from local airports.

Anyway, as I have said elsewhere it's good to have your input again.

 

[JENNYJET]

Ref: Gateway airports..I was probably thinking of the days when KING and MARSHALL were running a state owned British Airways and before BCAL was swallowed by BA. Anyway thank you for the correction.

Oh I really miss BCAL, so distinctive and oozed quality with the great DC10s and BAC

-11 in the fleet.

 

[JENNYJET]

Ooops sorry my numb fingers letting me down, I hope you get meaning etc.

 

[rollo]

Oh I really miss BCAL, so distinctive and oozed quality with the great DC10s and BAC
-11 in the fleet.

Not to mention those Caledonion girls ?

I never flew with B Cal but we did fly once to Orlando from MAN on a Cal Air DC10 who were the bit left over after BAs takeover
and it was one of the best flights we have ever taken it was back in the 1980s.

 

[wolfheze]

Ref: Gateway airports..I was probably thinking of the days when KING and MARSHALL were running a state owned British Airways and before BCAL was swallowed by BA. Anyway thank you for the correction.

Oh I really miss BCAL, so distinctive and oozed quality with the great DC10s and BAC

-11 in the fleet.

Don't forget the VC10s and 707s.

 

[rollo]

Don't forget the VC10s and 707s.

The Vickers (BAC) VC1O, once seen never to be forgotten a truly superb aircraft.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

The Vickers (BAC) VC1O, once seen never to be forgotten a truly superb aircraft.

Quite simply, the most beautiful subsonic jetliner EVER!!!

I have a model kit to build of a Super VC-10, made by a company called Roden. It's rough around the edges and I'm a novice at building kits, but I hope I can do it justice.

Kevin

 

[wolfheze]

BOAC livery?

 

[rollo]

BOAC livery?

I
Best ever on a VC10 or 707 it's that Speedbird, by the way I also remember the British United VC10S before British Caladonian took them over, good grief I'm getting old need to take the dog for a walk.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Better make it a long walk?

 

[Silvercity]

Quite simply, the most beautiful subsonic jetliner EVER!!!

I have a model kit to build of a Super VC-10, made by a company called Roden. It's rough around the edges and I'm a novice at building kits, but I hope I can do it justice.

Kevin

totally agree

 

[Silvercity]

I
Best ever on a VC10 or 707 it's that Speedbird, by the way I also remember the British United VC10S before British Caladonian took them over, good grief I'm getting old need to take the dog for a walk.

The VC10 was / is my favourite airliner. Looked good in East African Livery too.
I don't really remember them unfortunately, think One as a BA one as a kid at LHR.

 

[JENNYJET]

I used to park up by the crash gate at Brize at the end of the runway and feel the blast from four RR engines, noisy and very smokey a BAC 1-11 on steroids! Sadly only now seen as a ground runner at Bruntingthorpe, Cold War Jets open day 26 August. I was pleased to see the final flight go over my home, en route to a fly past at BHX, now only Voyagers and the occasional Atlas or C17.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

BOAC livery?

The VC10 was / is my favourite airliner. Looked good in East African Livery too.

The kit came with East African decals, but I bought an extra set for BOAC. This gives the choice of BOAC or BOAC CUNARD. I think I'll go with the standard BOAC.

Kevin

 

[58terminus]

I believe it was also a very comfortable aircraft to fly on. Imagine flying BOAC from BHX to JFK in the early 70's
and having virtually the whole aircraft to yourself.
For younger members imagine flying from BHX to JFK on anything

 

[Scottie Dog]

I had the pleasure of flying Heathrow - Bermuda - Barbados in one and then return Nassau - Heathrow on a B707. Definitely the VC10 (possible a Super) was more comfortable and quieter - of course in those days the only in-flight entertainment was to read of engage in conversation with your fellow passengers.

 

[richard winterbourn]

My one flight on a VC10 was London to the Seychelles via Khartoum, Addis Ababa and Nairobi. A window seat and stunning views passing between Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjiro. A never-to-be-forgotten experience...