Virgin Atlantic

[User001]

Well, after having our January holiday cancelled by the collapse of Monarch, decided to cheer ourselves up by heading to Florida in March.

Looks like we will be flying out 22nd March on the VS75 and return on 5th April on the VS76.

Looked at TCX as we are only doing flight only as family has a house in Kissimee, but VS came out cheaper. Another thing that put us off the TCX was that the better prices flight was on Air Tanker. As much as I love what TCX are doing, why they are using that thing long haul and then using a LH configured aircraft on short haul is just stupid.

Anyway, looking forward to being on VS once again.

 

[ethanegcc]

I've looked at travelling TCX to SEA, but the AirTanker puts me off. Using it for a new route to a destination such as Seattle is a complete mistake - won't attract customers at all. They need to get an all-round product to be a 'full service' LH carrier to be reckoned with.

 

[Coathanger16]

I've looked at travelling TCX to SEA, but the AirTanker puts me off. Using it for a new route to a destination such as Seattle is a complete mistake - won't attract customers at all. They need to get an all-round product to be a 'full service' LH carrier to be reckoned with.

You say that, but does the average Joe realise/know when making the booking?

What exactly is it that's wrong with the Air Tanker Aircraft?

 

[Dobbo]

Taking @Coathanger16 point first, the air tanker aircraft (as I understand it) lack seat back IFE and many of the other mod cons expected in a long haul aircraft - including the rest of the TCX fleet.

This is obviously a problem for the 9+ hour flights to the west coast. Coathanger is, I think, correct to say most passengers won't know this. That's not an issue for the first booking, but where the reality falls short of expectations that will be a problem for future bookings.

Turning to @ethanegcc point, quality and standardisation of fleet product is where VS have an almost insurmountable edge over TCX. Certainly in the current/future Airbus fleet.

 

[ethanegcc]

You say that, but does the average Joe realise/know when making the booking?

What exactly is it that's wrong with the Air Tanker Aircraft?

No they don't but there are several changes which may deter returning customers/or prospective customers;

-no premium economy
-3-3-3 seating
-no PTVs for IFE

It really doesn't comply with the rebrand TCX is going for and is a mark on there otherwise great new image.

 

[Coathanger16]

Valid points about Air Tanker - any idea if TCX is looking to expand their own fleet and stop leasing from Air Tanker? Or is it likely to be in the fleet for a number of years.

As I've seen people mention before, it seems odd they don't use the Air Tanker aircraft on their shorter long haul routes.

Standardization is a key issue, especially when it comes to the more premium cabins. @Dobbo you say here Virgin has the advantage, have they finished refitting all their A330's yet?

 

[Dobbo]

Hi @Coathanger16 no, I don't believe they have. I think that is at least part of the explanation why VS are basing a 744 at MAN in S18 instead of an A333.

As regards TCX, they are simply taking a prudent low risk approach. Incremental increases in aircraft, spreading the route net widely and thinly so they are not so exposed if a route fails. LAX is a good example, up from 2<3<4 weekly in peak (I think). This does mean the air tanker will be around for a while. But hopefully they'll get it on a short haul programme (unless they are entitled to a limited number of cycles).

 

[User001]

Both ATL and JFK will be daily next winter (2018).

This year, the A330 was taken out of MAN to cover LHR for the last of the A330 refits and the engine issues with their B787 get fixed at MAEL.

MAN was purely the victim of circumstance as LHR slots are a pure 'use it or loose it' scenario so MAN was the easier cut.

 

[Dobbo]

That is a positive step forward. Most likely explains the 744 in S18, perhaps too much aircraft for winter but better to avoid losing the market in S18.

 

[Dobbo]

I'll just leave this here. No idea if there is anything further in social media, but it is encouraging that: a) VS and MAN clearly have a close working relationship; and 2) VS clearly have not finished expanding at MAN and are looking for growth opportunities.

View attachment 6683

 

[User001]

Well, it's a good job SFO and BOS look to be going year round, according to OAG timetables!

 

[Land23R]

That would be good news. Noticed on MAN departure boards this morning there were just the 2 Virgin flights - to JFK and MCO. Have to say I'd be slightly surprised if BOS goes year round but hey-ho.

 

[David_itl]

Year round to 3 business destinations really should guarantee a clubhouse. More so if its 4 business destinations. Got to tempt the premium payer to choose MAN over LHR

 

[Aceshigh]

Is this true?

I thought BOS and SFO were on shorter summers never mind going year round!

CHRISTMAS comes early if confirmed !

 

[Dobbo]

If you are looking at JFK, ATL, MCO and one of SFO/BOS every day you have a strong case for a clubhouse. Throw in LAS, BGI and you are onto something.

If, as seems to be the case, W18 is a continuation of S18 (presumably A330 on all ATL/JFK flights instead of B744 on some) that raises the question of where they go in S19 if they base another aircraft. More JFK rotations? More SFO or BOS? Or a new route?

I have no information, but it seems VS have a level of commitment to the North of England marketplace.

 

[ethanegcc]

The signs are cautiously good so far. Virgin Atlantic flights to Boston and San Francisco still on sale beyond this year's cut off of end of September and up to 13th October '18 so far (end of schedule).

Following this summer's great schedule (barring the slightly reduced season of SFO/BOS), if as User is suggesting, next winter sees daily ATL/JFK and SFO/BOS year-round, it truly would be a massive step forward.

 

[Chilly Dog]

So VS's Winter timetable starts at the very end of October.

They're traditionally awful at updating schedules this far ahead - so for example they're showing their codeshare MAN-SIN from end of October as operating via MUC.

But yep as Ethan says, SFO and BOS both operate to the very end of the VS summer timetable.

 

[Dobbo]

I'll just leave this here. No idea if there is anything further in social media, but it is encouraging that: a) VS and MAN clearly have a close working relationship; and 2) VS clearly have not finished expanding at MAN and are looking for growth opportunities.

View attachment 6683

A short write up on the above. Nothing particularly specific to MAN, albeit if AF/KL customers could use VS Clubhouses, it might make it more likely we see one at MAN.

https://www.routesonline.com/news/2.../?hootPostID=d821255e7f5c0176005967d37eaf8cc5

 

[David_itl]

Does anyone know where 4 A330s are available for short-term lease to operate some VS flights from here? Elsewhere suggests our "based" fleet needed to cover B789s. Can't we say pretty please for a couple of Delta A350s?

 

[Jerry]

Does anyone know where 4 A330s are available for short-term lease to operate some VS flights from here? Elsewhere suggests our "based" fleet needed to cover B789s. Can't we say pretty please for a couple of Delta A350s?

Isn't it the 747s that are covering the 787s out of LHR? It could be possible that Delta might temporarily cover some routes like they have done before. I believe Delta's A350s will takeover there 747 routes first with DTW-NRT being the first route.