Virgin Atlantic

[ethanegcc]

A Virgin Clubhouse would truly secure Virgin's position in MAN as a 'hub' operation. Would be great to see this.

 

[Dobbo]

Looks like VS will operate some cruise charter flights to BGI from MAN and LHR.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/artic...n-atlantic-for-caribbean-fly-cruise-programme

 

[ethanegcc]

What is the likelihood (if there is no expansion of VS themselves at MAN) of DTW actually materialising for Summer 2018, in your opinions? I know that it is a topic that has been discussed (for S17) but I really wish we could see this on the departure boards.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

I suspect that the economy and the GBP/USD exchange rate going forward will be key to decisions such as this. Let's see what happens in the months following Hell Toupee's inauguration as POTUS and the triggering of Article 50. Airlines are likely to delay major strategic decisions on deployment of new capacity until they have a better idea of how the economic climate unfolds.

 

[ethanegcc]

Virgin/Delta JV Manchester-New York JFK Changes
It seems Virgin Atlantic has changed their timetable for the New York flights out of Manchester, this summer.

Previously, all of the JFK/EWR departures would be over by 11am, however Virgin are moving the flight to a late afternoon departure, to align closer with Delta's current operation.

Delta's current S17 (up until Virgin takeover schedule):
DL 221 MAN 1305 JFK 1600 76W D
DL 421 JFK 2323 MAN 1120 +1 76W D

Virgin's new S17 schedule:
VS 127 MAN 1340 JFK 1630 333 D
VS 128 JFK 2130 MAN 0915 +1 333 D

This is as opposed to the previously planned 1030am departure. Great news to have services further spread out in my opinion, and not over by 11am! The BOS flight is also a late afternoon departure at 14:25.

The Delta schedule for W17 is an early morning departure (more in demand in winter due to some carriers lowering capacity for seasonality). I suspect they will offer some 763 flights for the busier festive season as they did this year.

 

[Dobbo]

I had hoped MAN-JFK would be taken over by VS in the same way as the ATL route. Perhaps this is one for W18.

 

[ethanegcc]

I didn't think VS would continue with 333 but I thought DL might operate the 767, at least. Anyway, the new schedule is more beneficial.

 

[Dobbo]

Absolutely - in an environment where cut backs are taking place, any increase is a good sign.

 

[ethanegcc]

Virgin Atlantic Reconfigured A330-300 a/c
You may remember, further up the thread, I posted about the intention for Virgin to switch their J class seats from 1-2-1, to 1-1-1 (in line with their fleet).

These new A330-300s will debut on the new Manchester-Boston and San Francisco routes on 27th March, along with Bridgetown.

From 1st September, they will also operate on the New York and Atlanta routes.

The new A330-300s are two class and will drop premium economy.
Current Configuration: J33 Y+48 Y185 Total: 266
New Configuration: J31 Y222 Total: 253

This will represent quite a significant increase in capacity for economy class on our brand new flights - so might this indicate the forward bookings are looking strong for economy class?
It will also increase LFs significantly - good for MAN's figures!
Could it also indicate Virgin's dedication to MAN/LGW, to deploy the new product on the 333 there, before bringing it in line with all of the LHR fleet?

Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but, nevertheless, it is nice that Virgin have decided to deploy their newly reconfigured or 'best' A333s in Manchester.
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38...ic-schedules-new-a330-upper-class-1q17-debut/

 

[Coathanger16]

Are we to infer that Virgin are dropping premium economy from all there A330's?

I'd be rather surprised if they were to ditch premium economy on their LHR flights, so unless they're planning on withdrawing the A330 from LHR, could it be that Virgin plan on operating two different variants of the A330: one for LHR and one for elsewhere. I recall they did something similar with their B747's.

It could be that with more B787's being delivered and their A350's coming soon that Virgin plan on withdrawing the A330 from LHR, and just having B787/A350 based there.

Either way it's good to see Virgin's continued commitment to MAN.

 

[ethanegcc]

I am not sure - but they will be rolling out this A330 to the LHR flights, per routesonline (omitting LGW):
eff 27MAR17
Manchester – Barbados
Manchester – Boston
Manchester – San Francisco

eff 01SEP17
London Heathrow – Dubai
London Heathrow – Newark
London Heathrow – New York JFK (VS137/138)
London Heathrow – Washington Dulles
Manchester – Atlanta
Manchester – New York JFK

eff 30OCT17
London Heathrow – Atlanta
London Heathrow – New York JFK (VS045/046 4 of 7 weekly)

eff 31OCT17
London Heathrow – Miami (VS117/118)

 

[Land23R]

Astonished and disappointed if they are dropping premium economy. We've flown in P/E several times in recent years on the B747 and A333 and it's always been full or nearly so. And I don't understand if they are dropping it, how they end up with 22 less seats, unless they are improving seat pitch in economy.

Edit:
Routes-on-line actually states 31 in Business, compared to 33 currently, so with the new config. reduced seating on each row in Business, the overall decrease to 253 seats makes sense. I'm still not convinced it's a good move to drop P/E and may persuade some folk (including us) to look at TCX's Premium offering.

 

[Dobbo]

I see the introduction of the new A333 configuration on MAN-JFK is effective from 1 September 2017.

Unless it is being used for a very short period before withdrawal, might this indicate the route is being handed to VS all year, or for a very long season?

 

[ca4]

PE is not being droppped. PE is classed in th Y code for some reason so that's why. It is in fact being improved with the new 'wonderwall' being added to bring in line with the 787.

 

[ethanegcc]

PE is not being droppped. PE is classed in th Y code for some reason so that's why. It is in fact being improved with the new 'wonderwall' being added to bring in line with the 787.

Great news if so, I did think it was odd VS dropping PE.

 

[Land23R]

Ah, thanks ca4. It would have been a very strange decision to drop P/E. So I wonder how many of the 222 'economy' seats are P/E.

 

[ethanegcc]

Ah, thanks ca4. It would have been a very strange decision to drop P/E. So I wonder how many of the 222 'economy' seats are P/E.

Probably a similar number as they have currently around 40, but that is just a guess.

 

[Dobbo]

Quick note on VS.

They will re introduce LAS on 24 February 2018 instead of late March as originally planned. B744.

Nearly back to a year round service on this route...

 

[ethanegcc]

Quick note on VS.

They will re introduce LAS on 24 February 2018 instead of late March as originally planned. B744.

Nearly back to a year round service on this route...

It would be nice to see a route converted from seasonal to year-round, rather than the opposite.

 

[Dobbo]

Let's hope there is news to follow on this.