Thomas Cook

[User001]

It's just funny that BHX has gone through something like 20 odd pages of route speculation and out of no MAN speculation, TCX just thwacked down a superb route in Seattle!

Shows that just because a rumour hasn't leaked, doesn't mean it's not happening.

 

[ethanegcc]

Shows that just because a rumour hasn't leaked, doesn't mean it's not happening.

I hope the same is happening for many other routes It really is a superb route and coup for Manchester.

Could you give us some speculation for what 'more is to come'?

 

[User001]

You'll soon see what else is coming. One new aircraft is due and so far, only 2 flights a week accounted for.

 

[ethanegcc]

You'll soon see what else is coming. One new aircraft is due and so far, only 2 flights a week accounted for.

Tampa? If we are following the current pattern of going where Condor go, could we see San Diego, New Orleans or even Minneapolis?

 

[Dobbo]

I expect there will be some increases in existing routes to account for the extra capacity...

 

[ethanegcc]

I expect there will be some increases in existing routes to account for the extra capacity...

Maybe one more new route and increases for the others? LAX is probably a good candidate for increases.

 

[Dobbo]

I seem to recall that LAX started in 2016 as 2x weekly. This year it is 3x weekly and 2018 is scheduled to be 4x weekly.

This highlights TCX's prudent approach to sustainable route development and growth.

It's not year round - yet - but the signs at JFK are positive.

Perhaps they will use the spare aircraft to South Africa in the winter months...

 

[Jerry]

Great, well keep us posted if you are able to use the service. Certainly a lot easier than going via LAX! Now if Flybe started a CWL-MAN route...!

Yeah it would the SEA-PDX flight is only 45 mins and Alaska do at least 20 flights a day.
CWL-MAN would be handy. If CWL loses its LCY flights then maybe they'll replace it with MAN.

 

[flymetothemoon]

Hearing all US legacy airlines at MAN to change to TCX & Virgin!! Is that right User001?

 

[User001]

What do you mean?

 

[flymetothemoon]

If what i hear is right all MAN flights by US legacy carriers will be flown by a mixture of Thomas Cook & Virgin
This comes from a good source. I don't know if you could shed any light on it?

 

[User001]

No that's not true in any shape or form.

I'm afraid even if it came from a usually trusted source, I fear you've been caught at the end of a very bizzare Chinese whisper.

 

[flymetothemoon]

OK no probs, just posting what i heard.Best to check with you!!!

 

[User001]

No worries.

It's an interesting one but no idea where that started, I don't even know how that would work logistically, but, rumours are fun!

 

[Dobbo]

I suppose it's true to the extent that Virgin have taken over Delta.

Despite the rumours there is no solid evidence in the public domain that BA intend to take over from AA.

UA have no equivalent UK partner unless another *A partner is tempted to run MAN-EWR.

I don't expect anything to change in the near future.

 

[User001]

So, TCX aircraft allocation peak week August:

Mon: JFK/HOG/BOS/LAX/MCO/PUJ/1xspare
Tue: JFK/CUN/LAS/MCO/MCO/2xspare
Wed: JFK/CCC/CUN/LAX/MCO/2xspare
Thu: JFK/SEA/HOG/CUN/LAS/MCO/SFO/PUJ
Fri: JFK/MIA/VRA/CUN/BOS/MCO/PUJ
Sat: JFK/SNU/CUN/BOS/LAS/LAX/MCO
Sun: JFK/MIA/SEA/CUN/LAS/MCO/MCO/SFO

I've assumed this is a 7 based A330 schedule, however, there are 8 required on Thursday/Sunday and the Seattle press release does state MAN will have 8 based A330, so, who knows.

Both San Diego and Tampa could fit into the schedules on say, Mon/Wed, with extra flights to existing routes on Tue.

 

[Jerry]

What is the likelihood of those spare aircraft being used on routes from other airports?

 

[ethanegcc]

Do you know which registrations the 7 based aircraft are? and which ones will be Air Tanker/Thomas Cook?
Operating from MAN this year:
Thomas Cook have G-MLJL/MDBD/OMYT/CHTZ/TCXB/OY-VKF (A332s)
Then this year they have G-VYGM as an air tanker.

Would that be correct?

Are they securing another A330 of their own to operate for next year?

 

[Land23R]

Excellent news re Seattle.

Arising from that schedule listing User has posted, how sure are we that Miami is coming back? I agree it shows up on the web site schedules, but still isn't bookable. If Miami didn't return on Fri/Sun, it would leave Friday with only 5 flights like Mon-Wed, and Sunday would be back to requiring only 7 based. So it's interesting if an article refers to 8 based a/c.
Of course, as suggested, if MIA were dropped, it might be replaced by FLL but not necessarily on the same days.

Then there is that highly unlikely rumour above that US legacy flights would be replaced under some arrangement with TCX/VS. While it does sound bizarre - although I'm sure passed on in good faith - could that be related in any way to the suggestion that TCX are considering Business Class on some a/c?

 

[Land23R]

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'?