The mysterious VS9...

[preiffer]

Just looking at a booking for January to New York, and VA.com gave me the following options:

20 JAN 09:30 New York (JFK)
20 JAN 12:10 VS045 7:40 Hrs B744

20 JAN 14:00 New York (JFK)
20 JAN 16:40 VS003 7:40 Hrs B744

20 JAN 16:00 New York (EWR)
20 JAN 18:40 VS001 7:40 Hrs B744

20 JAN 17:55 New York (JFK)
20 JAN 20:50 VS009 7:55 Hrs A343

20 JAN 20:30 New York (EWR)
20 JAN 23:10 VS017 7:40 Hrs A343

Now, I've added the aircraft type myself, from ExpertFlyer.com - as I couldn't work out what was going on.

I know the A343 is the slowest plane VS have, so assumed that might be the cause of the extended flight time - but alas, no. The EWR flight (744 vs 343) contradicts that theory, as both aircraft offer the same flight time.

I thought, MAYBE they're factoring in holding/traffic at that particular time of day - maybe they intentionally slow down to hit a slot at the other side of the water in that case?


So... Does anyone know the "real" reason why VS9 takes an extra 15 minutes over all other NYC flights?

[Bazz]

I would guess its to do with landing slot/gate availability or mcuth might be onboard [:p][}:)];)

Originally posted by Bazz
or mcuth might be onboard [:p][}:)];)

More like an hour extra in that case :D

Cheers

Michael

A more direct flight path perhaps?

Well, no EWR flights are operated with a 343 anymore, whether they will be in the future I'm not sure. But maybe they mistakenly put 343 for 017 when it really shouldn't be that.

Wasn't the VS9 previously 1805 ex-LHR? If they have put it back to 1755 they are most likely not to be able to move their Slot/Gate time in EWR as they are very restrictive there. Would certainly seem to be the most likely scenario.

Graham

Originally posted by NYCFlyer
Wasn't the VS9 previously 1805 ex-LHR? If they have put it back to 1755 they are most likely not to be able to move their Slot/Gate time in EWR as they are very restrictive there. Would certainly seem to be the most likely scenario.

Graham

VS9 goes to JFK not EWR by the way, but yes, that could very well be, they may know that it will take longer to get a slot and anticipating that, they changed the ETA.

this is not specific to VS.

BA for example have flights varying in time on the LHR-JFK route from 6hr 20 mins to 7hr 45 mins - with both extremes serviced by the same plane type (B744).

I think the scheduling is more to do with slot availability at departure and arrival airports - certianly these timetables will make an allowance for the normal expected jetstreams, but individual routings are not decided until day of departure.

Originally posted by VS-EWR

[i]

VS9 goes to JFK not EWR by the way, but yes, that could very well be, they may know that it will take longer to get a slot and anticipating that, they changed the ETA.

Whoops, a bit of slip up there, I should remember as I have been on it enough times. I really should be more awake for posting!! [|)][|)]

Originally posted by NYCFlyer
Whoops, a bit of slip up there, I should remember as I have been on it enough times. I really should be more awake for posting!! [|)][|)]

Hehehe, no problem. Although sometimes when airlines make that mistake or just say NYC instead of EWR, it makes me so angry [:(!][B)]:D.