Virgin to order more large aircraft

Originally posted by VS-EWR

Originally posted by willd


Is the Thales system not what AZ has in its 777s?!

That would make sense, the 744s being talked about (I think) are the ones VS grabbed up from a cancelled AZ order.

Yeh they are the 744s that were originally for AZ. Just wondering if AZ stuck with the same IFE system on there 777s.

Does anyone have a list of other Thales airlines?

I see what your saying about the B777 now, though i think SRB did give a disclaimer about efficient engined 4 engine aircraft would be considered!!

As for seat configs, EK have 2 class B777-300ER aircraft with over 440 seats.

With reference to IFE, EX2 is used now by FCA, EK & SQ, & CX have just announced a fleet wide refit to EX2. One big advantage is the removal of that ever popular seat box under the seats, with EX2 most of the hardware is built into the screen.

Can't be to sure it will be the five aircraft with Thales that will go, as they are amongst the youngest in the VS fleet.

Can't be to sure it will be the five aircraft with Thales that will go, as they are amongst the youngest in the VS fleet.

I thought the order was meant to replace the LGW fleet[?]

...or would the Thales a/c (LGW fleet) be refitted and moved across to LHR?

45.

Perhaps reading to much into it, but with the current swapping & changing i would call the LGW fleet the number of aircraft required to operate the LGW (inc MAN & GLA) routes. From what i remember a good deal was had on the 5 x B744's that Alitalia didn't take & having bought the aircraft at a good rate VS then sold the aircraft to GECAS at a profit & leased them back. My feeling would be that the older aircraft would go first.

Originally posted by Denzil

I would agree- doesn't make much sense to get rid of the LGW ex AZ a/c when they have only been in the fleet 5-6 years. Would imagine that the likes of G-VFAB, G-VAST etc etc would be the first to go (so thats the LHR a/c or the ex LHR a/c at LGW).

But why not move them to Manchester or Glasgow to expand operations ... ?

So I'm guessing:

A380s replace older LHR 744s.
ex-AZ LGW 744s replaced by new 748/380s and then used for further expansion from LGW/MAN/GLA.

45.

That would be a wild & extravagant move!! My guess would be B747-8 or A380 to replace the LGW based aircraft (my money on 747-8). Expansion of GLA/MAN on B787 as more efficient & would allow increased options (eg GLA-MCO/LAS/BGI), to augment B744/B748 on more popular routes.

And why not GLA-MCO/LAS... with a 744?

45.

Because the routes might not support a 744 for year round operation. Now a B787 based at GLA doing perhaps a weekly run of 3 MCO,s + 1 BGI & 1 LAS would be a very good start.

Originally posted by slinky09
But why not move them to Manchester or Glasgow to expand operations ... ?

Because, and this is my opinion, i dont believe that GLA or MAN could support a mini VS hub.

A quick look at MAN departures across the pond- shows that there is at least one airline serving every possible destination (expert LAX or SFO) direct. The question is then, can MAN support more than one airline on these routes? The answer is probably no (except NYC and MCO)- look at the problems AA have had with BOS from MAN for an example.

If VS moved in and opened up MAN-JFk, MAN-MIA, MAN-BOS, MAN-LAS there would be an over-saturation of the market plus VS could not offer the onward connections that DL, US, AA and even BD thru star can offer. Even when BD did MAN-IAD there was still not enough demand for a daily service.

I do think VS missed the boat with MAN- they should have been in there 5 years ago opening up MAN with destination such as LAS before the others pilled in but they were not.

As for GLA- well its an interesting one. GLA has done badly in recent years- it has lost US and AC services for example. I dont believe that a 744 is the right kind of aircraft for both MAN and GLA. If VS want to move into GLA and MAN tomorrow then a 330 is what they need.

I think the answer is- watch this space with regards to MAN and GLA- once the 787 arrives, as Denzil says, I think the bases will expand rapidly.

As for GLA- well its an interesting one. GLA has done badly in recent years- it has lost US and AC services for example. I dont believe that a 744 is the right kind of aircraft for both MAN and GLA. If VS want to move into GLA and MAN tomorrow then a 330 is what they need.

I agree & "i believe" that was the plan if the A330 had joined VS. GLA not all doom & gloom, the summer see's a few US carriers & the flights dropped by AC have been replaced by Zoom. My previous suggestion of routes would easily work & the only competition would be the charters & Chavspan. Don't forget a certain airline often fill a 42J/385Y aircraft & even manage between 5 & 30 tonnes of cargo EVERY DAY from GLA!!

Originally posted by Denzil
Don't forget a certain airline often fill a 42J/385Y aircraft & even manage between 5 & 30 tonnes of cargo EVERY DAY from GLA!!

Wouldnt be the same carrier that I heard may be going double daily on the route? But this airline goes eastwards with a mass of onward connections!

Be interested to know your source for that!!!! Yes, it does go east, but proves money is there to be spent!!!