Boeing 777

Sorry to bring this old debate back to the forum, but on one of the forums on Airliners.net, it claims that Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine are quoting that VS are going to announce the lease of 777-300 ERs imminently.

AV&ST is a fairly reputable source - If it's true I guess the deal struck with Boeing must be awesome to cover the costs of introducing a new aircraft type etc, especially as they've just increased their A346 order.

[Pete]

Often brought up, but the slogan was more to do with introduction of the A346 and in conjunction with Airbus. It's not a general slogan for Virgin Atlantic (although, as some of the staffers have noted, it hasn't been helped by re-enforcement by the marketing luvvies with "Better By 4", etc).

Whatever Virgin does, it'll be driven by commercial need - not by a slogan. If they can get an incredible deal on a bunch of 777s, they won't think twice about the Airbus fanfare.

Pix

Thats right, I think it was operated in conjunction with airbus, although, slogans like 'The power of Four' have been created.

In one source, it said that SRB said that 'we would like to offer a choice of 2 or 4 engines'. British Airways, AA, United, Singapore amongst loads of others all have found the 777 great. I think I heard it's mainly to do with replacement of A343s, but I find that strange, as I heard that they will be staying with VS for AT LEAST 2 more years.

Some people say it's VS' tactics to try and make Airbus make their models cheaper, although one side of me agrees with this, but another side of me says 'They might be talking to Boeing to REALLY get it...'

Time will tell... We can only just wonder until what they decide is made publicly...

[mitchja]

I've no objections to flying on a B777 - anything in VS colours is good for me

Regards

Lets bring out the Sopwith Camel then...

I fly on 777s with AA all the time (albeit the 200 spec), and think they'll be a welcome addition to the VS fleet. I prefer them to the 346. Sitting over those crazy powerful engines is a kicker

I am sure virgin know what they are doing, but it would seem strange to add another type into a relitively small airline, the 777 I understand shares nothing with 744. With 342, 346 and possibility of 380's within 4 years, VS would need serious comnsation for te additional managment.

If they get the 777, the crews may have to be assigned to certain types of aircraft, as the CAA only allows crews to operate a certain amount of aircraft types. This is due to doors either sort-of sliding (like Airbus and 777) or rotate out (like 747s) and 2nd type emergency doors, configuration, flight deck equipment, locations of safety equipement ect.

If they get another Airbus to replace A343s (if they are doing this, in the long term) like the A340-500, then they might not need to, as the flight deck is the same/very similar and the emergency doors are the smae or very similar, although I could be wrong!