Curious choice of aircraft for BOS

I was trying to plan my annual return to Boston for the XMAS Holidays. However, when I tried to book a VS ticket on Expedia for a return on the 1st or 2nd of January, I found that they were completely sold out in Economy, while BA (which I believe has at least 2 flights) were offering tickets as low as £296. Given that it is still relatively early, I was a bit surprised that there was NO availability

So I went to the availability tool to see if this was the case, and lo and behold all economy fare codes were showing 0. But what I found even more curious is that they put one of the A343's on that route instead of the usual 747.

I'm just curious why Virgin made this decision. Given that by XMAS, the LHR-BOS route is down to only 1 flight a day, while the fact that economy is already sold out shows the demand is there, why wouldn't VS put a 747 on that route? Certainly at non-holiday times, there was enough demand to not only have a 747, but even add a whole other flight. What's more, while I love Virgin, the A343's are starting to look a bit long in the tooth, especially when compared to the 777's that BA uses to Boston.

By the way, I know that I could use my Au card to force myself onto a flight, but I won't do that at any price, even for VS. I'd hate to think that I might have to give BA my business.

Hi NY-LON

I'm no expert but it may be that yields/loads are better on other routes so that's why BOS is getting a 343 [?][?] All routes will be busy around Xmas but the 343s have to go somewhere!

Cheers
Alan

VS now have two flights a day to BOS on I think Tues, Thurs and Sat. The 2nd flight operates as a 'daylight' service- i believe this is conntuning for the winter season.

Arichabum will be able to help but i wld imagine the 744's/346's will be used on more popular services like: JFK/EWR, MCO, MIA, LAS, LAX, SFO, ANU, UVF, BGI, CPT, JNB, SYD/HKG. (basically all the winter sun destinations plus NYC!)

Rememeber also that 3 346's will be used for LHR-HKG-SYD so thats one less a/c for another route (perhaps they took it off the LHR-BOS route as load factors arent always great over the winter)

The second flights to BOS and IAD stop early October.

2nfd thought! I think that BA operate 3 flights a day LHR-BOS although like VS the 'daylight' service may also stop with start of winter timetable

[HighFlyer]

Bummer!

I was planning a PE xmas shopping trip to BOS, i would be a bit narked if it were on a 343 as opposed to the 744

I know that we are not supposed to ask and be told what aircraft are operating what route, but if i called VS and asked them do you think they would tell me whether it wasa 343?

Im not asking what aircraft, im asking which aircraft its not LOL

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Bummer!

I was planning a PE xmas shopping trip to BOS, i would be a bit narked if it were on a 343 as opposed to the 744

I know that we are not supposed to ask and be told what aircraft are operating what route, but if i called VS and asked them do you think they would tell me whether it wasa 343?

Im not asking what aircraft, im asking which aircraft its not LOL

On the Availability tool, it is a 343. Hopefully it at least has Odyssey and not Arcadia.

As a Bostonian in exile, I am used to other cities (particularly to the South) getting priority over us in terms of so many areas in life. Not that I'm bitter.

Hi Highflyer

It'll be a 343 on VS11/12 over the Xmas period (16Dec-15Jan).

Cheers
Alan

[HighFlyer]

Thanks for that!

Well, i might give it a miss then and go another time when it will be the 744. In PE its almost not worth it with the 343, i really dont like their PE, wouldnt mind if i were lucky enough to be in UC!

Its a shame, the 343s really let the fleet down. [:(]