V-Flyer

One of the most inspirational men to Richard Branson - Sir Freddie Laker has died. It was Freddie that famously said "Sue the bastards" when Virgin was caught up in the BA dirty tricks.

Link

{Edited: HighFlyer: Edit to tidy URL}

Thans for the info. Very sad [:(]

Indeed. Although, in my ignorance, I wasn't aware he was still alive [:0]

Very sad. I would imagine this year's awards will be rather sombre as a result.

I assume this is who the aircraft "The Spirit of Sir Freddie" was named after.

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/middle/7/0/8/0062807.jpg

Edited to save the moderators the glory of editing my post.

Sad to hear.

Originally posted by VS-EWR
I assume this is who the aircraft "The Spirit of Sir Freddie" was named after.

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/middle/7/0/8/0062807.jpg

Yup - same old Freddie.

Such sad news - RIP Sir Freddie [:(]

Cheers

Michael

Good by to one of the great entrepeneurs--the adventurer who was first bold enough to think on beyond tradition.
The first "no frills" airline--with FA's in cheeky red mini skirted dresses, Laker Airline made long haul flight affordable--and fun. Boo on BA, their behavior towards this benign competition still rankles.

Too bad, but no connection with famous LA (formerly Minneapolis) basketball team...

Raise one for Sir Freddy--and cast your vote in the Freddy Awards for VS--knowing he would applaud.

RR[:#]

RR

[:#] ,had the "pleasure" of flying on skytrain back in '79,now I can see that it was a sucky place to be,but at the time (8years old) it was thrilling.

Yes, I just heard the news too and was saddened by it. Once flew with Laker - it was during his second swipe at the market and I have to sy, it was really pretty good and very competitively priced. Always respected what he was trying to do, but maybe he was just before his time.

Before his time and driven into the ground by the competition ... very sad news and a charming man as well as very kind and generous.

Ta ta Fred

Very sad to hear.[:#]

Yes, a great inspiration to many including the bosses of Ryanair, Easyjet and of course our own SRB.
The true leader of loCo and without him we would still be paying £1,000 for an economy seat on a few carriers across the pond
RIP Freddie [:#]

Just been listening to former staff and pax reminiscing on the radio.
Although sad news for such an inspirational figure it is good to see that he enjoyed a long and fairly pleasant retirement. Just reward for someone who has helped so many.
Not convinced we would not be where we are without him but he was the bold pioneer that dared to take the first step and to that we salute him. RIP SFL - have a good flight.

Phil

I don't think the following entreprenures including SRB would have tyaken the chance if Sir Freddy had not taken on BCal and BA, SRB is a smart man and does not take chances, Ryanair had already tried and gone down, the European legislation would not have come into force as it suited the governments of Europe to keep their subsidised national carriers going.

This is an interesting web site
http://www.lakerairways.co.uk/

A very sad day indeed - We owe him alot when it comes to modern day air travel.

Sir Freddie was a great man and insipration to many, if it was not for his words to Richard many years ago we may not as an
airline be here now. Its such a shame that G-VMIA is no longer in service with us as the 'spirit of Sir Freddie' is one which we
should hold onto

My first ever aircraft flight was on a laker skytrain at the age of 2 years, a charter flight to Austria where I sat on my parents lap
at a bulkhead. since then took many more flights and my interest in aviation has since turned into a career

Virgin Atlantic should consider naming one of the New Airbus 340-600s again in his memory.

My Thoughts are with his family and may the great man rest peacefully

Certainly I would consider naming one of the new aircraft after Sir Freddie. Perhaps it may be more appropriate to name a 380 after him - it seems to fit with his vision of airtravel for the masses IMHO.