V-Flyer

it seems to me and istbc that the boeing aircraft that virgin have seem to fly soley to the states almost all of the time and most of the time Virgins airbuses seem to fly towards to far east and the southern hemisphere.
is this just the way that the timetable works out or is there a reason for this?

Route loading I should imagine.

Originally posted by sailor99
Route loading I should imagine.

I think it's something to do with that.[:?]

Since the Boeings are (currently) the biggest jet VS operates then I'd imagine that they would use them for routes with high yields like JFK/EWR, MCO, SFO etc. and also to cover the MAN routes. Operating them on every route would not be the best use of resources unless massive publicity attracts more users IMO and would be a waste of time on thin routes and at certain times of the year

Also the A340-600 has more range than the 747-400 so this makes them more suited for Southern Hemisphere missions.

Having said that, theres no route in the VS network that the 747-400 can't do (I think). The SYD route is via HKG anyway which is well within the 747-400s range limits and I believe that they used to send the 747-200s to Tokyo years ago.

There's probably a good reason for this but this is just my opinion.

I dunno...my plane leaving EWR for LHR is an Airbus 340-600. Same thing coming back.

betsy06

Surely one BIG benefit of only operating certain routes with certain plane types is the rationalisation of maintenance costs amongst other charges?

If you're putting a base at SFO, and you ONLY send a 744 there, I would *guess* that maintenance/ground crew training/fees they pay handling agents would be lower than if they operated two or more types.

Same goes for MAN/LAS/MCO/etc... [:?]

Originally posted by 747340
They need the 777 much better aircraft then the A340.

"Four Engines For Long Haul" needs to be dropped

Umm...

That comment is related to the question the OP actually *asked*, how? [?]

PLEASE keep the Airbus/Boeing/cancelled orders/new aircraft stuff in one of the (many, many) threads that already exist about new aircraft.

The main reason for the A340 operating Asian routes is do do with efieciency and Cargo..

The A340s when working well and configured properly are better on fuel and have greater cargo capacity and Asia is more of a cargo route

Not that it matters, but the above post of mine was wrong. Not EWR to LHR, IAD TO LHR is an Airbus 340-600 - Dulles to Heathrow. Sorry, I wasn't thinking...obviously.

betsy06

I don't really think the U.S. is the best example, but when you look basically any destination that's east of the UK they are flown exclusively with A340s.

Originally posted by milehigh
The main reason for the A340 operating Asian routes is do do with efieciency and Cargo..

The A340s when working well and configured properly are better on fuel and have greater cargo capacity and Asia is more of a cargo route

Hence the always extortionate Excess baggage charges out to the far east, even on a half empty flight. The holds must be brimming with...... er, what going out to the far east? Sailor's empty Aeroboxes I guess, ready to come back full of consumer goodies!

Originally posted by PVGSLF

Originally posted by milehigh
The main reason for the A340 operating Asian routes is do do with efieciency and Cargo..

The A340s when working well and configured properly are better on fuel and have greater cargo capacity and Asia is more of a cargo route

Hence the always extortionate Excess baggage charges out to the far east, even on a half empty flight. The holds must be brimming with...... er, what going out to the far east? Sailor's empty Aeroboxes I guess, ready to come back full of consumer goodies!

To answer your question...scotch and smoked salmon,at least thats what it was in the 80's and 90's,I would guess it's still the same [?]

Hey Jetwet, OT but couldn't resist asking. What is your vogan impression? Is it something to do with this or did you mean Vegan, or maybe vogon?

Originally posted by VS-EWR
I don't really think the U.S. is the best example, but when you look basically any destination that's east of the UK they are flown exclusively with A340s.

True for now but when MRU starts next year it will be operated out of Gatwick so most likely will be a 744.

Phil