V-Flyer

Will there be a higher chance than 1% of Mumbai flights from London Heathrow on A346's by December or will Virgin be sticking to the A343's for LHR to BOM flights?

The 1% was the inaugural which nearly got beached on the taxi ways due to the length of the 346.

Until BOM make changes to their infrastructure it's 343's everytime unfortunately as far as I am aware.

OK. That matter is solved for now but seeing as G-VAEL (Maiden Toulouse) will be leaving the fleet in Nov 06 and this aircraft accounted for 15% of the flights to BOM, won't another aircraft have to come in to do it's duties?

Originally posted by Vikash
OK. That matter is solved for now but seeing as G-VAEL (Maiden Toulouse) will be leaving the fleet in Nov 06 and this aircraft accounted for 15% of the flights to BOM, won't another aircraft have to come in to do it's duties?

I would doubt it - DEL and LOS which are the other popular 343 runs will probably be upgraded to a 346 as they don't have the same issues as BOM.

UC is very important for the LOS route, so it wouold pay to have an upgraded service for that destination - not sure about BOM/DEL[:?]

VS.

Vikash, check out this thread for further information on the A343's to India.

Those aircraft should be carrying on the Indian routes for some time due to aircraft suitability, but there will be five (IIRC) A343s equipped with the suites doing the rounds.

Thanks,
Sarah

Anyway, thanks for the information and I guess then I won't be going on a 346 to BOM very soon.