Virgin Atlantic orders Dreamliners

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by Scrooge
Well here is what I see happening.

The 787's should be arriving around the same time as the 380.

The 787's will be put into LHR service, probably in a high J config on routes like JFK so VS can still offer the same number of flights for the biz pax, but the Y pax will have a more limited choice, fewer seats on most with the 380's providing the bulk of the Y lift.

VS 27 switches to a 787 service leaving a 346 free to run other routes.

The LHR 744's go to LGW (V:port at last), LGW 744's are returned to lessors.

As more 787's are delivered the 346's go away.

In the end who knows, all pie in the sky right now and let's face facts, though it is the WSJ reporting this it is not fact until VS makes an announcement.

I can see the LHR/LGW move too. Doesn't the lease on the ex-Alitali 747 expire soon anyway? The move will mean an upgrade on many of the B&S routes out of LGW (inc v-port) although I can see a re-config with less UCS per plane.

As for the 380's, well I'm not holding my breath for those to enter service anytime before 2015 at the earliest given all the problems.

One thing with the 787. It will go against all the normal VS 'rules' of "4 engines 4 longhaul". Personally, I like 4 engines instead of 2 or 1.

[ChuckC]

Good points, Dave. As VS grows it needs an a/c that can land at many airports versus a few. That a/c must meet SRB's "green" manifesto, and with operating efficiency peaks at the pax loads expected for those airports. VS is obviously convinced there are numerous city pairs where the 787 works, notably the hopefully expanding Europe-US business but certainly not limited to those.

Will be very interesting to see how all this unfolds.

Chuck-

Dave, I was thinking that perhaps the MCO route would potentially be swapped for a 787 by reason of so many TR on the MCO route show plenty of free seats which seems to be common when out of school holiday season. This route is probably a loss for VS when flying less than half full and I am sure a 787 with better fuel economy and less capacity would be more beneficial for them during the quite season leaving the big metal free for high capacity routes (which seem to be more and more around the asia area???)

As you say pie in the sky. I am not particularly in favour of it being based in one place over the other, but either way it would seem that LGW may finally get VPORT (When it's out of date and the hardware is knackered!)

Paul

[Pete]

Just had [url=/pages.asp?click=195&pageid=195]this press release[/url] in today. Speculation again, but if this is the only release today, then has Reuters just picked up on rumour, and today's announcement is the extra Washington service? Although, I grant you, hardly a major announcement (sorry Ben!)

P.

According to Boeing website the earliest they would be with VS would be 2009. Although it all depends on when VS want them and when they were ordered originally.

It will be interesting to see where/how VS uses the aircraft. The 380 wont be arriving until 2013. Older 744 a/c will leave the fleet- so I would imagine the likes of G-VFAB, G-VHOT will go by the time the 380 arrives!

MCO- will be an interesting one- they could in theory operate the 787 out of school holidays and the 380 in school holidays given the demand!

It will be all change for VS and interesting to see if it works for them. My worry would be that Y fares will go up through the roof and thus people will be pushed onto BA and the like with larger Y capacity. On a plus side VS have sat back and looked at whats happening in the market- so maybe this is good planning on their part. Time will tell.

And just so we all have an idea of what they will look like:
http://cardatabase.net/modifiedairliner ... ize=medium

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by pixuk
Just had [url=/pages.asp?click=195&pageid=195]this press release[/url] in today. Speculation again, but if this is the only release today, then has Reuters just picked up on rumour, and today's announcement is the extra Washington service? Although, I grant you, hardly a major announcement (sorry Ben!)

P.

.
Well they had a second daily flight a a few summers back but it was a morning IAD depart. Only problem they the double daily IAD is they use a A340-300 on both flights so no V:Port.

Thanks for pointing it out P.

Amazing announcement. I've always thought that if VS were to order smaller aircraft it would get almost unlimited expansion capability to airports unaccessible or not profitable using 747s and 346s. Hopefully with this (not yet official) announcement, it will come true.

Well now its official

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/b7879.jsp

[Pete]

And the story is V-Flyer now.

The new Virgin Atlantic 787 Dreamliners will enable the airline to continue its global expansion, possibly flying to cities including Rio de Janeiro, Seattle, Vancouver, Bangkok and Melbourne.

Yes please VS, In that order would suit me too...

[Scrooge]

What no gym, no casino, no in flight sun beds..where has the VS innovation or SRB's wild imagination gone to [:p]

Actually I am very happy to see this, but I guess from the delivery times it has been inthe works for a while now..just kept very hush hush.

Higher ceilings - I am def not going to be able to get a job now![n][:#]

Glad that Virgin are expanding and it will be interesting to see what the future spans out for them with perhaps new destinations.

[Darren Wheeler]

Only 4 years to wait now. Lookout BA, someone is after you.

Higher ceilings and larger luggage bins. Is that to stop the shorties filling them up?

[Pete]

A high-res image of the 787 in Virgin Atlantic colours is available in the gallery now.

(Note, the image has been released to V-Flyer in conjunction with today's announcement. Please don't start uploading other images of the 787 you find out there on the web - a big copyright no-no

Pete

[Darren Wheeler]

Having had a good read of the blurb, personally I can't wait for the chance to fly on one. It does seem that Boeing have listened to all the complaints about long-haul flight, in particular air quality and are addressing them. The factsheet does read like a car brochure.

The question is, "where does this leave Airbus?"

Seeing as VS have put the purchase of the 380 on hold until 2013 due to the problems, will we be seeing an all-Boeing fleet by then?

Excellent news for Boeing and VS! I can't wait! I also think it's great that VS and SRB are really moving forward and putting their money where their mouth is (so to speak) with the reduction of green house gasses. The trial of the 747 next year could be very big for VS, Virgin Fuels, and aviation as a whole if it goes well!

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Seeing as VS have put the purchase of the 380 on hold until 2013 due to the problems, will we be seeing an all-Boeing fleet by then?

I still personally think we might see the 380's (either all or part) transitioned into a 350 order, much like what SQ seems to be aiming for--that being a fleet comprised of a combination of Boeing and Airbus frames, more notably the 787 & 350.

Higher ceilings and larger luggage bins. Is that to stop the shorties filling them up?

Watch it! [}:)]I am a shortie and at the moment i still have to stand on the seat just to get my stuff into the overhead locker![:I]

[Darren Wheeler]

Sounds like you'll need to carry a step ladder with you [}:)]

Originally posted by tallprawn

The new Virgin Atlantic 787 Dreamliners will enable the airline to continue its global expansion, possibly flying to cities including Rio de Janeiro, Seattle, Vancouver, Bangkok and Melbourne.

Yes please VS, In that order would suit me too...

Just saw that too...Very interesting. Always heard mutterings about Rio and Melbourne before now and just took the the implementation of those routes as a foregone conclusion. Bangkok and Vancouver are new ones, but clearly routes the VS are expecting to get.
Cool!

Dean

In addition to the already mentioned cities of Rio de Janeiro, Seattle, Vancouver, Bangkok and Melbourne.

Two other cities under consideration are Perth and Hawaii (becoming the first British airline to offer a direct service).

Also, Boeing say that it will only take THREE days to assemble a Dreamliner.

[Bazz]

I have been watching the Boeing Press Release page and this has just been posted.

I still love the 747[:#], hope the UCS seats will still be available in a seperate cabin.

Rio was one i heard about when i went for my interview.

Originally posted by pixuk


A high-res image of the 787 in Virgin Atlantic colours is available in the gallery now.

White engines!! I hope not....[:p]

You know, I can't get what all the excitment is about... True its nice to think that our favourite airline may start offering direct flights between our favourite (less populus) city pairs, but it's a single decked twin aisled (mostly) aluminium tube, that looks like just about every other jetliner out there.
The only difference seems to be the sweep and upwards rake of the wings.
Do they really look like that on the real thing or is that picture still the glossy concept, and are boeing 100% confident of its claimed economy before one has even flown?
Whatever..... BHX-NKG must be a go-er given the number x rover people now in Nanjing. Bring it on!