Fleet info Summer 2005

Ok then here's what I think things will look like in Summer 2005, based on 75% research and 25% guesswork

MAN
1x 744 (LGW UCS config) Swapped with other LGW a/c on a weekly basis for maint requirements.
1x 742 [?] Rumoured to be looking at having an Air Atlanta a/c for extra weekend MCO flts.

LGW
6x 744 (LGW UCS config) G-VGAL/VLIP/VROM/VROS/VROY + 2 others (TBA), one of which will operate MAN-MCO.

LHR
6x 744 (LHR UCS config)
9x 346 (UCS config) Current a/c + G-VNAP/VSSH delivery early 2005.
9x 343 (UCS + J2000) One of which will spend half the week at LGW for PHC/SJU services.

I was trying to produce a list of which types will be flying where but having looked into it the system is showing that we'll have about 15 343s! [:o)] I guess that the commercial dept will wait to see what bookings are like before deciding which routes are worthy of the larger a/c.

Cheers
Alan

[Bazz]

Thanks for the heads-up Alan. Looks pretty impressive when viewed like that!

BTW what are you doing up at this hour or are you abroad? My excuse is that I getting ready for my LAX flight and want to maximise my Clubhouse time. ;)

Hi Bazz

I'm on the nightshift and it's pretty quiet...no Florida flights to worry about!

Enjoy your trip [8D]

Cheers
Alan

[Bazz]

Hi Alan,

Guessed you probably were, we were up at 04:00 to get ready, taxi booked for seven and in the Clubhouse before 08:00.

Just found out we have Oscar Tango so we have v:port, great.

TR will follow.

thanks for living up to your promise in the other thread Alan

I'd have three observations! :

1) I would guess two of the Odyssey 744's would go to LGW, so either VTOP, VAST or VXLG.

This would leave 1 x non V:Port B744 at LHR.

2) It would be nice to know 100% which routes will be J2000, do you think there is any chance of J2000 being restricted to certain routes?

3) Interesting that Air Atlanta could still do the extra MAN-MCO services - It will be interesting to see whether these stay non-suite/non-J2000 - in which case, they should be quite unpopular flights if you're up front, and paying the full fare.

Hi Richard

1) Yes I'd agree with that...hopefully it should become apparent fairly soon which a/c are heading for LGW/MAN.

2) I suppose this depends on when the 343s start going in for UCS re-fits. I imagine the business routes to the US will be the first to have 'guaranteed' UCS a/c.

3) I'm sure the MAN Classic (if it is used) will remain in the present config...there's no point spending a fortune on an a/c that'll just be used on temporary summer services. Probably a bit early to speculate on potential fare differences yet though

Cheers
Alan

Richard yes that is a good point. Will be interesting b/c one wld assume that the LHR transfered a/c will recieve the rumoured Nova update. Odyseey will go eventually just depends how soon the 343's leave and odyssey goes with it- i would say she will be around for another couple of years at the very least (guessing that VS upgrade the newer 343's to v:port).


Have tried to work out which a/c type will go where but wow its way too messy!!! Anyone wana try

does anyone know more info on the improved nova (already coined "super-nova on v-flyer!)

AVOD/Games/more channels?

Hi Will

I was under the impression that the a/c with Odyssey would keep it. The opportunity to re-fit the 744s with v:port was there when they had the Suites installed but it wasn't taken so I'd be surprised if these a/c were planned to be taken out of service for another month (or whatever) to have v:port/'super-nova' installed.

Re what'll go where, it looks like the LHR 744 will remain on most of its current services, ie VS1 EWR, VS3 JFK, VS7 LAX, VS19 SFO with the remaining 2 a/c doing either VS45 JFK, VS5 MIA, VS11 BOS or VS21 IAD. The 346s will do Far East/SYD plus some US services and the 343s probably LOS, DEL, JNB plus whatever is left. Commercial will be busy trying to match capacity with demand though so we may get some surprises.

Cheers
Alan