VS to start MAN - PVG

Link to A.Net

Interesting bit at the bottom noting that Virgin might be stopping LHR - PVG!

Anyone know what might be going on?












Edit by mod to shorten link........Nick

[HighFlyer]

Interesting, though somehow, I cant see LHR-PVG being axed in favour of a MAN-PVG route.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Nottingham Nick]

Interesting thread. As usual for A.Net, it is high on speculation and may be low on facts.

Agree with posters on there that the high number of Chinese business people in the North West makes a MAN -PVG service seem attractive, but dumping the LHR service doesn't make sense given the fast approaching Olympic Games. IMHO.


Nick

The world Expo is on in 2010 in Shanghai and it'll be big.

This is bad news for me if it happens [n] as I was set to be a regular traveller to PVG from the New Year - out of interest, the website is happily selling LHR-PVG tickets for anytime next year.

The thread does mention that LHR-PVG is performing poorly, and whether it's VS or not there is definitely scope for a Chinese route.

Originally posted by McMaddog
This is bad news for me if it happens [n] as I was set to be a regular traveller to PVG from the New Year - out of interest, the website is happily selling LHR-PVG tickets for anytime next year.

Airlines are free to sell tickets for routes then pull them before you have even flown, and they will always give you compensation.

I don't think we are stopping LHR-PVG-LHR anytime soon. I know for a fact that Virgin are interviewing PVG based Senior Cabin Crew for Cabin Service Supervisor positions. They would not be doing that if they were going to stop the route. Would they?

Originally posted by virgin is the best
They would not be doing that if they were going to stop the route. Would they?

Or if they really are gearing up to introduce MAN-PVG?

Out of interest what aircraft would operate such a route? I'm guessing it could be the A340-600 if they are using PVG crew, and I can't see it being 747-400s (well from LGW at least) even though MAN crew are type rated on the 747-400.

Assuming VS is considering MAN-PVG, I can't see a LGW 744 being very suitable.

45.

From my perspective (as a 'loader' of the aircraft), there is always plenty of space on the LHR-PVG service, but the return flight (PVG-LHR) is more often than not packed to the rafters with cargo and mail.
Quite often we have to send stacks of empty cargo pallets on the oubound flight, and they all return over the next few days, always full-up.

Originally posted by VS045
Assuming VS is considering MAN-PVG, I can't see a LGW 744 being very suitable.

45.

Would imagine it will be with a 346.

I can see two possible ways this would work.

FIrst would be a W flight opertion as BA do for the MAN-JFK route. Would work as follows with aircraft operating as follows:
Flight One: LHR-PVG
Flight Two: PVG-MAN
Flight Three: MAN-PVG
Flight Four: PVG-MAN

THis would also work with crew as well, so flight one would be day one, flight two day three, flight 3 day four, flight 4 day six.

The other option would be to to position the a/c in from LHR as VS did with the PHC route when it operated from LGW.

As its a.net I will not hold my breath although with CA wanting to start MAN-PEK and the VS codeshare stranger things have been known to happen!

rats - I should have kept my flying blue status up - or maybe it's time to switch to the darkside!

I always like the easy availability of reward seats on LHR-PVG-LHR, but in truth i've not been on many light loaded flights in recent times

Originally posted by VS045
Assuming VS is considering MAN-PVG, I can't see a LGW 744 being very suitable.

45.

I'd second that. Maybe a B787 route? & why PVG? Why not HKG? May MAN's gonna get more expansion with the Dreamliners besides China.

There is no way Virgin will stop flying LHR-PVG. Overall its a profitable route due to Cargo.

I remember when they first launched the route with a -300 that the loads onboard wre reasonably low, but cargo made the whole deal worth it. I wonder how the route fares now considering Chinas booming aviation industry.