VS49/50 and the Etihad 330

Hi there, now this flight hasnt been going for a couple of years but when i was looking at the virgin holiday website it seems to have reappeared for next year departing LGW at 3.00pm and Departing MCO at 22.45 so thats 3 flights from LGW 2 from MAN and 1 from GLA so thats 6 flights a day! do you think MCO deserves a 'proper' clubhouse[:w] and where are they going to find the extra a/c from?[:?]

Remember, we have an extra 343 ariving early next year.

yes but i thought that was supposed to be covering the a/c that go to be refurbished?

Wasn't there a rumour that 1 346 this year and 1 next were going to be built for VS? It could elbow a 744 from LHR perhaps?

V:port a LGW[y] Only one plane but hey! its a start

[Neil]

Hmmm that is interesting. I imagine they will just be seasonal to cover the demand of the peak holiday season, not seen any announcement from VS. A/c wise, I am sure VS will be moving/changing flights all around (including rumours of certain flights from LGW-LHR) and the extra 343 coming in will help.

As to a CH, there are a few issue, firstly space at MCO, it isn't the biggest terminal, but also most of the time there is still on 4 flights a day, because GLA is operated instead of one of the MAN flights (VS73), so a max of 56 UC pax a day.

Originally posted by McMaddog
Wasn't there a rumour that 1 346 this year and 1 next were going to be built for VS? It could elbow a 744 from LHR perhaps?

Never heard that one. VS put a halt on its 346 orders last year and the production line has nothing earmarked for VS at the moment. I think you may find that this flight may not be everyday hence there being a free a/c.

Dont think a CH will arrive at MCO anytime soon. Basically to small a UC cabin and secondly there is no space for it at MCO. DL are cutting back Crown Clubs at the moment but MCO is not one to be axed.

Re these flights I have just looked on VH at this page and do not see anything.

If you do a dummy booking (mine was 9th July 09) and go through to flights they come up.

[Neil]

Originally posted by willd
Re these flights I have just looked on VH at this page and do not see anything.

If you do a dummy booking for say August 09 when the flight info comes up and you can 'change/upgrade' your flights in the next screen there is the option to fly on the VS49 with the times etc as G-VROY says.

The 49/50 used to operate on a Fri/Sat/Sun during peak periods during 2004/05 and maybe during 06 too. Quite often this flight used to get cancelled though due to low load numbers. Maybe VS are just seeing if the demand is there through VH and if it is worth putting it back on again? I know the MCO flights are very full during the summer months so there could be potential for VS to increase.

Originally posted by Neil

If you do a dummy booking for say August 09 when the flight info comes up and you can 'change/upgrade' your flights in the next screen there is the option to fly on the VS49 with the times etc as G-VROY says.

just seen it!

The 49/50 used to operate on a Fri/Sat/Sun during peak periods during 2004/05 and maybe during 06 too. Quite often this flight used to get cancelled though due to low load numbers. Maybe VS are just seeing if the demand is there through VH and if it is worth putting it back on again? I know the MCO flights are very full during the summer months so there could be potential for VS to increase.

Yes very true. I have flown back in September with a load of only 55 on a 744!

VS 49 will be operating in 2009 six days a week, (not tuesday) from 29/03 to 10/04 on the leisure configured A340-300 (guess this is the one we are leasing from Etihad) and also from 11/04/09 to 26/04/09 on a regular A340-300.
Flight departs from LGW at 15:00 and arrives in MCO at 19:25
Return flight departs MCO at 22:15 and arrives into LGW at 11:05

Etihad 340-300 will arrive in April 2009 and stay in Etihad config of 10 upper, 30 Premium and 225 economy seats. IFE is similar to our odyssey system. Will first of all operate VS 49 to MCO.
Then in august this a/c will be fitted with virgin cabin, so looks like we plan to keep her for a while.
No news yet on what the compensation will be for J pax for lack of upper class suite between april and august.

And ... what if LAS moves to LHR ... that frees a LGW variant 747?????

Hi all,

Just so you knw just been told that when the Etihad A340-300 joins VS it will be flying with Etihad's cabins and suits for 6 months as due to the flying program they cant get in it for a refit til then. They are also looking into not having any J onboard when it goes in for its VS refit 'just an option at the min' Very interesting....

Originally posted by SurferGirl
Hi all,

Just so you knw just been told that when the Etihad A340-300 joins VS it will be flying with Etihad's cabins and suits for 6 months as due to the flying program they cant get in it for a refit til then. They are also looking into not having any J onboard when it goes in for its VS refit 'just an option at the min' Very interesting....

Thanks, however this has been discussed in length upder topic VS49/50

Rgds,

HG

[Nottingham Nick]

Thanks SurferGirl and HG, I will merge the two topics for clarity.

Nick

Originally posted by SurferGirl
it will be flying with Etihad's cabins and suits

I'd like to see the Etihad CEO on all my flights on this bird [}:)]

Quick, learn Arabic. You still have almost a year to get yourself familiar with it, otherwise you won't be able to operate the entertainment system!

Originally posted by slinky09
And ... what if LAS moves to LHR ... that frees a LGW variant 747?????

I believe its more a case of when rather than if. This has been a constant rumour and holds a lot of weight IMHO.

Greetings from Chicago - just off the VS039 and awaiting my United flight ... talking to the FAs on the way over and they confirmed that this plane will also carry the Etihad exterior paint job for a few months after joining VS - guess some people looking for their plane in Kingston might get mighty confused!