Next stop Glasgow???

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5038380.html

Nooooo, it has to be Edinburgh[B)]

As it happens, Glasgow would be handy enough for me anyway although I am closer to Edinburgh. Either way, direct VS flights from Scotland to US would save me a small fortune in EDI-LON flights and overnight hotels.

Flying from GLA would provide a lot of trafffic to the US but I imagine Glasgow is not top of people's list of places.
Edinburgh would be much more sensible from and origin AND destination point of view.

Cheers,
VS045

But isn't the area serviced by Glasgow (in terms of population) is greater than the edinburgh?
I had a japanes collegue once who went up to edinburgh, but the flight lands at Glasgow first, and he got off there, thinking it was the end. He had to get a taxi to Edinburgh

Got to agree with Grebo, but don't think i will hold my breath waiting. with every complimentary email we send, i always ask about the possibility of any scottish departures, but always get the same reply - "nothing yet, but we are always looking"

I seriously do not understand how a limited service to mco - along the lines of the orig man service, would not pay.

On almost all the flights we have taken, there is always a group of us catch the same shuttle home.

regards

David

Whilst I can see the point that Edinburgh is possibly a more attractive destination I think Glasgow would be a better suited VS hub than EDI. As its routes would mostly be Florida and the Carribean I'm guessing the traffic would be 99% UK holidaymakers.

Can't imagine many people from Barbados having a holiday in Manchester...

Dean

Of course the Virgin empire would prefer Glasgow. They have the West Coast London-Glasgow rail franchise (and recently lost their bid to take the East Coast one), and last time I was at EDI, it seemed quite crowded - though I know that redevelopment plans are afoot.

Mike

Hi,

Yes please to both!!!:D

EDI is slightly closer to me though.

( How about codesharing on the CO flights? from EDI/GLA to EWR as they do at LGW)


Regards

TBS

I'm just waiting for a clubhouse at BHX
Although I hear a new PP lounge has been added from the circular email.

Dean

We have been told in our cabin crew newsletter, a base in Scotland is NOT going to happen. Virgin said they will extend Manchester instead. Starting with a Barbados service in October '05.

vscss - A Virgin Cabin Service Supervisor

Hi,

Thanks forthat vsccs.

Looks like more trips down to LHR/LGW to connect to VS for me then!!:)

Regards

TBS

Spoke to the very nice Irish lady at check-in this morning @ downtown disney, who said the last two days have been horrendous because of the problem with the 27/28 - mainly due to transferring passengers to Scotland and Ireland.

There has got to be a case for looking at flights from Scotland some time in the future.

regards

David

I would love us to open a base in my home country if Scotland. I would love to relocate to Glasgow and fly for VS from there!:D

The rumour of a base in Scotland gathers pace, VS saying it won't happen makes me more inclined to think it will. Nothing like daily frequency reqd, possibly 2 a week to Florida & possibly a weekly/fortnightly Barbados using A340-300 aircraft.

There is obviously demand, I believe a week or so ago there was 8 747-300's (over 400 seats in each) over a 3 day period all going to Florida from GLA, plus all the other charter carriers. Air Scotland has also applied for route licenses to operate twice weekly from Glasgow to both Miami & New York. During the summer season there are currently 8 flights a week to Orlando (Sanford) & nothing to the Caribbean.

As for the GLA/EDI debate, i believe GLA has a longer runway and Terminal expansion plans in view of current (American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Transat, Continental, US Airways, Emirates etc) and future customers.

Air Canada has announced its stopping flights (loss of business due to Zoom)... on the other side Delta just starting a route from EDI to Atlanta.
Also - what most visitors would be unaware of ...
If the transport links work correct, GLA to EDI by road doesnt take much longer than LHR into centre of London...
EDI would probably have more international recognition as the capital etc - but I think either would be popular.

HI , I can't see in the article a mention of Belfast but I would welcome it wholeheartedly. There are thousands of people who travel with connecting flights from BFS to Gatwick or Manchester in the winter months, as no other tour operator flys direct to America between September and April. That would be a lot of increased business for Virgin. Travelling direct would be a lot more appealing to customers with families. Early morning connections are not very child friendly, especially when they have travelled all night.

Well VS have quite a few scottish based crew- was sat at GLA the other sunday and 3 VS Cabin Crew caught the 10am flight down to LHR guessing to catch some late afternoon flight to the states or maybe an evening service to HKG/SYD/India.

Noticed this at the frequent virgin holidays website:-

Florida 2007 1st edition 11 May (for Jan Ð Dec07)

There are loads of fantastic brochure offers as usual; like FREE kids, £60 off per couple to Orlando and £100 off per couple to MiamiÉ..and thatÕs just for starters!

Brand NEW for 2007 Virgin Holidays are increasing their regional flying network. Introducing a weekly service direct from Glasgow to Orlando. (23 June Ð 14 July & 06 Ð 13 Oct 2007). These flights are with award-winning Virgin Atlantic.


By my calendar, this is only 6 flights a year. Not a lot, but a start I suppose !

[preiffer]

Hi Tim, and welcome [y]

Yeah - it does sound a little "sparse" on the frequency front, but I guess a schedule such as this is no different to that of a charter operation (ie: the in/out flight for all passengers on one day of the week).

Hopefully, it'll grow from there... [:?]

[Hopefully, it'll grow from there... [:?]

It's a starting point, I agree Paul - It can only develope from this point on... VS setting up another new base in the UK is a big move... [y]:D

It seems to me, as if someone has let the cat out of the bag unofficially do you think??? I have scanned the rest of the VH website, I cannot find reference to it anywhere else. VA haven't said anything either??? Makes me think that somebody within FVC at VH has broken the news before they should have?? [:?]

Hmm... Sounds all good to me!

Strangely, I actually enjoy the "pre-holiday" flight down and overnight in London before taking an outbound VS flight. The return journey is somewhat different though!

Regards

John

It's typical, been waiting for a Scottish departure for long enough and the first flight is the start of our local festival (which as chairman, I can't miss [:(!])

Just hope this is the full works, ie VA planes with UCS and not something that has been chartered in and is being called a VA flight.

Here's hoping this is the start.[y]

David

There has been a rumour regarding this new route doing the rounds on cabin crew.com

Wonder what type of a/c they intend using, the 744s are fairly taken up already especially as it looks like it will be operating on a Saturday?

Well rumour has it that it may well be MAN-GLA-MCO. At first I thought the service would be on the day off on the MAN-MCO route but then realised this is when MAN-BGI operates, so for now I would imagine it will be a MAN service with a stop in GLA, due to a lack of a/c availablity and A test the water measure until 2008. We will have to wait and see when the broucher comes out. I would guess a 744 as it will fill easily enough. Can anyone tell us?