Johannesburg and Cape Town

BA announced a few months earlier than Johannesburg was in their top 10 destinations in terms of performance for this economic downturn.

VS Have for the past 18 months used a B747-400 on this route all year round but this summer are changing back to an A340-600. I was just curious as to why?? If JNB one of BA's best routes surely it is doing well for Virgin too? It also seems they are using the 747 on LAX, MIA and BOS flights which i would have thought would be struggling more during this economic downturn? Is JNB not doing well for Virgin atm?

Also Virgin have always said that CPT could become a year round route. Again BA seem to have great success in South Africa and even if VS could operate say 3 flights a week, on the days that the VS238 doesn't operate wouldn't that provide the business traveler a more reliable consistent choice of either Virgin or BA?

[honey lamb]

VS haven't used a 747 all year round on the JNB route. We flew there in February 2008 on a 346. It has been a seasonal thing to use a 747 and IIRC it has been around Christmas and New Year

BA use JoBurg as thier main hub and offer free connecting flights on commair so this route remains a firm favourite with regular flyers.

Given the upsurge in the ugly violence recently in Cape Town (esp near the Waterfront - which is really scaring my friends living there) I can not see airlines wishing to increase their loadings to an area that is likely to see a huge drop in tourism in the very near future.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

We flew to JNB in April 08 with VS and both times it was on an Airbus.

Not heard about the issues in Cape Town. I'd like to go back to South Africa soon, and CT was on my list. I'd better pay more attention.

I not heard much about the violence in CT. And I would very much doubt a 'huge drop in tourism' in the near future. With the Rand still struggling against the pound its a very cheap destination (ok even cheaper for me since my whole family is there) and I think there is a little soccer (football!?!?!) tournament there next year I think its safe to say its a busy destination. Have a look at the BA loads on their twice daily flights to CPT on 747's. Its a busy route... and if VS moved to year round service I would switch back to them from BA.

We flew to JNB in June and it was a 744 both ways but when we booked in Feb 08 it was shceduled to be a 346 but they changed the a/c around March I think.

Was also looking to go to CPT on a reward flight next year so need to find out more about whether it's still a relatively safe city!!