Is it just me?

Hi everyone, I thought I'd start my V-Flyer (great site by the way chaps!) forum debate with a poignant thought.

Is anyone else quite reluctant to see the new Airbus A380 on the horizon (to be fair, you could see it from a few miles away)? I'm a big fan of the trusty 747-400 and I'm going to be quite distressed when my mode of transport to Orlando becomes a double decker bus (so to speak). I love the little bubble upstairs and just about everything about the beautiful Boeing.

I don't expect the LGW-MCO route to be used in the next 20 years though by an A380 (we haven't even got V-PORT yet!), but are the jumbo's days numbered?

Welcome to the site - pleased you like it.

Let's not turn this into a boeing v airbus industries debate - they always get so heated! However I share your reluctance. I am afraid the damn 380 thing looks like cyril smith with jet engines strapped under his armpits. Sorry all you 380 fans, but IMHO it is just big and ugly. If it is any consolation, to me the 747 looks like a pregnant camel. Again just my HO!

Don't get me wrong, I too don't want a heated Boeing vs. Airbus debate (Boeing would win anyway ). I'm just quite sad that we could be seeing the last of the 747's years.

[Scrooge]

You may want to join up here as there are a couple of good discussions going on in the member areas right now on this very subject..just for the record,give me the 748 over the 380 anytime...though the double beds.....

Originally posted by jetwet1
though the double beds.....

Just don't expect me to get in there with you now that you have called me rif raf[:(];)

[mitchja]

Bring on the VS A380's . I want a ticket for their first flight using an A380 (like that's going to happen, but I can always dream). It's really just to see what VS does with the cabins on the A380 and to say I've been on one.

I no real preference between a B744 or the A340's.

Regards

I wish I shared your sentiments mitchja. However, It would be pretty cool if Virgin made the upper deck a "Flying Clubhouse" if you will, complete with bar, tables, chairs and a games room. Now THEN, I'd be converted!

I think the 747 is here to stay for a while longer yet although probably only those flying from LGW will be lucky enough to be on one.

The A380 is reserved for LHR only!!!

Along with all the other Airbus aircraft!!

I think the 747 is here to stay for a while longer yet although probably only those flying from LGW will be lucky enough to be on one.

Maybe then, we'll get a 747 with V-PORT!!

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by sailor99

Originally posted by jetwet1
though the double beds.....

Just don't expect me to get in there with you now that you have called me rif raf[:(];)

Well at least thats a relief...no im think of the wife...though of course i'll end up pushed to the edge with a knee in my back..oh the married bliss

[Scrooge]

Just an IMHO,I think when the 380's arrive you'll be disappointented,I know there is talk of casino's,lounge's etc,but im sorry to say that in the end real life econmoics will take over and you'll find that the thing will be full of seats/suites.

I agree with Jetwet1, its just going to be more seats i would think.
Like the upper class lounge mentioned in a previous thread about early VS literature... how long did that last before money took over.

Personally I think the 747 looks much more graceful. I do think though that it has a lot more life in it yet, although it needs to develop and compete with the airbus.

And I'm still not willing to fly a fully PAXED airbus until i know they can take it.

Dean

[Decker]

It's interesting from other sites how many people seem to prefer the B over the A because it looks nicer. [}:)]. Think I'll wait and see what the interior is like before making a call over which is my favourite plane to fly in. Now as to which one LOOKS nicer

Originally posted by jetwet1
Just an IMHO,I think when the 380's arrive you'll be disappointented,I know there is talk of casino's,lounge's etc,but im sorry to say that in the end real life econmoics will take over and you'll find that the thing will be full of seats/suites.

I totally agree with you on this one Dave, it will be hard for airlines to effectively turn down revenue and utilise all of that extra space as communial space. I fully expect to see it full of seats/suites.

With regard to 747 seeing its last days, you have to think of the sheer number of 747s out there. I know VS have relatively few but I just can't the 747 being replaced totally anytime soon. Unless there is a structural problem I am sure we shall see 747 for at least another 20 years.

As for Airbus vs Boeing. I like the 747 as it is sturdy in the air, but I think this is down to its weight, so the 380 should be similar. I will reserve final judgement until after I have flown on one. I cannot say the 380 is ugly, just unusual. If you look at it through squinted eyes it actually reminds me of a 319 (Proporation wise). No-one really has any debates about how the 319 looks compared to say the 737.

Paul

[Scrooge]

To me the 744 look's alot better,the 380 look's like an aircraft the holding it's breath if you get my meaning.

At some point like BA VS will have to do an update of the cabin's,the 744 is an amazingly over built plane meaning that it can just keep going,this can be said for the whole 747 family,look how many 742's are still in the air.

I would love to see VS get the 748's but I just don't see that happening.

I also would love to see LGW get the LHR 744's just so I could fly from LAS and get Vport,trust me thats a big debate going on in my house right now,sfo,lax or LAS in Dec.

With the way VS is adding route's in the next couple of years though I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for this to happen.

Originally posted by jetwet1
the 380 look's like an aircraft the holding it's breath if you get my meaning.

I know exactly what you mean. It does kind of look that way doesn't it. Or maybe it looks like an aircraft that has just been goosed by Benny Hill.

I also would love to see LGW get the LHR 744's

In a way, that's my biggest gripe about Virgin, in that the LGW pax seem to be treated as "inferior" to the LHR pax. Not just that, but the updated Clubhouse at LHR and the revivals lounge etc.

As I've previously said though, it could work in LGW pax's favour though if when the 380 comes along, LGW gets the replaced LHR 744's.

Definately agree with you on that one, and I have written to Virgin to this previously. The whole LGW experience is different. Then again the MCO fare are usually at least £500 cheaper (for Upper) that the LHR ones, so maybe they know this and price accordingly. Then again, maybe they are just matching BA fares....

Paul

[Decker]

Well if I was in charge of VS I suspect I'd spend most of my money where I made most of my money . My personal pecking order would probably be


LHR-JFK-SFO-LGW-IAD-HKG-SYD-LAS-JNB-NRT-MAN-CPT-Caribbean

Bound to have missed some but... anyway off thread so will C&P into new topic