Do Virgin have enough planes?

^ Word on the mean streets of LHR are that it'll be Chicago coming back.

Although i'd prefer a litte dally into Canada with the Toronto coming back.

It is likely to be an additional LHR-JFK flight. No idea of the timings at the moment although from the look of the summer schedule some of the existing JFK flights have been shuffled/retimed. Amongst other things, the VS045 is taking the times of the VS003 and vice versa.

Mike-Smashing, interested in your comments in your post...why would VS be against PW power per se? Simply commonality (using CF6) across the 744 fleet? They already use RR power on the 346 (no choice) and I understand have opted for RR power (as opposed to EA power) on the A380, so are familiar with other OEM's. Or is there something in the VS history that puts them off Pratt in particular?

Now we know ORD was shut down post 9/11 and that there has been a large call for it on here- though we are slightly bias- but I swear that people said that ORD was too big for VS. Its a major UA hub and the number of connections it and star partners can offer is just too much for VS couple this with the One World presence and the daily VS service is lost...surely VS would be just cut out of the market- as I belive happened pre 9/11- didnt we struggle on the rotue. Jet Streamer ur an old hand at this from the days of vsfan.org- can you tell us?

Originally posted by Oliver Sudden
Mike-Smashing, interested in your comments in your post...why would VS be against PW power per se? Simply commonality (using CF6) across the 744 fleet? They already use RR power on the 346 (no choice) and I understand have opted for RR power (as opposed to EA power) on the A380, so are familiar with other OEM's. Or is there something in the VS history that puts them off Pratt in particular?

What post are you talking about, I didn't see a mention on engines in this thread?

But I know that it's easier for the engineering crews if the aircraft's engines are all RR or all PW or all GE, etc. Seeing as the 744s are the "oldies" and the 346s and 380s are the new guys and will comprise the growing majority of VS's fleet, it makes sense they would pick a common engine type for both of those aircraft if one (346) only can take RR engines.

Maybe a silly question, but why are Virgin swapping the times of the VS045 and the VS003?

There was a new disability act introduced last year I think?? Which said that all classes of travel must be offered on the main deck, hence the reason that PE was introduced downstairs on LHR and LGW B744.

VS-EWR,
"What post are you talking about, I didn't see a mention on engines in this thread?"....Mike-Smashing made a post, about 3rd or 4th from the beginning of the topic.
Not really the same engine type, more the same engine family (Trent500 on the 346; Trent900 on the 380) but my question was actually aimed at the point that VS didn't want PW powered 744's and whether this was simply for commonality or whether there was something more.

Originally posted by Oliver Sudden
Mike-Smashing made a post, about 3rd or 4th from the beginning of the topic.
Not really the same engine type, more the same engine family (Trent500 on the 346; Trent900 on the 380) but my question was actually aimed at the point that VS didn't want PW powered 744's and whether this was simply for commonality or whether there was something more.

By the way there is a quote feature you know...and I meant engine family, hence the "PW, GE, or RR".

Lots of VSs 744s, those mostly used at LGW and MAN came from a deleted order made by Alitalia that VS picked up. I don't think they were able to change what engine they wanted for those. As for the others, I'm not sure.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by VS-EWR
By the way there is a quote feature you know...and I meant engine family, hence the "PW, GE, or RR".

Ah, you mean engine manufacturer, then Nick?

Each manufacturer produces several "families" of engines, made up of several "types" (or models)...

Originally posted by preiffer
Ah, you mean engine manufacturer, then Nick?

Each manufacturer produces several "families" of engines, made up of several "types" (or models)...

Yes. I couldn't find exactly the right word.

The DXB route is going to be operated by 340-300 (at least to start with) apart from the first flight which is a 340-600.

Any news on when exactly the 2nd HKG will start?

[fozzyo]

Mike-Smashing, interested in your comments in your post...why would VS be against PW power per se? Simply commonality (using CF6) across the 744 fleet? They already use RR power on the 346 (no choice) and I understand have opted for RR power (as opposed to EA power) on the A380, so are familiar with other OEM's. Or is there something in the VS history that puts them off Pratt in particular?

Still none the wiser on this on reading the rest of the thread, its too early on a Monday morning for me I think.

Is the comment on Chicago just pure rumour? It's high on my list of places to go.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by fozzyo

Mike-Smashing, interested in your comments in your post...why would VS be against PW power per se? Simply commonality (using CF6) across the 744 fleet? They already use RR power on the 346 (no choice) and I understand have opted for RR power (as opposed to EA power) on the A380, so are familiar with other OEM's. Or is there something in the VS history that puts them off Pratt in particular?

Still none the wiser on this on reading the rest of the thread, its too early on a Monday morning for me I think.

Is the comment on Chicago just pure rumour? It's high on my list of places to go.

Mat xxx

Yes ORD is pure rumour- and has been for a while. YYZ also sometimes crops up as well.

To confirm:

New Routes for 06: DXB, MBJ, BGI (ex MAN).
Awaiting Start Date: PEK
Stopping: PHC (transfered to VK as of 12th Jan)