MANCHESTER 1

[7griffinjack]

Today was the launch of flights to San Francisco with Thomas Cook. Virgin Atlantic's flight to SFO also operates today which means there are 2 flights within 35 minutes!

19 flights to North America/Caribbean today - 17 of those utilise wide body aircraft. Really shows the scale of this years transatlantic operation.

09:15 MT2718 Las Vegas (LAS) Thomas Cook Airlines A332
09:25 UA80 New York (EWR) United Airlines B752
09:40 MT2842 Cancun (CUN) Thomas Cook Airlines A332
10:00 TS265 Toronto (YYZ) Air Transat A332
10:00 BY182 Cancun (CUN) TUI Airlines UK B788
10:10 AA211 New York (JFK) American Airlines B752
10:30 VS75 Orlando (MCO) Virgin Atlantic B744
10:35 MT2848 New York (JFK) Thomas Cook Airlines A332
10:40 SQ52 Houston (IAH) Singapore Airlines A359
10:45 TOM116 Puerto Plata (POP) TUI Airlines UK B788
10:50 AA735 Philadelphia (PHL) American Airlines A332
10:50 VS109 Atlanta (ATL) Virgin Atlantic Airways A333
11:20 VS125 San Francisco (SFO) Virgin Atlantic Airways A333
11:45 VS85 Las Vegas (LAS) Virgin Atlantic B744
11:55 MT2864 San Francisco (SFO) Thomas Cook Airlines A332
12:10 MT2830 Miami (MIA) Thomas Cook Airlines A332
12:20 AA55 Chicago (ORD) American Airlines B763
12:55 MT2604 Orlando (MCO) Thomas Cook Airlines A332
13:05 DL221 New York (JFK) Delta Air Lines B763

[chaps1954]

Pity that two of the American Airlines were over 4 hours late arriving and New York was an
aircraft change by look of it, they just don`t seem to be able to get the act together

[Wycombe]

I understand that SFO is a bit of a stretch on the 333, and that VS only have a couple of their 10 a/c (with more fuel capacity) that are capable of operating this route?

[GavinC]

Originally Posted by Wycombe

I understand that SFO is a bit of a stretch on the 333, and that VS only have a couple of their 10 a/c (with more fuel capacity) that are capable of operating this route?

VS have A350 on order though. Ideal for this route?!?

[750XL]

I can't see VS SFO or BOS making a re-appearance next year.

[rutankrd]

Originally Posted by 750XL

I can't see VS SFO or BOS making a re-appearance next year.

Why both are already in GDS data base for 2018 and indeed bookable on VS website

[750XL]

Originally Posted by rutankrd

Why both are already in GDS data base for 2018 and indeed bookable on VS website

Well, I take that back then

Loads have been rather unimpressive so far Though appreciate it is early days

[roverman]

SFO

There'll probably be a shake-out going in to 2018. It's a good route but in the current climate with even JFK feeling the pinch, not strong enough for two carriers. Both VS and MT have plenty of other interest and potential at MAN. Let's see who blinks first!

[AndrewH52]

Terminal capacity

Whilst unlikely April's 17% increase can be sustained for the full year, if it were we could be looking at around 29m pax for the year, almost the level for which the Transformation Programme is planning for by 2025. That suggests that the new facilities are likely to be inadequate before they are even started (never mind completed).

My question, therefore, is 'what next?' What is being done to a) cater for growth in the period until T2 is extended and b) expand current plans to accommodate growth beyond design capacity?

There is a risk that if not addressed, the passenger experience will decline even further in the intervening period putting people off flying through MAN in future.

[Skipness One Echo]

A350 capacity wise may be too big. Virgin are not in the best place financially, surprised at the lack of take up on some of the new MAN long haul. Perhaps TCX is just a better fit for the MAN market?
As far as I know, VS have 10 identical A330-343Es so all capable of MAN-SFO. However if BOS/SFO do not make targets, easy enough to rebook existing bookings over ATL/JFK direct from MAN now.

[Betablockeruk]

Passengers could soon fly direct from Manchester to India, Bangkok and Shanghai - Manchester Evening News

Sort of a wishlist article without any substantial leads. Disappointing that the imminent Shanghai service is once again a pipe dream.

[DomyDom]

Originally Posted by Betablockeruk

Passengers could soon fly direct from Manchester to India, Bangkok and Shanghai - Manchester Evening News

Sort of a wishlist article without any substantial leads. Disappointing that the imminent Shanghai service is once again a pipe dream.

It also refers to the Oman route as aspirational but I think the flights are already on sale if I'm not correct?

[Curious Pax]

Originally Posted by DomyDom

It also refers to the Oman route as aspirational but I think the flights are already on sale if I'm not correct?

More than that - they've been operating daily since May 1st.

[LAX_LHR]

The link doesn't refer to Oman as aspirational, it says it's secured them alongside Casablanca.

[DomyDom]

Originally Posted by LAX_LHR

The link doesn't refer to Oman as aspirational, it says it's secured them alongside Casablanca.

My apologies, I hadn't read the article properly. Good to know that we have these new routes anyway.

[nguba]

BA say they will be announcing a new route from MAN today:

https://twitter.com/british_airways/...84557741215744

[GavinC]

Originally Posted by nguba

BA say they will be announcing a new route from MAN today:

https://twitter.com/british_airways/...84557741215744

Looks like it will be to Ibiza from the looks of the picture and comments.

[LAX_LHR]

It's not a route announcement, it's actually starting a flight today.

It's the first inbound flight from London city and the first Ibiza as the 'weekend base' begins.

[LGWAlan]

And it looks pretty well booked!

[TURIN]

Anyone know who's doing the overnight maintenance on those 'BA' aircraft?