Long Haul @LTN
The forum remains quiet for weeks and then the suddenly two additional pages appear in just a week!
Anyway, don't forget Monarch use to operate one of their A330-200's non-stop to Orlando around 2000-2001. 9/11 soon put a stop to the route!
I'd imagine that was a tight fit, to clear the runway fully loaded with 9hrs of fuel and 300+ passengers?!
It does annoy me how the Tour Operators seem so short sighted with their Long Haul traffic and flying from just Gatwick is sufficient to cover these routes from the London area.
Living in Northants, that's nearly a three hour drive if the M25 is reasonably busy. Manchester suddenly becomes a more attractive destination to fly from.
Apparently the 787 is supposed to have excellent runway performance! Bristol airport decided not to extend their 6000ft runway a few years back, taking the view new aircraft like this will be able to use the airport and attract new non-stop long haul routes.