They are certaining subbing it out to someone, they admit leased A319 and non Virgin crew but frankly, apart from possibly limiting BA's fare increases, who will buy three flights a day? The timings are clearly aimed at MAN passengers not LHR customers, the first northbound isn't until 0920 and the last southbound around 1720. Bookings are only available by phone, no on line bookings yet, so could this just be throwing the toys out of the pram after the Virgin train announcment?