Virgin
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No, I don't! This (the Press release) seems to be a bit of a 'teaser', and may be just another bargaining tactic by Virgin (they've used similar tactics many times in the past) to get a better deal from Airbus. The mention of Virgin pushing for a more efficient, improved A346 is very interesting, and suggests that there is a possibility of options being converted if the requisite improvements can be made - and/or older aeroplanes either being exchanged or retrofitted.
It would seem that Virgin has persuaded Airbus that compensation for the cumulative A380 delays should take the form of alternative (subsidised?) aircraft, and it seems to be generally accepted that the A330 is the chosen alternative. As Denzil suggests (at least in part) above, such an aircraft would make sense for growing an operation from UK 'regional' airports (if you will accept that terminology for MAN and GLA!) to the East Coast, Middle East, and East or West Africa, but I don't see the A330 fitting into the LHR operation where slot constraints mean that the capacity of each slot must be maximised wherever possible - which was the logic for taking the A380 in the first place.
While there are a few sectors out of LHR for which Virgin are still using the A343 (same capacity as, but longer range than, the A333), most would happily fill a larger aircraft for much of the year - which reinforces VS's decision to lose the A343s over the near-ish future. So what would be the logic of the A330 at LHR? I don't see it, at least not in great numbers - slots for developing new routes out of LHR (which might justify the use of the A330 for a while) are ever-harder to come by. So, it seems to me, if VS are indeed looking at the A330 in addition to the A346 (or even replacing the last few orders), it's likely to be in order to enable development away from LHR. MAN and GLA must be favourite, but others may be on the cards too...
It would seem that Virgin has persuaded Airbus that compensation for the cumulative A380 delays should take the form of alternative (subsidised?) aircraft, and it seems to be generally accepted that the A330 is the chosen alternative. As Denzil suggests (at least in part) above, such an aircraft would make sense for growing an operation from UK 'regional' airports (if you will accept that terminology for MAN and GLA!) to the East Coast, Middle East, and East or West Africa, but I don't see the A330 fitting into the LHR operation where slot constraints mean that the capacity of each slot must be maximised wherever possible - which was the logic for taking the A380 in the first place.
While there are a few sectors out of LHR for which Virgin are still using the A343 (same capacity as, but longer range than, the A333), most would happily fill a larger aircraft for much of the year - which reinforces VS's decision to lose the A343s over the near-ish future. So what would be the logic of the A330 at LHR? I don't see it, at least not in great numbers - slots for developing new routes out of LHR (which might justify the use of the A330 for a while) are ever-harder to come by. So, it seems to me, if VS are indeed looking at the A330 in addition to the A346 (or even replacing the last few orders), it's likely to be in order to enable development away from LHR. MAN and GLA must be favourite, but others may be on the cards too...
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Virgin Atlantic to Jamaica
I hope operation are going well.
Air Jamaica are still giving bad service to their passengers. Today over 2 hour delay from Heathrow.
Hopefully all holiday makers will fly with Virgin to avoid disappointment especially for honeymoon
Air Jamaica are still giving bad service to their passengers. Today over 2 hour delay from Heathrow.
Hopefully all holiday makers will fly with Virgin to avoid disappointment especially for honeymoon
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Whats happened to Virgin A330 Order
Hi All, just wondering that from all the rumours on the internet about large
A330 order from Virgin at the Farnborough Airshow, nothing has heppened as yet? Any news?
A330 order from Virgin at the Farnborough Airshow, nothing has heppened as yet? Any news?
Virgin Atlantic kept on jet for Seven hours.
As reported by the Mirror.
"POLICE boarded a jumbo jet yesterday amid fears furious passengers would riot after being stuck in their seats for seven hours.
The 352 travellers were kept cooped inside Virgin Atlantic Flight 63 on the ground after a technical problem. Take-off was finally aborted as the Boeing 747 taxied up the runway with a car driving alongside frantically signalling that the jet had an over-inflated tyre."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_obje...name_page.html
"POLICE boarded a jumbo jet yesterday amid fears furious passengers would riot after being stuck in their seats for seven hours.
The 352 travellers were kept cooped inside Virgin Atlantic Flight 63 on the ground after a technical problem. Take-off was finally aborted as the Boeing 747 taxied up the runway with a car driving alongside frantically signalling that the jet had an over-inflated tyre."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_obje...name_page.html
Join Date: Aug 2005
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VS - bit of a delay at LGW !!!
25 August 2006
EXCLUSIVE: TRAPPED ON FLIGHT 63
By Vanessa Allen
POLICE boarded a jumbo jet yesterday amid fears furious passengers would riot after being stuck in their seats for seven hours.
The 352 travellers were kept cooped inside Virgin Atlantic Flight 63 on the ground after a technical problem.
Take-off was finally aborted as the Boeing 747 taxied up the runway with a car driving alongside frantically signalling that the jet had an over-inflated tyre.
Passenger Philip Robinson said: "You could feel the plane going bump, bump. God knows what could have happened if it had tried to take off.
"When we got back to the terminal we still couldn't leave. We were told police were coming on in case we started a riot."
Another passenger Peter Sidebottom, 57, added: "Tensions were rising and one woman was abusing the staff. Another passenger said if she didn't shut up she'd punch her teeth in."
The flight was due to leave Gatwick for Havana at 9.30am. Some passengers boarded at 8.45 and all boarding was finished by 10. An engineer was still working on one engine.
At 11, the crew announced a technical problem would be fixed in 15 minutes. The plane taxied but then stopped. Passengers were told the crew were waiting for a spare part.
At 1pm, the captain said the spare part had arrived. At 2.45 passengers were told that if the part could not be replaced by 3.30 the crew would exceed their legal operating hours.
At 3.25, the plane taxied again towards the runway, ready for take-off. Then air traffic control spotted the misshapen tyre.
The Boeing was taken back to the terminal and police were called over fears the passengers, who included a young couple on a £5,000 honeymoon, could erupt in fury.
They were not allowed off the flight until 4.30pm, when they were told it was cancelled.
Businessman Mr Robinson, 53, of Maidenhead, Berks, said: "It was appalling. No one apologised or knew what was happening.
"Because of security we couldn't take drinks on board and were only given two glasses of water. No one even had any food."
The flight is re-scheduled for today. All passengers were offered hotel accommodation.
Virgin Atlantic said: "This was a unique set of circumstances and we'd like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Police confirmed officers boarded the plane but said no arrests were made.
MISTAKES ON A PLANE
Bungles that delayed flight for seven hours
8.45am Passengers begin boarding flight VS63 from Gatwick to Havana
9.30am Flight due to depart
10.00am Passengers finish boarding. Doors closed
11.00am Crew announce there is a technical problem which will take 15 minutes
11.30am Passengers told they are waiting for a spare part
1.30pm Crew announce the spare part has arrived. Take-off "soon"
2.45pm Passengers told inflight meals may have to be replaced. If not cleared for take-off by 3.30pm crew won't be able to fly
3.25pm Plane begins to taxi for take-off
3.35pm Take-off stopped
3.45pm Captain says plane has a misshapen tyre and will have to go back to the terminal
4pm Flight cancelled. Police board plane amid fears of rioting
4.30pm Passengers are allowed off but told they must wait for their luggage
EXCLUSIVE: TRAPPED ON FLIGHT 63
By Vanessa Allen
POLICE boarded a jumbo jet yesterday amid fears furious passengers would riot after being stuck in their seats for seven hours.
The 352 travellers were kept cooped inside Virgin Atlantic Flight 63 on the ground after a technical problem.
Take-off was finally aborted as the Boeing 747 taxied up the runway with a car driving alongside frantically signalling that the jet had an over-inflated tyre.
Passenger Philip Robinson said: "You could feel the plane going bump, bump. God knows what could have happened if it had tried to take off.
"When we got back to the terminal we still couldn't leave. We were told police were coming on in case we started a riot."
Another passenger Peter Sidebottom, 57, added: "Tensions were rising and one woman was abusing the staff. Another passenger said if she didn't shut up she'd punch her teeth in."
The flight was due to leave Gatwick for Havana at 9.30am. Some passengers boarded at 8.45 and all boarding was finished by 10. An engineer was still working on one engine.
At 11, the crew announced a technical problem would be fixed in 15 minutes. The plane taxied but then stopped. Passengers were told the crew were waiting for a spare part.
At 1pm, the captain said the spare part had arrived. At 2.45 passengers were told that if the part could not be replaced by 3.30 the crew would exceed their legal operating hours.
At 3.25, the plane taxied again towards the runway, ready for take-off. Then air traffic control spotted the misshapen tyre.
The Boeing was taken back to the terminal and police were called over fears the passengers, who included a young couple on a £5,000 honeymoon, could erupt in fury.
They were not allowed off the flight until 4.30pm, when they were told it was cancelled.
Businessman Mr Robinson, 53, of Maidenhead, Berks, said: "It was appalling. No one apologised or knew what was happening.
"Because of security we couldn't take drinks on board and were only given two glasses of water. No one even had any food."
The flight is re-scheduled for today. All passengers were offered hotel accommodation.
Virgin Atlantic said: "This was a unique set of circumstances and we'd like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Police confirmed officers boarded the plane but said no arrests were made.
MISTAKES ON A PLANE
Bungles that delayed flight for seven hours
8.45am Passengers begin boarding flight VS63 from Gatwick to Havana
9.30am Flight due to depart
10.00am Passengers finish boarding. Doors closed
11.00am Crew announce there is a technical problem which will take 15 minutes
11.30am Passengers told they are waiting for a spare part
1.30pm Crew announce the spare part has arrived. Take-off "soon"
2.45pm Passengers told inflight meals may have to be replaced. If not cleared for take-off by 3.30pm crew won't be able to fly
3.25pm Plane begins to taxi for take-off
3.35pm Take-off stopped
3.45pm Captain says plane has a misshapen tyre and will have to go back to the terminal
4pm Flight cancelled. Police board plane amid fears of rioting
4.30pm Passengers are allowed off but told they must wait for their luggage
At 11, the crew announced a technical problem would be fixed in 15 minutes.
Apart from the journalistic nonsenses 
there are a few items that catch the eye :
"Because of security we couldn't take drinks on board and were only given two glasses of water. No one even had any food."
Yes, a new feature of travel. You can't take in anything to drink, and we won't give you anything meaningful either. I wonder what the Virgin SOP is for passenger service in these circumstances. You start to realise why the pax began to get uppity.
I trust SRB is having one or two words in one or two ears this morning.
there are a few items that catch the eye :"Because of security we couldn't take drinks on board and were only given two glasses of water. No one even had any food."
Yes, a new feature of travel. You can't take in anything to drink, and we won't give you anything meaningful either. I wonder what the Virgin SOP is for passenger service in these circumstances. You start to realise why the pax began to get uppity.
I trust SRB is having one or two words in one or two ears this morning.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Paying attention to minor errors (who cares whether ATC or a passing magpie spotted the tyre?) and losing sight of the bigger picture is how airlines end up leaving fare-paying customers locked up in an aluminium tube for seven hours. I want to know how much of that seven-hour period had to go by before somebody finally started thinking that - perhaps, just perhaps - it should start looking after those customers.
If a restaurant let even 30 minutes go by without attending to you after you arrived, you'd get up and walk. And the restaurant would learn, pretty quickly, to get its act together and look after its clients.
I'm surprised there wasn't a mutiny a lot earlier. I guess it was a bunch of Brits not wanting to kick up a fuss, when they should have been demanding to be let out.
If a restaurant let even 30 minutes go by without attending to you after you arrived, you'd get up and walk. And the restaurant would learn, pretty quickly, to get its act together and look after its clients.
I'm surprised there wasn't a mutiny a lot earlier. I guess it was a bunch of Brits not wanting to kick up a fuss, when they should have been demanding to be let out.
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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In defence of Virgin, it is usual to try and get some extra drinks at least loaded on board during delays like this, BUT it is often difficult to arrange if the 'tech delay' is not definite. On this one the information to the flight deck seemed to 'wander' around a bit! As for getting the 'extra' drinks or even food aboard, one is at the mercy of the catering supplier's stocks at the airport, plus the difficulties THEY will have getting extra stocks in, particularly in this present alert state.
Very uncomfortable for all.
Very uncomfortable for all.
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Virgin MAN-MCO
Virgin's Upper Class Suite has of late, started to look rather tatty with scuffed seat covers and pretty basic and untidy repairs to some tables/screens. The attendants service remains as good as ever, relaxed but very efficient.
I am now up to three emails to Virgins Customer Services pointing out my dissapointment on the Suites standard, but no replies are forthcoming!!!
Any ideas/email address's that may bring a response off Virgin???
I am now up to three emails to Virgins Customer Services pointing out my dissapointment on the Suites standard, but no replies are forthcoming!!!
Any ideas/email address's that may bring a response off Virgin???
By the sound of the 2 hour delay between being advised they were awaiting parts and the parts actually arriving, I am guessing they might have had to come by road from Heathrow, and then doubtless go through the airside "security" queue.
Do BAA have any facility there for urgent AOG consignments to be brought through with priority ?
Regarding refreshments being "too difficult" to organise, I have to say if at my company anyone didn't give a large number of guests any refreshments for seven hours because they found it was all too difficult, they wouldn't last the afternoon without being replaced.
Do BAA have any facility there for urgent AOG consignments to be brought through with priority ?
Regarding refreshments being "too difficult" to organise, I have to say if at my company anyone didn't give a large number of guests any refreshments for seven hours because they found it was all too difficult, they wouldn't last the afternoon without being replaced.
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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I have to say if at my company anyone didn't give a large number of guests any refreshments for seven hours because they found it was all too difficult, they wouldn't last the afternoon without being replaced.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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I can appreciate that it's not easy for the crew either - and to be fair, Virgin does generally pay a lot of attention to customer comfort - but at some point, someone has to make the decision to let people off the aircraft.
If your local restaurant, bank or shop doesn't get its act together, you can walk out when you please.
When you're belted into an aircraft seat, with doors to automatic, that option disappears - and then the tired old "security" card gets played to shut you up if, quite understandably, you dare start expressing any form of dissatisfaction.
What was wrong with asking for a gate, or at least a set of steps, parking the jet and then using a bit of common sense to get people off and into a more comfortable area - so that they could then at least feed themselves (since the airline couldn't feed them), walk around, lie down, or decide (as I'd have been inclined) to tell the airline to stick it, get a refund, and fly with someone else.
Seven hours - it beggars belief. Someone needs a jobsworth award.
If your local restaurant, bank or shop doesn't get its act together, you can walk out when you please.
When you're belted into an aircraft seat, with doors to automatic, that option disappears - and then the tired old "security" card gets played to shut you up if, quite understandably, you dare start expressing any form of dissatisfaction.
What was wrong with asking for a gate, or at least a set of steps, parking the jet and then using a bit of common sense to get people off and into a more comfortable area - so that they could then at least feed themselves (since the airline couldn't feed them), walk around, lie down, or decide (as I'd have been inclined) to tell the airline to stick it, get a refund, and fly with someone else.
Seven hours - it beggars belief. Someone needs a jobsworth award.
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Virgin A340 Pilots
I know there's commom cockpit and all that, but in reality do you (subject to 'differences' course) switch between -300 and -600 fleets or do you stick with the one fleet?
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the handling of the delay was disgusting in all forms, let us see if Sir RB responds to any letters, his customer service people have a tendancy to not bother or palm you off. The return last thursday was not much better in respect to service only minimal delay
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Any word of VS expansion in the Australian market?
I'd personally love to see VS fly to Brisbane. DJ could offer connections to Mackay, Townsville, Rocky, Cairns etc.
Routes I'd love to see:
VS into MEL would be nice too, but would rather seem them in BNE
Cheers
I'd personally love to see VS fly to Brisbane. DJ could offer connections to Mackay, Townsville, Rocky, Cairns etc.
Routes I'd love to see:
- MAN-PEK/PVG/BOM-BNE
- LHR-PEK/PVG/BOM-BNE
VS into MEL would be nice too, but would rather seem them in BNE
Cheers
Considerably Bemused Wannabe
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I've just read of another forum, and this is only a rumour by the way, that Virgins next A346 will be painted in the new livery.
Anyone at VS care to confirm, deny, or shoot me down for posting the rumour?
Cheers,
eP
Anyone at VS care to confirm, deny, or shoot me down for posting the rumour?
Cheers,
eP