Virgin
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Just as a reply the aircraft was utilised well. Position over on a Monday, left late and got back Wed early, left late Wed back early Fri, left late Fri back early Sun and then picked up in the afternoon to Heathrow.
Oddly enough, the Virgin Nigeria VK Heathrow service is now only using the VS code. But they are moving to Sussex in a few weeks.
Oddly enough, the Virgin Nigeria VK Heathrow service is now only using the VS code. But they are moving to Sussex in a few weeks.
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,208
Likes: 351
From: London UK
SOE
That's not good utilisation. You can do a daily round trip to Nigeria with one aircraft (out day back night) as is done to Lagos. This one did three round trips a week, plus the positioning costs.
If the Nigerian routes make as much as sometimes claimed, wonder why this route has gone, why Nigeria Airways staggered into bankruptcy, why Kano disappeared from all international routings, etc. And that's before all the tickets sold on credit cards which subsequently get dishonoured, and the costs for all the aircraft damage regularly done on the potholed runway surface at Lagos.
That's not good utilisation. You can do a daily round trip to Nigeria with one aircraft (out day back night) as is done to Lagos. This one did three round trips a week, plus the positioning costs.
If the Nigerian routes make as much as sometimes claimed, wonder why this route has gone, why Nigeria Airways staggered into bankruptcy, why Kano disappeared from all international routings, etc. And that's before all the tickets sold on credit cards which subsequently get dishonoured, and the costs for all the aircraft damage regularly done on the potholed runway surface at Lagos.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 447
Likes: 2
From: uk
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 13
From: UK
Off the top of my head, ISTR that this was something to do with SQ buying a chunk of VS, and VS then codesharing on SQ services to SIN. May also have had something to do with the introduction of LHR-HKG-SYD, too, which eliminated the need for VS to offer its code on LHR-KUL-SYD on MH metal.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
LHR - Florida Virgin
Hello just a quick note to ask if anyone can tell me what type of aircraft and reg that virgin use on the GTW to orlando florida route please
thanks
Craig
sorry thanks for your replies it is from GTW
thanks
Craig
sorry thanks for your replies it is from GTW
Last edited by night hawk 150; 6th January 2006 at 12:19.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: At the foot of the Lammermuirs
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
I thought all VS MCO flights left from LGW.
In any event they would rotate the aircraft.
http://www.v-flyer.com/ is a good site for more specific VS info.
In any event they would rotate the aircraft.
http://www.v-flyer.com/ is a good site for more specific VS info.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: At the foot of the Lammermuirs
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
Originally Posted by Student~C150~Ipswich
Hello just a quick note to ask if anyone can tell me what type of aircraft and reg that virgin use on the GTW to orlando florida route please
thanks
Craig
sorry thanks for your replies it is from GTW
thanks
Craig
sorry thanks for your replies it is from GTW
As I said in my first reply try www.v-flyer.com
Last edited by Evileyes; 6th January 2006 at 18:43.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: At the foot of the Lammermuirs
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
Originally Posted by Shanwickman
Gaza you are getting your ICAO and your IATA codes mixed up.
The ICAO code for London Gatwick is EGKK. The IATA code is LGW
The ICAO code for London Gatwick is EGKK. The IATA code is LGW
Fingers going ahead of brain. 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 83
From: UK
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
All VS flights ex LGW are on the 744, except I believe for Port Harcourt.
The LGW 744's are a different fit to those based at LHR, with a smaller Upper Class section and Premium Economy upstairs only. All of that means more Y class and a greater overall pax capacity for what are essentially leisure destinations.
I'm taking one to MCO next month.
The LGW 744's are a different fit to those based at LHR, with a smaller Upper Class section and Premium Economy upstairs only. All of that means more Y class and a greater overall pax capacity for what are essentially leisure destinations.
I'm taking one to MCO next month.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 13
From: UK
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
Originally Posted by Student~C150~Ipswich
Hello just a quick note to ask if anyone can tell me what type of aircraft and reg that virgin use on the GTW to orlando florida route please
...
sorry thanks for your replies it is from GTW
...
sorry thanks for your replies it is from GTW
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: UK
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
Just for info... VS fleet from Gatwick is more sardine can than LHR..seats closer together..more sweaty masses and poorer service... No axe to grind personally but cut thru the hype and its really nothing special. Better service and pretty much the same IFE on CO/US/DL etc etc...
Oh yes , and for the bilingual amongst you...this week we will mostly be putting up our signs in Italian!!
Oh yes , and for the bilingual amongst you...this week we will mostly be putting up our signs in Italian!!
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 83
From: UK
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
Gatwicknose,
I gave the official version of the difference between the VS LHR and LGW 744 layouts in an earlier post (not that I work for VS!) I think you will find that the seat pitch in Economy is the same whether you fly on either fleet (although as I mentioned there are more Economy seats on the LGW aeroplanes).
If you are referring to the Italian language placards in these aeroplanes, I believe this is because the 5 LGW-based 744's were built for Alitalia, who cancelled their order quite late on making them available for SRB, who wanted to put his classic's out to pasture (or desert, actually).
I gave the official version of the difference between the VS LHR and LGW 744 layouts in an earlier post (not that I work for VS!) I think you will find that the seat pitch in Economy is the same whether you fly on either fleet (although as I mentioned there are more Economy seats on the LGW aeroplanes).
If you are referring to the Italian language placards in these aeroplanes, I believe this is because the 5 LGW-based 744's were built for Alitalia, who cancelled their order quite late on making them available for SRB, who wanted to put his classic's out to pasture (or desert, actually).
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: UK
Re: LHR - Florida Virgin
Differences between LGW and LHR fleets are not even subtle. I am not on a bashing mission here but there was a time when virgin were in the forefront but now what they do is duplicated by many carriers. The way in which safety demos are reduced to rather silly cartoons, and the general attitude of the crews (notably ex LGW) looks tired and unprofessional. They really need to tighten up their act at LGW!