First Choice - 2
First Choice Airways and the 777-200LR?
Ive been thinking for a while about the possible role of the Very Long Range Boeing 777 with First Choice and its long haul business model. I would love to see this aircraft in First Choice colours but also believe it could be an asset to the fleet especially on busier routes where the 787s capacity would be too low.
It could in theory go direct from London to Australia with more seats available equalling more profit for the airline but also be used on current routes to the Carribean and Asia/Africa, having operated on these routes many times i know for a fact there is demand.
I could see First Choice operating their 8 787s happily along with around 4 777-200LRs on our ever expanding network.
Would love to hear from others about their opinions
thanx 787heaven
It could in theory go direct from London to Australia with more seats available equalling more profit for the airline but also be used on current routes to the Carribean and Asia/Africa, having operated on these routes many times i know for a fact there is demand.
I could see First Choice operating their 8 787s happily along with around 4 777-200LRs on our ever expanding network.
Would love to hear from others about their opinions
thanx 787heaven
yeh.
We will be doing hawaii non stop when the 787 comes but when it is established i see no reason why we cant upgrade to a larger jet, or for instance going to Australasia (which is bound to be a popular route) on the 777 and keeping the 787 on thinner routes.
We will be doing hawaii non stop when the 787 comes but when it is established i see no reason why we cant upgrade to a larger jet, or for instance going to Australasia (which is bound to be a popular route) on the 777 and keeping the 787 on thinner routes.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: XUMAT
Age: 61
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't let such little issues as operating economics and acquisition costs cloud your fantasy.
The 777-200LR is an expensive plane to buy and expensive to operate at the edge of its performance envelope. Just ask those airlines who have costed out ultra longhauls. Without a significant chunk of big price tickets such as first or business class the numbers don't add up. Airlines like PK fly it at higher payload with less fuel, otherwise you end up carrying more fuel just to carry the fuel weight and...
Holiday traffic never generates the kind of yield a scheduled route does. FCA would end up flying the 777 at a huge loss on ultra longhaul.
The 777-200LR is an expensive plane to buy and expensive to operate at the edge of its performance envelope. Just ask those airlines who have costed out ultra longhauls. Without a significant chunk of big price tickets such as first or business class the numbers don't add up. Airlines like PK fly it at higher payload with less fuel, otherwise you end up carrying more fuel just to carry the fuel weight and...
Holiday traffic never generates the kind of yield a scheduled route does. FCA would end up flying the 777 at a huge loss on ultra longhaul.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: scotland
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having flown to Australia a few times now, i really do not see the appeal of a non stop flight. Personally i prefer to stop in SIN, DXB or KUL or the likes, and im only talking about a transit stop to. It gives you a chance to walk around, freshen up etc which you dont get on a non stop flight for 18+ hours. The 13 hours to SIN/KUL is just about enough before needing a break. We will see if FCA launch non-stop flights to Australia with there 787's. I can see the Far East and other destinations in Caribbean and into Central America working though. I also work in the Travel industry and know alot of customers/passenger feel the same way.
Happy New Year by the way.
Happy New Year by the way.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But if you look at SQ's SIN to EWR, or CO EWR-HKG, they both have large premium cabins, and also have the added revenue from filling their cargo holds. I'm not sure FCA is gonna fill a J cabin with people on all inclusive breaks to OZ!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a small rant, but could first choice cabin crew be a little more friendly to dispatchers and ground agents when we come on board? All other airlines, EZY, FR, BE, BA, TOM etc seem to be fine and happy, but FCA rarely smile, dont say thanks for any pax info you might give them, and generally have a face like a smacked arse. Flight deck crew on the other hand score top points for happiness, and us dispatchers generally look forward to speaking to you.
Miserable crew mean that we aren't going to be bothered about helping you, so you shoot yourselves in the foot by being misery guts. Its not our fault you have to wear fuscia pink jackets.
Any one else have a similar experience?
Miserable crew mean that we aren't going to be bothered about helping you, so you shoot yourselves in the foot by being misery guts. Its not our fault you have to wear fuscia pink jackets.
Any one else have a similar experience?
The most friendl though had to be the Skyservice flight deck (canadian)that operated for first choice during the summer season. Hope to see them back at CWL in the summer.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fca @ Cwl
I find it strange that FC will be adding routes for the summer from CWL when in recent years it seems like they been moving their operations to BRS. It looks in S07 that on mondays FC will be operating two a/c can anyone confirm this?
It's just that i've looked at the flight times and on monday's the total adds up to over 24 hours. What will happen to the a/c for remainder of the week?
It's just that i've looked at the flight times and on monday's the total adds up to over 24 hours. What will happen to the a/c for remainder of the week?
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To add with the rumours thats out there Virgin are looking to make a bif for First Choice, could this be one of the reason's they have delayed the delivery of the 6 A380's?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BRISTOL
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FCA CWL Summer 2007 - Skyservice A320
Mon: MAH 0600, FNC 1255, CFU 2200
Tue: PMI 0635, EFL 1315, REU 2230
Wed: LCA 0700, KGS 1855
Thur: ACE 0815, DLM 1810
Fri: BOJ 0630, TFS 1600
Sat: PMI 0700, ALC 1340, PMI 2040
Sun: PFO 0700, BJV 1855
No visiting aircraft, just a jolly good thrashing for the SSV 320, not much margin for tech delays!
Mon: MAH 0600, FNC 1255, CFU 2200
Tue: PMI 0635, EFL 1315, REU 2230
Wed: LCA 0700, KGS 1855
Thur: ACE 0815, DLM 1810
Fri: BOJ 0630, TFS 1600
Sat: PMI 0700, ALC 1340, PMI 2040
Sun: PFO 0700, BJV 1855
No visiting aircraft, just a jolly good thrashing for the SSV 320, not much margin for tech delays!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Offering destinations further away for the masses in relative comfort as we are doing with the Dreamy 787 is my 1st choice(See what I did there?)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Westwood
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can someone confirm if First Choice will be operating SFB from EMA next Winter as its not on their website. Only Long Hauls are Goa and CUN. Is there any possability that they will offer SFB, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Goa year round? Maybe 1 more destination? Jamaica???????
Also Ive heard they are gonna make EMA a 757 base as of next winter!!! is that right???
Regards
Stu
Also Ive heard they are gonna make EMA a 757 base as of next winter!!! is that right???
Regards
Stu
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: the lonely desert
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There has been talk on the 'Newcastle' thread of a charter carrier re-establishing a base at NCL. With FC concentrating more on longhaul operations, do people think theres any chance of seeing FCA at NCL again? Its quite a sizeable base and market, even though currently First Choice Holiday pax travel predominedly on Thomas Cook?
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: nottingham
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey ups the first choice flight this year to sanford starting next month from ema as been low on bookings so that could be the reason they are not operating it next winter (summer seems ok )
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FCA @ ncl
With thomas cook and mytravel merging i do belive that first choice will have to provide there own aircraft at ncl for summer 2008.
anybody else think that same?
lets hope they fly to other places or maybe differenct days that would be good for the airport and customer choice.
anybody else think that same?
lets hope they fly to other places or maybe differenct days that would be good for the airport and customer choice.
Join Date: Nov 1998
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FIRST CHOICE HOLIDAYS PLC
MAINSTREAM HOLIDAYS AIRLINE EXERCISES OPTIONS
ON FOUR MORE BOEING 787'S
First Choice Airways, the European launch customer for the Boeing 787, has
exercised options on a further four B787 aircraft. Originally, in July 2004,
the airline signed up for six 787's with options on a further six. In September
2006 it exercised the options on a further two and has now ordered the final
four.
The Boeing 787 has been the most successful new commercial aircraft to launch
ever. First Choice Airways will take delivery of its first two in 2009 and
introduce the remaining 10 between 2010 and 2013, doubling the size of its
long-haul fleet.
The B787 will bring faraway places within the range of mid-sized aircraft,
flying up to 8,500 nautical miles (10,000 miles) - Gatwick to Borneo for
instance - as fast as comparable current jets. It will use 20% less fuel than
today's mid-sized commercial aircraft, in part down to 66% of the aircraft
comprising composite material, which is considerably lighter than traditional
materials.
The B787 will also improve passenger well being; it will be pressurised at lower
altitudes and have greater cabin humidity ensuring passengers arrive feeling
less tired. New technology that senses air pressure differences and allows the
aircraft to avoid turbulence will also result in a smoother flight.
The First Choice Mainstream Holidays Sector provides differentiated holiday
experiences. Building a market-leading long-haul travel programme is a key part
of this strategy. Providing the most comfortable economy cabin is critical to
its success, as it has demonstrated over the last two years by upgrading its
Boeing 767's to provide customers with more legroom and superior in-flight
entertainment. Long-haul sales are currently up 38% for Winter 2006/07 and 19%
for Summer 2007.
Dermot Blastland, Managing Director of First Choice Mainstream Holidays said: "
Having taken the decision to increase our commitment to long-haul holidays we
wanted to ensure we could do this in the most cost effective and environmentally
sound way, whilst offering our customers new destinations and even more
comfortable travel. When we announced our selection in 2004, we believed the
new Boeing 787 would be key to achieving this. The success of our current
long-haul programme has now given us the confidence to order 12 aircraft. The
B787's will be a unique experience for our customers, as we establish ourselves
at the forefront of long-haul leisure travel."
"This third order from First Choice is another vote of confidence in the Boeing
787's capabilities and unprecedented environmental performance," said Marlin
Dailey, Vice President of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing
Commercial Airplanes. "It's exciting and very satisfying when great customers
like First Choice continue to select your product. It reflects its faith in the
787 and in Boeing. I'm also very proud First Choice is making the B787 an
integral part of its environmental leadership."
MAINSTREAM HOLIDAYS AIRLINE EXERCISES OPTIONS
ON FOUR MORE BOEING 787'S
First Choice Airways, the European launch customer for the Boeing 787, has
exercised options on a further four B787 aircraft. Originally, in July 2004,
the airline signed up for six 787's with options on a further six. In September
2006 it exercised the options on a further two and has now ordered the final
four.
The Boeing 787 has been the most successful new commercial aircraft to launch
ever. First Choice Airways will take delivery of its first two in 2009 and
introduce the remaining 10 between 2010 and 2013, doubling the size of its
long-haul fleet.
The B787 will bring faraway places within the range of mid-sized aircraft,
flying up to 8,500 nautical miles (10,000 miles) - Gatwick to Borneo for
instance - as fast as comparable current jets. It will use 20% less fuel than
today's mid-sized commercial aircraft, in part down to 66% of the aircraft
comprising composite material, which is considerably lighter than traditional
materials.
The B787 will also improve passenger well being; it will be pressurised at lower
altitudes and have greater cabin humidity ensuring passengers arrive feeling
less tired. New technology that senses air pressure differences and allows the
aircraft to avoid turbulence will also result in a smoother flight.
The First Choice Mainstream Holidays Sector provides differentiated holiday
experiences. Building a market-leading long-haul travel programme is a key part
of this strategy. Providing the most comfortable economy cabin is critical to
its success, as it has demonstrated over the last two years by upgrading its
Boeing 767's to provide customers with more legroom and superior in-flight
entertainment. Long-haul sales are currently up 38% for Winter 2006/07 and 19%
for Summer 2007.
Dermot Blastland, Managing Director of First Choice Mainstream Holidays said: "
Having taken the decision to increase our commitment to long-haul holidays we
wanted to ensure we could do this in the most cost effective and environmentally
sound way, whilst offering our customers new destinations and even more
comfortable travel. When we announced our selection in 2004, we believed the
new Boeing 787 would be key to achieving this. The success of our current
long-haul programme has now given us the confidence to order 12 aircraft. The
B787's will be a unique experience for our customers, as we establish ourselves
at the forefront of long-haul leisure travel."
"This third order from First Choice is another vote of confidence in the Boeing
787's capabilities and unprecedented environmental performance," said Marlin
Dailey, Vice President of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing
Commercial Airplanes. "It's exciting and very satisfying when great customers
like First Choice continue to select your product. It reflects its faith in the
787 and in Boeing. I'm also very proud First Choice is making the B787 an
integral part of its environmental leadership."