Virgin - 2
Orlando, for all that it is the major hub of the area, is a notably inconveniently laid-out airport for international passengers, especially arrivals, and draws criticism on many counts from those who have used both airports from Britain. It doesn't actually handle a lot of international arrivals and it's easy to get the impression they find such passengers tedious compared to "easy" domestic operations.
This seems to be a thing of major US leisure destination airports. Las Vegas can be equally chaotic. This extends from arrival procedures right through to the rental car operators.
Sanford may be spartan and simplistic, but these can be advantages as well. It would also give Virgin a marketing difference over BA, who would of course continue to use Orlando.
Virgin to MCO is almost entirely an O&D operation, very little connecting traffic, as what there is tends to go through Miami, so there is not much for Continental to offer onwards.
This seems to be a thing of major US leisure destination airports. Las Vegas can be equally chaotic. This extends from arrival procedures right through to the rental car operators.
Sanford may be spartan and simplistic, but these can be advantages as well. It would also give Virgin a marketing difference over BA, who would of course continue to use Orlando.
Virgin to MCO is almost entirely an O&D operation, very little connecting traffic, as what there is tends to go through Miami, so there is not much for Continental to offer onwards.
Last edited by WHBM; 17th Mar 2009 at 14:54.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MCO is a sprawling airport that can be a bad experience for PAX arriving from the UK & other international destinations as it involves double baggage handling, often with long lines / delays. In the days when many of the UK charter flights stopped at BGR en-route that did at least enable PAX to clear US customs there.
In contrast I have always found clearing SFB relatively swift. Despite its less central location SFB is well connected by good roads to the major tourism areas which are reached with comparative ease. If VS do indeed move then I suspect it is to provide their PAX with a more pleasant arrivals experience and almost certainly benefit themselves through lower landing / handling charges.
In contrast I have always found clearing SFB relatively swift. Despite its less central location SFB is well connected by good roads to the major tourism areas which are reached with comparative ease. If VS do indeed move then I suspect it is to provide their PAX with a more pleasant arrivals experience and almost certainly benefit themselves through lower landing / handling charges.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never been through Sanford but have used MCO a few times – it is weird. Arriving on a international flight, you seem to go through Arrivals twice (I know you actually don’t but to the uninitiated it does feel like it) and Departures, although slicker than it used to be, does take forever to get to due to the complexity of the layout of the terminals/spurs from the main departure complex/atrium and the long lines at security. Certainly more complicated procedures for international pax than other large US airports I've been through.
Last edited by Steviec9; 16th Mar 2009 at 22:30.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MCO International Arrivals
A new procedure has recently been introduced for international arrivals making the passenger experience more user friendly.
Bags are collected from the carousels just behind the immigration desks, then after passing through the customs point, a newly constructed escalator conveys you up to the 'transfer train' lobby for onwards to the main terminal.
Persons with large amounts or heavy hold baggage can still have their luggage transfered by conveyor to the main terminal after clearing customs in the satelite (the old way).
I still prefer McCoy to Sanford. Closer proximity to Kissimmee, more space to wait and greater range of shops/eateries should your flight be delayed, and typical taxi times (pushback to airbourne) of 10 minutes.
p.s. I don't work for the Orlando International airport company!
Setel Up
Bags are collected from the carousels just behind the immigration desks, then after passing through the customs point, a newly constructed escalator conveys you up to the 'transfer train' lobby for onwards to the main terminal.
Persons with large amounts or heavy hold baggage can still have their luggage transfered by conveyor to the main terminal after clearing customs in the satelite (the old way).
I still prefer McCoy to Sanford. Closer proximity to Kissimmee, more space to wait and greater range of shops/eateries should your flight be delayed, and typical taxi times (pushback to airbourne) of 10 minutes.
p.s. I don't work for the Orlando International airport company!
Setel Up
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: uk
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Count Von Altibar
It all depends over what timeframe that you are looking for a quote for Wizz going under.
But, if it's a 2009 only quote, than I think the odds are:
Go bust by 2359hrs on 31st Dec 2009 = 5/2
Don't go bust by 2359 hrs on 31st Dec 2009 = 4/11
My reasoning? They are through the roughest months of the year and will have cash in the bank from the summer months to get into at least the rough months of 2010 again.
But look, who isn't in danger of going bust at the minute? Apart from who your airline of course....
Want to take me on? PM me.
But, if it's a 2009 only quote, than I think the odds are:
Go bust by 2359hrs on 31st Dec 2009 = 5/2
Don't go bust by 2359 hrs on 31st Dec 2009 = 4/11
My reasoning? They are through the roughest months of the year and will have cash in the bank from the summer months to get into at least the rough months of 2010 again.
But look, who isn't in danger of going bust at the minute? Apart from who your airline of course....
Want to take me on? PM me.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having read on another forum (news link: ATW Daily News) that QR are not happy with their A346s, what made them so attractive to VS?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Age: 42
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin had a lot of trouble with them not meeting performance gaurantees when they came into service as they were the launch customer. However they now have a large fleet but have cancelled all outstanding orders.
The introduction of the B777-300ER then changed the game. Qatar are mis-using the A340-600 on medium haul routes they were not really designed to excel in. This is the same bunch of clowns who told a an audience at Boeing he was glad that it was his own countrymen who were flying their new B777 as they were better than Boeings own test pilots. Er... quite!
The introduction of the B777-300ER then changed the game. Qatar are mis-using the A340-600 on medium haul routes they were not really designed to excel in. This is the same bunch of clowns who told a an audience at Boeing he was glad that it was his own countrymen who were flying their new B777 as they were better than Boeings own test pilots. Er... quite!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: the edge of madness
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I seem to remember, when questioned as to why he'd ordered A346s, Sir RB said that it was important to help maintain two manufacturers (presumably for future competition reasons). My understanding is that, while they got a very good deal from Airbus, he over-ruled the VAA aircraft evaluation team who wanted 773ERs - although Boeing weren't prepared to play ball on the price VAA wanted anyway.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CEG
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VS operate daily from LGW into BGI year round
If you're referring to the MAN-BGI saturday flight, it doesn't appear in the schedules for Saturdays for 2010 at the moment, although Sundays are still operating
If you're referring to the MAN-BGI saturday flight, it doesn't appear in the schedules for Saturdays for 2010 at the moment, although Sundays are still operating
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilots
Hey
There is loads of information about cabin crew and their roles, benefits, trip patterns ect. I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about life as a pilot at Virgin.
Any ideas about:
Trip Patterns (im guessing the same as cabin crew)
Hours? Is the 900 hour rule per year applicable to pilots
Do pilots get v-swap?
Do pilots too get 1 month of standby or is it done differently for pilots and crew.
Are pilots based in LGW, LHR AND MAN or are they based at one or the other?
Any help much appreciated.
There is loads of information about cabin crew and their roles, benefits, trip patterns ect. I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about life as a pilot at Virgin.
Any ideas about:
Trip Patterns (im guessing the same as cabin crew)
Hours? Is the 900 hour rule per year applicable to pilots
Do pilots get v-swap?
Do pilots too get 1 month of standby or is it done differently for pilots and crew.
Are pilots based in LGW, LHR AND MAN or are they based at one or the other?
Any help much appreciated.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: At the bar
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its pretty much guaranteed to be a VS 747 in LGW/MAN config 1 or 2.
So either Nova or Odyssey... neither of them that amazing! Its allllll about the V:PORT these days.
So either Nova or Odyssey... neither of them that amazing! Its allllll about the V:PORT these days.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: At the bar
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basically, V:Port is the newest entertainment system to be installed on Virgin's Heathrow aircraft. Obviously as you are travelling from Gatwick, the chances of getting a Heathrow aircraft are very slim. V:Port lets you choose what you watch, when you want. It also has a good range of audio and games as well as a lovely Skymap. 
Nova & Odyssey are the 2 older entertainment systems installed on all Gatwick and Manchester based aircraft, which in my personal opinion is heavily outdated as it still relies on the tape players on board and you have to wait for the longest film to finish before they are all rewound! It should have all the latest films on board, but if you miss the start of it your pretty stuffed.
It all depends on the aircraft as to what entertainment system you will get, it does not depend on the class in which you are travelling.
Nova & Odyssey are the 2 older entertainment systems installed on all Gatwick and Manchester based aircraft, which in my personal opinion is heavily outdated as it still relies on the tape players on board and you have to wait for the longest film to finish before they are all rewound! It should have all the latest films on board, but if you miss the start of it your pretty stuffed.
It all depends on the aircraft as to what entertainment system you will get, it does not depend on the class in which you are travelling.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: In the shed
Age: 78
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Branson: Whingemeister extraordinaire
Approval of the proposed tie-up between American Airlines and British Airways "will be absolutely disastrous" for consumers and competitors, British billionaire and Virgin Atlantic head Richard Branson said Thursday at a press conference in Washington. "I cannot guarantee Virgin Atlantic's survival if BA and AA are allowed to merge," he added. However, a spokesman for American Airlines noted the Department of Transportation already has approved antitrust waivers for 16 airlines in two other alliances, and the pending request from Oneworld carriers is "simply seeking to level the playing field."
Where do I sign up to help make this merger happen? No more Virgin .. no more Branson? Oh, happy day
Where do I sign up to help make this merger happen? No more Virgin .. no more Branson? Oh, happy day
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I assume Sir Richard knows his companies better than most.
Issues willl be
1) how many UK landing slots will BAW+AAL be required to give up
2) will VAA be able to bid for them and even more win
I can well understand if he is looking for an assurance that VAA will be protected as the second UK-based scheduled long-haul carrier.
Issues willl be
1) how many UK landing slots will BAW+AAL be required to give up
2) will VAA be able to bid for them and even more win
I can well understand if he is looking for an assurance that VAA will be protected as the second UK-based scheduled long-haul carrier.