Virgin - 2
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try reading this. I don't hold out much hope for it being a success; there simply isn't the ramp space available near runway threasholds to store aircraft waiting to start. Neither are there sufficient tugs to allow one per aeroplane at busy times at LHR and JFK - where I have queued for up to 2 hours in a line of 60+ aircraft waiting for take-off! Also, many aircraft engines need a significant warmup period before being used at high power (those of the A340-300, for example), which would invalidate much of the emissions-saving should this scheme actually come to fruition.
Scroggs
Scroggs
Considerably Bemused Wannabe
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
According to V-flyer, I see a few A346's have visited Barbados. I'm guessing this is to replace tech 744s - not sure.
In discussing fleet replacements earlier, reasons were put forward why the 346s and 77Ws are not suitable due to taxi issues. Out of interest, which Caribbean VS destinations could not support the 346?
Cheers,
eP.
In discussing fleet replacements earlier, reasons were put forward why the 346s and 77Ws are not suitable due to taxi issues. Out of interest, which Caribbean VS destinations could not support the 346?
Cheers,
eP.
Last edited by scruggs; 25th Jan 2007 at 11:25.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midlands
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
virginchoice airways
Any truth in the rumour that VS are in talks with FCA regarding the recent news that FCA directors are looking for a buyer for their Mainstream Hols Sector...?? Just heard this one.....
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: England
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Google
Just do a google search on it. There isnt much to know, Virgin Holidays are apparently seen to have said 'were looking at it'. But thats about it.
So far nothing more than just speculation - nothing new as regards First Choice Mainstream since November really!
So far nothing more than just speculation - nothing new as regards First Choice Mainstream since November really!
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
According to V-flyer, I see a few A346's have visited Barbados. I'm guessing this is to replace tech 744s - not sure.
In discussing fleet replacements earlier, reasons were put forward why the 346s and 77Ws are not suitable due to taxi issues. Out of interest, which Caribbean VS destinations could not support the 346?
Cheers,
eP.
In discussing fleet replacements earlier, reasons were put forward why the 346s and 77Ws are not suitable due to taxi issues. Out of interest, which Caribbean VS destinations could not support the 346?
Cheers,
eP.
As for which Caribbean destinations can't accept the A346, I think it's most of Virgin's. Barbados may be the only exception. In any case, why would you replace a 400+ seat aircraft with a 300 seat one?
Considerably Bemused Wannabe
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nope - they were charters for cruise lines, and are very few and far between.
As for which Caribbean destinations can't accept the A346, I think it's most of Virgin's. Barbados may be the only exception. In any case, why would you replace a 400+ seat aircraft with a 300 seat one?
As for which Caribbean destinations can't accept the A346, I think it's most of Virgin's. Barbados may be the only exception. In any case, why would you replace a 400+ seat aircraft with a 300 seat one?
Thanks for the info. I'd neglected to consider the capacity differences, as well as the fact VS do cruise charters.
Cheers,
eP.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: EGKK
Age: 42
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin reschedule remaining A346 deliveries
Are the future A340-600s and A380s never to see the light of day in VS colours?
And when are the twins coming??
Considerably Bemused Wannabe
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rumours are South African, Iberia and/or Etihad may try and pick up the slots.
I don't work for VS, but I personally think these A346 delays won't amount to cancellations. There are also various opinions on whether or not VS will actually take the A388 or the A389 (should the latter go ahead).
I don't work for VS, but I personally think these A346 delays won't amount to cancellations. There are also various opinions on whether or not VS will actually take the A388 or the A389 (should the latter go ahead).
Rebel PPRuNer
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Toronto, Canada (formerly EICK)
Age: 51
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2 x 343s were leased to VK (and maybe if USDoT hadn't stonewalled the rights more would have followed). The return of those 343s may have altered VS' fleet needs perhaps?
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
V-Flyer suggests only one will return (VSUN) ith VBUS going elsewhere.
As VS pax I can't say I relish more 343s; the 346s are quiter with better ride quality at least in the front.
Maybe the acoountants don't agree and the new routes are too thin for them.
As VS pax I can't say I relish more 343s; the 346s are quiter with better ride quality at least in the front.
Maybe the acoountants don't agree and the new routes are too thin for them.
Rebel PPRuNer
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Toronto, Canada (formerly EICK)
Age: 51
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Skipness - see the VK thread in African. They were looking for US traffic rights but CO etc. objected for the usual reasons (i.e. VK a proxy for SRB and thus the Heathrow regime)
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Only one A343 is returning to VS. That will have the UCS installed and will then work (primarily) the Nairobi route. The other VK-leased A343 will return to the lessor. VK are sourcing B767s to replace the A343s, which are probably rather too expensive for the loads and routes they wish to serve. In the meantime, BMI is wet-leasing A330 capacity to VK to take up the slack.
The A346 deferral announcement was made some months ago; I'm surprised it has only just featured on ATW. The reason would seem to be that Virgin's capacity was increasing rather faster than its revenue, and that's not a good thing! Therefore, a period of rather slower expansion has been prescribed. The deferral of the A380s took advantage of the problems at Airbus to achieve the same thing at little or no cost. My bet is that both orders will be completed, though I'd like to see the A380-900 (which may be an option by then) rather than the -800, as it achieves better utilisation of LHR slots - which was the aim of the exercise in the first place.
Twins? No news. When someone decides what they would or could be used for, and how they'll make us money, then we might get an order. Don't look for replacements for the A340s, and the B744s have a lot of life left in them yet (the youngest are only 4 years old, the oldest around 13).
Scroggs
The A346 deferral announcement was made some months ago; I'm surprised it has only just featured on ATW. The reason would seem to be that Virgin's capacity was increasing rather faster than its revenue, and that's not a good thing! Therefore, a period of rather slower expansion has been prescribed. The deferral of the A380s took advantage of the problems at Airbus to achieve the same thing at little or no cost. My bet is that both orders will be completed, though I'd like to see the A380-900 (which may be an option by then) rather than the -800, as it achieves better utilisation of LHR slots - which was the aim of the exercise in the first place.
Twins? No news. When someone decides what they would or could be used for, and how they'll make us money, then we might get an order. Don't look for replacements for the A340s, and the B744s have a lot of life left in them yet (the youngest are only 4 years old, the oldest around 13).
Scroggs