Virgin - 2
Join Date: Apr 2008
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With the slip in the 787 schedule, VS probably won't get their 787s till very late 2013 maybe 2014. With the A350 being available from 2014 then can anyone see where this is going even if the A350 program slips I can see the above 787s being cancelled, being replaced with A330s until the A350s become available.
Also in this climate if any airline was looking at fitting a new aircraft into their fleet then an aircraft with commonality with the current fleet would make sense. A330s and A340s are near enough the same. They share the same GSE, similar spares and crew, engineer and cabin crew training is a matter of a differences course.
Also in this climate if any airline was looking at fitting a new aircraft into their fleet then an aircraft with commonality with the current fleet would make sense. A330s and A340s are near enough the same. They share the same GSE, similar spares and crew, engineer and cabin crew training is a matter of a differences course.
Join Date: May 2006
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So when Sir Beardie walks away from his the 787 order where is he going to go to for his new aircraft? Answer Toulouse and his great pals at Airbus. What will he be going for- the A350AWB / A330's? Then this raises the old question: When will VS take their A380's??
Join Date: Dec 2001
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I can't see that Virgin have the market/route structure for the A380. Orlando perhaps but that is about it! A twin aircraft for long/thin routes may be the future.
TBE.
TBE.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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I suspect Richard is just playing the game...he's too savvy to go to Seattle and make threats for no good reason. Sure he's putting a bit of pressure on Boeing, but they know that he likes the 777, so he's telling them not to count any chickens. As for the 787, Boeing know that it suits VS to delay at this stage...they'll still take the aircraft, just a bit later, and everyone will be happy...
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they know that he likes the 777
Admittedly fuel prices have drifted down somewhat since the heady heights of the summer, but they are still not cheap and one would assume that if VS had the ability to get into more efficient twinjets it would do so as quickly as possible....so much for 4 engines 4 long haul!
Something tells me, though, that Boeing aren't so daft to see this coming...
Yes he's fairly stupid when it comes to business, starting from nothing and now with an empire worthy of a Bond villain.
If the powers that be had his distrust of the banking empire we would all be much safer in our jobs.
If the powers that be had his distrust of the banking empire we would all be much safer in our jobs.
Sir RB is a serial entrepreneur but he has had more business failures than sucesses.
Luckily the sucesses have more than made up for the failures
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I think with the 787 he along with many others is glad Boeing have delayed as gives him a chance to get some money from Boeing at no real cost to airline. Some people will order aircraft on assumption that as normal the delivery time will be a year or two late and getting a payment in return while flogging on the option to someone else.
Luckily the sucesses have more than made up for the failures
.I think with the 787 he along with many others is glad Boeing have delayed as gives him a chance to get some money from Boeing at no real cost to airline. Some people will order aircraft on assumption that as normal the delivery time will be a year or two late and getting a payment in return while flogging on the option to someone else.
Join Date: May 2006
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I agree with Racedo. This smacks of an opportunity to have some compensation from Boeing but I am sure this delay suits Virgin quite well. Its typical of the company and I would have been surprised if Boeing hadn't expected it.
This still leaves the thorny issue of their A380 order though. I agree that the only route they would use them on would be MCO. Now that the A380 production line is up and running now I wonder when VS will have to decide when they will take them... or Mr Airbus could be beating a path to Virgin demanding compensation!
Where have I heard this before?
This still leaves the thorny issue of their A380 order though. I agree that the only route they would use them on would be MCO. Now that the A380 production line is up and running now I wonder when VS will have to decide when they will take them... or Mr Airbus could be beating a path to Virgin demanding compensation!
Where have I heard this before?
Join Date: Aug 2001
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A380 to MCO
VS currently offer 2 x 747 daily to MCO from LGW...if they are going to use the A380 on that route, can they do a like-for-like replacement? Can the route support 2 x A380 daily? Because if it can't, what else do you suppliment a single A380 with? Maybe a 343, but more likely...a 787!
Personally, I think VS wanted the A380 to compete with the other blue chip airlines using the beast ex-LHR. MCO would be ideal for the 748...a modest increase over the 744. If the LGW fleet is replaced by the A380, then the 787 becomes the ideal partner.
Also, the LGW fleet provides the daily MAN and weekly GLA services to MCO...could an A380 be used on either of those routes? If not, then it's either a 748 replacement, or downsizing (and increasing frequency?) to a 787 or somesuch...
Personally, I think VS wanted the A380 to compete with the other blue chip airlines using the beast ex-LHR. MCO would be ideal for the 748...a modest increase over the 744. If the LGW fleet is replaced by the A380, then the 787 becomes the ideal partner.
Also, the LGW fleet provides the daily MAN and weekly GLA services to MCO...could an A380 be used on either of those routes? If not, then it's either a 748 replacement, or downsizing (and increasing frequency?) to a 787 or somesuch...
NWSRG ...thanks for that.
Don't figure BAA spending money on LGW making it ready for an A380 with a pending sale, so assuming 1 year to complete sale, 1 year for owners to find out what they have bought and 1 year before releasing Capital for investment then least 2012/13 before it would be ready. Can't see the investment unless a few A380's going in.
Don't figure BAA spending money on LGW making it ready for an A380 with a pending sale, so assuming 1 year to complete sale, 1 year for owners to find out what they have bought and 1 year before releasing Capital for investment then least 2012/13 before it would be ready. Can't see the investment unless a few A380's going in.
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With regard to Travel City Direct, I think I read that VS are selling this package with seats on the existing services.
The big question is what will VS do about the LGW fleet...I know the replacement of these hulls is on hold given the current financial situation, but it will come back into vogue in due course. I had assumed A380s or 748s as the main options, but what about 773ERs? Big cost improvements, and probably very little capacity loss...and maybe a good deal given 787 delays?
The big question is what will VS do about the LGW fleet...I know the replacement of these hulls is on hold given the current financial situation, but it will come back into vogue in due course. I had assumed A380s or 748s as the main options, but what about 773ERs? Big cost improvements, and probably very little capacity loss...and maybe a good deal given 787 delays?
Virgin Atlantic eyes 600 job cuts
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Originally Posted by NWSRG
The big question is what will VS do about the LGW fleet...I know the replacement of these hulls is on hold given the current financial situation, but it will come back into vogue in due course. I had assumed A380s or 748s as the main options, but what about 773ERs? Big cost improvements, and probably very little capacity loss...and maybe a good deal given 787 delays?
Join Date: Jul 2007
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I think if we looked hard enough every Airline in the world is potentially looking to cut jobs, either by moving people around or redundancies.
All the best to everyone in the industry
All the best to everyone in the industry
Join Date: Aug 2002
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And since the bulk are 21st century built 747s I don't think they are bricking themselves with worry just yet. The main issue with this fleet was a lack of TLC INSIDE.