Thomson Airways

[goldeneye]

I would guess the parking rates at CWL are cheaper than LGW/MAN.

[crewmeal]

Like FR at BHX. They've had 10 737s parked up for the winter. Guess they did a deal with the airport for cheap parking. Wish they would for the passengers!

[AirGuru]

Yes, the parking rates are more than likely cheaper at CWL than MAN/LGW, particularly at this time of year i guess. However, if it is a designated stand-by aircraft, where is the crew based exactly for this ? If its needed wont the 757 crew have to be ferried from MAN/LGW etc to CWL ?

[mathers_wales_uk]

It was initially sent to Cardiff to cover for the usual B737-800 on Tuesday. G-OOBI was initially due to be removed from fleet but was brought back into service for delay recovery due to snow and since as standby.

CWL has B757 trained crew living locally as they are required for the Summer season. I believe they fly out of other bases in the winter.

Even if cabin crew are required the CWL cabin crew are trained.

What I can assume is that there are already spare aircraft at their other main bases so they will keep it here until it's really needed there or until it's needed at a smaller base.

[nsherrin15]

Yes well my mother is cabin crew at CWL and all the crew have recently done their SEP's so they are checked out on the 757 ready for the summer season. I still don't see why it is parked on a stand at CWL though as it is not in use, I thought it would of been parked on a remote stand but not on active stand, although it is parked on the stand which is used for aircrafts 757 and bigger so as CWL doesn't have many 76's or 330's I suppose it is easier for BI just sit on the stand

[mathers_wales_uk]

It costs money for an empty positioned so say it went to MAN but the aircraft is then needed in LGW then it would cost them double than when it positions out as required as a backup.

Stand 10 can also accommodate a B767 and B757 if required. Also be better not to block up the only proper remote stand 6 as it is required for widebodied diversions such as B777 or B747 if required.

I know Echo can be used however once again it can be used for large diversions. Also don't forget when the aircraft parked up it was probably thought it would have been gone within 24 hours as usually is the case.

[nsherrin15]

This is the longest time an aircraft has been parked on Stand 7 and not moved to either a remote stand or to depart since I can remember, anyway when is TOM going to be removing BI from the fleet again?

[MKY661]

BI was supposed to leave this winter along with BJ and BR, but they are still with TOM at the moment. I know they are about to get withdrawn though.

[caaardiff]

BI was used for as a relief aircraft this week at CWL and has been sat there since not needed anywhere else. I guess as a spare aircraft it pointless positioning it to say LGW, when it might be needed 1 day in MAN, so 2 positioning costs. Leaving it in CWL until its needed will save money.
CWL crew are 737, 757 and 767 trained.

[mathers_wales_uk]

G-BYAW has now also joined G-OOBI at CWL this evening after diverting in due to fog from Bristol. No doubt one of the two will position out to BRS in the morning to operate the 1100 BRS-TFS.

[AirGuru]

The arrival of G-BYAW, and in fact another thomas cook 757, G-FCLF, poses a question, where is todays MON EDI charter goingto operate from ? CWL rarely has to deal with 4x 757's !

[nsherrin15]

G-OOBI will be presumely tugged to Echo for remote parking until either G-BYAW or G-MONK depart as one will require the air bridge. Do you think the BRS pax will be bussed down to CWL and the BRS-TFS will operate from CWL? As this will save TOM money ferrying the aircraft from CWL-BRS? Maybe BI could even be tugged to British Airways Maintenance Cardiff's apron for temporary parking?

[AirGuru]

Hmm, no doubt the aircraft will position to BRS, whether it AW or BI. The TCX aircraft is also due out this morning and im not sure whether both diversions bussed the passengers to BRS or whether the positioning flights this morning will be with passengers. As for the MON aircraft that will need Stand 7 upon arrival

[mathers_wales_uk]

Air Guru aircraft was changed to an Airbus A321 probably due to aircraft availability.

G-OOBI remains on Stand 7 with currently no plans to position unless something crops up.
G-BYAW was on stand 6 and positioned out to BRS this morning to operate their TFS schedule
G-FCLF of TCX was on stand 10 and positioned out at approx 3am to Manchester.

If required Stand 2 would have been available for the 4th B757 but would meant that Stands 1 & 3 would have been out of use until it had moved.

Echo wouldn't have been available due to no light for Health and Safety reasons.

I think people are getting bored now of CWL so me wish to leave it there.

[mizake the mizzen]

Thomson B787 delays to be covered with Jetairfly 767s

For those of you who hadnt already heard,

Thomson Airways will use B763/257Y of Jetairfly (TUI Airlines Belgium) to help cover the B787 planned program in May and June.

Jetairfly operates 2x B763 on behlaf of TUI Belgium and Thomas Cook Belgium but clearly has some days free in May and June.
They are a very professional airline with a good onboard product as you would expect from a TUI Group airline.
Their 767-300WL are equiped with 105 Comfort Class seats (@34inch pitch) and 152 Economy Class seats (@30-32inch pitch)- 7 Abreast, all leather seats.

[planenut321]

I am one of the passengers that have now been put on a 767. Do you know if the JAF aircraft have IFE?

[mizake the mizzen]

Jetairfly 767

They dont have seat back IFE, but they do provide IFE from overhead Monitors or you cant rent an IPAD for an additional fee (Economy Class),
In their own product (which is not necessarily the same one Thomson will use on these sub charters) they offer handheld IPADS to Premium/Comfort Class customers.

For exactly what Thomson/First Choice intend to offer as onboard product on the Jetairfly operated flights, you will ofcourse need to speak to their (Thomson) Customer Services folks.

[TSR2]

Their 767-300WL are equiped with 105 Comfort Class seats (@34inch pitch) and 152 Economy Class seats (@30-32inch pitch)- 7 Abreast, all leather seats.

Seems like a big improvement on the Thomson 2-4-2 configuration.

[Buster the Bear]

34 and 38 inch seat pitch in the 787.

Travel in Economy Club and you’ll get a 33” or 34” seat pitch – that’s more legroom in economy than BA, Virgin Atlantic, bmi and Monarch*. Upgrade to Premium Club and you’ll get 38”, which means plenty of room to stretch out.

[StoneyBridge Radar]

Seems like a big improvement on the Thomson 2-4-2 configuration.

... except TOM generally use the ex-FCA 763s for long haul, which are 2x3x2 in both classes and considerably more comfortable than both BA's and VS' economy offerings IMHO.