Virgin Atlantic
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Capt PPrune May Need To Get New Type Rating @ Virgin As 4-Engined Airplanes Leaving
Not surprising news given fuel costs - instead very logical considering the performance and capacity of newer aircraft with fewer "breakable" engines. However, this does contradict the interest in adding A380s to the line-up.... 
The title of this thread reflects a great post by Pprune website's founder (current Virgin 744 FO I believe) a few years back about how much he enjoyed the 400 and wished to remain on the aircraft until retirement. I have enjoyed every comment made by Capt. Pprune about his flying experiences - especially on the Whale @ Virgin. Obviously fleets change with economics and competition. Sounds like a 787-900 or even a 777-300ER may be in his future - which I think is very positive for both him and the passengers.
Change is sometimes a good thing.
As a big Boeing fan myself and a Virgin customer on numerous occasions in the past, I am hoping for more Boeing orders.
See news story below:
Virgin closing on selection of 747-400 and A340-600 replacement
By: Max Kingsley-Jones London
11:49 22 Oct 2012
Virgin Atlantic expects to decide soon on a type to replace its Airbus A340-600s and Boeing 747-400s as part of its drive to phase out four-engined aircraft.
The airline is introducing Airbus A330-300s and - from summer 2014 - Boeing 787-9s to replace some of its A340s and is examining potential replacements for the rest of its larger widebodies.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway told Flightglobal's Airline Business magazine in the November issue cover interview that the airline is "rapidly moving out of four-engined aircraft - we have to do that because of where we seeing fuel costs going".
He says Virgin has had a request for proposals out with the manufacturers "for some time now" and is examining the options. "We will make a decision relatively soon about what we replace our remaining A340-600s and 747-400s with," he adds.
Ridgway envisages deliveries will take place in the 2015-2020 timescale, depending on the lease returns of its current fleet. Types under evaluation include the A350-900 and -1000, and various Boeing alternatives including the 777-300ER and proposed new developments.
The title of this thread reflects a great post by Pprune website's founder (current Virgin 744 FO I believe) a few years back about how much he enjoyed the 400 and wished to remain on the aircraft until retirement. I have enjoyed every comment made by Capt. Pprune about his flying experiences - especially on the Whale @ Virgin. Obviously fleets change with economics and competition. Sounds like a 787-900 or even a 777-300ER may be in his future - which I think is very positive for both him and the passengers.
Change is sometimes a good thing. As a big Boeing fan myself and a Virgin customer on numerous occasions in the past, I am hoping for more Boeing orders.
See news story below:
Virgin closing on selection of 747-400 and A340-600 replacement
By: Max Kingsley-Jones London
11:49 22 Oct 2012
Virgin Atlantic expects to decide soon on a type to replace its Airbus A340-600s and Boeing 747-400s as part of its drive to phase out four-engined aircraft.
The airline is introducing Airbus A330-300s and - from summer 2014 - Boeing 787-9s to replace some of its A340s and is examining potential replacements for the rest of its larger widebodies.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway told Flightglobal's Airline Business magazine in the November issue cover interview that the airline is "rapidly moving out of four-engined aircraft - we have to do that because of where we seeing fuel costs going".
He says Virgin has had a request for proposals out with the manufacturers "for some time now" and is examining the options. "We will make a decision relatively soon about what we replace our remaining A340-600s and 747-400s with," he adds.
Ridgway envisages deliveries will take place in the 2015-2020 timescale, depending on the lease returns of its current fleet. Types under evaluation include the A350-900 and -1000, and various Boeing alternatives including the 777-300ER and proposed new developments.
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I am surprised Singapore Airlines want to throw any more money into this loss making investment which cost them £620million way back for an overall nil return.
Congratulations Dr Cheong the CEO of SIA then with your brilliant investment in Virgin and Air New Zealand ( both written down to zero ) when at the same time screwing us pilots in SIA over the Collective Agreement which took well over two years to be settled and then only with an ex General threatening us with a take it or get nothing.
Congratulations Dr Cheong the CEO of SIA then with your brilliant investment in Virgin and Air New Zealand ( both written down to zero ) when at the same time screwing us pilots in SIA over the Collective Agreement which took well over two years to be settled and then only with an ex General threatening us with a take it or get nothing.
Last edited by millerscourt; 23rd Oct 2012 at 14:39.
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Just how bad is it at Virgin?
Branson tries and fails to sell up, Ridgeway quits, £80M loss, and now they admit they have got a fleet of aircraft unfit for the modern world.
Branson tries and fails to sell up, Ridgeway quits, £80M loss, and now they admit they have got a fleet of aircraft unfit for the modern world.
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This all mainly of Virgin's making, not BA.
Virgin had the chance to do a tie-up with bmi, both before and after Lufthansa bought it, but they let it fall into the hands of IAG. Virgin's fleet decisions, failure to join an alliance are all problems of its own making.
Where BA is hitting Virgin hard is with the transatlantic venture with AA (and the amount of money it's now investing in the brand) but this didn't happen announced and Virgin had plenty of time to anticipate and respond.
Virgin had the chance to do a tie-up with bmi, both before and after Lufthansa bought it, but they let it fall into the hands of IAG. Virgin's fleet decisions, failure to join an alliance are all problems of its own making.
Where BA is hitting Virgin hard is with the transatlantic venture with AA (and the amount of money it's now investing in the brand) but this didn't happen announced and Virgin had plenty of time to anticipate and respond.
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And now ... CAA announce their decision on the 3 way fight for London - Moscow rights. BA 21/week, easyJet 14/week, Virgin 0/week. Adjudication here, final summary on page 33 if you can't be bothered reading it all !
I do wish these bilateral agreements would just end and there would be some sort of global openskies agreement. Probably will not happen in the foreseable. Want fair competition but 60% of the slots for GB carriers goes to one company.
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VS not getting the Moscow route!
I must admit I had expected VS to get the Moscow route but credit to Easyjet for making a compelling case for a service from LGW. Well done with the award and I hope that they make a go of the new route. What next for VS???
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I think EZY is a bit too big and has far too much money for Branson to try it on with.
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What is the latest on VS joining an alliance? I know this has been mentioned many many times but according to ATW they are close to deciding on one! I think it should be the other way round- an alliance is finally going to admit Virgin.
In the words of Marx (Groucho) I would never join a club that would have me as a member!
In the words of Marx (Groucho) I would never join a club that would have me as a member!
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He'd be better off buying into EZY that fighting them. He'd loose big time.
Someone may be able to elaborate on the reasoning, don't think it was just down to not being able to stick Virgin on the tailfin. Maybe he though back then that his own European loco would do a lot better than it did?
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VS now favourite to secure ex-BMI domestic slots
Aer Lingus has been notified that it has been ranked second in the race to secure former BMI take-off and landing slots at LHR, suggesting Virgin is now the firm favourite to take them up:
Blow to Aer Lingus plans for UK service - Irish, Business - Independent.ie
Blow to Aer Lingus plans for UK service - Irish, Business - Independent.ie
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I had a feeling EI would have made more of these slots for longer. I suspect VS will not last on the routes for long (gradually reallocating the slots when allowed) and could potentially offer a slightly iffy service with leased in smaller aircraft (no short haul back ups and unable to invest in a proper new short haul product at launch) Pax may be disappointed with the type of product initially on offer, especially if they are expecting the Virgin America experience, which by all account will not be on offer.
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Anyone know when the results are announced? Is it just between EI and VS?
Think it's shame that BD regional appear not to be in a position to apply for these. Would have been good to see some sort of continued BD presence at LHR, even if it's now "BM", and as an outfit well experienced in domestic operations, a reasonable service could be expected.
Quote: "Virgin had the chance to do a tie-up with bmi, both before and after Lufthansa bought it, but they let it fall into the hands of IAG. Virgin's fleet decisions, failure to join an alliance are all problems of its own making."
Agreed, Omnipresent, some kind of link up should have been done years ago, long before LH became involved, especially as their route structures complemented each other so well.
Some kind of "IAG"-type arrangement may have worked where backroom functions were combined while the airlines kept their individual identities.
Alas it was not to be, prevented by personality clashes at the top perhaps?
Think it's shame that BD regional appear not to be in a position to apply for these. Would have been good to see some sort of continued BD presence at LHR, even if it's now "BM", and as an outfit well experienced in domestic operations, a reasonable service could be expected.
Quote: "Virgin had the chance to do a tie-up with bmi, both before and after Lufthansa bought it, but they let it fall into the hands of IAG. Virgin's fleet decisions, failure to join an alliance are all problems of its own making."
Agreed, Omnipresent, some kind of link up should have been done years ago, long before LH became involved, especially as their route structures complemented each other so well.
Some kind of "IAG"-type arrangement may have worked where backroom functions were combined while the airlines kept their individual identities.
Alas it was not to be, prevented by personality clashes at the top perhaps?
Last edited by Fairdealfrank; 17th Nov 2012 at 19:03.
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Virgin expansion from MAN?
Does anybody know if Virgin are planning on expanding their selection of routes from Manchester in the light of BA pulling their MAN-LGW flights. It's just that I live in the North-West and I'm looking to book a holiday to the Caribbean with a scheduled airline but fancy somewhere other than Barbados or Orlando so I am looking at booking Airfrance/KLM going through Paris or Schipol in the absence of more Virgin flights from Manchester. I suppose in the light of recent developments this is what I will have to do but I would rather use a British carrier but I don't want to haver to get the train to Euston, tube to Victoria, train to Gatwick palarva etc. Please can anyone employed by Virgin or another airline let me know whether expansion from MAN or at least connecting flights are being considered? Thanks, DomyDom
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Was told by my airline management last week that the Virgin domestic contract has gone to Aurela Airlines...I somehow think this could be a load of tosh though.
P.S. I work for the airline that would be the obvious choice for the contract
P.S. I work for the airline that would be the obvious choice for the contract