Virgin Atlantic
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BALHR
Suggest you go into politics.
You just love the 'sound' of your own voice.
Perfect for the House of Parliament!!"
...but please stay out of the way on the backbenches. The "greasy pole" of political advancement no place for you.
BALHR
Suggest you go into politics.
You just love the 'sound' of your own voice.
Perfect for the House of Parliament!!"
...but please stay out of the way on the backbenches. The "greasy pole" of political advancement no place for you.
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New CEO Named for Virgin Atlantic - Current American Airlines SVP
Just read that Craig Kreeger of American Airlines will be the new CEO at Virgin.
Here is the FlightGlobal article:
Virgin Atlantic Airways has confirmed the appointment of Craig Kreeger as its new chief executive, replacing outgoing CEO Steve Ridgway.
Kreeger will join Sir Richard Branson's airline on 1 February after a 27-year career at American Airlines, which included several senior vice-president roles.
His immediate priorities will centre on the implementation of Virgin's joint venture with Delta Air Lines, as well as rolling out its new domestic services at London Heathrow airport.
"I am very pleased to welcome Craig Kreeger to Virgin Atlantic as the new CEO," says Ridgway, who announced the end of his 11-year tenure last September.
"He will be taking over at a time when the airline enters a new phase - with the Delta deal to implement, the commencement of short-haul competition for BA on UK domestic routes, as well as the arrival of the ultra-efficient [Boeing] 787 fleet in 2014."
Kreeger was appointed senior vice-president, customer at American Airlines in 2012, having spent six years as its London-based senior vice-president, international.
He has worked closely with Oneworld alliance member British Airways, with whom American Airlines sealed its transatlantic joint venture in 2010, following years of opposition by regulators.
Virgin vociferously lobbied against that partnership, and it is styling its Delta tie-up as an assault on BA's dominant market share at Heathrow.
"I am delighted to be taking on the role of Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive," says Kreeger. "I have been competing with it for many years, but have always admired its laser focus on its people, its products and its customers."
Here is his background from the AA website (looks to have very broad airline experience):
Craig S. Kreeger
Senior Vice President – Customer, American Airlines
Craig S. Kreeger is American’s Senior Vice President – Customer, and has broad responsibilities for the delivery of American’s customer experience. In this role, Kreeger oversees all of American’s domestic, Europe, Latin American and Asia airport operations, Customer Service Planning as well as Flight Service, AA.com, Reservations, Premium Services, the company’s customer experience initiative, and the Jetstream project.
Previously, Kreeger was based in London where he oversaw all of American’s sales and ground operations activities in Europe and Asia. He began that set of responsibilities in December 2003 as Vice President, Europe and Pacific Division. He joined American’s Leadership Team in March 2006 when he was named Senior Vice President – International.
Before moving to London in 2003, Kreeger was American’s Vice President and General Sales Manager, a position he gained in September 1998. In that role, he was responsible for leading American’s sales team and for developing worldwide sales policies.
Previously, Kreeger had been Vice President – Revenue Management where he was responsible for developing and implementing all of American’s domestic and international airfares and for operating the yield management system used by American to allocate seats on flights among various fare categories.
Kreeger joined American in 1985 and has held a variety of management positions in Finance, Banking, Corporate Development, Crew Resources, and Yield Management. He has been an officer of the company since 1995.
Kreeger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California at San Diego, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Here is the FlightGlobal article:
Virgin Atlantic Airways has confirmed the appointment of Craig Kreeger as its new chief executive, replacing outgoing CEO Steve Ridgway.
Kreeger will join Sir Richard Branson's airline on 1 February after a 27-year career at American Airlines, which included several senior vice-president roles.
His immediate priorities will centre on the implementation of Virgin's joint venture with Delta Air Lines, as well as rolling out its new domestic services at London Heathrow airport.
"I am very pleased to welcome Craig Kreeger to Virgin Atlantic as the new CEO," says Ridgway, who announced the end of his 11-year tenure last September.
"He will be taking over at a time when the airline enters a new phase - with the Delta deal to implement, the commencement of short-haul competition for BA on UK domestic routes, as well as the arrival of the ultra-efficient [Boeing] 787 fleet in 2014."
Kreeger was appointed senior vice-president, customer at American Airlines in 2012, having spent six years as its London-based senior vice-president, international.
He has worked closely with Oneworld alliance member British Airways, with whom American Airlines sealed its transatlantic joint venture in 2010, following years of opposition by regulators.
Virgin vociferously lobbied against that partnership, and it is styling its Delta tie-up as an assault on BA's dominant market share at Heathrow.
"I am delighted to be taking on the role of Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive," says Kreeger. "I have been competing with it for many years, but have always admired its laser focus on its people, its products and its customers."
Here is his background from the AA website (looks to have very broad airline experience):
Craig S. Kreeger
Senior Vice President – Customer, American Airlines
Craig S. Kreeger is American’s Senior Vice President – Customer, and has broad responsibilities for the delivery of American’s customer experience. In this role, Kreeger oversees all of American’s domestic, Europe, Latin American and Asia airport operations, Customer Service Planning as well as Flight Service, AA.com, Reservations, Premium Services, the company’s customer experience initiative, and the Jetstream project.
Previously, Kreeger was based in London where he oversaw all of American’s sales and ground operations activities in Europe and Asia. He began that set of responsibilities in December 2003 as Vice President, Europe and Pacific Division. He joined American’s Leadership Team in March 2006 when he was named Senior Vice President – International.
Before moving to London in 2003, Kreeger was American’s Vice President and General Sales Manager, a position he gained in September 1998. In that role, he was responsible for leading American’s sales team and for developing worldwide sales policies.
Previously, Kreeger had been Vice President – Revenue Management where he was responsible for developing and implementing all of American’s domestic and international airfares and for operating the yield management system used by American to allocate seats on flights among various fare categories.
Kreeger joined American in 1985 and has held a variety of management positions in Finance, Banking, Corporate Development, Crew Resources, and Yield Management. He has been an officer of the company since 1995.
Kreeger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California at San Diego, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Last edited by Iver; 8th Jan 2013 at 13:34.
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BA LHR slots
I know for a fact BA have plenty of slots at LHR , given they are launching new routes recently both Domestic, Europe and Longhaul
LHR however has no slots for new entrants they mut rent from incumbents, even BA has rented out slots currently.
So plenty of scope to expand for BA , not much scope for anyone else however, which means BA are going todo just fine for the foreseable , main issue MAY be suitable aircraft i.e plenty of aircraft for domestic shorthaul and mid haul but short on suitable longhaul planes to complete with those Middle East folks
Not sure why anyone thinks BA have a slot shortage but it keeps being mentioned on this forum despite the evidence to the contrary.
VS/DL deal , mystifies me but isnt it a sign that two airlines are aware of the huge potential BA have in the next few years to expand at LHR , especially to USA where they really are dominant. AA are ceeding scheules and capacity to BA so this will ensure BA continue to grow to USA.
Only issue I see for BA at LHR is the need for A380 B787 aircraft to repalce the less fuel effeicent fleet currently used, and I know BA will get that sorted.
Can we move on from BA perceived slot shortage at LHR its not true.
LHR however has no slots for new entrants they mut rent from incumbents, even BA has rented out slots currently.
So plenty of scope to expand for BA , not much scope for anyone else however, which means BA are going todo just fine for the foreseable , main issue MAY be suitable aircraft i.e plenty of aircraft for domestic shorthaul and mid haul but short on suitable longhaul planes to complete with those Middle East folks
Not sure why anyone thinks BA have a slot shortage but it keeps being mentioned on this forum despite the evidence to the contrary.
VS/DL deal , mystifies me but isnt it a sign that two airlines are aware of the huge potential BA have in the next few years to expand at LHR , especially to USA where they really are dominant. AA are ceeding scheules and capacity to BA so this will ensure BA continue to grow to USA.
Only issue I see for BA at LHR is the need for A380 B787 aircraft to repalce the less fuel effeicent fleet currently used, and I know BA will get that sorted.
Can we move on from BA perceived slot shortage at LHR its not true.
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British Airways - I am in awe of you! 21 years old and you know sooooo much! You're obviously destined for politics or journalism.
Promise me you won't lower yourself and join us mere mortals in the flight deck of an aeroplane as I'm not sure I could cope with the enthralling, not to mention opinionated, conversation!
Have you been studying hard at your university or old style local poly and been fed all this stuff by an expert lecturer? Let me guess - an economics student with a PPL or a Air Transport and Management course?
Promise me you won't lower yourself and join us mere mortals in the flight deck of an aeroplane as I'm not sure I could cope with the enthralling, not to mention opinionated, conversation!
Have you been studying hard at your university or old style local poly and been fed all this stuff by an expert lecturer? Let me guess - an economics student with a PPL or a Air Transport and Management course?
This guy is a prized plonka - don't let him get to y'all!
Last edited by Blighty Pilot; 8th Jan 2013 at 13:52.
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After many years on PPRuNe, this unrelenting torrent of parallel-universe non-sequiturs has finally driven me to use the ignore list function for the first time.
Suggest you go into politics.
You just love the 'sound' of your own voice.
Perfect for the House of Parliament!!
You just love the 'sound' of your own voice.
Perfect for the House of Parliament!!
Last edited by BALHR; 8th Jan 2013 at 14:18.
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Interesting they've chosen a complete outsider from the US and it points to how important the DL JV is for them. Had this appointment been made a few years ago, I would have thought "cultural fit"/knowledge of the Virgin group and brand would have been higher on the checklist. Could be an interesting year ahead!
unrelenting torrent of parallel-universe non-sequiturs
Oscar Wilde has a worthy successor !
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IBhowever faces an even bigger problem, surviving in a country that is deep
in an economic crisis that is the worst in 70 years; they have cut 20% of the
work force and moving routes to Vueling, the region is also facing the prospect
that nationalists, the Far-Left and the Far-Right are gaining ground
The question is that do they have the talent and resources to turn round IB
without overlooking BA’s challenges and trying to solve them
BALHR, not a valid argument, demand still exists in Spain and IB needs a strategy that focuses on its uniqueness points i.e connectivity to South America, making itself a carrier of choice to the region and also it needs to slim down its cost base. Activity around Vueling and Iberia express is an attempt to shift to cost base on some short haul markets, especially those that are hotly contested.
Back to the point, this is not a valid arguement as I have said Spain has huge inbound tourism and demand is still very strong. Moreover, drawing a parallel. Ireland as an Island is so much smaller geographically and in population terms, and its main 2 carriers are quite profitable. Lets focus on Aer Lingus for comparison as FR it has so many other markets to rely on.
EI is profitable, in the depts of austerity in Ireland, has still returned profit, all the while contending with the leanest competitor in the industry.
These times of crisis are a time to reform, slim down the cost base and become more competitive.
Last edited by EI-BUD; 8th Jan 2013 at 19:41.
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Word on the street is that he is a decent and knowledgable chap. Best of luck!
If I was the CEO of DL, this is what would have happened the mourning after the deal with VS:
New Virgin CEO has been announced.
Mr Craig Kreeger - ex AA Senior VP
BALHR
Your thoughts Sir - then again......................
Mr Craig Kreeger - ex AA Senior VP
BALHR
Your thoughts Sir - then again......................
Anyway he faces a very hard task in having to deal with SRB, after all VS's business plan is based on his passion, ego and stubbornness (not that its a bad airline...), if it is going to work for him, he should abandon the VS-DL deal (while telling them to buy out his former employer before they make a massive mistake in merging with US) and instead form a "partnership" with BA, otherwise he would end up trying (unsuccessfully) save a sinking ship
Last edited by BALHR; 9th Jan 2013 at 10:45.
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BALHR wrote,
" While I think he will do alright for the job, I don think him coming from AA would be good for VS creditability...
Anyway he faces a very hard task in having to deal with SRB, after all VS's business plan is based on his passion, ego and stubbornness (not that its a bad airline...), if it is going to work for him, he should abandon the VS-DL deal (while telling them to buy out his former employer before they make a massive mistake in merging with US) and instead form a "partnership" with BA, otherwise he would end up trying (unsuccessfully) save a sinking ship "
Congratulations BALHR - you've succeeded. I've wet myself laughing so hard. No-one else could have made this up. Brilliant, simply brilliant. Hats off to you Fella
Please tell me that you don't have a scanner!!!
" While I think he will do alright for the job, I don think him coming from AA would be good for VS creditability...
Anyway he faces a very hard task in having to deal with SRB, after all VS's business plan is based on his passion, ego and stubbornness (not that its a bad airline...), if it is going to work for him, he should abandon the VS-DL deal (while telling them to buy out his former employer before they make a massive mistake in merging with US) and instead form a "partnership" with BA, otherwise he would end up trying (unsuccessfully) save a sinking ship "
Congratulations BALHR - you've succeeded. I've wet myself laughing so hard. No-one else could have made this up. Brilliant, simply brilliant. Hats off to you Fella
Please tell me that you don't have a scanner!!!
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Congratulations BALHR - you've succeeded. I've wet myself laughing so hard. No-one else could have made this up. Brilliant, simply brilliant. Hats off to you Fella
Please tell me that you don't have a scanner!!!
Please tell me that you don't have a scanner!!!
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BA LHR slots
Quote: "
I know for a fact BA have plenty of slots at LHR , given they are launching new routes recently both Domestic, Europe and Longhaul
LHR however has no slots for new entrants they mut rent from incumbents, even BA has rented out slots currently."
So plenty of scope to expand for BA , not much scope for anyone else however, which means BA are going todo just fine for the foreseable , main issue MAY be suitable aircraft i.e plenty of aircraft for domestic shorthaul and mid haul but short on suitable longhaul planes to complete with those Middle East folks"
Exactly, that's another reason LHR needs expanding.
From the travelling public's point of view, fares are often lower ex-LHR because there isn't just one dominant airline (i.e. BA) operating a hub there and having 70%+ of the slots, in contrast to LH at FRA or KL at AMS.
Quote: "Not sure why anyone thinks BA have a slot shortage but it keeps being mentioned on this forum despite the evidence to the contrary.
VS/DL deal , mystifies me but isnt it a sign that two airlines are aware of the huge potential BA have in the next few years to expand at LHR , especially to USA where they really are dominant. AA are ceeding scheules and capacity to BA so this will ensure BA continue to grow to USA."
No co-incidence VS appointing Craig Kreeger with his BA/AA trans-Atlantic joint venture experience. Looks as if VS-DL may attempt tp replicate this.
Quote: "Only issue I see for BA at LHR is the need for A380 B787 aircraft to repalce the less fuel effeicent fleet currently used, and I know BA will get that sorted.
Can we move on from BA perceived slot shortage at LHR its not true.
Agreed.
I know for a fact BA have plenty of slots at LHR , given they are launching new routes recently both Domestic, Europe and Longhaul
LHR however has no slots for new entrants they mut rent from incumbents, even BA has rented out slots currently."
So plenty of scope to expand for BA , not much scope for anyone else however, which means BA are going todo just fine for the foreseable , main issue MAY be suitable aircraft i.e plenty of aircraft for domestic shorthaul and mid haul but short on suitable longhaul planes to complete with those Middle East folks"
Exactly, that's another reason LHR needs expanding.
From the travelling public's point of view, fares are often lower ex-LHR because there isn't just one dominant airline (i.e. BA) operating a hub there and having 70%+ of the slots, in contrast to LH at FRA or KL at AMS.
Quote: "Not sure why anyone thinks BA have a slot shortage but it keeps being mentioned on this forum despite the evidence to the contrary.
VS/DL deal , mystifies me but isnt it a sign that two airlines are aware of the huge potential BA have in the next few years to expand at LHR , especially to USA where they really are dominant. AA are ceeding scheules and capacity to BA so this will ensure BA continue to grow to USA."
No co-incidence VS appointing Craig Kreeger with his BA/AA trans-Atlantic joint venture experience. Looks as if VS-DL may attempt tp replicate this.
Quote: "Only issue I see for BA at LHR is the need for A380 B787 aircraft to repalce the less fuel effeicent fleet currently used, and I know BA will get that sorted.
Can we move on from BA perceived slot shortage at LHR its not true.
Agreed.
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"God any better ideas into how to prevent Virgin Atlantic in following in the tradition of British Caladonian, Dan-Air-Europe and British Midland in ending up in a financial mess and having to be bought by BA? "
No - but there are no guarantees for any carriers in the current climate. I very much doubt that BA would be able to buy VS lock, stock and barrel without other players vesting an interest and/or fighting for valuable slots.
CB
PS. BALHR - Do you have a scanner?
No - but there are no guarantees for any carriers in the current climate. I very much doubt that BA would be able to buy VS lock, stock and barrel without other players vesting an interest and/or fighting for valuable slots.
CB
PS. BALHR - Do you have a scanner?
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Exactly, that's another reason LHR needs expanding.
From the travelling public's point of view, fares are often lower ex-LHR because there isn't just one dominant airline (i.e. BA) operating a hub there and having 70%+ of the slots, in contrast to LH at FRA or KL at AMS.
From the travelling public's point of view, fares are often lower ex-LHR because there isn't just one dominant airline (i.e. BA) operating a hub there and having 70%+ of the slots, in contrast to LH at FRA or KL at AMS.
No co-incidence VS appointing Craig Kreeger with his BA/AA trans-Atlantic joint venture experience. Looks as if VS-DL may attempt tp replicate this.
No - but there are no guarantees for any carriers in the current climate. I very much doubt that BA would be able to buy VS lock, stock and barrel without other players vesting an interest and/or fighting for valuable slots.
CB
PS. BALHR - Do you have a scanner?
CB
PS. BALHR - Do you have a scanner?
), all it will lead to is what what happened when Lufthansa bought BMI...Also, No I do not have a scanner...
Last edited by BALHR; 9th Jan 2013 at 15:43.
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I know for a fact BA have plenty of slots at LHR , given they are launching new routes recently both Domestic, Europe and Longhaul
LHR however has no slots for new entrants they mut rent from incumbents, even BA has rented out slots currently.
So plenty of scope to expand for BA , not much scope for anyone else however, which means BA are going todo just fine for the foreseable , main issue MAY be suitable aircraft i.e plenty of aircraft for domestic shorthaul and mid haul but short on suitable longhaul planes to complete with those Middle East folks
Not sure why anyone thinks BA have a slot shortage but it keeps being mentioned on this forum despite the evidence to the contrary.
VS/DL deal , mystifies me but isnt it a sign that two airlines are aware of the huge potential BA have in the next few years to expand at LHR , especially to USA where they really are dominant. AA are ceeding scheules and capacity to BA so this will ensure BA continue to grow to USA.
Only issue I see for BA at LHR is the need for A380 B787 aircraft to repalce the less fuel effeicent fleet currently used, and I know BA will get that sorted.
Can we move on from BA perceived slot shortage at LHR its not true.
LHR however has no slots for new entrants they mut rent from incumbents, even BA has rented out slots currently.
So plenty of scope to expand for BA , not much scope for anyone else however, which means BA are going todo just fine for the foreseable , main issue MAY be suitable aircraft i.e plenty of aircraft for domestic shorthaul and mid haul but short on suitable longhaul planes to complete with those Middle East folks
Not sure why anyone thinks BA have a slot shortage but it keeps being mentioned on this forum despite the evidence to the contrary.
VS/DL deal , mystifies me but isnt it a sign that two airlines are aware of the huge potential BA have in the next few years to expand at LHR , especially to USA where they really are dominant. AA are ceeding scheules and capacity to BA so this will ensure BA continue to grow to USA.
Only issue I see for BA at LHR is the need for A380 B787 aircraft to repalce the less fuel effeicent fleet currently used, and I know BA will get that sorted.
Can we move on from BA perceived slot shortage at LHR its not true.
That is why BA European rivals have more extensive networks to South America (which is taking market share from BA’s sister airline IB), China and Africa than BA, while BA has the advantage in terms of flights to India and America, LH (with help from UA) is now not that far behind in both cases (most of all the latter)
To say that BA has plenty of scope to expand is not true, since LHR cannot expand, so they have to buy as many slot as legally allowed (and really pushing it…) in LHR, LGW (at least until LHR is expanded) and LCY for the time being, the might just be enough for now…
For the long term, BA needs to put a lot of pressure on the government allowing expansion at LHR (and I mean a lot), with the airports of Europe facing NIMBY preassure
The lack of long-haul aircraft can be fixed by delaying retirements and refurbishing them and ordering more planes than they currently have (it’s clear they need more A380s + 787s than they currently have)
The VS/DL deal makes absolutely no sense at all, all they are getting for paying for 49% of VS is a bigger share is a bigger share of the LON-NYC and they paid a massive price for that, not only that but they have “tied” themselves with a airline who’s business plan is based on SRB’s passion, ego and stubbornness
I would suggest to DL that rather than take a massive risk which could help them end up in a financial crisis (which meant they were almost bought by US, luckily they turned themselves around and look where they are now…) and look closer to home…
In fact look toward an airline based only a few hundred miles west of ATL and are neighbours at JFK, it’s a airline that has a large share of the LON-NYC market, has a strong position in Latin America and a large hub in the southwest, however they are in BK due to the fact they have labour issues (something DL does not have, even after merging with NW, who have had a poor record on labour reations) and like when DL was in their position, US is circling round them (remember, a merger with US will bring very little to that airline, so why don’t Delta buy this airline (which also brings the added benefit of allowing DL to better compete with UA in NYC…
As for the name of this airline, well it called American Airlines…
*This figure includes IB, whose flights are effectible operated by BA (to Madrid + Barcelona), but not AA however (should it also be included?)
BALHR, not a valid argument, demand still exists in Spain and IB needs a strategy that focuses on its uniqueness points i.e connectivity to South America, making itself a carrier of choice to the region and also it needs to slim down its cost base. Activity around Vueling and Iberia express is an attempt to shift to cost base on some short haul markets, especially those that are hotly contested.
Back to the point, this is not a valid arguement as I have said Spain has huge inbound tourism and demand is still very strong. Moreover, drawing a parallel. Ireland as an Island is so much smaller geographically and in population terms, and its main 2 carriers are quite profitable. Lets focus on Aer Lingus for comparison as FR it has so many other markets to rely on.
EI is profitable, in the depts of austerity in Ireland, has still returned profit, all the while contending with the leanest competitor in the industry.
These times of crisis are a time to reform, slim down the cost base and become more competitive.
Back to the point, this is not a valid arguement as I have said Spain has huge inbound tourism and demand is still very strong. Moreover, drawing a parallel. Ireland as an Island is so much smaller geographically and in population terms, and its main 2 carriers are quite profitable. Lets focus on Aer Lingus for comparison as FR it has so many other markets to rely on.
EI is profitable, in the depts of austerity in Ireland, has still returned profit, all the while contending with the leanest competitor in the industry.
These times of crisis are a time to reform, slim down the cost base and become more competitive.
The problems of Iberia go well beyond the airline, it’s a reflection of Spain as a whole a country with large debts, poor economic growth, banks that badly need bailouts, high (most of all youth) unemployment, harsh austerity, poltical disputes, nationalism etc
Aer Lingus had the luxury of restructuring their business when time where good, so when time went really, really bad, they were able to weather the storm quite well, IB does not have that, while they have been relatively conservative in expansion, they have a high cost base, ordered too many A340s, fails to attract enough of the Premium Market and most of all failed to expand east…
I just feel that both BA and IB face massive (but very different) challenges and rather than IAG face a near-impossible task to fix both of them them, both airlines themselves to fix them while maintaining close ties with each other…