Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Age: 52
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've flown LAX-LHR for almost 10 years now - multiple times a year. And back when I started doing that, Virgin just crushed everyone else. Nobody came close in economy. This was when the A340-600 was new and the cabins were new and everything was great. But the last few years they've become way too "Essex" - from the sugary food, to the staff, to everything. It feels like a Thomas Cook charter back there now. Upper Class is still good, but I've only done it a few times when someone else paid.
These days I fly Air New Zealand on that route. They're just a marvel of minimalism, reminding me of the heydays of SAS. Food is clean and uncluttered, not too sugary, even the tray is pressed wood and looks really cool, like a designer piece. The 777's on that route all feel new and and every seat has power outlets in economy. And the cost is the same. Hard to beat.
BA I've had very bad experiences with on this route. Why they seem to run the most ragged and old 747's on this route to the entertainment capital of the world I don't know. I hope they've improved since last time which was a disaster:
http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airpo...-carriers.html
These days I fly Air New Zealand on that route. They're just a marvel of minimalism, reminding me of the heydays of SAS. Food is clean and uncluttered, not too sugary, even the tray is pressed wood and looks really cool, like a designer piece. The 777's on that route all feel new and and every seat has power outlets in economy. And the cost is the same. Hard to beat.
BA I've had very bad experiences with on this route. Why they seem to run the most ragged and old 747's on this route to the entertainment capital of the world I don't know. I hope they've improved since last time which was a disaster:
http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airpo...-carriers.html
Paxing All Over The World
A guess: If a company is sure of a particular segment of it's market (an airline route or a particular tine of mixed biscuits) it will place development effort and money elsewhere.
That is what provides others with their 'leg up' just as it did for VS when BA had a tired product to NYC, back in the day. What goes around ...
That is what provides others with their 'leg up' just as it did for VS when BA had a tired product to NYC, back in the day. What goes around ...
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DE74
Age: 49
Posts: 767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Adam - 100% agree!!
Flew LGW-BGI on 16JAN. Experience in Y was mediocre at best. Cabin interior on the 747 was fine. But 2 things stood out as poor:
Cabin Crew attitude. Just rubbish. I found the smiles, friendliness, countenance, welcome on board my last Thomson flight to be far superior to Virgin. This crew really just could not be bothered.
Having worked for a long haul carrier for a number of years I know that what truly separates airlines is their people. Currently, Virgin Atlantic crew seem to have not only lost their MoJo but they give the impression they can't even be bothered to go look for it.
VERA - the seat back touchscreen system. Fine except for the pax behind me needed to press the screen so firmly to control it I was rhythmically tapped in the back for hours. Annoying.
My next Caribbean trip will be booked on BA.
Flew LGW-BGI on 16JAN. Experience in Y was mediocre at best. Cabin interior on the 747 was fine. But 2 things stood out as poor:
Cabin Crew attitude. Just rubbish. I found the smiles, friendliness, countenance, welcome on board my last Thomson flight to be far superior to Virgin. This crew really just could not be bothered.
Having worked for a long haul carrier for a number of years I know that what truly separates airlines is their people. Currently, Virgin Atlantic crew seem to have not only lost their MoJo but they give the impression they can't even be bothered to go look for it.
VERA - the seat back touchscreen system. Fine except for the pax behind me needed to press the screen so firmly to control it I was rhythmically tapped in the back for hours. Annoying.
My next Caribbean trip will be booked on BA.
BA I've had very bad experiences with on this route. Why they seem to run the most ragged and old 747's on this route to the entertainment capital of the world I don't know. I hope they've improved since last time which was a disaster:
Yes they have they now have A380's on this route so maybe you should give them another chance.
Yes they have they now have A380's on this route so maybe you should give them another chance.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Age: 42
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To infinity... and beyond: Richard Branson on why Virgin Atlantic is on the up - ES Magazine - Life & Style - London Evening Standard
Branson decides to be the best airline in the world again, ahead of everyone.
I think he's part of the problem rather than the solution, A346s and A380s instead of A330s (since bought). A complete inability to sort it out with BMI?
A semi detached billionaire living on a Caribbean island can't be easy to say no to, especially when he's not involved day to day. His mind's on space ships nowadays.
Good airline, needing some TLC, rather than pretending their the best in the world, when they're not even close.
Branson decides to be the best airline in the world again, ahead of everyone.
I think he's part of the problem rather than the solution, A346s and A380s instead of A330s (since bought). A complete inability to sort it out with BMI?
A semi detached billionaire living on a Caribbean island can't be easy to say no to, especially when he's not involved day to day. His mind's on space ships nowadays.
Good airline, needing some TLC, rather than pretending their the best in the world, when they're not even close.
Quoting from the article:
What do VS intend to use on the HKG - SYD route?
Virgin will finally get its hands on its first new two-engine Boeing 787 Dreamliner later this year. Up to 20 more will follow, enabling Branson to replace almost all Virgin’s ageing four-engine Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s.
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: England
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will be sad to see the 744's go. I get why, but I still find them majestic and full of character. It's the aircraft every one can name.
About the names. I get that some of them are name by their reg e.g G-VFIZ (Bubbles), G-VFAB (Lady Penelope), but what is the pattern for naming the others that aren't named after people?
About the names. I get that some of them are name by their reg e.g G-VFIZ (Bubbles), G-VFAB (Lady Penelope), but what is the pattern for naming the others that aren't named after people?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Here and there....currently here.
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
3 Posts
I would think the A346 will remain on the HKG / SYD route for a while yet. Most of them are still on leases with a number of years to run, and as the lease companies do not want them back the early return charges would be high. The B787's are to replace the A343's and B747's along with any possible expansion initially. Whatever is ordered next (A350, more B789 or B77X) will be the main A346 replacement.
The article says SRB "trousered" the Delta cash.....wouldn't that have gone to SQ to buy out their 49%?
The article says SRB "trousered" the Delta cash.....wouldn't that have gone to SQ to buy out their 49%?
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would think the A346 will remain on the HKG / SYD route for a while yet. Most of them are still on leases with a number of years to run, and as the lease companies do not want them back the early return charges would be high. The B787's are to replace the A343's and B747's
Rookie mistake the deliveries are phased over several years post 2015.
The Dreamliners ARE to replace all A340s.
Virgin current plans have a number of 744s in service through the rest of the decade.
The Hong Kong -Sydney extension isn't very profitable and could easily go away
The future for VS under DL tutelage is on the North Atlantic.
Last edited by rutankrd; 25th Jan 2014 at 21:25.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW England
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed, the 789 is a bit small to replace all the 744s when there are options in the form of A351s, 777-9X or the A380s VS keep postponing that are more suitable 744 replacements.
I believe the 744 will still be flying in VS colours until the end of the decade at least, especially considering that VS refitted the LGW/MAN/GLA 744s with all-new interiors and IFE a year or two ago.
I believe the 744 will still be flying in VS colours until the end of the decade at least, especially considering that VS refitted the LGW/MAN/GLA 744s with all-new interiors and IFE a year or two ago.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: In the Chalfonts
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Little Red loads
Used Little Red to EDI on Monday afternoon, although I didn't do an exact headcount it looked to be much less than a third full & returned on the last flight yesterday evening which was about a third full.
Appreciate that this is just 2 flights in January with mostly business customers, it seemed to me that more passengers were waiting to board the BACF LCY flight last night.
Are there just too many seats chasing too few passengers on the Domestic services in & out of London at this time of the year?
Appreciate that this is just 2 flights in January with mostly business customers, it seemed to me that more passengers were waiting to board the BACF LCY flight last night.
Are there just too many seats chasing too few passengers on the Domestic services in & out of London at this time of the year?
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: In the mines
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed. Been on BACF and all flights are doing very well to LCY. Looked a very quick boarding process for the Virgin flight with not many to get on at all.
A point of interest there is that you say its mostly business passengers travelling on little red. Thought their plan was to go for feeder traffic for the longer routes to NYC and LA etc?!!
A point of interest there is that you say its mostly business passengers travelling on little red. Thought their plan was to go for feeder traffic for the longer routes to NYC and LA etc?!!
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: England
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not surprised really. LCY puts most business people almost smack bang in thr financial/business district with quicker transit through the airport. LHR involves a longish tube ride into the city and a sometimes lengthy transit through the airport.
Having said that I know someone who flies Little Red regularly and says it's much busier in March (close of finacial year), early summer and beginning of Autumn. Apparently those are very busy times for business.
Having said that I know someone who flies Little Red regularly and says it's much busier in March (close of finacial year), early summer and beginning of Autumn. Apparently those are very busy times for business.
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: England
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, I worded it badly. The domestic routes between LHR are busier at those times in general. Not just on Little Red. Thus I eould expect the load to be bigger then.
No need to bang your head against a wall.
No need to bang your head against a wall.