Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: May 2004
Location: NCL
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So having leased out slots, don't you find it funny that VS didn't use them to operate their own flights considering how Branson is talking about not having enough slots of LHR?
He could use them to operate flights to Scotland and Manchester to create the competition that he's so bothered about.......
I find it pathetic he whinges about lack of slots, but then doesn't use them as it is safe to make guaranteed money leasing them out.
He could use them to operate flights to Scotland and Manchester to create the competition that he's so bothered about.......
I find it pathetic he whinges about lack of slots, but then doesn't use them as it is safe to make guaranteed money leasing them out.
Paxing All Over The World
Disclaimer: I have never worked for VS, or met Sir Richard, just a satisfied customer of 25 years.
Firstly, it's his job to point out the deficiencies of the system. He can get publicity for the problem of constraint at LHR that his CEO cannot. Indeed that very few can get and that certainly includes Mr Walsh.
Secondly, after Sir Michael (BD) turned them down, they have not been seriously interested in a domestic network as they have done very well without the problems of having one. Certainly who could see them really wanting to start lots of domestic connections on minimum margins? Further, in the past 20 years, the UK has seen the rise of the LCC and regional operations by a number of international carriers. If they could have bagged a domestic carrier 10 years ago? Perhaps. But not now, I think.
Thirdly, if they took the slots back - who is to say that they are at times of day and days of week that would suit their kind of operation? They have very specific kinds of routes which those slots might not be suitable for. Further, in the middle of the darkest recession, would you want to be buying/leasing new aircraft and expanding the operation - or quietly taking the slot money and making sure that you keep the whole airline stable, whilst waiting for better times?
Firstly, it's his job to point out the deficiencies of the system. He can get publicity for the problem of constraint at LHR that his CEO cannot. Indeed that very few can get and that certainly includes Mr Walsh.
Secondly, after Sir Michael (BD) turned them down, they have not been seriously interested in a domestic network as they have done very well without the problems of having one. Certainly who could see them really wanting to start lots of domestic connections on minimum margins? Further, in the past 20 years, the UK has seen the rise of the LCC and regional operations by a number of international carriers. If they could have bagged a domestic carrier 10 years ago? Perhaps. But not now, I think.
Thirdly, if they took the slots back - who is to say that they are at times of day and days of week that would suit their kind of operation? They have very specific kinds of routes which those slots might not be suitable for. Further, in the middle of the darkest recession, would you want to be buying/leasing new aircraft and expanding the operation - or quietly taking the slot money and making sure that you keep the whole airline stable, whilst waiting for better times?
Further, in the middle of the darkest recession, would you want to be buying/leasing new aircraft and expanding the operation - or quietly taking the slot money and making sure that you keep the whole airline stable, whilst waiting for better times?
Paxing All Over The World
In this recession, if I were a shareholder (of any company) I would want:
- Stability
- Keep you options open for any reasonable opportunity
- More stability
Join Date: Jan 2012
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vast industry knowledge for a satisfied customer.... The point is Branson is doing his job to try and protect his own interests. Virgin has for a long long time had its own feeder network into heathrow being bmi but and here is the big but, has not had to carry the losses associated with SH ops into LHR.
Given past history taking the moral high ground is a laughable defence of this proposed merger. To be honest I just hope people keep their jobs.
Given past history taking the moral high ground is a laughable defence of this proposed merger. To be honest I just hope people keep their jobs.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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'Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited (operating as Virgin Atlantic) is a British airline owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group (51%)'.
If I were SRB I'd be very interested in Virgin Atlantic, and use my position as a media star to appear on as many outlets as possible to promote or defend my interests.
I have a probably irrational dislike for the man, though I don't know why.
If I were SRB I'd be very interested in Virgin Atlantic, and use my position as a media star to appear on as many outlets as possible to promote or defend my interests.
I have a probably irrational dislike for the man, though I don't know why.
Paxing All Over The World
bex88
Not really, I worked in general commerce for 27 years, in telecommunications/IT. The companies I was with included international banking, pharmaceuticals and cargo. When in consultancy, I worked for a very wide range of clients of many different types, from local govt to High Street names. I have lived and worked in several different countries in my life, have friends and family in multiple countries, follow current and commercial affairs and so on and so forth.
Lastly, I have been a 'pax' for 46 years, but there is no specialist knowledge for, whilst a nephew is First Officer (current on 737-800) in another country, he only talks about aircraft - and not the business of airlines!
johnnychips
That's very honest of you. Many folks in here have such a view but never give a reason.
For my part, I think that he is someone who has (as they say) made a difference in life. He has worked hard, he has made money and lost money and, when interviewed he shows himself to be normal and unfussy. He actually listens to the questions and tries to answer them, unlike the professional politician and the professional CEO who tries to say nothing but what he is supposed to say. Lastly, the man has had many public failures and still keeps trying to do more things. There are not many millionaires of [checks Wikipedia] 61 that do that. For those, and some other, reasons - I admire the man.
vast industry knowledge for a satisfied customer....
Lastly, I have been a 'pax' for 46 years, but there is no specialist knowledge for, whilst a nephew is First Officer (current on 737-800) in another country, he only talks about aircraft - and not the business of airlines!
johnnychips
I have a probably irrational dislike for the man, though I don't know why.
For my part, I think that he is someone who has (as they say) made a difference in life. He has worked hard, he has made money and lost money and, when interviewed he shows himself to be normal and unfussy. He actually listens to the questions and tries to answer them, unlike the professional politician and the professional CEO who tries to say nothing but what he is supposed to say. Lastly, the man has had many public failures and still keeps trying to do more things. There are not many millionaires of [checks Wikipedia] 61 that do that. For those, and some other, reasons - I admire the man.
Last edited by PAXboy; 22nd Mar 2012 at 01:51.
Join Date: Aug 2009
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I noticed that the VS081 (SJU via ANU) that ran last summer (on saturdays) wasn't in the schedule for this year, it still doesnt show in any of VS's schedules, but as of today Friday the 6th, the VS081 is indeed up and running again...Anybody have any info if this is a one off, or are VS just lazy with their schedules?
Strange because if people are booked on Friday flights from ANU to LGW throughout the summer their tickets will still be showing the original VS034 departure of 16:35, but if the VS081 is in the schedule permanently they will in fact be leaving some 6 hours later.
Strange because if people are booked on Friday flights from ANU to LGW throughout the summer their tickets will still be showing the original VS034 departure of 16:35, but if the VS081 is in the schedule permanently they will in fact be leaving some 6 hours later.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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747 Refit
On Virgin website they say they are refitting their 747 at Gatwick with the new entertainment system. I am travelling to Orlando on VS 27 on 28 Apr and returning VS16 on 10 May and wondered if anyone knows if the refit has started and if so the likely hood of the flights I am taking having the new system in. Any advice much appreciated.
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Virgin Set to Start Domestic Service!
Virgin eyes BMI slots for launch of UK flights - Telegraph
Ms Southern told The Daily Telegraph: "We will apply to take up all of the remedy. We think it is important that the 12 pairs of slots stay together. It's only by flying those all together that you get effective competition."
Ms Southern told The Daily Telegraph: "We will apply to take up all of the remedy. We think it is important that the 12 pairs of slots stay together. It's only by flying those all together that you get effective competition."
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On Virgin website they say they are refitting their 747 at Gatwick with the new entertainment system. I am travelling to Orlando on VS 27 on 28 Apr and returning VS16 on 10 May and wondered if anyone knows if the refit has started and if so the likely hood of the flights I am taking having the new system in. Any advice much appreciated.
If either of the flts you are on are on the A330 then they already have the new IFE system fitted.
