MANCHESTER - 9
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FFS it's not *new* in any reading of the word, good news all the less. It was overwhelmingly a B757 was it not?
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Can't see why VS don't just fly the JFK instead.
As a regular user of MAN-ATL I can't say I'm happy at the prospect of DL being switched with VS.
The DL C Cabin is pretty good in my opinion and well patronised - often full even though the prices are often sky high. DL is I believe to be the best of the three major US carriers by some margin, mainly due to the better service on board - that good ol' southern hospitality ?????
I can see, if VS take it over, a more leisure based service on the route (or dare I say it a Mickey Mouse kind of service, as that is what VS is to me) with an overall inferior product. No doubt the inferior product will still be at the same price as the superior DL product.
That is going to make me think about other options in the future.
I've flown VS numerous times and never been really convinced by them.
As a regular user of MAN-ATL I can't say I'm happy at the prospect of DL being switched with VS.
The DL C Cabin is pretty good in my opinion and well patronised - often full even though the prices are often sky high. DL is I believe to be the best of the three major US carriers by some margin, mainly due to the better service on board - that good ol' southern hospitality ?????
I can see, if VS take it over, a more leisure based service on the route (or dare I say it a Mickey Mouse kind of service, as that is what VS is to me) with an overall inferior product. No doubt the inferior product will still be at the same price as the superior DL product.
That is going to make me think about other options in the future.
I've flown VS numerous times and never been really convinced by them.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
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Now that is more like the "gamechanger" we need , a "proper" increase
It's a plus having JFK back for sure but losing ATL to Virgin is a retrograde step IMHO. Look closely at the focus here.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Skip, it doesn't surprise me that you've brought LHR into this, but I'm not quite clear what you are saying. You refer to Virgin Elites preferring the older A346/B744 and giving the A330 a miss, but are you suggesting that DL's regular J class pax from MAN will switch to travelling with VS or DL via LHR rather than flying direct. For starters, it would depend whether ATL was their final destination I would have thought, but even if it is they would have alternatives to LHR if they felt that strongly. They could even fly on the new JFK service from MAN with DL if it is a B763, although I accept transferring there is not ideal.
MAN claims that New York is vastly underserved so to get an extra daily service is a big boost, assuming AA & UA continue to operate it. I agree it is the re-introduction of a previously suspended service (a few years ago), but how can you refer to it as a re-introduction of an 'existing' service?
The only thing that crossed my mind regarding VS to ATL is whether it would have any impact on the 10/11 weekly flights to MCO.
MAN claims that New York is vastly underserved so to get an extra daily service is a big boost, assuming AA & UA continue to operate it. I agree it is the re-introduction of a previously suspended service (a few years ago), but how can you refer to it as a re-introduction of an 'existing' service?
The only thing that crossed my mind regarding VS to ATL is whether it would have any impact on the 10/11 weekly flights to MCO.
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Manchester
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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It's a gamechanger in terms of
"at least its an increase , and not a reduction"
Given the loss of ORD and reduction of other services this is positive news !
If one was mischievous one could imply they they cancelled Narita, Mumbai , Vancouver, etc and in effect reallocated part of the fleet to Manchester.......
don't choke Skip !
"at least its an increase , and not a reduction"
Given the loss of ORD and reduction of other services this is positive news !
If one was mischievous one could imply they they cancelled Narita, Mumbai , Vancouver, etc and in effect reallocated part of the fleet to Manchester.......
don't choke Skip !
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Do VS still operate the A333s with both a 3 class and 2 class configuration?
The 2 class has/had 314 seats and the 3 class 266 seats. I was under the impression they had all been converted to 3 class for LHR operations?
I took it Skip that you were being critical of Virgin's Business Class but then I started to wonder, is it definitely a 3 class that will operate MAN-ATL?
The 2 class has/had 314 seats and the 3 class 266 seats. I was under the impression they had all been converted to 3 class for LHR operations?
I took it Skip that you were being critical of Virgin's Business Class but then I started to wonder, is it definitely a 3 class that will operate MAN-ATL?
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Very pleased by this VS/DL announcement. MAN-NYC in particular has been a real concern in recent times with just two B752's per day serving the route. This limited capacity has resulted in extremely high fares which further suppress the inherent demand for the route. A vicious circle has become established. However, from Summer 2015 we will have the daily Delta B763 and the new Thomas Cook A330 schedules in addition to whatever American and United decide to offer to New York. This additional capacity will take the Manchester - New York route back to levels which the airport has successfully supported in the past.
By the way, I'm surprised by the negative comments regarding deployment of Virgin A333's to MAN. I flew on G-VUFO quite recently and was impressed by the aircraft's interior and the service provided on board. I can't imagine why customers would be scurrying away to avoid this product. And if Virgin's new initiatives work well from MAN … with the support of Delta network connections stateside … VS seems far better placed to expand its future operations ex-MAN than Delta would be.
The jury is now out to see how other Transatlantic carriers respond. In particular, American / US Airways. Will MAN-CLT return? Will the combined carrier retain its four MAN routes? If MAN can hold on to these (plus the two UAL B752 operations) we finally have a chance to reverse the decline of MAN-USA capacity which can be traced all the way back to the loss of BMI's A332's and the daily BAW B763.
The bulk of MAN's long-haul good news has been coming from points East lately. It is satisfying to see signs of life returning to the North Atlantic market again.
By the way, I'm surprised by the negative comments regarding deployment of Virgin A333's to MAN. I flew on G-VUFO quite recently and was impressed by the aircraft's interior and the service provided on board. I can't imagine why customers would be scurrying away to avoid this product. And if Virgin's new initiatives work well from MAN … with the support of Delta network connections stateside … VS seems far better placed to expand its future operations ex-MAN than Delta would be.
The jury is now out to see how other Transatlantic carriers respond. In particular, American / US Airways. Will MAN-CLT return? Will the combined carrier retain its four MAN routes? If MAN can hold on to these (plus the two UAL B752 operations) we finally have a chance to reverse the decline of MAN-USA capacity which can be traced all the way back to the loss of BMI's A332's and the daily BAW B763.
The bulk of MAN's long-haul good news has been coming from points East lately. It is satisfying to see signs of life returning to the North Atlantic market again.
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Take it from me as someone who has experienced the J/C product on both airlines multiple times this year - switching MAN-ATL from DL to VS is a backward step.
I would also be concerned about arriving on VS and transferring at ATL (as most do) as it becomes in effect inter-lining.
I have interlined between a DL national flight and a VS international flight as recently as two months ago and it was an irritating experience as the VS gate crew couldn't get my DL issued boarding pass to work on the scanner.
Priority boarding had gone right out of the window by the time they had sorted it.
I'll be avoiding the risks - like I say, I'll be looking for alternative routings after the switch.
I would also be concerned about arriving on VS and transferring at ATL (as most do) as it becomes in effect inter-lining.
I have interlined between a DL national flight and a VS international flight as recently as two months ago and it was an irritating experience as the VS gate crew couldn't get my DL issued boarding pass to work on the scanner.
Priority boarding had gone right out of the window by the time they had sorted it.
I'll be avoiding the risks - like I say, I'll be looking for alternative routings after the switch.
Join Date: Nov 2013
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The A333 also offers a significant seat gain over the B763 (I know we used to see more A332s in the recent past). DL via ATL is often the cheapest TATL option ex MAN and I doubt that adding VS into the mix will damage the route. VS has a decent reputation among UK economy travellers generally and the route is well established and often busy.
As for JFK they clearly felt the B763 was less risky for the restart than dropping an A333 on it, metal sharing in action!
As for JFK they clearly felt the B763 was less risky for the restart than dropping an A333 on it, metal sharing in action!
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Under the new arrangements, Virgin will be supplying a very high number of transfer pax to Delta over ATL and vice-versa. Niggling problems with the scanners not processing the codeshare carrier's boarding cards are unlikely to persist for long in this environment. Getting the software engineers in is far cheaper than dealing with the fallout from missed / stressed connections. Hopefully, the gate staff will be reporting back on such occurrences too … with DL/VS working ever more closely together the two companies have every incentive to iron out IT issues of this nature quickly.
BTW, my impression is that Virgin Atlantic enjoys very positive market recognition in the North of England catchment. Whilst I have no firm data to fall back on, I suggest that the carrier is far better known / recognised than Delta in these parts. I would also see any interline demand for Florida via ATL as a bonus … remember that charter capacity on MAN-MCO/SFB is way down from its heyday (APD hasn't helped). The loads which formerly used the daily Travelcitydirect B743 are now combined with the pre-existing VIR B744 schedule; American Trans Air are long gone; Monarch appear set to abandon their last foothold in long-haul. Just Virgin, Thomas Cook and Thomson left. The last time I got a quote for MAN-MCO on Virgin the fare was eyewatering … if additional capacity via ATL can help that's fine by me!
BTW, my impression is that Virgin Atlantic enjoys very positive market recognition in the North of England catchment. Whilst I have no firm data to fall back on, I suggest that the carrier is far better known / recognised than Delta in these parts. I would also see any interline demand for Florida via ATL as a bonus … remember that charter capacity on MAN-MCO/SFB is way down from its heyday (APD hasn't helped). The loads which formerly used the daily Travelcitydirect B743 are now combined with the pre-existing VIR B744 schedule; American Trans Air are long gone; Monarch appear set to abandon their last foothold in long-haul. Just Virgin, Thomas Cook and Thomson left. The last time I got a quote for MAN-MCO on Virgin the fare was eyewatering … if additional capacity via ATL can help that's fine by me!
Join Date: Dec 2003
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If MAN can hold on to these (plus the two UAL B752 operations) we finally have a chance to reverse the decline of MAN-USA capacity which can be traced all the way back to the loss of BMI's A332's and the daily BAW B763.
100% agree
Increase in capacity but crucially New York goes to 3 day, that is MORE like frequency of a major airport !
and dare I say it the Virgin foot print on social media (sorry said it again)is enormous !
Interestingly a reader of the M E N has now suggested a formal date for Hainan launch !
100% agree
Increase in capacity but crucially New York goes to 3 day, that is MORE like frequency of a major airport !
and dare I say it the Virgin foot print on social media (sorry said it again)is enormous !
Interestingly a reader of the M E N has now suggested a formal date for Hainan launch !
Last edited by Bagso; 3rd Sep 2014 at 18:10.
Join Date: Apr 2010
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SHED ON A POLE
you may be right about the perception of VS in the North of England but that is probably a leisure based perception. My comments relate to the DL business class product which I use a lot for work and which commands a decent following. The VS front end product is not as good, sorry, it just isn't and invites a perception of 'poshFlorida' rather than a serious minded J product.
There will be lots of enthusiasm amongst those myriad economy class Disney followers heading west no doubt, but at what expense to the premium passengers that used to enjoy the front end of the DL B763 with its lie flat beds etc.?
Time will tell I guess but I hope DL are not shooting themselves in the foot here.
you may be right about the perception of VS in the North of England but that is probably a leisure based perception. My comments relate to the DL business class product which I use a lot for work and which commands a decent following. The VS front end product is not as good, sorry, it just isn't and invites a perception of 'poshFlorida' rather than a serious minded J product.
There will be lots of enthusiasm amongst those myriad economy class Disney followers heading west no doubt, but at what expense to the premium passengers that used to enjoy the front end of the DL B763 with its lie flat beds etc.?
Time will tell I guess but I hope DL are not shooting themselves in the foot here.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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I do wish they would not use the term
Local Airport...
Rather than say "Gateway To The North"
Sorry it suggests
small, regional....etc Its not local if you live in Cleethorpes OR Windermere (still but a bloody site better than using LHR! )
Somebody please , please think.....we are not preaching to the M E N ....Manchester is thee major airport for Northern England and these puff PR pieces are being sent to other media outlets...just about !
It's an outstanding news day, make it count !
#punchfarhigher..!
Local Airport...
Rather than say "Gateway To The North"
Sorry it suggests
small, regional....etc Its not local if you live in Cleethorpes OR Windermere (still but a bloody site better than using LHR! )
Somebody please , please think.....we are not preaching to the M E N ....Manchester is thee major airport for Northern England and these puff PR pieces are being sent to other media outlets...just about !
It's an outstanding news day, make it count !
#punchfarhigher..!
Last edited by Bagso; 3rd Sep 2014 at 21:33.