Virgin Atlantic
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https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...-october-2020/
Manchester to Delhi flights starting later this year.
Manchester to Delhi flights starting later this year.
Join Date: May 2005
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Just curious as to why Delhi would be operated as a seasonal destination?
VS did have an arrangment with Jet Airways. It would be difficult to know who to share with now- other than Air India almost everything else is low cost and largely point to point. But cheap - so ethically Indian folks (and 22/04) would probably use SpiceJet or Indigo given the need to reclaim baggage anyway.
And it's not just air connections. Surface transport can have finished (or not started), especially when you feel the need to give a buffer for delays. There's nothing worse than believing the stuff about doing public transport to the airport, then finding the return is a few hours late and your last train home has gone (been there, done that).
I've done the daylight a couple of times JFK-LHR. As we are discussing Virgin, VS26 departs JFK 0805 and arrives LHR 2005. To make that 0805 you really need to be at JFK by 0635, leaving Manhattan before 0600, so getting up in your hotel before 0500, feeling zonked. And not really practical to come in from much further afield. Into LHR 2005, you are doing well to be out by 2100. Last LHR domestic departure to anywhere is BA at 2105 to Edinburgh, so you are not going on by air. We're in London, so typically home by 2230, but you can't rely on getting that far up country on a train at this time of night. None of these issues arise if you take the traditional overnight flight, and thus the commercial demand is much higher. Westward transatlantic is not an issue because the clock change is the other way.
Long south-north same time zone daylight flights always have this issue, South Africa to Europe or Argentina to New York.
Worried for all my friends, both flight and cabin crew, at VS. I realise a lot of youngsters will miss their trips to Disney but people’s livelihoods are being threatened here.
Hope the restrictions can be lifted as soon as possible.
Hope the restrictions can be lifted as soon as possible.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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An A340 seemingly on its way to PIK, presumably for storage:
VIR834P from London to Prestwick
https://fr24.com/VIR834P/242f3747
VIR834P from London to Prestwick
https://fr24.com/VIR834P/242f3747
I too wish all my still serving airline colleagues all the best during these worrying times.
Sadly, we likely will see casualties due to the Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks and months which has now escalated to an almost complete shutdown of worldwide air travel including now to the USA.
Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
Virgin Atlantic was, and I assume still is 'His Baby' and he has very deep pockets.
He saved the airline twice in the past from going bust.
We could now see much earlier retirements of the Boeing 747 of which BA and Virgin still have large fleets.
Join Date: Feb 2018
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Yes - Unprecedented times in Aviation, the likes of which we have never seen before in our lifetimes.
I too wish all my still serving airline colleagues all the best during these worrying times.
Sadly, we likely will see casualties due to the Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks and months which has now escalated to an almost complete shutdown of worldwide air travel including now to the USA.
Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
Virgin Atlantic was, and I assume still is 'His Baby' and he has very deep pockets.
He saved the airline twice in the past from going bust.
We could now see much earlier retirements of the Boeing 747 of which BA and Virgin still have large fleets.
I too wish all my still serving airline colleagues all the best during these worrying times.
Sadly, we likely will see casualties due to the Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks and months which has now escalated to an almost complete shutdown of worldwide air travel including now to the USA.
Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
Virgin Atlantic was, and I assume still is 'His Baby' and he has very deep pockets.
He saved the airline twice in the past from going bust.
We could now see much earlier retirements of the Boeing 747 of which BA and Virgin still have large fleets.
https://news.sky.com/story/virgin-at...ilout-11957708
I was gonna add - LOL --- Likewise British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
BA will, as UK's flag carrier no doubt go to HM Govt for assistance, although parent IAG also own Spain's Iberia and Air Europa.
As for Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group...............
BA will, as UK's flag carrier no doubt go to HM Govt for assistance, although parent IAG also own Spain's Iberia and Air Europa.
As for Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group...............
Join Date: Nov 2007
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747 fleets
Yes - Unprecedented times in Aviation, the likes of which we have never seen before in our lifetimes.
I too wish all my still serving airline colleagues all the best during these worrying times.
Sadly, we likely will see casualties due to the Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks and months which has now escalated to an almost complete shutdown of worldwide air travel including now to the USA.
Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
Virgin Atlantic was, and I assume still is 'His Baby' and he has very deep pockets.
He saved the airline twice in the past from going bust.
We could now see much earlier retirements of the Boeing 747 of which BA and Virgin still have large fleets.
I too wish all my still serving airline colleagues all the best during these worrying times.
Sadly, we likely will see casualties due to the Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks and months which has now escalated to an almost complete shutdown of worldwide air travel including now to the USA.
Virgin Atlantic - They are still 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
Virgin Atlantic was, and I assume still is 'His Baby' and he has very deep pockets.
He saved the airline twice in the past from going bust.
We could now see much earlier retirements of the Boeing 747 of which BA and Virgin still have large fleets.
Not 100% sure on the actual numbers, Virgin only have 5/6 747 in service mainly flying from LGW or MAN to MCO and some other leisure destinations. Plus JFK and ATL from MAN. VS have accelerated the departure of the A340 fleet with immediate effect.
BA have approx 30 747 still in service all bought and paid for. They are slowly being phased out as newer airframes come on line, working towards a retirement date of 2024. While oil is low BA will keep the 747 running. Should oil spike upwards then that could well accelerate the 747 departure from the fleet.
BA are in the process of grounding various aircraft due to the Corona virus with the plan of bringing them back on line if and when the situation improves.
VS still have 7 x 747-400's (AFAIK they are owned) on their books - As you say not sure if all 7 though are in full service.
7 x 450 seat units are quite a large chunk of one's fleet.
They have paid for themselves many times over as people movers - same as BA's.
VS use them to MCO (Disney, and now all the USA is closed) and the Caribbean (many islands are now shutting doors)
7 x 450 seat units are quite a large chunk of one's fleet.
They have paid for themselves many times over as people movers - same as BA's.
VS use them to MCO (Disney, and now all the USA is closed) and the Caribbean (many islands are now shutting doors)
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BA have approx 30 747 still in service all bought and paid for. They are slowly being phased out as newer airframes come on line
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The CEO of Virgin Atlantic has called on the government to help the airlines.
https://news.sky.com/story/virgin-at...ilout-11957708
https://news.sky.com/story/virgin-at...ilout-11957708
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So owners and shareholders are allowed to make as much as they like from companies in the good times and then the government is supposed to bail them out in times of crisis? How about tapping some of the grinning jumpers billions from his tax haven and supporting his own company? Likewise BA and all other public companies....go and get commercial loans based on sound recovery business plans and stop leaching off the taxpayer whose funds will be better spent supporting the NHS and easing the pain for small business. Cake and eat it comes to mind....