Gatwick-3
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Looks like it hasn’t gone too well since they did some PR this morning for the grand reopening. Multiple delays across both terminals, reportedly not enough staff across everything. Baggage not being offloaded, steps not available etc. Perhaps fortunate the Easter rush is a little later this year, if they can get new starters online by then.
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Looks like it hasn’t gone too well since they did some PR this morning for the grand reopening. Multiple delays across both terminals, reportedly not enough staff across everything. Baggage not being offloaded, steps not available etc. Perhaps fortunate the Easter rush is a little later this year, if they can get new starters online by then.
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Does anyone have any information on what Virgin have done with their Gatwick slots for Summer 2022?
In Summer 2021 they returned 52 (26 pairs) weekly leased slots to Norwegian. Is this ongoing for Summer 2022, especially, with the 70/30 slot rule this summer? Do they still have any of their own?
British Airways dealt with the issue by leasing a total of 25 daily slot pairs to Vueling and EasyJet for Summer 2022. They are usingup to 54 slot pairs daily themselves this summer.
In Summer 2021 they returned 52 (26 pairs) weekly leased slots to Norwegian. Is this ongoing for Summer 2022, especially, with the 70/30 slot rule this summer? Do they still have any of their own?
British Airways dealt with the issue by leasing a total of 25 daily slot pairs to Vueling and EasyJet for Summer 2022. They are usingup to 54 slot pairs daily themselves this summer.
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Passed through Gatwick South on 17 April (Easter Sunday). Arrived at 0610 by taxi and TWO other cars in the drop off zone. The place was deserted, went straight through customs, staff very friendly some just chatting, nothing to do. Some outlets not open and only two places to eat. Flew Iberia Express although it should have been BA ( only used BA because I had a voucher which needed to be used). Flight average but nearly full.
What a difference at Malaga very busy and a lot warmer.
Prices in Spain have gone up but by no means as UK with diesel still some 15p a litre cheaper than UK. Restaurants seem to have slightly reduced portions and no increase and where not possible increased a bit.
Return on 26th Malaya very busy with flight on time.
One reminder make sure get your passport stamped on departure as you are only allowed to stay 90 days in any given 180 days whereas before you could stop 180 days in any given 360. One result of Brexit
Looks like Gatwick has a long way to go before being back to 'normal'.
What a difference at Malaga very busy and a lot warmer.
Prices in Spain have gone up but by no means as UK with diesel still some 15p a litre cheaper than UK. Restaurants seem to have slightly reduced portions and no increase and where not possible increased a bit.
Return on 26th Malaya very busy with flight on time.
One reminder make sure get your passport stamped on departure as you are only allowed to stay 90 days in any given 180 days whereas before you could stop 180 days in any given 360. One result of Brexit
Looks like Gatwick has a long way to go before being back to 'normal'.
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EDIT 4/5/22: Non stop flights now showing on the Air Transat booking engine.
Last edited by SealinkBF; 4th May 2022 at 15:37.
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This week it relaunched its popular route from London Gatwick to Montreal for the first time since 2019.
Air Transat will initially offer three flights a week before ramping up to a daily service by the middle of summer.
On 12 May, Air Transat will launch the UK’s first non-stop Quebec City flight with a weekly service from London Gatwick.
In addition, Air Transat has increased its London Gatwick to Toronto service from three times a week to daily, with plans to fly twice daily by mid-summer."
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I see this detail from the website travelmole dot com "Air Transat this month launches two routes from London to Quebec.
This week it relaunched its popular route from London Gatwick to Montreal for the first time since 2019.
Air Transat will initially offer three flights a week before ramping up to a daily service by the middle of summer.
On 12 May, Air Transat will launch the UK’s first non-stop Quebec City flight with a weekly service from London Gatwick.
In addition, Air Transat has increased its London Gatwick to Toronto service from three times a week to daily, with plans to fly twice daily by mid-summer."
This week it relaunched its popular route from London Gatwick to Montreal for the first time since 2019.
Air Transat will initially offer three flights a week before ramping up to a daily service by the middle of summer.
On 12 May, Air Transat will launch the UK’s first non-stop Quebec City flight with a weekly service from London Gatwick.
In addition, Air Transat has increased its London Gatwick to Toronto service from three times a week to daily, with plans to fly twice daily by mid-summer."
EDIT 4/5/22: Non stop flights now showing on the Air Transat booking engine.
Passed through Gatwick South on 17 April (Easter Sunday). Arrived at 0610 by taxi and TWO other cars in the drop off zone. The place was deserted, went straight through customs, staff very friendly some just chatting, nothing to do. Some outlets not open and only two places to eat. Flew Iberia Express although it should have been BA ( only used BA because I had a voucher which needed to be used). Flight average but nearly full.
What a difference at Malaga very busy and a lot warmer.
Prices in Spain have gone up but by no means as UK with diesel still some 15p a litre cheaper than UK. Restaurants seem to have slightly reduced portions and no increase and where not possible increased a bit.
Return on 26th Malaya very busy with flight on time.
One reminder make sure get your passport stamped on departure as you are only allowed to stay 90 days in any given 180 days whereas before you could stop 180 days in any given 360. One result of Brexit
Looks like Gatwick has a long way to go before being back to 'normal'.
What a difference at Malaga very busy and a lot warmer.
Prices in Spain have gone up but by no means as UK with diesel still some 15p a litre cheaper than UK. Restaurants seem to have slightly reduced portions and no increase and where not possible increased a bit.
Return on 26th Malaya very busy with flight on time.
One reminder make sure get your passport stamped on departure as you are only allowed to stay 90 days in any given 180 days whereas before you could stop 180 days in any given 360. One result of Brexit
Looks like Gatwick has a long way to go before being back to 'normal'.
your experience may have been partly due to south terminal reopened two weeks before and hence serving few flights.
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I had a very positive experience through Gatwick South Terminal two weeks ago. Smooth check-in and friendly efficient security. Excellent special assistance for my mother too. Return trip last week also positive, no queues at passport control and quick baggage reclaim. Great to be flying from Gatwick again.
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Love this prank...
I'm sure it causes no issues for flight crew, but will sends passengers into a state of panic!
ITV News - 'Welcome to Luton' prank leaves Gatwick airport arrivals in 'state of panic'
I'm sure it causes no issues for flight crew, but will sends passengers into a state of panic!
ITV News - 'Welcome to Luton' prank leaves Gatwick airport arrivals in 'state of panic'
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Virgin Atlantic
I'm noticing something strange on the LGW departure board today. There are about 4 flights listed under VS pre-Covid flight numbers (e.g. VS33, 27, 29, 65) to Antigua, Orlando, Bridgetown and Montego Bay, all of which are from VS' former base in the North Terminal. Is this some kind of internal error or an indication that VS are seriously looking into reinstating LGW operations sooner than originally planned? (IIRC, the CEO was quoted as saying that a return to LGW would not happen until next year at the earliest). Regardless, I'd love to see VS (and hopefully DL) back at LGW. Are there any other long haul developments in the pipeline for Gatwick?
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I'm noticing something strange on the LGW departure board today. There are about 4 flights listed under VS pre-Covid flight numbers (e.g. VS33, 27, 29, 65) to Antigua, Orlando, Bridgetown and Montego Bay, all of which are from VS' former base in the North Terminal. Is this some kind of internal error or an indication that VS are seriously looking into reinstating LGW operations sooner than originally planned? (IIRC, the CEO was quoted as saying that a return to LGW would not happen until next year at the earliest). Regardless, I'd love to see VS (and hopefully DL) back at LGW. Are there any other long haul developments in the pipeline for Gatwick?
The CEO made it quite clear a few weeks ago that Virgin had no plans to run to Gatwick in 2022. Very non committal for 2023 too. In fact they may find it hard to ever come back if BA continue to expand their Caribbean and North American routes, plus Norse International setting up shop. Personally I believe with Heathrow becoming more expensive they may lose some of their competitive edge when trying to attract some of their former Gatwick leisure customers back who may be more price sensitive. However that’s just a personal view
Pre-Covid they were sending up to 5 or 6 wide bodies a day to leisure destinations from Gatwick. Not all of that market will follow them to Heathrow. BA is maintaining double daily to Orlando for example from Gatwick this Summer plus another daily from Heathrow. Their Caribbean flights are very profitable too. Plus somewhere like Cancun is now daily year round which is an increase from 2019.
I would like to know what Virgin have done with their Gatwick slots. We know that BA have leased some of theirs out until they are required again but I can see nothing concerning Virgin. Have they simply given them up? I have asked on several other forums but no information has been forthcoming.
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I was also wondering about the VS slots. I wonder if given their relationship with MAG they have STN as an option for leisure if/when they need to use their LHR portfolio more productively.
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Stansted long haul is relatively much weaker vs. Gatwick which is a country mile weaker than Heathrow. They've already stated they see a return to LGW, although words mean little in such a fluid marketplace.
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