Does anyone listen to RB anymore - I mean trying to imply the environment is a factor in his purchase decision process, whats he on.
Mind you he did get the spin into in the papers, If it was BA with their legion of BA haters in the media they would entitle it @BA put UK jobs at risk' -buying twins may put RR engine workers on the dole as it cuts the number of engines needed
PB

Hang on... my 146 burns far less fuel than any A340... so does that make RB's Airbus fleet a bunch of very thirsty 4 engine machines??? :}

Four engines for Longhaul
 

Wasn't that one of Bransons aircraft slogans. Guess that will change to 2 engines less CO2

And do you carry 350 odd passengers and 30 odd tonnes of freight?

You could fly a 146 on one A340 600 engine
Ian

If only Bae had thought of that...we might still have a British aircraft manufacturing industry :ugh:

Virgins 787's
 

Seems a spot on the production line has opened up and VS are taking delivery
of their first few 787's earlier than expected(2008). Anyone know which airline defaulted on the order?
TBE.

It would be mighty impressive for Boeing to deliver VS an early 787-9, 2 years before the first example will even take to the skies :ugh:

Although theres no official confirmation, Hong Kong Airlines (prev. CR AW) had an MoU with Boeing that contained 10 787 (with 2008 - 2010 slots) and 30 738, but yesterday they concluded a deal with Airbus for 30 A32X and 20 A332 which looks to have replaced the Boeing MoU.

So with that commitment off the table, Boeing maywell have an extra one or two prime 2008 slots.

They not due to get their first pair of aircraft until 2011 (02 x 2011, 04 x 2012, 04 x 2013, 04 x 2014, 01 x 2015), perhaps the prospect of a few in 2008 could be enough to warrant a small -8 conversion...

Can't see the 787s appearing next year myself. VS were in at the beginning with the A346 which hasn't exactly been a glowing success. Don't think they will be ready to join the 1st to fly club again.

It would be a coup for VS if they could their grubby mits on a 787 sooner than they had intended; I know that VS were put off being a lead customer after the A340-600 (which is a story that must be told) and I guess that may be why they pulled away from being a launch customer on the A380. However, it is one thing being a lead customer for Airbus and Boeing. I suspect that the delivered Boeing 787 product will be much better than the early A340-600's.

Just thought I'd post this - although it may belong in the spottors forum. Mods - move as you think fit.

New livery on the 744...

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1273780/L/

Very nice I think.

S

So with today's announcement from BA ref new aircraft, will BA take delivery of the A380 before Virgin?

TBE.

With BAs first new aircraft coming in 2010, they will be operating the 787 / A380, or both before Virgin who gets their respective fleets beginning 2011 and 2013.

Do VS not think MAN exitists.they havnt done any NEW routes for years and its really stpid.will we ever see more? and will we ever see 787 OR A380?

MAN is an airport that would really benefit from a BA or VS major base with more routes to the east and to the west (west coast US) but they are too focused on LHR which is in disary for airlines at the moment. Lost luggage, new terminals, new runways, new planes, over capacity, open skies etc. which is taking it's toll on the two repected airlines.

Hopefully, once BA move to T5 and VS get their T3 then they will look across the UK more closely and notice that BHX, BFS, MAN, GLA and NCL are all great destinations for the airline on the long haul market.

VS had flights from GLA this summer and are doing them again over the October school holidays I believe.

Don't they also fly to BGI now on a Sunday?

Not from GLA they dont.

Yep lets hope they do get some more from MAN,it needs some good routes eg BOSTON.

glasgow did have some flights to MCO with VS.

GLA to MCO yes, GLA to BGI no -as appeared to be the suggestion in the post.