Titan Airways
 

I searched but couldn't find an open Titan Airways thread in this forum so I've started a new one.

I noticed on the TV news this morning that Gordon Brown was using a Titan Airways Boeing 757 for his visit to the USA. Presumably this was kitted out with their 100 seat all business class interior.

Is this the first time that Titan have been used by a British PM?

Yeah Titan with the Sun and Stars.

Apparently the man who represents the Government of HM the Queen (Gordon Brown) was unable to find any aircraft from BA/VS or BD. :ugh:

Why in hells name dont the UK goverment have something the Equivalent of Airforce One for the the UK prime minister.

Tony Blair ordered them, Gordon Brown cancelled them.

Blair used a Titan B757 to fly down to Luton on the night Labour won the last general election.

If the UK had an equivalent of Air Force One how often would it be used I wonder? The Titan 757 is presumably a cost effective option that is quite fit for purpose. If the spare seats are sold to the media, it might even be self financing.

Do Easyjet still use Titan? I flew on a Titan 757 from Stansted to Malaga a couple of years ago. They were subbing for Easyjet. Because it was a much larger aircraft I was able to get a whole row to myself!

He could have used Ed Force One! (G-OJIB in Iron Maiden paint scheme)

Flew with them on a B737 for Jet2 from BLK to ALC last May. Mixed cabin crew Jet2/Titan.

No Scheduled Services then
 

Asked a UK tax payer! Thought Maggie trekked all the way to the Falklands on a Herc?

Why did the Yanks not send something to pick him up?

VIP transport
 

None of my business as I'm not a UK citizen but for years British Prime Ministers travelled on RAF VC10's. HS125's and Bae 146's It's only recently that they've started to hire commercial aircraft.

Interested to know why they switched to Civilian aircraft.

Dont know why they cant get a couple of global express' for vip duties, the air force are using them or about to start using them.

It is shocking that we send our government and royalty on passeneger jets, how must we look to the rest of the world.

Well if he'd allowed the RAF to order the A330s they've been asking for and he's bollocksed up with this PPP rental crap we wouldn't look like a bunch of Pikies on the world stage ! He's a clown anyway, glad he's been rumbled at last. * goes for a lie down in a dark room*

I was told that when Maggie Thatcher went to the Falklands, she had a caravan in the back of the Herc, to provide privacy and comfort, dont know if its true.

As a UK tax payer I think its great that I am not paying for an Air force one.

Damned if he does, damned if he don't! Search for the threads full of bile when the idea of Blair Force One came up a couple years back. Wonder if it's the same people who are embarrassed by the aircraft our leaders use to get around who can't stomach the idea of a political figure they hate getting to use them!!

As a UK tax payer i too am glad that im not contributing to an Air Force One equivilent or a Global Express!

For the amount of times they go on state visits i think they should charter from BA, VS or Titan or any British Airline as im sure its cheaper for us tax payers. Also dont forget whoever they use its a hefty cash bonus for the airline ( especially for smaller carriers like Titan ) which helps keep people like us in jobs! :ok:

Ahhhh, remember the days not long ago when PMs and Royalty used to fly on Concorde for their visits.:O Now thats what you call a grand entrance!! especially landing in Washington. :cool:

There is also the travelling press offset. Reporters and staff usually pay for their place on the plane so it makes it cheaper for Government to charter in the aircraft.

The British PM doesn't have the same powers when out of the country as the US presidents do so there isn't really a need for a dedicated aircraft fleet, and in these current conditions I doubt it could be sold to the taxpayers as a good idea anyway.

Our Prime Minister couldnt have made a better choice.
I regularly fly on Titan charter flights to Lourdes from Stansted as SLF. Over the last 30 or more years I have been on most UK and French carriers but
nobody has ever come close to what Titan offer.
Probably the politest and most motivated cabin crew in the business.
The Titan reduced seating config. in comparison to most charter flights is great and makes it so much easier for the less able.
No great pressure on schedules , flights programmed, so that they will always be on time.
So well done Gordon for once you have made a good and wise choice:ok:

Even better for Gordon Brown then ;)

Not sure wha the message about the UK is though, although I have nothing against Titan.

Reading the Times of India here in Delhi yesterday they are buying the President a coupule of Boeing BBJs (well 738s if they are counted as BBJs)

British Prime Minister arrives on charter jet.

Inidian top brass on private jet.

Must be a sign of the times.

Other issue not yet mentioned is that BA are down a 777 at the moment since the unfortunate incident a few months ago, and so may not have been able to spare one.