Ok I surrender. I'm wrong. I'll try to fly more from LGW in future on those nice new BA planes instead of the almost dangerously awful MAN fleets.Its well worth the drive. Spread the word.:ouch:

I've just done LGW-MRU on one of those 'clapped out' 777's, and have to say it was absolutely fine. Been on worse brand new aircraft.

If VS actually replace the beach fleet B744s with the A35K (or even the A333) the difference will be might and day:

BA use their RR engined 77e frames into the Indian Ocean and these are actually among the youngest classic 77e frames on the planet just 7 years old in the case of G-YMMR and G-YMMS !

FFMAN, you are not alone I assure you.

A few years ago, we flew LHR-SFO in Economy (extra legroom seats) and SFO-LHR in PE on BA747s The next year it was MAN-MCO and MCO-MAN in Econ and PE on the VS 747.

OK, it wasn't LGW or the 772 beach fleet, but however old the aircraft were, we found the experience on Virgin was far more enjoyable. It would take a very big price differential or free upgrade to persuade me to drive all the way to Heathrow or Gatwick, probably with an overnight hotel, to catch a flight if the destination was available from MAN (20 minutes drive) or even with an option to change in the US.

I've not used them yet but several reports also suggest that TCX's premium offering is very decent for TATL from MAN and at a decent price.

Still, I'm sure BA are grateful for Turin's business and the government for the extra fuel tax they collect for the 400 mile round trip.

Because if you did that, other countries would as well and cripple LHR. "forcing" airlines into such decisions will not result in a load of direct routes appearing. The consumer would just suffer and any influx of direct routes will go to LHR anyway if it was to happen.

TCX and eventually DY will be the dominant carriers at MAN in time. Hard to predict what VS will in terms of high freq services such as current JFK/ATL etc.

DUB may take traffic, but from what I gather the majority of UK transit is out of LHR. EDI has saw major growth in US traffic in recent years and EI also move big numbers out of EDI.

Perhaps if Manchester (city) and N West were more proactive in terms of tourism promotion like Scotland and Ireland are which will play a major role in ensuring US direct routes. It's tourists who fill a massive amount of capacity out of Ireland and Scotland and even London.

But VS have just had their entire 747 fleet totally refurbished so when you write 'clapped out' can you explain!

Like most sensible and practical ideas this would fall foul of EU rules. And if you think that we're leaving, think again, the remainaic establishment will move heaven and earth to ensure that it doesn't happen (you can check out but you can never leave). Indefinite "transition" period anyone?

BA don't do LGW. Gone are the days of the early 2901 that was very handy

On DUB traffic, majority is US originating and not coming from the UK side and if you put top transit routes into a league table only one US city generates robust demand to MAN and it's got a very low frequency currently ex MAN and no major US carrier based flying T/A (I'm sure people can work it out!)

Putting it into context LHR-DUB-JFK traffic is significant and that is with an hourly LHR shuttle.

insides might be fine, the airframes are getting tired though, as long as the seat is comfy that's all that matters!:rolleyes:

errr, no, sorry, it's not that obvious !

Boston

it’s true through that the Dublin effect is overblown with just a Daily EI 320 and ATR from Manchester connecting to the TALC services with actually majority of passengers being Point to Point Dublin in reality.

OH and just under 1.5million total transit through Dublin from everywhere is it really such a threat.

Oh and EI aren’t joining Oneworld any time soon oh and they actually cut several regional flights to other UK regionals !

Fact is the Oneworlders remain routed via LHR in the main.

IAG aren’t merging EI with BA never were !

Er, yes. thats why I have to drive.

I'm trying to get to St Lucia and back this side of Christmas. The best choice is from LHR on VS or LGW on BA. What should I do fly down and get a cab back?

Turin best option support local airport (add to the Man tally) fly down to LHR and then choose terminal change or coach link - they are very regular you know with National Express or Oxford Buses 24/7

Are you sure? No direct flights to UVF from LHR as far as I know? VS and BA both from LGW.

The airport has posted a lot of pictures showing TP progress on its Facebook feed. I had a look on the MAN TP website but they don't seem to be on there yet.

No need for a question mark as we are all aware that neither BA or VS fly to UVF from LHR it's LGW for both.

To be sure, you're going' the wrong way!
 

I am sure some clever person on here can extract the figures because whilst we are discussing leakage of US-bound traffic from MAN via DUB I do know there is a significant volume of US traffic transferring the 'wrong' way i.e. from DUB/ORK via MAN especially to Florida and Vegas. No doubt MAN has a better choice on those routes and the £/Euro rate helps.