From what I've read all five of the 757-300's are being transferred to German sister airline Condor and in return will be swapped for six or seven A321's that will be joining Thomas Cook UK.

The Thomas Cook fleet seems to be very complicated, as there is a lot of swapping around of aircraft with the sister German, Scandanavian and Belgian fleets. With these flying odd flights to and from the UK. For example Thomas Cook Belgium operated the Palma-Luton-Palma flight this summer.

They also seem to wet lease a number of other aircraft in the summer months from Avion Express and SmartLynx, which are usually A320's and I assume this will continue next Summer...

You also have Air Tanker continuing to operate two A330's for Thomas Cook next year.

For example they are opening a new Luton base next year, and the routes are showing to be operated by an A320 on the seat map when booking a flight... So I assume this will be a leased bird, which makes sense when opening a new base, as it minimises the risk with not having to employ new Thomas Cook staff. as these will be supplied by the leasing company and will be flown by a smaller aircraft than the A321, in case the base doesn't work out or has lessor demand than that is required of an A321.

To add to the complications, they are have also entered a deal with Air Transat to share aircraft during each airlines low season. So Thomas Cook will send A321's to Canada in the winter, when Canadian's want to escape to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. I assume Thomas Cook will receive a few of Air Transat's metal in the summer month's, maybe an A330 or two, but I thought Air Transat's long haul fleet were busy flyng to and from Europe in the Summer?

Also the A330's of Air Transat are a rather cramped nine abreast and will be interesting to see if they get modified to match the UK fleet with eight abreast seating or remain as they are.

The problem Thomas Cook have with their long haul fleet is, they have an inconsistent hard product, as you have their own fleet with Premium Economy and offer Seat-Back TV's throughout. The Air Tanker fleet don't offer either and if the Air Transat A330's enter the fleet for the summers and are not modified, this makes the hard product even more difficult to match customers expectations.

Air Transat's short haul fleet is made up of 737-800's so unsure if we will see any of these flying for Thomas Cook in the Summer months, and these are due to be replaced with A321LR's in 2019, which will be more compatiable with the UK airlines own A321's.

One 757 G-JMOG I think returns in March for Summer which means 4 757 swapped for 6 A321.

TCX have invested a considerable amount of effort into building a long-haul product and I am happy to choose them over say AA or UA. However that would only apply to their own fleet - NOT the Air Tanker birds which, having once experienced, I would avoid - it's a bit of a 1990s style experience and that just does not cut it anymore.

I'm a savvy flyer though and know what to go for and what to avoid - most aren't. So many people will get the TCX long-haul experience through Air Tanker, being totally underwhelmed and telling all and sundry that the TCX brand is 'awful' (or other phrases).

Additionally some of the routes they fly the Tankers on might be considered Premium routes like Antigua and St Lucia but the option to buy said Premium seats (ie to give TCX more money) does not exist.

TCX will have to sort this inconsistency pronto otherwise their careful brand and product building will be undermined.

AA/AB are the only 757’s staying. They will be based in Gatwick for S18

According to Jethros only G-JMOG returns permantly in March. JMAA & JMAB become D-ABOP & ABOR

Fairly certain what 'Jethros' means is that JMOG returns permanently to Condor in March '18.

Dlvd Manchester 07 Apr 16
Op fr Condor 03 Nov 17 -
To rtn permanently Mar 18

Its operaring for Condor anyway now so it would state its returned to Condor permanently now ? I take that as it returns to TCX permanently on March 2018 but we wait and see.

It’s operating for Condor on the G register at the moment with UK crews and returns permanently to a Condor next year. It is still on the UK AOC. Only AA and AB will remain with TCUK for next summer

That's correct.

Forgive me for sounding dumb, but why do TCX/Condor switch planes by season? Didn't think there was a massive difference between the 757/767 and A321?

They all do different jobs B767 long haul 753 high density European and A321 not as big
and aircraft of choice for most European flights now

Sad to see end of 763 ops, from the good old Airtours days. Definitely a bit long in the tooth. I recall one of the AIH 763s getting buckled on a heavy landing.
Wonder what the two at MAN have in store....

Four ex Monarch A321's will be joining the fleet this winter.

Confirmed by Jethro that the 4 Ex. Monarch A321's are indeed the Sharklet ones. Another A320 also to join next summer as well.

Looks like the Air Tanker lease has been extended as the one on long term lease is still operating for MT. Was due to end on the 15th Jan.

Does anyone know when the Ex ZB 321's are expected to be put into commercial service? One still sat at BHX feeling sorry for its self.

I heard that they will go into service sometime this month
Ian

Anyone know why the MT2848 returned to MAN?
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co...light-14503207

Monarch G-OZBG - G-OZBH A321 sat at PIK

rob39
 

What have Monarch G-OZBG - G-OZBH A321 sat at PIK got to do with TCX? :ugh: