if only....

Rumour from who? The likes of VS have looked BHX before, but the runway length (or lack of it) has always been a factor. Guess it depends on the a/c used.

But surely if the other carriers are using 777 and 330's on long haul routes , then it is possible!

747s can get in and out so its feasible.it would just be restricted.and i dont think Virgin would want that.

VS used 747-400's on the route from LGW and MAN. Now, I am not an expert by any means, however one fully laden 747 requires a longer runway than the one at BHX.

But a 340 would be ok!

True, but then VS would have organise dif engineering cover in MCO, depends if they feel it's worth it.

One another note, shouldn't this thread be under "Airlines, airports and routes" banner?

Engineering is usually contracted out downroute . They would just use airbus engineers i guess - same company , different rating

Maybe, but I doubt it. Perhaps someone from VS can tell us what they think?

VS operate a long haul service, profitably. They don't have spare aircraft laying around to try out stupid routes from airports with performance limiting runways because some anoracks think it's a good idea. :rolleyes:

If you're going to post on a professional pilots website, at least have the courtesy and the intelligence to back it up, to post something that is at least slightly researched and not the fantasy of some spotter who orgasms every time he fantasises about a new carrier operating out of his local spotting haunt.

maybe you could let us know the address of your charm school?

Virgin Atlantic are constantly assessing potential new routes, but to my knowledge, Birmingham does not feature on the horizon at the moment. The next UK departure airport will be Glasgow, and that will be for only 6 departures this season!

The runway length at Birmingham is indeed limiting, and ground manoeuvring for A340-600 aircraft is extremely difficult, which constrains Virgin's options somewhat (the A340-300s will be history before long). However, the airline is highly likely to become a large twin operator in the future, and airports like Birmingham may become more attractive once those aircraft are in service.

While there are no current plans that I'm aware of, that does not mean that Virgin will never operate from Birmingham.

Scroggs

Don't forget the aircraft is arriving from Manchester with a load already on board. The numbers of seats available from Glasgow were limited right from the start; there's no way that market can generate a full 744 load as yet.

Scroggs

As opposed to the much smaller Travel City B747-300s stuffed full of punters out of Glasgow every summer or the numerous other flights on A330s just looking for a choice like Virgin?!?!?!?
Get real. Can't make money all year round but seasonal ops could be very rewarding, balanced with winter only routes like LHR-CPT, a balance is possible. Go on Virgin :)

Ahhh, but the A330 will be ideal for smaller airports like BHX/GLA ;)

That said, I haven't heard of any BHX plans, though as you say several routes are under consideration down at 'the office'.

My point is what might work in the near future. Scotland has known limits in these capacities.
A based 747-400 wouldn't work.
A peak seasonal 747-400 operation might. Split with elsewhere perhaps or other leisure destinations.
Daily 744s all summer? Probably never.
An A330 operation? Possibly more suitable for the market.


It's up to Virgin to see how they develop the market potential. And just to be sure, my days of orgasming at the thought of new shiny airlines at my local airport died many a year ago at Glasgow in the 1990s. I have cut down on changing underwear to daily ever since......:)

Phwoar anorak bincs and pole buwahahahahhahaha.
Where's my pills gone?

Plus the A340's (especially the 600's) are in a totally different configuration than the limited-J, extra Y config 747-400's VS use from MAN/LGW.

Which way will the Glasgow operate
GLA/MAN to MCO or MAN/GLA to MCO as I think the B744 might struggle ex Glasgow non stop

G-I-B

The impression from VS is that these flights are ferrying from MAN empty, the loads are just GLA-MCO!!!!

As for the market from GLA, if they can sell 7 x 767's & 3 x 743's plus all the other charter flights, VS could easily fill 2 or 3 744's a week.

GLAGAZ, are those times correct?? Landing at GLA = 12:50 then MAN = 13:50, that's going to be a great transit to see!!!!!!!! Got to agree about the 744 though, if one of those JT9 powered 743's can drag themselves into the sky at GLA, a 744 will have no trouble.

You forgot the time difference between GLA & MAN:E