Titan Airways

[Porrohman]

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?

[Kazamb]

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.

[groundhogbhx]

Tony Blair ordered them, Gordon Brown cancelled them.

[Musket90]

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

[Porrohman]

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.

[james170969]

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!

[amber 1]

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

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

[Prestonian]

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

[boredcounter]

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?

[ryan2000]

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.

[codpiece face]

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.

[Skipness One Echo]

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*

[MAN777]

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.

[Curious Pax]

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!!

[splash&dash]

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:

[Whitehatter]

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.

[sam dilly]

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:

[amber 1]

Titan...makes it so much easier for the less able

Even better for Gordon Brown then ;)

[22/04]

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.

[Curious Pax]

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.

[BAladdy]

Even if they had the aircraft. BA have a cronic problem with LH crew shortage. Which is down to the 900 hours rule and also alot of crew leaving.
There are 400 new crew coming online before mid July. However this headcount only just covers people retiring etc. They just cant get them through training fast enough

[rallymania]

flew with them last night from LCY to EDI

they'd been called in to run the BACF service and i have to say they had the best service i've ever had on the route

i find the BACF staff friendly enough but they always look a little jaded. (not judging them, just observering)
the titan staff however were fantastic, very cheerfull, friendly and professional.

thanks TITAN

[spider_man]

In addition to a B738 replacing their 1st B757 this year, I see Zap are getting a B767! Any idea which variant and for what, or is it just a rumour.

[brian_dromey]

I flew with Titan lately on an EI flight ORK-MAN. The Titan crew were great. A really friendly and professional bunch. The aircraft, a 737-300QC was immaculate and well presented.

A new type for the log as well, hurrah!

Brian.

[BYALPHAINDIA]

Heard Titan will operate a 767 on a lease for I think 2 years from 2009.

Other additional A/C 757's? are also joining the fleet next year.

Anyone else heard any more?

Thanks For Any Replies.


Merged. Try our search function before starting a new thread please.

The Mods

[AircraftOperations]

Titan's website has a bit of info on new fleet developments.

737-800 is coming spring 2009 I believe - not sure if this is to replace a 757 though, and these were announced before the economic downturn so might not still be valid.

[excelone]

From what I'd heard, it's going to be a 767-300 and now due January 2010 (although Titan website still says Dec 09). It's also on the website about the 737-800 due in the spring.

I had believed the above was all that had ever been expected - are the mentions of further 75s or 739s due to new information? good lease rates/the 2 ex xl 739s sat at Lasham? I guess with the downturn everything could change again anyway. Learnt a long time ago never to believe any fleet rumours untill the aircraft actually joins the fleet and starts flying for you. Just while at xl, remember the rumours of extra 762s, 744s, A310s, A330s

[BYALPHAINDIA]

I read that the 767-300 is signed up on paper for the lease?

A 767-300 would look nice in the Titan scheme.

[spider_man]

Any updates on the Titan 767? Is it still coming in Dec/Jan, and what work is planned for it? Possible MOD contracts?

Also, I see from their website they have bought out Satellite Travel primarily for the winter ski flight business.

[sam1993]

The 767 is due in December this year and the registration G-POWD has been reserved for it.

[BAladdy]

Noticed on Jethros that the 4 Bae 146's in ZT's fleet are fr disp. Does anyone know anymore about this??. Will they replace them with newer second hand RJ's?

For years ZT and FLT have been called on and relied upon to help out airlines operating from LCY (BACF, WX etc) when they have problems in their fleet. With FLT no more if ZT did get rid of the Bae146's who would these airlines call on to help them out?.

Also are ZT still looking for a 757 to replace G-ZAPU or have they shelved that idea?

[midweeksaint]

Hi BAladdy
I think Jethros may have got it a bit wrong. Saw this on ATI recently

"UK's Titan selling 146 in switch to larger-capacity types
David Kaminski-Morrow, London (03Sep09, 09:16 GMT, 112 words)

UK charter specialist Titan Airways is to sell one of its three British Aerospace 146 freighters, and has recruited BAE Systems' asset management arm to remarket the jets. While Titan is intending to sell one of the 146s, BAE says it will market all three aircraft. The jets comprise two 146QC aircraft, serial numbers E2119 and E2148, and a 146QT identified as E2114. BAE says Titan's decision is down to a "need for larger-capacity aircraft", adding that it is confident of finding a buyer for the 146 despite the freight downturn. Titan, which is based at London Stansted, has a fleet which also includes Boeing 757 and 737 aircraft.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news "

So seems to me that Titan are hoping to dispose of one of their four aircraft (I think the other is leased from BAE but not sure when it is due back).

[cornishsimon]

i guess the obvious buyer of a 146 freighter would be tnt as they already operate a fair few examples

[flying officer kite]

Dont want to sound like im dismissing this comment, but having had a recent chat with the Titan fleet manager recently, he did say there was no way he would get rid of the 146, its too good a money maker for them, with Royal Mail etc, but who knows, he also said they wouldnt be getting 737NGs either

[Nopax,thanx]

TNT are in no position to buy anything - they have taken a severe hit this year and retired the A300's due to operating costs. BAE were touting the 146 as a military freighter to the MoD just recently so these may be the ones they have their eye on.