virgin atlantic all-business aircraft
 

hi found this interesting!
Virgin Atlantic Airways Plans Business-Class Airline (Update1)

By Tracy Alloway and David Mildenberg

June 4 (Bloomberg) -- Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., the U.K. carrier controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, plans to start a business-class airline within the next 18 months that would increase competition for higher-fare travelers.

The new carrier will fly from cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, London and Zurich nonstop to New York and other destinations, the London-based company said today in an e-mailed statement. The new airline will fly under the Virgin brand.

The Virgin entry will compete for corporate travelers with traditional airlines such as British Airways Plc and new business-class carriers such as Silverjet Plc, MAXjet Airlines Inc. and Eos Airlines. Premium travel is the most lucrative for trans-Atlantic airlines, generating about 60 percent of British Airways' sales.

``This is going to create big problems for the legacy carriers because international business travel is where they make their money,'' said George Hamlin, managing director of Airline Capital Associates in Fairfax, Virginia. ``The whole trick for Virgin is making sure their equipment isn't too big.''

Virgin Atlantic has had ``preliminary discussions with a number of manufacturers for an order that could be up to $700 million,'' spokeswoman Brooke Lawer said. She declined to give further details, saying the plans ``are in the earliest stages.''

Heathrow Slots

The airline controls key landing slots at London's Heathrow airport, the world's busiest international airport, that it might transfer to its new business-class airline, Hamlin said. That would be an edge over Eos, MAXjet and Silverjet, which use London's Stansted or Luton airports.

Virgin Atlantic's plan comes after the U.S. and the European Union in March reached an ``open skies'' agreement that lets carriers fly from any European city to any U.S. destination. British Airways may start all-premium flights between the U.S. and Europe, the Financial Times reported May 19.

The move is separate from Virgin America Inc., a new low- cost carrier backed by Branson. Virgin America last month won final U.S. approval to begin U.S. flights and plans to start New York-San Francisco service later this year after it receives safety permits. Branson's closely held Virgin Group Ltd. put up 25 percent of the initial $177 million investment for Virgin America, plus a $53 million loan.

so what airport do you think they will fly from i guess it will be stansted!

Back to striking
 

Sorry to not comment on last post re: Business airline.

I really do not think that the strike of June 9th will happen. I've not heard a thing anyway, but found out about it on here.
I really hope that it doesnt happen and wonder who the 'Rebels' are. Does anyone else know who is behind the texts/emails/fliers? I've no idea, so best to stick with official Union!

Where on iFly did you see it? I havent seen it on there, which is quite worrying :uhoh:

Virgin Atlantic strike rumours
 

I am hearing rumours of an unofficial strike tomorrow by some Cabin Crew of Virgin Atlantic. Crewing are also starting to receive calls from crew reporting sick in far higher numbers than normal.

Looks like the BA summer malaise is contagious !!!! :)

Isn't that illegal in the UK?

yes... but going sick isn't

Great staff travel, not that hard work and great destinations but your pay is 5hite. In these days of equality, the Branson magic just don't wash. You have got some great shiny buildings for your exec's, but if you can't afford to holiday on your 5 year firms then whats the point?

You should be the brand that takes on BA. You should be paid the same money. Forget the chrome trim on the window blinds and give it to the crew.

Your drivers compete directly with Big Airways money, so should the crew. If you are taking action (24hr bug) then well done.

Thanks to the moderators for moving you off the front page. Why that would be I don't know, still fast track to the 4th stripe is worth it!

Virgin FBT
 

Hey
Just wondering what sort of tests the FBTs go through on their interviews for Virgin - anyone got any idea what practical stuff they have to do?

cheers :ok:
FF

I have read all these postings regarding pay etc....I can only come to the conclusion that if you don't like it ...you know where the door is. If it is such a poorly paid job that you can't afford to live etc why join VS ? Plenty of people do apply and join and I personally know of several who have been unsuccesfull when applying to VS but will reaply as soon as they can, as they really want to work for VS. They know the pay and conditions, (one even has a relative already employed there) If BA is so good join them...

Maybe, when people join, they join for a certain lifestyle. They stay there for a few years and they enjoy the people they work with and want to make a career of it. This is when the financial reward becomes the main driver. This is when staff travel and staff parties become less important, than having the means to pay for a mortgage.

The flight deck appear to be paid a healthy market rate, engineering are near enough at the start and are well paid with a bit of service, but the crew have been left behind.

can you believe the latest update from the mangagement is now inorder for crew to get a descent pay increse they are going to try and take away our staff travel and requests and private health care can you believe this... this is going to create a holy war between management and crew... remember stick together crew we will win this time...

Hmm I've just read the update on ifly. Let's see. Management now want us to put back the date of our next pay negotiations to later in the year, but isn't that what they wanted the first time, an 18 month pay agreement? It seems that hasn't changed. Then there's something about wanting the agreement to last three years, with only year three guaranteed to match inflation. Is that supposed to be an improvement? And now talks of losing staff travel concessions, which they seem to think only Virgin offers. I'm totally confused, I think we are moving backwards. I can see ballot papers popping through our letterbox soon and I know where I'll be putting my cross again.

All this time, Virgin is getting interest on the pay increase we should have had by now. :mad:

no staff travel and medical.

Who do these jessie's think they are ?? do they really think we are so stupid that we will go for that.... its got to be about 60% of commuters use staff tickets to get to work

I cant wait to get that form through the door.. the sooner this madness gets sorted the better

time to stick together !!! time to strike !! time to take action... taking our benefits away!!! staff travel medical plans etc... our airshare was rubbish but you know where all the money we were ment to recieve went from the airshare it went into the base!!!! they did the same when the renovated the club house!!!

Crew benefits during initial probation period???
 

Hi Virgin crew.

Coming away from my interview I am a little unsure of what benefits I get during my probation and what kicks in after the 6mnths?

Apart from basic wage and downroute pay for food etc do I also get trip pay straight away? Also the tribe card??? Can I get discounted trains straight away. Of course free flights is after probation I expect?? Can I take someone with me on a trip during probation??

Can someone put me more in the picture.
Thanks.

IFBT's
 

Hi FF,

I understand that the written exam covers loads of anatomy and physiology with a 88% pass mark and practicals you have to perform back massage and manicure.
Hope it helps

Hi, all i have recently set up a google groups site especially for commuters MAN-LHR-MAN to arrange car share for cost or just company.....its was mainly for BA staff but since a load of ground staff from MAN are going flying at LHR(73 new + current commuters) I guess it might be more difficult for VS crew to commute on the shuttles and might want to car share....anyway here is the link.
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/ba-...mmuters/?hl=en

Cheers Jarvis


any questions pm me

Seen the latest letter? If not... go to iFly...

2% was rejected, why would 2.6% be accepted?

Vote NO!

Hi fellow slaves,

I hope everybody has received the latest ballot paper from the union.



VOTE NO!!!!!