Manchester: Virgin Atlantic Route News & Base Updates

[Coathanger16]

As David has mentioned already:

PARIS: Virgin Atlantic signs for up to 20 A330-900s

PARIS: Virgin Atlantic signs for up to 20 A330-900s

UK operator Virgin Atlantic is signing for up to 20 Airbus A330neo twinjets, with an initial eight firm aircraft and another six being taken from US lessor Air Lease.

www.flightglobal.com

Interesting quote from Chief Executive Shai Weiss:

"Return to growth is crucial and critical for us,"

 

[Jerry]

It's curious that they didn't order the 789. You'd have thought that they'd want to standardise their fleet. They'll end up with 3 aircraft types eventually.

 

[RhysTheBeast]

Unfortunately, Boeing hasn't helped themselves lately. Personally, I think their aircraft are superb, it's just a shame that QC is lacking, and rather than being transparent about these things, they have fudged. As a result of that, customers perception of the company has taken a knock, not to mention the pilots, who have consistently highlighted issues only to be offered less than satisfactory responses to those issues. It will take a lot of work to regain trust, but I am sure they will get there in the end.

 

[David_itl]

one of our former friends found this (and the other one is fighting a valiant battle about why is MAN being compared to major EU hub airports with regards to transatlantic service)

About the MAN-Los Angeles service...

" The market is reacting very positively to the new route with actual sales, he says. “Bookings are very strong,” while the move to daily service will make it easy for customers to become aware of it. "

Look out for Thomas Cook? Loganair? being acquired...

"Branson says, “We’ll fly from regional airports,” with Manchester perhaps providing an alternate to London airports approaching capacity. There are hints that the strategy might include the acquisition of other struggling British airlines. So it appears we now know of some Virgin expansion next year.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michae...s-angeles-to-manchester-service/#23e19ce8627a

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Alot will depend on whether Virgin is confirmed as the successful bidder for Thomas Cook long-haul. If so, we may see them exercise their options on additional A330neos. It will be a small step-up to daily MAN-LAX service from the current combined S19 schedule of VIR/TCX. Though year-round commitment would be very welcome.

Good to see confirmation of the intention to use Virgin Connect (FlyBe) to feed the Virgin Atlantic MAN long-haul programme.

Loganair takeover? Maybe, but I'm not so sure. The prime role of Loganair now must be to serve the opportunities of the Scottish market. And some of this wouldn't necessarily dovetail well with the priorities of Virgin Atlantic. However, with the personalities who fuelled the absurd feud between FlyBe and Loganair safely out of the way at the FlyBe end, it would make good sense for Virgin to re-establish full cooperation with Loganair on their routes to MAN from NWI, INV and LDY. Hopefully this will follow.

All just speculation on my part. Would welcome other opinions on the potential outcomes.

 

[User1007]

I'd be surprised if Virgin take any interest in Loganair beyond codeshares. Scottish island hopping is not their business, the fleet has no commonality with Flybe and most routes aren't suitable for anything Flybe -sized.

 

[Jerry]

Good to see confirmation of the intention to use Virgin Connect (FlyBe) to feed the Virgin Atlantic MAN long-haul programme.

They already do this so not much will change.

 

[juliet-fox-9]

News | Routes

Routes is the home of the world’s leading aviation network development conferences and events. Plus aviation news and features, and profiles of global airlines and airports.

www.routesonline.com

 

[juliet-fox-9]

News | Routes

Routes is the home of the world’s leading aviation network development conferences and events. Plus aviation news and features, and profiles of global airlines and airports.

www.routesonline.com

 

[Scottie Dog]

Excellent. Probably a better capacity aircraft for the route and still daily.

 

[Jerry]

Excellent. Probably a better capacity aircraft for the route and still daily.

More business class seats as well.

 

[mullion]

A little suprise Virgin handing over Boston to Delta from May2020 going from 3 weekly A332 to daily
B757 also same fro gatwick

 

[User1007]

Excellent. Probably a better capacity aircraft for the route and still daily.

The A330 should be a better fit, and is essential if they ever want to improve the winter frequency , but it will mean a significant fall from this year in the passenger counts on the route in peak summer. Virgin are obviously the bigger brand in than UK, but they don't have Delta's fleet flexibility - as shown with the Boston news this week.

 

[pholling]

The A330 should be a better fit, and is essential if they ever want to improve the winter frequency , but it will mean a significant fall from this year in the passenger counts on the route in peak summer. Virgin are obviously the bigger brand in than UK, but they don't have Delta's fleet flexibility - as shown with the Boston news this week.

On routes between the Uk and the US VS is the same airline as DL, from a route planning and financial point of view. Obviously, having two different operators makes the planning a bit more cumbersome. However, DL/VS can swap aircraft based on what makes the most financial sense. It is true that VS has better brand value in the UK and as long as the traffic is UK dominated having VS as the operating carrier gives you a marketing advantage. However, as the US side of the traffic increases this advantage begins to disappear.

VS Key advantages:

• UK brand recognition and value
• Lower cost base for US-UK flights

DL Key advantages:

• Larger total fleet, more combinations of ways to optimise aircraft usage
• Larger range of options for many routes, 757–A350/777

 

[Jerry]

DL Key advantages

Delta taking over Boston will be to counter JetBlue

 

[Coathanger16]

Not sure if this is new news or old news (the 2021 date that is, not that LGW & MAN would get some A350's for leisure routes):

Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A350s Bound For The Caribbean and Florida In 2021

Virgin Atlantic's Airbus A350s Bound For The Caribbean and Florida In 2021

Virgin Atlantic has revealed today that its final five A350-1000s will be serving leisure markets to Florida and…

simpleflying.com

 

[Liverpoola380]

https://www.business-live.co.uk/eco...nt=Link168&utm_campaign=north_west_newsletter

Looks like VS are expanding with new regional routes

 

[Scottie Dog]

https://www.business-live.co.uk/eco...nt=Link168&utm_campaign=north_west_newsletter

Looks like VS are expanding with new regional routes

This is dependant upon Heathrow getting it's 3rd runway and, in my own opinion, this is debatable.

 

[Seasider]

Pie in the sky (pun intended)

 

[Coathanger16]

Question is if they can't get the slots at Heathrow, would Virgin serve some of those destinations from the regions and Manchester in particular instead?