CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4385 posts, RR: 5 Posted (9 years 10 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3092 times:
It has been reported that Virgin Atlantic Airways is looking to purchase or lease 2 additional 747-400s in preparation for possible service between the U.K. and Australia. Virgin hopes to begin operations before the end of 2004.
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower
Gamps From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 469 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (9 years 10 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2683 times:
Hmmm...was passing through Mojave last weekend and saw atleast three Virgin Atlantic 747's parked there. Highly visible since atleast two of them are closer to the highway. Reason they are parked there? Not sure they are 747-400s though (had no binocular).
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (9 years 10 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2623 times:
I don't think they will be from Singapore AIrlines Pte Limited, who knows
sorry, just wanted to say the long and elegant name Singapore Airlines Pte Limited.
Wouldn't VS want a common enigne type?
-UN
Airchabum From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 769 posts, RR: 12 Reply 9, posted (9 years 10 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2591 times:
Gamps
The VS 747s in Mojave are all ex Cathay or ANZ Classics. They went there after 9/11 when the fleet was cut down to 744 and A340. Most (if not all) are due for major checks so it would be expensive to bring them back into service. Besides, VS no longer has Classic crews/spares/etc so they would probably be operated by Air Atlanta if they were revived.
CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4385 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (9 years 10 months 2 days ago) and read 2529 times:
It will be interesting to see whether they buy new aircraft or lease them. If they continue in their current fleet planning, then they will buy the aircraft. Virgin still has 1 747-400 on order. Also, if they order new 747s, will they be -400s or -400ERs.
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower
United_Fan From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 7159 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (9 years 10 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2317 times:
Aern't VS' -400's RR powered ? AC & UA 's are P&W and GE powered.
'Empathy was yesterday...Today, you're wasting my Mother-F'ing time' - Heat.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined exactly 12 years ago today! , 12713 posts, RR: 80 Reply 13, posted (9 years 10 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2277 times:
No, typical Branson spin has had him claim that he is more 'pro-UK' that BA in buying aircraft, in the case of A340s (particulary the -600 with R/R engines), and the R/R powered A380s on order, fair comment.
But his 744s are not R/R powered, which he forgot to mention.
Dutchjet From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 7864 posts, RR: 58 Reply 18, posted (9 years 10 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2075 times:
Aren't the ex-Canadian (now Air Canada) 747-475s pretty old, built during the first few years of 744 production?
I would assume that Virgin is looking for rather new examples of the 744, say not more than 5 years old, and they should not have a problem finding them in this market; I would also assume that Boeing would give Virgin an amazing deal on new build 744s including the 747-400ER, which may be of interest to Virgin to operate the long route to Australia.
Of course, the most logical choice would be for Virgin to take some ex SQ 744s, as SQ has a minority ownership interest in Virgin, but dont count on it, Virgin seems to make its decisions independently. SQ is a major player in the Europe-Australia market (I think number 3 behind QF and BA) and Virgin's entry into London-Australia market, even if via Hong Kong, cannot be a good thing for SQ. SQ operates many flights from Singapore to various cities in Australia, and a lot of the passengers on those flights originated in Europe.
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