United Airline From Hong Kong, joined Jan 2001, 8792 posts, RR: 17 Posted (9 years 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 2134 times:
As you may know, Virgin Atlantic will start service between Hong Kong and Sydney in September 2004. Its already on the Hong Kong Airport Authority website.
Will they simply put an extra aircraft in Hong Kong? How are they going to rotate it back to London?
One more thing, any chance of a 2nd daily flight which they have been interested in for a while I think?
I honestly believe that there is a market for a 2nd flight. BA will be doing triple daily and CX is already doing that. Also QF might start daily flight in 2005. So.......
Airchabum From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 769 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (9 years 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 2117 times:
The plan is for a 2nd daily VS LHR-HKG-LHR to start in conjunction with the launch of flights to SYD but the exact date is still 'to be confirmed', ie awaiting various regulatory approvals. I expect it to slip from Sept 04 to later in the year or maybe 2005.
FlyingKangaroo From Australia, joined Apr 2004, 532 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (9 years 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1991 times:
I heard VS will operate an A340-600 for the SYD route, and this will be one of the routes that will have "priority" for the A380. Can soemone tell me, does VS already serve HKG? I read that the SYD flight will be something like 3 times a week continuation of the LHR-HKG route. Is this true?
Chilledflyer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (9 years 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1941 times:
United Airline:
Do you know why the 744 didnt work too well for VS as the load was often full of these flights? I remebered, correct me if I'm wrong, that VS operated 744 pre-911 for a while, so I only presumed that they switched to a smaller capacity metal (i.e. 343) to cope with the economic downturn? Or is there actually some operational problems with 744?? (even though CX/BA both operate the type to/from HKG/LHR)
Airchabum From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 769 posts, RR: 12 Reply 9, posted (9 years 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1905 times:
The plans AFAIK are for 2x daily LHR-HKG with A340-600 with one of the services carrying on to SYD (ie daily HKG-SYD). Eventually the plan is to use the A380 on LHR-HKG-SYD.
United Airline
It wasn't so much that the 744 wasn't successful on the HKG route, it was more that post-9/11 there wasn't much need for capacity on US routes so 744s were switched to other routes, eg HKG and JNB until pax figures on US routes picked up again. The 346 carries as many Upper Class passengers and a good deal more cargo than a 744 so is a good a/c for the route.
Bacxboys
As a VS employee I echo your comments...the SYD flights can't start soon enough!
Cx123 From Australia, joined May 2004, 695 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (9 years 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1796 times:
BAcxboys,
I am actually one of the person who compalined about the A340 service from HKG-LHR.
I mean going from HKG-LHR not a problem as it is always a 744 service in the evening service (which I prefer and most people prefer) But on the way back, If I want to take the latest flight it is always a 340!
The F Class cabin on 340 is just not the same as a 744. I prefer the 744 as it give you more room to move around.
I don't think the deal is fair where VS can goto SYD and CX only get give 1 slot to do the JFK-LHR route!
I just want to know how will this work as the CX888 or what ever the new number will be for the HKG-JFK will be on a 346. Will this SAME aircraft goto LHR? If so then what aircraft will there be to do the JFK-HKG?
Also how about the LHR-HKG service?
I think also CX should consider the J Class in the upper deck of 744 (especially the exit row and make it recline 180 and totally FLAT. And only assign it to MPO members like myself!! haaha. It was comfortable but I just saw this wasted room in front of me not ultilised!
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