BGIplanefreak From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 67 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 years 7 months 18 hours ago) and read 1651 times:
I know that the aircraft that BA and VS operate on their popular routes from LGW to BGI and MCO are configured differently than their regular transcon aircraft to allow for more economy seats.
My question, on these specially configured aircraft, is the seat pitch the same as on regular BA and VS aircraft, or do they have "charter airline seat pitch"? Also, do these aircraft have the standard seat-back PTV IFE?
Just curious since a couple years ago my wife flew MCO-LGW on BA back when they used 744s on that route, and the aircraft didn't even have PTVs.
Worldoftui From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 18 hours ago) and read 1623 times:
As far as I am aware, BA have withdrawn their "special config" 777's that squeezed an extra seat across into the economy section.
All BA 777's and 747's have PTV's, just the 767's that lack them now. As far as I know, these operate to NAS,GCM, CCS and so on. Don't think I have heard them operating to BGI or MCO. In fact, I would be surprised if BA or VS consider BGI a low yield route like MCO. It is very much a premium destination from the UK. Remember, Concorde was a regular visitor there every winter. I am sure that the premium cabins on the BGI route are well utilised.
With regard to VS, the only major differences in the leisure route aircraft were up - front. Economy seating was identical throughout the fleet. Differences in IFE were down to age of aircraft, not route.
Airchabum From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 769 posts, RR: 14 Reply 2, posted (7 years 7 months 17 hours ago) and read 1592 times:
To add to what Worldoftui said, at VS the LGW and LHR based 744s are configured differently due to the different nature of the flying (ie LGW primarily leisure, LHR predominantly business) but seat pitch is the same down the back on both fleets. LHR 744s are in 44/32/310 config whilst LGW 744s are in 28/38/373 config, which will change to 14/58/379 when the new Upper Class Suites are installed. LGW 744s currently have Arcadia IFE (with PTVs) although this is what Alitalia ordered and VS got stuck with it. When the a/c go for re-fit in the winter they will all have v:port IFE installed.
FlyCaledonian From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1809 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 16 hours ago) and read 1574 times:
BA actually uses a standard four class configured 777 on the LGW-BGI route as it offers First. On LGW-MCO it has three classes only, with no First. All BA travel classes are the same standard whether it's a three or four class aircraft, or LHR or LGW based 777s.
FutureFO From New Caledonia, joined Oct 2001, 3065 posts, RR: 29 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 13 hours ago) and read 1519 times:
The BA and VS a/c are High Density config and have been for years to MCO. J class, and really packed Y class. With the TPA market it is the same Reg's rotated between the MCO-TPA for BA. The VS a/c are in LGW and MAN config. The MAN a/c is a British registered 742 operated and crewed by Air Atlanta Icelandic.
James768 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2000, 112 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 7 months 5 hours ago) and read 1464 times:
Can someone tell me what the difference is up front in the virgin aircraft to Orlando compared with the other Virgin services because I shall be flying in Upper on that route at the end of the year. Seat pitch/IFE etc
However these will be replaced by the new Suites during the winter, so you could get either. The only other difference I can think of is that there is no In-Flight Beauty Therapist on the LGW flights.
BGIplanefreak From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 67 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1267 times:
Thanks for your replies, that was helpful. Btw A340600, very nice pics. You sure were a lucky dog!
While we're on the topic of LGW aircraft versus LHR aircraft. Considering that BGI used to be a Concorde market, and I'm assuming that BGI still is a high yield route for BA, how come BA hasn't switch its services from LGW to LHR like it did for its flights to Nassau, Grand Cayman, and Provo? To me Barbados would seen like a good candidate to have LHR service from BA. Any thoughts??
Cambrian From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 617 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1224 times:
I would love it if BA switched their BGI flights to LHR! I think that they have an LHR-BGI flight on Saturdays during the winter.
I go a couple of times a year in BA First, and loads are pretty good- especially during the winter- lots of connecting passengers from France and Scandinavia in First!
I was lucky enough to fly Concorde to BGI once, and it was a party all the way.
Having flown BA First on various routes out of LHR and LGW, I think that the "bucket and spade" routes out of LGW are a second class service, regardless of seat configuration. Needless to say, it is a second class service, with first class prices!
FlyCaledonian From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1809 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1137 times:
BA001concorde, I was simplfying things by stating how things will be this winter. I was merely trying to get across that BA will offer three or four class configured 777s that can be used at LHR or LGW.
Nassau and Grand Cayman flights switched to LHR when BA ceased 767 operations at LGW to make it solely 737 for shorthaul and 777 for longhaul. (At one point the 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 were all operating at LGW!).
Aren't the LGW VS 744s fitted with a different IFE system as they were originally ordered by AZ (747-443 - VS has 5), so have their IFE and galley equipment?
Airchabum From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 769 posts, RR: 14 Reply 18, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 1079 times:
For info the first LGW 744 to be re-fitted with the Upper Class Suite and v:port will be G-VROS in September. The others should be done by the end of the year.
Shamrock_747 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1044 times:
I've also heard rumors from the BA LGW staff I know about 744s returning to LGW for a few routes, but realistically I don't think it will happen.
The fleet at LGW has been simplified to 737s (soon to be joined by A319s) and 777s so there would be additional cost ferrying 744s from LHR.
Another point to consider is that the MCO route doesn't have FIRST so the aircraft would either have to be reconfigured, resulting in less flexibility in the fleet, or FIRST seats given to Premiers/Golds/Silvers/Full Fare J pax in Club which isn't the most profitable use of the aircraft.
FlyCaledonian From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1809 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 998 times:
Sammyhostie, MRU and NAS are both LHR routes, not LGW. Plus, MRU already operates with a 744. Or is BA planning to transfer both these routes back to LGW? (In which case Grand Cayman and Providenciales would follow too, as extensions of NAS flights).
BGIplanefreak From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 67 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 953 times:
That would be great to see BA's 744 in MCO again, I sure do miss seeing them. But I'm not holding my breath on that one.
SafetyDude From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 3795 posts, RR: 20 Reply 22, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 949 times:
Aren't the LGW VS 744s fitted with a different IFE system as they were originally ordered by AZ (747-443 - VS has 5), so have their IFE and galley equipment?
If I remember correctly, only the frames of the LGW 744s are AZ, and everything else was built for VS and Nova was the latest IFE. Please do correct me if I am wrong.
SafetyDude From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 3795 posts, RR: 20 Reply 23, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 948 times:
That would be great to see BA's 744 in MCO again
Whops, I forgot to say that I would love to see a BA 744 in MCO, but I can stay happy with the VS 744s.
BWIA 772 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 2162 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 947 times:
BA and VS make a killing on the LGW BGI flights seeing that both of them operate daily flights. BWIA is the only one not to get in the act with only 3 times a week LHR BGI service. Anyway i was wondering when T5 is completed at LHR will we see BWIA swtiching the BGI flights to LHR.
The 744 Saturday flight out of LHR to BGI during the winter season was one that caters of the concorde passengers. Apparently it has more First class and business class seats than the 777.
Eagles Soar!
25 Shamrock_747: If I remember correctly, only the frames of the LGW 744s are AZ, and everything else was built for VS and Nova was the latest IFE. Please do correct m
26 BGIplanefreak: BWIA 772: Is BA still offering the saturday LHR flight for this coming winter? Just wondering since I didn't see any sign of it in the schedule. Once
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