Hkgspotter1 From Hong Kong, joined Nov 2005, 0 posts, RR: 1 Posted (11 years 1 month 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 1469 times:
If you have a look at Bill Harms site you will see that a couple of the A346's due to VS have now gone from the list. One of them, line number 468 G-VSSH `Sweet Dreamer' is now for China Eastern.
CO777-200ER From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 331 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1059 times:
I am wondering, did Virgin Atlantic ever consider the 777 instead of the A340-600, I am just wondering because I forgot now but i heard somewhere that they maybe were looking into the 777 for the A340-200 replacement.
Reggaebird From Jamaica, joined Nov 1999, 1169 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1042 times:
Instead of letting them cancel the A346 orders Airbus allowed Virgin to defer some of the aircraft. That's the only reason for the changes in Bill Harm's list.
Virgin did consider the 777 but Sir Richard is a strong believer in having 4 engines on his long-haul birds. Se la guerre!!
Boeing727 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 935 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1025 times:
Four holers for long haulers, where did you get this information Reggaebird?? And don't tell me that all the long haulers have four engines up to this point; the B777 makes much more sense than the -600, in my mind at least.
Reggaebird From Jamaica, joined Nov 1999, 1169 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1014 times:
Richard Branson was interviewed in a British or German aviation enthusiasts magazine back in the late '90's. In it, he said that many of the people who fly long-distance on his airline prefer to be onboard large four engined planes instead of twin engined ones. He also said that when Virgin operated a 767 for a short period in the early '90's the airline received more customer-based equipment complaints than at any other time.
I cannot remember which magazine it was but the article is floating around on the web somewhere. I was trying to find a link for you but could not.
Hkgspotter1 From Hong Kong, joined Nov 2005, 0 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1004 times:
Boeing727,
With a username like that I wonder why you think the 777 is better then the A346
Don't you understand what he means ?, its been said many times before that Sir Ricahrd Branson thinks passengers on long haul flights like to see 4 engines and not only two.
We all know the 777 is a very good long haul aircraft but people that know nothing about aviation like 4 engines better then 2 !
Airbus_A340 From Hong Kong, joined Mar 2000, 1555 posts, RR: 21 Reply 11, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 994 times:
Lol, it is all true, I read Richard Bransons "Losing My Virginity" and it does state in there about how he prefers 4 engined aircraft. I think it's a physcological thing...seeing 4 engines is comforting, rather than just 2. I do understand that 2 engines is just as safe, but it's just a feeling i have having 4 is safer.
AWspicious From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 961 times:
You know, if some of you would take the time to read carefully, and to understand just what it is you're reading, there'd probably be a lot less conflict between members in these forums.
Not everyone who books a flight is an aviation enthusiast. Matter of fact, we enthusiasts are largely out numbered when it comes to passenger figures. So, if the majority of passengers polled say they feel safer on a four engined aircraft as opposed to a two engined one, then, who are we as enthusiasts to argue. Sure, we all know that 2 can be better than 4 in certain applications, but, I'm sure there are trade-offs... just like in everything else in life.
So, if the man wants to buy 4 holers instead of 2 to please his (unenthusiastic) passengers, that's his business. Because in the end of it all, it's the "average joe" passenger who's paying his bills.... not aviation enthusiasts. So, please don't shoot the messenger.
Crosswind From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 2574 posts, RR: 59 Reply 13, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 935 times:
Don't know where the rumour about a Virgin hangar at Heathrow came from, but last week Virgin Atlantic signed a 5-year maintenance contract with FLS Aerospace covering all heavy maintenance on their A340 fleet, both the -300 and -600. The work will be carried out at their Dublin hangar.
Extract from press release;
----- Virgin Atlantic Airways has just signed a five-year contract with FLS Aerospace for the maintenance of the Virgin Airbus A340 fleet. This new agreement, with a contract value in excess of €20 million, covers all base maintenance of the fleet including ‘C’ checks and major modification programmes. The work will be performed at FLS Aerospace’s Dublin base, whose other Airbus wide-body customers include Aer Lingus, Airtours, Air France, Premiair and SkyService.
Virgin Atlantic currently operates 10 Airbus A340-300 aircraft and will be the launch customer for the new Airbus A340-600, with deliveries commencing in June this year. Both aircraft sub-models are included in this contract.
Commenting on the signing, Mike Humphreys, acting CEO, FLS Aerospace said that “FLS Aerospace are delighted to have been chosen by Virgin Atlantic for the A340 maintenance. Having developed much experience on the A330 over the past 8 years, it was always our intention to move into the A340 market. This contract provides that opportunity and is evidence of the confidence, which Virgin Atlantic has in our ability to deliver. This contract is an important part in developing the A330/A340 as a core product for FLSA and focusing on Virgin Atlantic’s needs as a core customer of FLS Aerospace.
-----
Airbus_A340 From Hong Kong, joined Mar 2000, 1555 posts, RR: 21 Reply 17, posted (11 years 1 month 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 835 times:
AWspicious, that's what I was tryign to say! I agree with you!
Do BMI handle Cathay Pacific's planes whilst at LHR? Because I think I saw 2 CX 744's outside the BMI hangars when I was there in the summer on holiday.
Crosswind From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 2574 posts, RR: 59 Reply 18, posted (11 years 1 month 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 760 times:
VC-10, HKspotter1, Sukhoi...
Thanks for the info, had no idea Virgin were constructing a hangar and thought it unlikely because all their heavy maintenance is sub-contracted out. Having said that the closest I've been to Heathrow in the last 5 years has been the M25 - all my recent trips to London have meant me flying into Gatwick. It's more convenient for me, plus you get a hot brekkie on the early MAN-LGW flights!
David_itl From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2001, 7168 posts, RR: 14 Reply 20, posted (11 years 1 month 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 732 times:
I didn't know there were complaints about the Martinair 767 wet-lease; this happened for winter 1994-5 if I remember correctly, replacing the A340.
What is about the Virgin MAN-MCO service that attracts the "whinging" comments? We have these comments on 767s, and the well-documented Air Atlanta subsitution last year(?) leading to all manner of complaints from travel agents and passengers!
Awspicious From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (11 years 1 month 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 655 times:
Airbus A340;
My post was not directed at you. Sorry. I guess I should have said "If some of you took the time... bla bla bla"
Anyway, no hard feelings, I hope :-}
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