jomur wrote:

TC957 wrote:

Wednesdayite wrote:

I’ve speculatively booked a trip to Britain in June. All being well I’ll be returning on VS from MAN-ATL.

Anyone know when VS hopes to resume that route? I can’t see anything online.

Galileo is showing MAN - ATL recommencing daily from 17 May.

That does not mean anything currently. Its just a 'we hope' move. Move accurate info will be available in April when the results of the travel review are announced.

Latest from VS is that MAN - ATL is to recommence 30 June. Same for MAN - LAX.

Wednesdayite wrote:

TC957 wrote:

Wednesdayite wrote:

I’ve speculatively booked a trip to Britain in June. All being well I’ll be returning on VS from MAN-ATL.

Anyone know when VS hopes to resume that route? I can’t see anything online.

Galileo is showing MAN - ATL recommencing daily from 17 May.

Awesome. Thank you.

MAN - ATL now due to recommence 30 June, as is MAN - LAX.

Are they still thinking of launching flights to MEX?

DKNEF wrote:

Are they still thinking of launching flights to MEX?

That's news to me that they are thinking about MEX.

TC957 wrote:

Wednesdayite wrote:

TC957 wrote:

Galileo is showing MAN - ATL recommencing daily from 17 May.

Awesome. Thank you.

MAN - ATL now due to recommence 30 June, as is MAN - LAX.

Cheers!

I ended up postponing the trip due to the US not being on the green list. No point arriving and having to quarantine. Hoping for better luck later in the summer.

Is there any possibility we will ever see the 787-10/8 or 777-9/8 in the fleet. I do hope so if they make an effort to expand after this nightmare is over.

lagdroid wrote:

Is there any possibility we will ever see the 787-10/8 or 777-9/8 in the fleet. I do hope so if they make an effort to expand after this nightmare is over.

Why? neither type is required within their portfolio pre or post COVID19 .

Range of the foldy wing 778 not needed indeed not required by any EU/UK carriers to be honest and capacity of the larger brother covered nicely with the 350-1000.

What would the baby 788 bring naff all.

IMHO Only 787-10 has any potential into the dense North East seaboard I suppose.

Virgin has a very long way to go and certainly survival mode remains up front and the immediate imperative.

lagdroid wrote:

Is there any possibility we will ever see the 787-10/8 or 777-9/8 in the fleet. I do hope so if they make an effort to expand after this nightmare is over.

Yes, an incredibly small one some way far down the line if the price is good and VS are still here. But they're already complex enough with B789s on the one hand from Boeing AND a separate Airbus long haul fleet of 2 types! The A333/A350 mix swapping A333 for A339s! More fleet complexity is not a great plan IMHO.

IMO, the A330neo order killed off any prospect of further 787 orders, be it for more -9's or for -8/10's. Pretty much all of the existing network can be handled by the A330neo with the A350 for their higher capacity and handling the longest range routes/any routes where performance is imperative and there would be a compelling argument to standardise around an all-Airbus fleet if it wasn't for the current climate combined with the 787's already being there in volume and them being so young.

As for the 777X, I would say next to no chance. I think it may have been a small possibility in the future if VS went for the 777-300ER to replace the 747's instead of the A350-1000, but even then the only plausible reason why VS would want the 777X is for capacity.

I also agree with rutankrd that the immediate, short-term priority for VS and others is survival. I can't imagine the UK government constantly chopping and changing green/amber/red list (and I see VS have joined forces with TUI, IAG, Ryanair and MAG in taking legal action against the government over this) combined with the USA still being closed to UK-originating travellers helping much either, along with the current COVID-19 situation globally.

A few weeks after they stopped Preighter service EVE-LHR, it seems like they will start flying EVE-JFK from next Thursday

I presume with the 789s since those aircraft previously operated EVE-LHR

Does anyone know when the 787s will be refitted to be in line with the A350 and forthcoming A330neos? My best guess is around 2022 when the oldest G-VNEW (ironically) will be 8 years of age.

Wednesdayite wrote:

TC957 wrote:

Wednesdayite wrote:

Awesome. Thank you.

MAN - ATL now due to recommence 30 June, as is MAN - LAX.

Cheers!

I ended up postponing the trip due to the US not being on the green list. No point arriving and having to quarantine. Hoping for better luck later in the summer.

Latest recommence date for MAN - ATL is now 22 August. But given the on-going US travel ban for UK citizens, do expect that date to be continued to push back.

I’d be surprised if ATL or LAX appear within the northern ‘summer’ timetables at all TBH

Someone83 wrote:

A few weeks after they stopped Preighter service EVE-LHR, it seems like they will start flying EVE-JFK from next Thursday

Do you happen to know what type of cargo is driving this flight?

flyguy1 wrote:

Someone83 wrote:

A few weeks after they stopped Preighter service EVE-LHR, it seems like they will start flying EVE-JFK from next Thursday

Do you happen to know what type of cargo is driving this flight?

Seafood, mainly salmon

lagdroid wrote:

Does anyone know when the 787s will be refitted to be in line with the A350 and forthcoming A330neos? My best guess is around 2022 when the oldest G-VNEW (ironically) will be 8 years of age.

Can you be more specific? What changes need to occur?

Virgin has announced a codeshare agreement with MEA

https://newsroom.aviator.aero/virgin-at ... air-liban/

gaystudpilot wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

Does anyone know when the 787s will be refitted to be in line with the A350 and forthcoming A330neos? My best guess is around 2022 when the oldest G-VNEW (ironically) will be 8 years of age.

Can you be more specific? What changes need to occur?

lagdroid is referring to the fact that the Upper seat on the 787's are the old-style ones that have since been superseded by the new Upper seats found on the A350's and presumably also going to be fitted to the A330neo's when they arrive. The A350's also feature a new (i.e. narrower width) Premium Economy seat and the bar area that's graced the vast majority of VS aircraft for many years since the concept was introduced has been replaced with a small lounge area called the Loft.

Do they need to occur? Well it makes sense if you're interested in offering a consistent product and they will become due for a refurb as the decade progresses, though I can't see it happening until things pick up.

Someone83 wrote:

Virgin has announced a codeshare agreement with MEA

https://newsroom.aviator.aero/virgin-at ... air-liban/

I’ve always wondered why they haven’t done this yet. VS should also codeshare with the remaining SkyTeam members at LHR - AZ, RO, SU, KE, MU, VN, CI, SV and KQ. This would be beneficial for both VS and the other carriers, and offer VS some more breadth.

with quarantine restrictions lifted for fully vaccinated US travelers to the UK, is there any news or updates on reinstating passenger service to MCO?

VS launching 2 x weekly flights from LHR - NAS from 20th November 2021. Not sure of equipment. This is a return isn't it? Swear they served NAS before - wonder why they stopped?

Virgin previously served NAS on the 744 back in 2005. Not sure when it stopped. The new flights will be operated on the 789.

Tristar787 wrote:

Virgin previously served NAS on the 744 back in 2005. Not sure when it stopped. The new flights will be operated on the 789.

March 2007. Flight was from LGW.
First Choice also served MAN-NAS as a summer only in 2005 and 2006. I don’t think it lasted past the Thomson merger.

by738 wrote:

I’d be surprised if ATL or LAX appear within the northern ‘summer’ timetables at all TBH

Looks like LAX at least ‘gone’ for this year

by738 wrote:

by738 wrote:

I’d be surprised if ATL or LAX appear within the northern ‘summer’ timetables at all TBH

Looks like LAX at least ‘gone’ for this year

Interesting that VS and DL would be willing to cede LA to IAG given the routes overall significance on US-UK travel especially given how DL has keep its ground at LAX compared to AA during the lockdown.

Saw an image at competitor website of Virgin Atlantic A330-223 G-VMNK devoid title and tail signature livery, is VS phasing out their A330-223 fleet earlier than expected? I thought they will replace A330ceo fleet with A330-900neo on one to one basis. This ex-airberlin frame MSN 403 was only recently reconfigured in Feb 2019 before entering storage in March 2020 due to pandemic, at 20.4 years old, I don't think it will fly again upon retirement unless some cargo airline picks her up.

The VS CEO teased that new routes are coming in the next few weeks. Should be interesting…

RoyalBrunei757 wrote:

Saw an image at competitor website of Virgin Atlantic A330-223 G-VMNK devoid title and tail signature livery, is VS phasing out their A330-223 fleet earlier than expected? I thought they will replace A330ceo fleet with A330-900neo on one to one basis. This ex-airberlin frame MSN 403 was only recently reconfigured in Feb 2019 before entering storage in March 2020 due to pandemic, at 20.4 years old, I don't think it will fly again upon retirement unless some cargo airline picks her up.

Saw that pic of G-VMNK too, now devoid of engines and logos too. And stored at Düsseldorf in Germany. Yes I think the plan was always to pase these out once the Neo came into the fleet. Obviously Covid-19 has ramped things up a bit. Weren't they originally acquired as a stop gap whilst the 787 engine troubles were worked on ?

JannEejit wrote:

RoyalBrunei757 wrote:

Saw an image at competitor website of Virgin Atlantic A330-223 G-VMNK devoid title and tail signature livery, is VS phasing out their A330-223 fleet earlier than expected? I thought they will replace A330ceo fleet with A330-900neo on one to one basis. This ex-airberlin frame MSN 403 was only recently reconfigured in Feb 2019 before entering storage in March 2020 due to pandemic, at 20.4 years old, I don't think it will fly again upon retirement unless some cargo airline picks her up.

Saw that pic of G-VMNK too, now devoid of engines and logos too. And stored at Düsseldorf in Germany. Yes I think the plan was always to pase these out once the Neo came into the fleet. Obviously Covid-19 has ramped things up a bit. Weren't they originally acquired as a stop gap whilst the 787 engine troubles were worked on ?

Yes indeed, they were meant to patch up VS's spotty 787 operation previously. airberlin A332 were available immediately due to its collapse. They were only recently given new cabin. What a waste of money to have refurbish all four A332 and now throwing them away now. I don't think they will retrofit those seats to their new A339neo.

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

Unless they've been living under a rock and not following the recent news, I highly doubt it.

817Dreamliiner wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

Unless they've been living under a rock and not following the recent news, I highly doubt it.

Is your comment they aren't following news and shouldn't be launching any routes? If so, that's a bit ridiculous as VS will know far better about how to plan for their operations with things. Or is it Mexico specific that I don't know?

jbs2886 wrote:

817Dreamliiner wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

Unless they've been living under a rock and not following the recent news, I highly doubt it.

Is your comment they aren't following news and shouldn't be launching any routes? If so, that's a bit ridiculous as VS will know far better about how to plan for their operations with things. Or is it Mexico specific that I don't know?

The UK Government this week put Mexico on their red list which requires an expensive 10 day hotel quarantine on return. So at this point it would be pointless to announce any destinations to Mexico.

Well Mexico won't be on the red list forever and announcing a route is different to starting operations there.

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

MAN LAS, MAN PHL, LHR PHL, LHR SLC

with 6 747's right up to the end on the ramp sametime, I would think KMCO would be on the list soon.

PITFlyer330 wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

MAN LAS, MAN PHL, LHR PHL, LHR SLC

MAN - PHL? I know AA no longer fly the route, but surely there isn't enough O&D demand for VS to operate this flight. I would have thought at least 70% of the pax who used to fly AA on the route were transferring through PHL. LHR-PHL may be viable, but DL tried this on a B757 and only lasted for one season I think.

817Dreamliiner wrote:

jbs2886 wrote:

817Dreamliiner wrote:

Unless they've been living under a rock and not following the recent news, I highly doubt it.

Is your comment they aren't following news and shouldn't be launching any routes? If so, that's a bit ridiculous as VS will know far better about how to plan for their operations with things. Or is it Mexico specific that I don't know?

The UK Government this week put Mexico on their red list which requires an expensive 10 day hotel quarantine on return. So at this point it would be pointless to announce any destinations to Mexico.

Its not going to stay like that forever and these flights are highly unlikely to be launched quickly.

8herveg wrote:

PITFlyer330 wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

MAN LAS, MAN PHL, LHR PHL, LHR SLC

MAN - PHL? I know AA no longer fly the route, but surely there isn't enough O&D demand for VS to operate this flight. I would have thought at least 70% of the pax who used to fly AA on the route were transferring through PHL. LHR-PHL may be viable, but DL tried this on a B757 and only lasted for one season I think.

Forget PHL... They couldn’t even make PHL-CDG work.

crownvic wrote:

with 6 747's right up to the end on the ramp sametime, I would think KMCO would be on the list soon.

Yeah, MCO and LAS should be back pretty quickly once the borders open up.

No LAX is a bit of a strange one, but right now VS will have a lot more info than we can guess at.

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

A few ideas:
-LHR-PHX (seeing as BA have axed this route)
-LHR-DFW (a few months back the CAA invited airlines to bid for slots to serve LON-BOS/DFW/MIA due to BA/AA tie-up)
-LHR-SJU (considering recent VS expansion seems to have focused on Caribbean markets)
-LHR-GRU (VS announced this route before COVID but subsequently cancelled it)
-LHR-GIG (ex Norwegian LGW route)

TexasAirCorp wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

A few ideas:
-LHR-PHX (seeing as BA have axed this route)
-LHR-DFW (a few months back the CAA invited airlines to bid for slots to serve LON-BOS/DFW/MIA due to BA/AA tie-up)
-LHR-SJU (considering recent VS expansion seems to have focused on Caribbean markets)
-LHR-GRU (VS announced this route before COVID but subsequently cancelled it)
-LHR-GIG (ex Norwegian LGW route)

Personally I see a focus of Caribbean leisure destinations, like the recent NAS announcement. Remember if its to the US, it will be part of the JV with DL (and AF/KLM IIRC). So, I think PHX and DFW are unlikely, especially if BA can't make PHX work with feed on both ends (I think AA is on the route and its a metal neutral JV so BA dropping it actually doesn't really matter). Although AF to DEN was a surprise, I don't think you'll see similar routes with VS because AF has connections in CDG; there just aren't many on VS (yes, some).

No way these new flights are to the US .We are months away from reopening on the US side.

TexasAirCorp wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

A few ideas:
-LHR-PHX (seeing as BA have axed this route)
-LHR-DFW (a few months back the CAA invited airlines to bid for slots to serve LON-BOS/DFW/MIA due to BA/AA tie-up)
-LHR-SJU (considering recent VS expansion seems to have focused on Caribbean markets)
-LHR-GRU (VS announced this route before COVID but subsequently cancelled it)
-LHR-GIG (ex Norwegian LGW route)

When did BA axe PHX? They have only delayed the resumption to next month - I don’t think that route is going anywhere, it has been there since 1996.

rutankrd wrote:

No way these new flights are to the US .We are months away from reopening on the US side.

Its probably sooner than that - https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclus ... 021-08-04/

onwFan wrote:

TexasAirCorp wrote:

lagdroid wrote:

What routes do you think will be announced? I think they will either resume flights to Cancun or fly to Mexico City.

A few ideas:
-LHR-PHX (seeing as BA have axed this route)
-LHR-DFW (a few months back the CAA invited airlines to bid for slots to serve LON-BOS/DFW/MIA due to BA/AA tie-up)
-LHR-SJU (considering recent VS expansion seems to have focused on Caribbean markets)
-LHR-GRU (VS announced this route before COVID but subsequently cancelled it)
-LHR-GIG (ex Norwegian LGW route)

When did BA axe PHX? They have only delayed the resumption to next month - I don’t think that route is going anywhere, it has been there since 1996.

My mistake, I'd read somewhere that it had been axed completely.

My tip would be a new route to MLE, once the Maldives are off the UK red list. A resumption of Tokyo should be good, again once Japan opens up to foreigners, given all the exposure by the Olympics. There's sure to be pent-up demand from the Japanese end too - plus cargo demand.
I'd also give MAN - MIA an outside chance, at least on a seasonal basis for the winter Caribbean cruise market.

jbs2886 wrote:

rutankrd wrote:

No way these new flights are to the US .We are months away from reopening on the US side.

Its probably sooner than that - https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclus ... 021-08-04/

Although good news, I am not optimistic though. With the Delta variant, and now Delta Plus and Lambda, the chance of a fully open up is slim before end of September. If there is an outside chance all details are penned by middle of August, I see a phased approach from the US side. Like what Canada is doing, a two phased opening (US in August then the rest of world in September with goalpost being moveable for the latter.).

Hence, I don't see a return of Orlando/Florida service soon, at least not before October when we are sure there is not another variant of concern to cause another wave. VS is smart to bank on Caribbean destinations. Caribbean destinations may not bring the volume and money USA routes can bring, but it is open and hopefully remain to be.

My personal expectation is some clarity to be introduced on TA openings by end of August/beginning of September. But I expect it to be a guideline only, and real opening may not happen until end of September. If that is the case, I don't see VS return to many of its USA services until W21 season.

There is just too many variables currently. I won't be surprised that US is holding out to see how the European opening up is shaping the virus infection numbers before committing a TA opening. The supposed opening by Canada in early September can be a great case study too.

If and I mean IF we see as many as 4 new routes announced then we could see the A330-900 order options converted into firm orders.