Virgin Atlantic

[ethanegcc]

I would like to see all members views on this; 2018 for VS/DL partnership. In my opinion, this is what should happen:
ATL - DL takes back, on Airbus A330-200/-300 equipment - I would love to see another US A330 at MAN.
JFK - VS keeps year-round on Airbus A330-300 equipment (slight drop in winter) or DL operates the 763 in winter.
DTW - DL operates Boeing 767-300ER five-weekly in summer NEW ROUTE
LAS - reverts to year-round
SFO - reverts to year-round
BOS - increases to three-weekly

What are your thoughts? I would like to see a mix of VS/DL metal at MAN. I think this would make sense to DTW and ATL. I think we are possibly being too optimistic to see LAX/MIA in S18, so I have just included Detroit.

 

[Dobbo]

I don't agree with this.

I could see the merit in DL getting involved with seasonal routes (e.g. Detroit if it happens) or routes where there is a seasonal imbalance (JFK - but see below).

My preference would be to see VS metal building up at MAN to make a more attractive network to the likes of BE, Jet or SQ (if they continue to have preferential cross selling).

Get 8-10 A333 at MAN and the network will take care of itself.

 

[Coathanger16]

I'd tend to agree with Dobbo.

Does anyone have any data regarding the split on passengers with VS/DL (i.e. what % originate from UK, what % originate from USA)? I suspect the majority of passengers across all the routes originate in the UK, hence it would make sense to have Virgin operate these routes. I'm not saying Delta put people off, but as a UK brand, Virgin is something that people recognise.

Having been to Heathrow on numerous occasions and seeing the line up of Virgin aircraft at T3, it would be very impressive to see a similar thing start to happen at Manchester.

How many A330's will Virgin have based at Manchester this summer?

 

[ethanegcc]

Would you tend to agree with my thoughts if ATL remained with VS?

 

[Dobbo]

Would you tend to agree with my thoughts if ATL remained with VS?

I think so.

Excluding Orlando and the Caribbean routes...

For 2018 I'd like to see an A330 on each of JFK and ATL; an A330 running SFO/BOS and LAX/MIA. A 5th A330 based to run LAS and a few seasonal increases. If 2019 saw a 6th A330 based I'd add frequency rather than new routes.

By 2019 you'd be into B744 retirement territory, which may shake things up a bit.

 

[Land23R]

I would like to see all members views on this; 2018 for VS/DL partnership. In my opinion, this is what should happen:
ATL - DL takes back, on Airbus A330-200/-300 equipment - I would love to see another US A330 at MAN.
JFK - VS keeps year-round on Airbus A330-300 equipment (slight drop in winter) or DL operates the 763 in winter.
DTW - DL operates Boeing 767-300ER five-weekly in summer NEW ROUTE
LAS - reverts to year-round
SFO - reverts to year-round
BOS - increases to three-weekly

What are your thoughts? I would like to see a mix of VS/DL metal at MAN. I think this would make sense to DTW and ATL. I think we are possibly being too optimistic to see LAX/MIA in S18, so I have just included Detroit.

Personally, I'm hedging all bets on the US for 2018 to see what ramifications the Trump syndrome and the fall in the pound produce this year. Will Brits give the US a miss in significant numbers? Will Americans decide to make use of the strong dollar and be glad to get out of their country for a few weeks, or because of uncertainty pull up the drawbridge and stay home? If they do come to the UK and Europe, is Manchester Airport on their map?

Too many unknowns to make informed guesses. I doubt we'll see DTW in the foreseeable future though, and I'd want to see more figures for MIA, LAX and BOS for TCX to assess how they are bedding in before contemplating predictions for VS.

 

[jfy1999]

There is a strong rumour elsewhere that some ATL-MAN rotations in April will see Delta 777-200s operating instead of the Virgin A330s.

 

[Dobbo]

Is there any underlying rationale behind the need for extra capacity?

For example, is that when the Golf is on?

 

[ethanegcc]

There a currently quite a few dates blocked off in April at the moment so could be where the DL 77Ls are filling in? It could be that and travel to Florida is quite busy at that time of year. Another reason could be backlog of VS 333 refurbishment.

 

[Land23R]

Easter is the weekend of 14/17 April. Not sure how the 2 week school holidays are fitting in around that but it's usually a busy period for air travel.

 

[ethanegcc]

Daily services still show on Amadeus but four flights a week not showing at the moment on DL or google flights. Perhaps these are the rotations to be operated with 777? Would be interesting to see loads with that a/c

 

[ethanegcc]

Apparently due to crew shortages.

 

[Land23R]

It would seem inconceivable that ATL would be cut back to 3 x weekly due VS crew shortages in a month with the busy Easter/school holiday period. But I really hope that DL plugging the gaps isn't just a rumour based on an assumption for which there is currently no confirmation.

 

[ethanegcc]

I am sure it won't, considering loads just under 80% with six weekly ops in December.

 

[ethanegcc]

No need to worry:
View attachment 4488

 

[ethanegcc]

The schedule is still a bit off, so I suppose it is still being updated and not yet showing on the websites of VS and DL. But, reassuring.

 

[Dobbo]

Good to see. I gather the intention is for DL/VS metal to be relatively interchangeable on some routes, so perhaps we should get used to this!

 

[ethanegcc]

I hope so, especially if loads are good. The whole idea of a joint venture is obviously to be metal neutral; Delta's 333s have more seats that VS's so these could also be a possible substitute.

Will be interesting to see LFS with this extra capacity. We will have to wait for it to appear on the website of DL to see whether it will be a 777-200LR or -200ER (both have same configuration). To see a US airline's 77L in MAN in this day and age is quite something. DL only currently operates the 777 on JFK-CDG and select MSP-CDG flights transatlantic so quite a privilege - although it is not a regular thing.

 

[ethanegcc]

DL 157 (operated by 777) operating on Fri 7th/8th/9th
Virgin codesharing on all with the code VS 109 - operating Mon-Thu (the second Delta down you can see is codesharing with VS operated - flight# DL4354)
Air France will codeshare on the Delta operated services as flight# AF3550

It looks the same the week after, with DL 777 coming in from ATL on Thu/Fri/Sat, departing out to ATL Fri/Sat/Sun and VS operating all others.

The week after the DL 156 will just operate in from Atlanta on Saturday (22nd)

The last week of April (commencing 24th) is as usual.

 

[ethanegcc]

Now showing on Delta's website for some dates (still updating and messing with it as it only shows business class and says 'no meal'!):
View attachment 4492
-200LR!