Virgin Domestic flights from March Next Year

Possible reaction to loss of West Coast Mainline franchise

Much of the Press reported that this was Branson’s reaction to “Virgin Trains loses West Coast Mainline franchise” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19264614

Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t but the delays in security and baggage handling at airports will be excessive compared to the convenience of ‘walk on, walk off’ the train.

I think it’s going to be a wet-lease rather than acquiring aircraft. Still begs the question where from? I’d like it to be EZY for no other reason than easyVirgin would make a great (if unlikely name) name.

I am waiting for someone to do a photo manipulation of a pendolina train with wings

Perhaps they can acquire the aircraft from the demise of WindJet?

I’ll be interested to see where the aircraft come from ?

That’s what I was thinking, I had thought they might strike a deal with Virgin America and get some of their delivery slots… The problem there being VX don’t have any more A319s on order.

So unless they can strike a deal with any of the other airlines, it looks like the aircraft will be second-hand…

Many moons ago one of my old employers, Dan-Air, tried this and failed. Although I believe there were some specific reasons for this.

I’ll be interested to see where the aircraft come from ?

I really hope it comes off and they do well.

I find it interesting that they (maybe just the papers) are reporting they will be using the ex BMI slots for this, when they regulator clearly state it is for certain routes (of which MAN is not one), so theorectically they will get all the plaudits for starting the route, then cancel it, and can blame the evil BA and CAA for not giving them the slots.
If they do start it, good luck to them, and hope it works well, though as posters above have pointed out, it will be a tough call.

Much though I look forward to seeing a VS minibus I personally think this is a HUGE mistake.

As already mentioned it’s nigh on impossible to make money on LHR domestic services without huge transfer traffic (BA’s peak MAN LHR MAN flights have something like 90% transfers) and the VS longhaul operation at LHR isn’t big enough to provide that. Bear in mind some of bmi’s biggest losses were on LHR domestics and that was feeding the whole Star LHR operation!

What point to point traffic there is won’t find 3 flights a day sufficiently flexible for their needs.

Adding a completely new operation like this adds complexity and cost to the company.

I hope this works out for them but I hope moreso that this doesn’t turn VS into the next BD just to stroke SRB’s in taking on BA.

Manchester -London flights = 650.000 passengers p/a at present .

Anyway it beats trains …

I’m highly sceptical this will work out for Virgin. As was already pointed out in this topic, BA runs most of its domestic services at a loss… BA only operate their domestic services to ‘feed’ the more lucrative long-haul connection market – of which Virgin’s is comparatively small. In fact, you must ask yourself why Virgin doesn’t use the LHR slots to open more profitable long-haul routes? I assume there’s no legal obligation for VS to use its slots on domestic routes?

You only have to look at how the LCC’s have effectively abandoned UK domestic routes (bar the odd easyJet flights from London to Scotland and from Liverpool to N Ireland, the channel islands and the IOM) to see they’re not profitable.

However, I wish Virgin all the best with the new venture – I just hope they don’t pour too many resources into it.

One point though that seems bizarre, is that they will operate to Terminal 1 at Heathrow, when the rest of their flights use Terminal 3.

The reason for them operating from T1 is because T1 & T5 are the only terminals at Heathrow that have domestic arrivals facilities, and as VS would not be allowed to use T5 by BA…T1 is their only option.;)

Are these flights going to be marketed/operated as Virgin Atlantic flights, or is there a new subsidary airline being created here (i.e. Virgin UK)…?

Slight shame that they’ve chosen Manchester as a first destination, as I would have thought EDI/GLA would have been a better choice imo, but I guess MAN is a more logical choice because its the other main base outside of London that VS fly to/from, even if it is just to LAS and MCO!

I know they say in the press release that the details about the config of the aircraft will be released in due course, however I seriously hope that they consider doing something similar to Virgin America’s A319 config…8 First Class / 12 Main Cabin Select / 99 Main Cabin (http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_America/Virgin_America_Airbus_A319.php).