From ATWOnline:
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson denied reports and rumors that the carrier is close to placing an order for up to 20 A340-600s and converting its order for six A380s to options. According to the spokesperson, the company is “not yet in a position to announce a deal and when we have a deal that is signed and sealed then we’ll announce it but cannot go into any further detail at the moment.” Boeing pitched its 777 to the airline but Airbus won out in what was termed very tough negotiations. Apparently, according to insiders at Virgin Atlantic, part of the tradeoff for the order is that the carrier’s A380s, which were deferred earlier this year (ATWOnline, May 18), will be converted to what is being called “permanent options.”
From Airwise ( http://news.airwise.com/stories/2004/07/1090835262.html ):
Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways said on Monday it remained in talks with European aerospace company Airbus and US rival Boeing for a big aircraft order by the end of the summer.
“We still think it is going to be sometime during the later part of the summer,” a Virgin Atlantic spokesman said.
The Sunday Telegraph newspaper quoted Branson as saying Airbus was “marginally ahead” of Boeing for the potential USD$5 billion order he said was due in the next seven to 14 days.
The spokesman would not confirm Branson’s remarks and said no order had been finalized.
Branson said in March he expected to complete talks with fierce rivals Airbus and Boeing by the end of summer for potentially 30 aircraft, A340s or B777s, as the airline adds new routes and increases staff.
By: skycruiser - 28th July 2004 at 03:48
I don’t think they will go down the 747-400 route.There is a shortage of second hand B747-400.
Sounds like a bit of bartering to get a rock bottom price for some new machines.
By: wysiwyg - 28th July 2004 at 00:34
Management denial…usually the first sign of something about to happen 🙂
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 20:59
Not to sound nasty or anything, but why on earth would Virgin want to buy 747s now?
In fact you could stretch the question and ask why would most people want to buy brand new 747s now? Airlines seem to either be downgrading (in size terms that is) to the 777 or upgrading to the infinitely more efficient A380. Virgin in particular ordering more 747s would strike me as an extremely bizarre move, especially since they’ve already ordered A380s and the A346 is a perfectly adequate replacement for the 747.
For what is worth the acquisition of 777s is not completely dead. 95% dead perhaps, but not entirely. But I could more easily see Virgin painting out the ‘4 engines for long haul’ logos and buying 777s than ordering new 747s.
Chances are they’ll end up buying A346s- at very cheap prices though.
Maybe perhaps VS is privvy to stats that show the A380 is not all its cracked up to be?
Who knows.
A 747 order would be rather surprising, I was offering a what if theory. The only people who know whats going on are VS. And they’ll let us know in due course.
By: 4 engines good - 27th July 2004 at 20:35
Not to sound nasty or anything, but why on earth would Virgin want to buy 747s now?
In fact you could stretch the question and ask why would most people want to buy brand new 747s now? Airlines seem to either be downgrading (in size terms that is) to the 777 or upgrading to the infinitely more efficient A380. Virgin in particular ordering more 747s would strike me as an extremely bizarre move, especially since they’ve already ordered A380s and the A346 is a perfectly adequate replacement for the 747.
For what is worth the acquisition of 777s is not completely dead. 95% dead perhaps, but not entirely. But I could more easily see Virgin painting out the ‘4 engines for long haul’ logos and buying 777s than ordering new 747s.
Chances are they’ll end up buying A346s- at very cheap prices though.
By: Hand87_5 - 27th July 2004 at 17:52
Perhaps I’ll wake up in the morning and find that I’m Brad Pitt? :rolleyes:
Com’n Brad , ervery body here knows who you are 🙂
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 17:08
Perhaps I’ll wake up in the morning and find that I’m Brad Pitt? :rolleyes:
Its not entirely impossible
By: Grey Area - 27th July 2004 at 16:42
Perhaps I’ll wake up in the morning and find that I’m Brad Pitt? :rolleyes:
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 12:16
Of course not, perhaps the “4 engines 4 long haul” policy will win out though ?
Yes.
Perhaps more 747’s.
Just because Boeing are mentioned… doesn’t mean the 777
By: Ren Frew - 27th July 2004 at 12:13
Still not enough evidence to completely rule out another fleet type.
Of course not, perhaps the “4 engines 4 long haul” policy will win out though ?
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 12:12
Plus the fact they want to “double in size” by 2010.
Still not enough evidence to completely rule out another fleet type.
By: Ren Frew - 27th July 2004 at 12:06
And why not?
Its well known VS want to increase their Staff pool.
Also, existing pilots to leave the company or retire. These need to be replaced.All perfectly acceptable and plausible reasons for a recruitment drive.
Plus the fact they want to “double in size” by 2010.
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 12:04
Really , They hired a bunch of new pilots just to have more 🙂 ???
And why not?
Its well known VS want to increase their Staff pool.
Also, existing pilots to leave the company or retire. These need to be replaced.
All perfectly acceptable and plausible reasons for a recruitment drive.
By: Hand87_5 - 27th July 2004 at 12:02
Really , They hired a bunch of new pilots just to have more 🙂 ???
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 11:58
It seems to be obvious.
Why VS would train a bunch of crew on A34x?
because they currently have A340’s in the fleet.
The fact that a new bunch of pilots, Wys included, are being hired and/or trained is hardly conclusive evidence that they ARE gettings more 340’s
By: Hand87_5 - 27th July 2004 at 11:51
It seems to be obvious.
Why VS would train a bunch of crew on A34x?
By: Ren Frew - 27th July 2004 at 11:50
Perhaps Branson is saying “Airbus in marginally ahead” to try an provoke a new offer from Boeing? Would stand to reason.
Branson is a clever man. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s using negotiations with Boeing to get Airbus to lower the price for the A340-600’s to the point they’re almost giving them away.
He’ll probably end up with Tupolev’s at this rate… 😀
By: Bmused55 - 27th July 2004 at 11:44
Perhaps Branson is saying “Airbus in marginally ahead” to try an provoke a new offer from Boeing? Would stand to reason.
Branson is a clever man. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s using negotiations with Boeing to get Airbus to lower the price for the A340-600’s to the point they’re almost giving them away.
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July 27, 2004 at 11:37 am