Kraken wrote:No idea what VS fleet scheduling team are thinking... the VS75 MAN-MCO (& obviously the return too) was switched from a 747 to an A330 yesterday & next Saturday as well. Both Saturdays in the school Easter Holidays when demand would be sky-high (no pun intended).
Seems a bit odd to me - but if the planes need maintenance checks by a set date, this can ground them unless they happen. Even so, with Easter almost as late as it can be this year it does not take a genius to work out when most schools are going to be off & demand will be there. You don't go subbing a 747 for an A330 on these weekends without good reason.
I clocked that **VGAL was sat on the ground at MAN all-day yesterday and overnight whilst the A330 operated the VS75 too James. Now of course the next three weeks (on selected dates) is when DL are operating the MAN-ATL route so assumed this was down to a lack of A330s (due to the refit) but it does seem some other reason might be at play here.
MAN will need 3 744s as the summer hots up on some days (if you know what I mean) but not just yet. I know Cathay Pacific have the line maintenance contract for VS at MAN but can't imagine they would be doing anything major as that is normally covered at LGW and it was/is a planned aircraft change.
I do know a large number of LHR/LGW cabin crew (who reside in the 'North') have moved to operate out of MAN for six months to cover the expansion with SFO, BOS and JFK, but still rather puzzling.
At least it keeps us on our toes!
Jon