SFO

The "other" flyer talking based board I noted last week was reporting crazy loads to San Fran in summer on the other London based carrier with that carrier apparently putting a 380 on early next year (they have 2 747 a day currently). Rumour mill is they are offloading a few people a day on each flight at present onto other carriers both IDB's and VDBs.

Just given I couldn't get any rewards flights to SFO next year when trying to book same time of year- has anyone been on the route recently who can comment on load factors on the VS route (it was super busy 2 years ago for us, totally full in all classes). If they are as busy or similar to BA - would anyone think VS/DL would put on another flight once planes allow? I doubt this is a route they'd be wanting to reduce capacity on when the 787 is here.

I'm personally likely on the route next year - and it's already looking like an expensive ticket, so I guess VS are pretty full already.

Ultimately I'm speculating this could be a route for the VS 380 (if it arrives) in 2018 along with Orlando and LAX - and this may be a reason for the current switch to 1x flight to LAX a day... The demand at peak time certainly may needs a bigger set of planes from all the carriers on the route current demand in summer at least.

With 787-9's replacing all the LHR 747's I think that pretty much is the kiss of death for the 380 in the VS fleet.

As for SFO it had another 3 flights a week 2 years ago when YVR started - however the slots were converted for use with little red MAN flights.

I could however see ti going double daily on the 787 or with DL operating 1 frequency like LAX when the 747's go.