Load Check request VS20 SFO > LHR today.

Hi All,

Long time reader, first time poster!

Myself and a colleague are at SFO early for VS20 to LHR.
I fly gold and my colleague silver so we're hoping to upgrade from Y to G with points.

Could anyone provide me a load check for the flight? (and cross your fingers ? )

Regards,
Matt

PS. Checkin wasn't open for another 45 mins when we arrived, but the awesome people in the SFO clubhouse happily accommodated us with our bags so we had somewhere to relax.... Happy customer!

So, it seems I should have trusted expert flyer.... Completely full flight, oversubscribed by 3 in premium and ~6 in economy. They are saving top deck exit row for downgrade customers from premium.... ouch!

Asking for volunteers to defer to tomorrows flight for anyone that's interested!

Apparently it's really busy this year, the girl at the payment desk (i'm now an exit row sucker ;P) said they don't usually start oversubscribing this route till next month but it's been really busy this month.

.. must go, drinks in the lounge await!

Matt

Matt - I mentioned SFO's heavy loads on all carriers last week (BA at least).
It's a route that all carriers are suffering on at present. Be warned anyone with an up-gradable fare, it may be tricky to get a G upgrade.

Makes you wonder how they propose to manage in the busy season with a 787-9 instead of the Jumbo...

That was my last topic effectively. BA is putting a 380 and 747 on next year allegedly due to increased demand. Arguably with removal of 747's at LHR, they'll need 2 planes to meet demand.

I still think this is one route that is worthy on a 380 from VS.

That was my last topic effectively. BA is putting a 380 and 747 on next year allegedly due to increased demand. Arguably with removal of 747's at LHR, they'll need 2 planes to meet demand.

I still think this is one route that is worthy on a 380 from VS.

Agreed. I know for many the A380 is considered a white elephant and certainly it would appear as though VS is not likely to take them but I certainly think this will not serve them well. The A380 is a big selling point and in itself creates a degree of demand, which would be amplified with a brand-conscious airline like VS.

I think they could easily use A380s on SFO, LAX, JFK and HKG along with LGW and MAN-MCO and LGW-LAS (again, cash in on demand "Virgin fly the big planes you know")during the summer. The A380 could easily be redeployed to MIA (busy during winter due to cruise traffic) and JNB in the winter to optimise usage. They are definitely missing a trick as I know a lot of people who usually fly VS who are switching to BA for flights to LAX and HKG/IAD to fly on the A380. Just my 2 cents and obviously I am not an airline manager but I genuinely can't see how they are going to cope in the busy season with 787-9s and A330s on JFK, SFO, LAX, MIA. They barely cope as it is in the summer with IAD and BOS for example. The only way they will manage is if they increase frequency which would mean ordering more aircraft and getting hold of appropriate LHR slots.

Ah well I can dream!

[mitchja]

VS would struggle using an A380 from MAN unless they switched terminals as whilst the airfield is A380 certified/cat. 10, only T1 is A380 capable and even then, there's only 1 A380 gate (which EK use). EK also had to move from T2 ready for their A380 service.

With VH having invested in a V:Room in T2, I cannot see them (or VS) wanting to switch terminals in a hurry.

I'd argue for ATL as well (connection possibilities).

Lets face it some unique Branson items on a 380
- casino was mooted at one point ( Vegas screams for this ) - I'd imagine demand on the LAS route would make a profit on this particular item if only open to PE/UC! - doesn't even need to be on every plane.

I know chances of it happening are low - but allegedly fuel burn on a 380 is reasonably similar in tons/hr to a 747-4 with more passengers (or you use the space for something else!). LAS/HKG/SFO/LAX all could do with 380's - moving as suggested SFO to MIA in winter for cruise traffic. I'd skip MCO except at it's peak, and move LAS to LHR - and you have a fleet ready for it, mostly LHR based except for occasional LGW MCO runs..

More capacity - then just needs Branson vision to sell the capacity.

380 is as mooted a game-changer - people will fly to go on it as mentioned. And with some vision and unique Virgin items (they have time to plan this) - it really could show up rival airlines 380s - with VS being late to game, it's an opportunity for a class leading interior. Personally I feel BA missed a trick on the 380 - the layout isn't exactly "revolutionary" - especially when compared to EK or SG - who arguably have done lots more despite being earlier ..

What I would do, is forget the showers, forget the bedrooms - do UC well, and give over industry legroom in Y and PE. A bigger proper bar... - that is usable in turbulance, so decent seating with additional seatbelts - not just a standing area as today with 3-4 seats. Same area would be casino on the vegas route to make the interiors close - gaming table being a table on regular route. Casino earnings may make up for space loss on *some* routes.. The wow factor done right here would sell plane - as who else has similar?

Wonder if real ale mini-kegs would be viable chilled - so proper ale in the sky, not bottled - would that be an airline first - proper ale not from bottles? Maybe served to both PE and UC... ale has quite a following now, and Virgin could have their own special brew. Would also save on waste (cans etc) so maybe a environmental angle to this.

Decent larger toilets for UC - again BA missed a trick even for first from what I've heard.

UCS to sleep (twist on old, not UCDS)

I also wonder about an upper-class deck - ie one floor = UC. one floor = Y+PE. No mix, forget about turning left, - you want to be upstairs as the place to be.... PE in nose, to make it more unique - our PE is only one in the nose of the plane....

Anyone else have other ideas? Id moot clubhouse in sky - but I dont think it'd be viable for load reasons.

All lovely ideas but, I fear, just not viable.

Yes some VS routes are often busy - SFO at the moment, MCO in the summer, LAS at weekends - but are they busy enough every day, all year round to justify the huge capacity - and expense - of a 380?

BA is a very different beast. A third of its passengers at LHR are transferring off or on to its short haul network. That's guaranteed traffic all year round that VS doesn't have. And it has a huge corporate customer base that chooses it for the extensive global network that VS can't offer - again, more guaranteed traffic even in quieter months.

VS already cancels several flights in the winter due to low loads (there's a recent thread about the 43 to LAS being cancelled in Nov and JFK often goes down to 3 a day in the winter). For the A380 to be viable you need routes that'll fill it, as near as possible, day in day out - even in November & February.