Covid 19 Thoughts on the likely actions in the weeks to come

Having exhausted all holding pools and those who wanted to rejoin, VS have today launched a major campaign for cabin crew recruitment for 2022 Summer Season on 6month fixed term contracts.

https://careersuk.virgin-atlantic.com/s ... ncrew-2022

Update from VS Trade;

Our Revivals Lounge at Heathrow is now open again

A big Welcome back for our Revivals Lounge

There is nothing better for your customers than re-energising after a long overnight flight. With a power shower and a cup of coffee, they'll be ready for their day ahead.

The lounge is available on arrival for eligible passengers, including Flying Club Gold members, Upper Class and Delta One customers.

Find out more about our Revivals Lounge here.

Just a question re revivals lounge - is it still in the same place on Level 2 of T3, at the end of the footbridge from the car park?

Yup and open till 12.30

Thanks ColOrd - hopefully will visit for the first time in a long time when we arrive back on VS20 on 27/1 - used to always be closed when we landed on the VS42 in the afternoon...

I must admit Revivals is a lovely way to end a trip!

I must admit Revivals is a lovely way to end a trip!

Until you spend a minute more than the allocated timeslot in your shower room and you have the maid scowling at you when you emerge, suitably "revived".

I haven’t had that one happen to me I must admit!

Update from VS Trade

COVID-19 Operational Update – 20 Jan 2022

We’re continually reviewing our flying schedules, including Barbados services from our home in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport. This winter, changing travel restrictions and arrival testing requirements set by the UK and Scottish governments led to subdued bookings on the route. Following careful review, we’ve taken the difficult decision to shorten the existing Edinburgh – Barbados schedule, with the last flight of this winter season now departing to Barbados on 16 February and inbound to Edinburgh on 22 February.

Edinburgh is an important new gateway for Virgin Atlantic and we’re fully committed to serving our Scottish customers and this much-loved Caribbean destination, which we know has long-term viability as Scotland’s only direct route to the Caribbean, offering an idyllic winter sun destination. That’s why we’re excited to confirm that Barbados services will continue next winter, from 12 December 2022, and as planned, twice-weekly Orlando services will commence from 30 March 2022.

We know our customers love travelling to Barbados, and sincerely apologise for any disappointment caused to those due to travel on services from mid-February up until 23 April 2022, which will unfortunately be cancelled.

If re-routing is a suitable option, customers can be rebooked on alternative Barbados services from Manchester or London Heathrow.

After careful review of our London Heathrow – Hong Kong schedule, we have taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of all passenger services until 14 February 2022, as we work with authorities to overcome current operational challenges on this route. We hope to reinstate this service as soon as practicable, providing vital connectivity between the UK and Hong Kong for customers and global supply chains. We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

Tobago Relaunch
We are continuing to expand our portfolio of flights to the Caribbean and will be relaunching our twice weekly services to Tobago. From 29th January, the route will resume from London Heathrow, departing every Tuesday and Saturday. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard our Airbus A330-300 to Tobago soon.

Where we are reducing frequencies on some routes to ensure impacted passengers can continue with their travel plans, they will be reprotected to the most suitable alternative departure. Where a flight is cancelled, due limited operations to these destinations, there will be no reprotection option available.

Bookings affected by these changes will be updated on Saturday 22 January 2022.

Cancellations effective until and including
Caribbean
EDI-BGI 16 Feb 2022 - 12 Dec 2022

Hong Kong
LHR-HKG 7 - 14 Feb 2022

We are also making some frequency updates on selected routes.

Please check here regularly for updates and here for specific flight status.

Latest VS Cargo February flight schedules can be found here

That's a pity they're giving up on EDI-BGI prematurely this winter. That said, the timing between the route announcement and launch wouldn't have helped as I suspect a lot of people who would have otherwise used this new service may have booked elsewhere. Omicron would have also put off any potential last-minute travellers in case either the UK or Barbados (or both) reverted to stringent testing and restrictions including the red list. I noted just before the onset of Omicron Barbados had dropped the requirement for testing on arrival and not being allowed to leave accommodation until that returned a negative result.

At least they've announced a date for the route to return and one can only hope things are more normal by then. VS and Virgin Holidays now have a whole year to work on getting the bookings in to make the route viable.

From a purely selfish POV, I also hope this helps ensure MAN-BGI doesn't get suspended any earlier than late-April given MAN is being cited as one of the alternatives.

Sad but inevitable for BGI from EDI. I cannot see it lasting the entirety of the next season either. Orlando will survive but only because those who used the GLA service will switch over to Edinburgh.

I’m sure GIP will have offered VS heavy discounts for using EDI. Personally, give me GLA any day. I also dare say, many GLA pax would even now travel to MAN if the price was right… can’t see the ‘home in Scotland’ lasting beyond a seasonal MCO.

Update from VS Trade;

COVID-19 HM Government Travel Restriction Update – 24 Jan 2022

The UK Transport Secretary confirmed today (see UK government press release here), that the remaining arrival testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers to England will be removed from 04:00 on Friday 11 February. This means customers that are recognised as fully vaccinated, arriving after this date, will no longer need to do a Day 0-2 lateral flow test on arrival and will just need to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form.

This is alongside several other changes to requirements, including easing of measures for arriving customers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, who will no longer need to self-isolate or take a Day 8 PCR from 11 February – just a Day 2 PCR.

The removal of all testing for vaccinated passengers is the final step in moving towards frictionless air travel, allowing passengers to reconnect with loved ones and business colleagues. It restores customer confidence and demand will be boosted in a critical booking window for the travel industry.

Along with our partners, we have demonstrated that international travel can operate safely, taking full advantage of our world leading vaccine rollout.

We will continue to keep you up to date with all the latest updates to schedule and travel restrictions.

Update from VS Trade

VSBulletin: 10 Feb 2022 | Covid-19 Operational update

It remains a dynamic time for international travel and we’re continually reviewing our flying schedules.

After careful review of our London Heathrow – Hong Kong schedule, we have taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of all passenger services until 07 March 2022, as we work with authorities to overcome current operational challenges on this route. We hope to reinstate this service as soon as practicable, providing vital connectivity between the UK and Hong Kong for customers and global supply chains. We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

We are making some frequency updates on selected routes and to ensure impacted passengers can continue with their travel plans, they will be reprotected to the most suitable alternative departure. Where a flight is cancelled, due limited operations to these destinations, there will be no reprotection option available.

Bookings affected by these changes will be updated on Saturday 12 February 2022.

Cancellations effective until & including
Hong Kong
LHR-HKG 1 - 7 March 2022

HM Government Travel Restriction Update Reminder

Effective 04:00 on Friday 11 February, remaining arrival testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers to England will be removed. This means customers that are recognised as fully vaccinated, arriving after this date, will no longer need to do a Day 0-2 lateral flow test on arrival and will just need to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form.

This is alongside several other changes to requirements, including easing of measures for arriving customers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, who will no longer need to self-isolate or take a Day 8 PCR from 11 February – just a Day 2 PCR.

Update from VS Trade;

VSBulletin: 17 Feb 2022 | Summer 2022 Operational update

We want to let you know that, as customer demand returns, we’re making some adjustments to flying schedules for the summer season to optimise our network.

Following the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and changing travel restrictions, we now have greater levels of certainty to make changes to our flying programme from March 2022 onwards.

This means we’ll be altering service frequencies on certain routes, including Seattle, Washington, Delhi and Tel Aviv from London Heathrow and Atlanta and Islamabad from Manchester, alongside some aircraft type changes, which will mean our award-winning Airbus A350-1000 will be in service on routes including Heathrow-Delhi and Orlando from Manchester and Heathrow.

We have taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of all passenger services between London Heathrow and Hong Kong schedule until 14 March 2022, as we work with authorities to overcome current operational challenges on this route.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the schedule changes. For the majority of customers whose flights are cancelled, they will be automatically booked on to an alternative Virgin Atlantic service on the same day. If there is no alternative service.

If we have to re-time flights, wherever possible this time change will be kept to a minimum, but we recognise that these changes may not suit everyone. Our flexible booking policy allows customers to further amend their flights, should they wish, with no change fees, all the way until 31 December 2023. If the new departure time is over three hours’ difference to the original departure time, then customers can also request a refund.

Bookings affected by these changes will be updated on Saturday 19 February 2022.

During Summer 22, we plan to operate the following schedule, subject to late changes

Our Summer 2022 Flying Programme

USA
LHR-JFK-LHR 35 per week A351/B789/A333
LHR-MIA-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-LAX-LHR 17 per week in Apr/ 21 per week May-Oct A351/B789
LHR-BOS-LHR 7 per week B789/A333
LHR-SFO-LHR 11 per week in Apr/14 per week May-Oct B789
LHR-IAD-LHR 5 per week B789
LHR-MCO-LHR 14 per week A351/A333
LHR-ATL-LHR 7 per week A351/B789
LHR-SEA-LHR 5 per week B789
LHR-LAS-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-AUS-LHR 4 per week May-Oct B789

Caribbean
LHR-ANU-LHR 3 per week A333
LHR-BGI-LHR 7 per week A333
LHR-UVF-LHR 3 per week in Apr B789
LHR-MBJ-LHR 4 per week B789

London to Rest of World
LHR-HKG-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-PVG-LHR Shanghai restart date to be confirmed
LHR-DEL-LHR 7 per week Apr-May/14 per week Jun-Oct B789
LHR-BOM-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-LHE-LHR 4 per week A333
LHR-ISB-LHR 3 per week A333
LHR-LOS-LHR 7 per week A351
LHR-JNB-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-TLV-LHR 7 per week B789/A333

Manchester and Regional Flying
MAN-MCO-MAN 12 per week A351/A333
MAN-BGI-MAN 4 per week in April A333
MAN-ATL-MAN 6 per week in April/5 per week May-Oct A333
MAN-JFK-MAN 7 per week A333
BFS-MCO-BFS 1 per week Jun-Jul A333
EDI-MCO-EDI 2 per week A333
MAN-ISB-MAN 2 per week A333

Aircraft types are dominant on the route through majority of the summer season​

Reminder for Customers Travelling from India to the UK

If a customer travelling from India to the UK declares a fully vaccinated status on their Passenger Locator Form to enter the UK, the passenger will need to present an approved paper or digital International Vaccine Certificate. This must include the customers date of birth (day, month, year) and not their age in years. Passengers can make changes to their details on the vaccine certificate on the CoWIN website.


:

This is the news I have been wanting to hear! Thank you.

Should we be keeping an eye out on Saturday 19th for any changes then in aircraft type?

I am flying MAN-MCO end of May.

Thanks

This is the news I have been wanting to hear! Thank you.

Should we be keeping an eye out on Saturday 19th for any changes then in aircraft type?

I am flying MAN-MCO end of May.

Thanks

Yes if it’s anything like last years major schedule and equipment changes the update will happen at some point on Saturday and may spill over into Sunday.

If you do see an aircraft change on the VS App you might have difficulty changing seats until you log into the main VS website, going to manage my booking or my flights section and accepting the changes.

This is the news I have been wanting to hear! Thank you.

Should we be keeping an eye out on Saturday 19th for any changes then in aircraft type?

I am flying MAN-MCO end of May.

Thanks

Yes if it’s anything like last years major schedule and equipment changes the update will happen at some point on Saturday and may spill over into Sunday.

If you do see an aircraft change on the VS App you might have difficulty changing seats until you log into the main VS website, going to manage my booking or my flights section and accepting the changes.

Thank you! Seems every time there has been a plane change I am away... hoping I can get good internet where I am. A little concerned about the seat changes if the aircraft does in fact change!

From the A332 to A333 and hopefully to A351.

on VS75 going out (only Man flight that day) and the VS74 coming back (so later flight from MCO).

Really hoping that at least the outbound flight changes to an A351.

VS Cargo March rotations can be found here

Update from VS Trade;

Summer 2022 Operational Update – 24 Feb 2022

We want to let you know that, as customer demand returns, we’re making some adjustments to flying schedules to optimise our network, including some aircraft type changes.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the schedule changes. For any customers whose flights are cancelled, the majority will be automatically booked on to an alternative Virgin Atlantic service on the same day.

If we have to re-time flights, wherever possible this time change will be kept to a minimum, but we recognise that these changes may not suit everyone. Our flexible booking policy allows customers to further amend their flights, should they wish, with no change fees, all the way until 31 December 2023. If the new departure time is over three hours’ difference to the original departure time, then customers can also request a refund.

We have taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of all passenger services between London Heathrow and Hong Kong until 21 March 2022, as we work with authorities to overcome current operational challenges on this route.

Bookings affected by these changes will be updated on Saturday 26 February 2022.

In other news, we are pleased to announce we are reinstating our full portfolio of US destinations for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

Flights to Seattle and Washington DC will take off next week, with services to New York, San Francisco and Atlanta also increasing. In April, a third daily service to Los Angeles will commence, serving the Californian city more than any other airline. We will operate Orlando flights from four UK gateways of Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast, again resulting in more flights from the UK than any other carrier.

Seattle flights will depart five times weekly from London Heathrow on the 2 March, operating our 787-9 aircraft.

From 5 March, London Heathrow to Washington DC services will operate five times a week on an Airbus A330. And last month, we announced our first new US route since 2015, to Austin, Texas which will operate four times weekly from 25 May.

During Summer 22, we plan to operate the following schedule, subject to late changes

Our Summer 22 Flying Schedule

USA
LHR-JFK-LHR 35 per week A351/B789/A333
LHR-MIA-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-LAX-LHR 17 per week in Apr/21 per week May-Oct A351/B789
LHR-BOS-LHR 7 per week B789/A333
LHR-SFO-LHR 11 per week in Apr14 per week May-Oct B789
LHR-IAD-LHR 5 per week B789
LHR-MCO-LHR 14 per week A351/A333
LHR-ATL-LHR 7 per week A351/B789
LHR-SEA-LHR 5 per week B789
LHR-LAS-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-AUS-LHR 4 per week May-Oct B789

Caribbean
LHR-ANU-LHR 3 per week A333
LHR-BGI-LHR 7 per week A333
LHR-SVD-LHR (via BGI) 2 per week A333
LHR-TAB-LHR (via BGI) 1 per week A333
LHR-GND-LHR (via BGI) 2 per week A333
LHR-UVF-LHR 3 per week in Apr B789
LHR-MBJ-LHR 4 per week B789
LHR-NAS-LHR 2 per week B789

London to Rest of World
LHR-HKG-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-PVG-LHR Shanghai restart date to be confirmed
LHR-DEL-LHR 7 per week Apr-May/14 per week Jun-Oct B789
LHR-BOM-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-LHE-LHR 4 per week A333
LHR-ISB-LHR 3 per week A333
LHR-LOS-LHR 7 per week A351
LHR-JNB-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-TLV-LHR 7 per week B789/A333

Manchester and regional
MAN-MCO-MAN 12 per week A351/A333
MAN-BGI-MAN 4 per week in April A333
MAN-ATL-MAN 6 per week in April 5 per week May-Oct A333
MAN-JFK-MAN 7 per week A333
BFS-MCO-BFS 1 per week Jun-Jul A333
EDI-MCO-EDI 2 per week A333
MAN-ISB-MAN 2 per week A333

Update from VS Trade;

3 Mar 2022 | Summer 2022 Operational update

We want to let you know that, as customer demand returns, we’re making some adjustments to flying schedules to optimise our network, including some aircraft type changes.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the schedule changes. For any customers whose flights are cancelled, the majority will be automatically booked on to an alternative Virgin Atlantic service on the same day.

If we have to re-time flights, wherever possible this time change will be kept to a minimum, but we recognise that these changes may not suit everyone. Our flexible booking policy allows customers to further amend their flights, should they wish, with no change fees, all the way until 31 December 2023. If the new departure time is over three hours’ difference to the original departure time, then customers can also request a refund.

With a direct flight ban still in effect between mainland China and the UK, we have decided to extend the existing suspension of London Heathrow – Shanghai passenger services for the summer season. It is our full intention to restart this important link in October 2022, or sooner, and we are working with the relevant authorities to stage trial passenger flights in the coming months to pave the way for this.

As a result of the current UK – Hong Kong flight ban, which is in effect until 20 April, our London Heathrow – Hong Kong schedule remains temporarily suspended. Once the flight ban is lifted, we will work with authorities to reinstate this service as soon as practicable, providing vital connectivity between the UK and Hong Kong for customers and global supply chains. For now, we’ve taken the decision to cancel these services until 30 April, including legs from Hong Kong to London Heathrow, and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Our Hong Kong customers are important to us and we look forward to returning as soon as we overcome the current operational challenges.

Bookings affected by these changes will be updated on Saturday 3 March 2022.

Last week, we took the decision to start avoiding Russian airspace and our flight paths will continue to be adjusted for some Virgin Atlantic passenger services between the UK, Pakistan and India. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers by slightly longer flight times.

The safety and security of our customers and people always comes first and we’re monitoring the situation in Ukraine and Russia extremely carefully following the escalation of conflict, continuing to operate in full compliance with relevant safety regulators, authorities and governments.

During Summer 22, we plan to operate the following schedule, subject to late changes:

Our Summer 2022 Flying Programme

USA
LHR-JFK-LHR 35 per week A351/B789/A333
LHR-MIA-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-LAX-LHR 17 per week in Apr/21 per week May-Oct A351/B789
LHR-BOS-LHR 7 per week B789/A333
LHR-SFO-LHR 11 per week in Apr/14 per week May-Oct B789
LHR-IAD-LHR 5 per week B789
LHR-MCO-LHR 14 per week A351/A333
LHR-ATL-LHR 7 per week A351/B789
LHR-SEA-LHR 5 per week B789
LHR-LAS-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-AUS-LHR 4 per week May-Oct B789

Caribbean
LHR-ANU-LHR 3 per week A333
LHR-BGI-LHR 7 per week A333
LHR-SVD-LHR(via BGI)2 per week A333
LHR-TAB-LHR(via BGI)1 per week A333
LHR-GND-LHR(via BGI)2 per week A333
LHR-UVF-LHR 3 per week in Apr B789
LHR-MBJ-LHR 4 per week B789
LHR-NAS-LHR 2 per week B789

London toRest of World
LHR-HKG-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-PVG-LHR Shanghai restart date to be confirmed
LHR-DEL-LHR 7 per week Apr-May/14 per week Jun-Oct B789
LHR-BOM-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-LHE-LHR 4 per week A333
LHR-ISB-LHR 3 per week A333
LHR-LOS-LHR 7 per week A351
LHR-JNB-LHR 7 per week B789
LHR-TLV-LHR 7 per week B789/A333

Manchester andRegional Flying
MAN-MCO-MAN 12 per week A351/A333
MAN-BGI-MAN 4 per week in April A333
MAN-ATL-MAN 6 per week in April/5 per week May-Oct A333
MAN-JFK-MAN 7 per week A333
BFS-MCO-BFS 1 per week Jun-Jul A333
EDI-MCO-EDI 2 per week A333
MAN-ISB-MAN 2 per week A333

*Aircraft types are dominant on the route through majority of the summer season​

Please check regularly for updates to travel restrictions.

[mitchja]

Had 3 schedule changes here this weekend (with no notifications so far).

VS41/42 and VS103 departure times all changed by an hour or so. VS41/42 also switched from an A351 to a B789. VS103/104 still an A351.

VS11/12 (LHR-BOS) changed by just under an hour each way in October. Also changed from B789 to A330. Had an email notification for it, although I’m still waiting for it to be ticketed (sine Jan 4th).

Looks like the Edinburgh flight times have changed by an hour with another 45 mins shorter travel time

Flight Number 225
From EDINBURGH Departure Time 10:20
To ORLANDO
Operated By VS (VIRGIN ATLANTIC) Arrival Time 14:30

Flight Number 226
From ORLANDO Departure Time 17:10
To EDINBURGH
Operated By VS (VIRGIN ATLANTIC) Arrival Time 06:20

David

Update from VS Trade;

14 Mar 2022 | HM Government travel restrictions eased & onboard mask update

The UK Transport Secretary confirmed today (see UK Government press release here) the removal of all UK travel restrictions, including standing down the Passenger Locator Form and remaining testing requirements from 04:00 on Friday 18 March. This is the final important step towards frictionless air travel, helping to further restore consumer confidence as we welcome more customers back to the skies this Spring and Summer. With these barriers to travel removed, Britain is open for business and passengers can reconnect with loved ones and business colleagues once again.

Update to our onboard face mask policy from 16 March

As we learn to live with Covid-19, and with the legal requirement to wear a face mask now removed in England, at some airports and on certain routes, from 16 March it will be customers’ personal choice to wear a face mask. The mask rules that apply will depend on the route you’re flying, because requirements differ by market. Customers may also still be asked to wear a mask when boarding or disembarking flights, according to the regulations of the departure or arrival airport or destination country.

This policy is being introduced gradually – both for customers and crew – and only on routes where international regulations around mask-wearing do not apply, beginning with our Caribbean services from London Heathrow and Manchester airports. We encourage everyone to be respectful of fellow passengers’ mask preferences, with masks still available for those wishing to wear them.

Routes where face masks onboard are a personal choice from 16 March:

Services to or from Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago.

This list will expand as regulatory requirements for destinations allow.

Routes where face masks onboard must be worn:

For all services operating to or from the United States, where the federal mask mandate on aircraft has been extended until 18 April, customers aged 2 and above must still maintain masks at all times, unless exempt.

For the following routes to or from the UK, masks are still required for customers aged 12 and above until further notice: Delhi, Islamabad, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Lahore, Lagos, Mumbai, Shanghai, Tel Aviv.

Across our network, we continue to adhere to all regulatory requirements both in the UK and in destination countries.

Trying to decipher some of the cryptic posting on twitter.

Why can they not just say, for the majority of our destinations, which are to the USA, masks are still required on the outbound sector.

There's gonna be an awful lot of grief for cabin crew because of their convoluted press releases. To say "from 16 March it will be customers’ personal choice to wear a face mask." is totally incorrect

David