A380 - why wouldn’t it work for VS

A full A380 can be more fuel efficient per passenger than a B787 for example, even with premium heavy configs.

If Virgin had gone for A380's, MCO seems like a logical route, those traveling there are less time sensitive compared to New York where people want specific flight times.

If VS are in growth mode, and they still intend to retire the A346 and B744 broadly as planned (ie within the next 2 or so years) I would expect VS to be looking at sourcing additional aircraft.

Whether that deal will be similar to the A332 (small number of frames, short term sticking plaster), or the A333 (medium term solution) or the A35K (long term solution) remains to be seen.

I could see merit in choosing to acquire more A35K, B789, A330NEO, or second hand A330.

And that isn’t considering what to do with connect and the possibilities of the A220...

I still maintain that the strategy for LGW/MAN-MCO will be for three daily flights instead of two, with a mix of 350 and 332's, I don't believe that VS have an issue with LGW slots with the ending of Cancun and the move of the LAS to LHR.

Is having small aircraft with lots f frequencies really a sustainable strategy for airlines in the long term when there is (or is going to be) a global pilot shortage?

A 380 could be used on routes that get full capacity on a rotation basis, MCO, LAS,JFK,BGI. These routes fill up different times throughout the year so based at Manchester it could look after the traffic from the North easily. A used aircraft could soon be configured to VA use. We beyond London like upgraded rides as well. It could be ours. ✈️

[mitchja]

Don't know about the new T2 pier gates at MAN, but the current T2 gates are not A380 capable (they can't even fit several wide-body A/C at the same time let alone an A380)!

The bottom line is though we won't ever see an A380 in VS colours.

Indeed. History, I’m afraid, will show the A380 was a (literally) huge white elephant that only lasted as long as it did thanks to one very rich state-funded airline. It’s telling that Airbus never sold a single one in the world’s largest aviation market.

Problem with the A380 is it burns the same amount of fuel regardless of passenger numbers. If VA can’t fill it routinely it won’t be viable.

Have heard the 747s will be kept as long as possible = until they need major checks = at least 2022/3 for the last ones

Don't know about the new T2 pier gates at MAN, but the current T2 gates are not A380 capable (they can't even fit several wide-body A/C at the same time let alone an A380)!

The bottom line is though we won't ever see an A380 in VS colours.

I believe there are (or were) going to be 3x Code F (ie A380 capable) gates. Obviously the A380 will phase out over the coming decades, but these are also required for the B77X so I think it is unlikely the plan will change.

It would be interesting to know what discussions are going on behind the scenes about VS’s future requirements at MAN.

Presumably Connnect will move from T3 to T2 - we don’t know what sized network they want to operate from MAN and what aircraft they intend to use - there is uncertainty.

Off the back of connect and the circa 15-20% annual growth VS are doing at MAN, presumably the long haul fleet at MAN will expand. Again, we don’t know what aircraft type / mix the MAN base will be in the short / mid / long term so there is uncertainty there also.