Rumours about MAN expansion 2011

I see over on a.net there are rumours in the Manchester Thread that VS are launching 2 weekly flights to LAS, plus increasing frequency on the BGI and MCO routes! Does anyone have any source of these rumours or any more info. I suppose those A330's have to go somewhere!

Ryan

I suppose that'd be good for the airline. Shame they don't treat their handling agent ground staff as well.

[Scrooge]

Where is it being discussed on A'Net ?

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forum ... n/4767138/

[Scrooge]

Oh, there it is, ok, well now that VS/VH have decided to make it official, yep, it's true, 744 starting twice a week, pretty much to replace the much missed BD service.

Look for more news in the next couple of months.

And about bloody time.

I mean how long ago did BD pull out of LAS?

As I have said for many years- MAN has been a missed opportunity for VS. Just look at the heavy metal that operates into MAN now, its crazy to think no British carrier will give the airport a proper go. BD should have stuck at MAN. Shame but at least VS are finally doing something about this.

[Scrooge]

I couldn't agree more with what you are saying, I really would not be surprised to see VS turn MAN into a real hub.

Well when you consider that EK are going to be sending a 380 in there from later in the year- clearly there is demand for long haul services. Lets hope your right Dave and this is only the start.

That looks like two 747s based FT at MAN, plus one A333 and then another A333 based at GLA. That's quite an increase year round!

Oooo, does this mean chance of a lounge, aka LGW ?? eventually..

[Neil]

Good news for MAN and all Northern based pax, just hope VS make a proper go of it.

Great news!

LAS here we come.

A decent lounge would be good though.

Oooo, does this mean chance of a lounge, aka LGW ?? eventually..

Interesting question. At the moment I would not bet on it. The issue is that VS will need another airline to vacate a current lounge or for there to be some expansion on the horizon. Neither of these look likely at the moment, certainly airlines are not leaving, as we said earlier MAN is finally getting back to its pre 9/11 levels (and some more) with regards to heavy metal. The best bet currently is that VS decide to start using the AF/KL/DL lounge or possibly the Styal Lounge (although this seems to be very similar to Escape).

Its a real shame, if VS could get a move over to T1 then they could, I am sure, come to some arrangement with EK and use their lounge.

A Clubhouse opportunity?

Given the chaos that is the current departure gate area at MAN, something needs to happen, there just isn't enough space. Not enough seating, food area too small, gate area at boarding time is worthy of trophy for the most chaotic operation seen at any airport..the main issue being the limited space?

Given the chaos that is the current departure gate area at MAN, something needs to happen

I agree that boarding can sometimes be a problem at MAN. Hopefully though, when me and the present Mrs Treelo depart in early May, Lizz will be there to take good care of us.

Given that there will only be 3 flights per day, will that justify a Clubhouse - especially when MCO sometimes has 5 (this year )

David

Given that there will only be 3 flights per day, will that justify a Clubhouse - especially when MCO sometimes has 5 (this year )

As I mentioned earlier the issue is not if VS want a CH, the main issue is if MAN has space. Sure VS would love to have a CH at every destination, no doubt about it, but if the airport has no space, or has plenty of other airlines that want the lounges then it makes it pretty tough.

As I said above I just dont see how VS can currently get a CH at MAN, the best option would be some kind of arrangement with AF/KL for the use of their lounge.

Given that there will only be 3 flights per day, will that justify a Clubhouse - especially when MCO sometimes has 5 (this year )

As I mentioned earlier the issue is not if VS want a CH, the main issue is if MAN has space. Sure VS would love to have a CH at every destination, no doubt about it, but if the airport has no space, or has plenty of other airlines that want the lounges then it makes it pretty tough.

As I said above I just dont see how VS can currently get a CH at MAN, the best option would be some kind of arrangement with AF/KL for the use of their lounge.

[Darren Wheeler]

I would imagine a lot would depend on what config would be used.

I would imagine a lot would depend on what config would be used.

Not just on the LAS 744...
If the 333 is the rumoured YWY config. that is no increase in J seats to MCO
MAN-MCO J is already full on most flights.

Other questions remain on the 333 range.
MCO is at the limit for the A330 ordered - max. range about 9 hours! Where does it stop off to refuel? - or does it not take a full load when the jet stream is active?
It is rumoured to have no crew rest.
How can this be reconciled with flights to MCO? (particularly in a high pax config.)

Other questions remain on the 333 range.
MCO is at the limit for the A330 ordered - max. range about 9 hours!

Is it - Airbus say the 333 range will do Paris-Los Angeles which is 5,669 NM whereas MAN-MCO is 4,236 NM, or rather in a 295 seat config it has a range of 5,650 NM so a bit up or down depending on configuration ? Also, NW or rather Delta now do (or at least did) SEA-AMS on a A333 - so I think your concern about MCO is undue. Other routes, certainly yes but then BA doesn't do JNB on a 767 does it?

The AB max range does not take into account jetstream windspeeds.
I have seen suggestions that the practical endurance of the A333 in the VS config is only 8.5 hours.
A look at the times in our own Aircraft Database shows many longer times on the MAN-MCO route for the 744 and that has a substantially higher cruising speed.

I'm not suggesting there will be load restrictions every flight but it may be an issue particularly if there are 350+ pax in a YWY config (or carrying heavy UCS) - and is this the reason behind the recent baggage restrictions?

The a.net comments look interesting and certainly would introduce very welcome extra choice and capacity to us northern folk!

Would this be genuine extra capacity overall or to the detriment of elsewhere? Suppose it depends on the bean counters and what they say to the exec's.

Can't imagine that a CH would be effective based on a twice a week service, it's taken EK long enough to pull their fingers out and that was with a twice a day service.

'Unfortunately' I don't do Virgin check-in at work anymore, myself and my friend got kicked off the team for being accused of something we didn't do. So good luck with the new staff they've trained up!
I can see them wanting to go self-handling really, they hate the way swissport do things, hate how check-in staff aren't amazing like virgin staff are, hate the baggage handlers being unreliable and I've heard they're going to dispatch their flights themselves soon. I'm amazed they kept the contract!