V-Flyer

I presume it's OK to post it in it's entirety?

Dear Edward,

What a topsy turvy year 2010 has been for the airline industry.

In my ten years running Virgin Atlantic I've rarely seen such a series of disruptions to our operations and such sterling efforts from all our teams to deal with them. Notwithstanding the substantial goodwill and support of our customers.
Last Spring we experienced Volcanic Ash clouds in the airways above us, and then the harsh European Winter brought mountains of snow to challenge us further.

At the start of 2011 I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you, our valued Flying Club members for your patience and understanding during these disruptions, I know it has been very frustrating for those of you caught up in them.

Looking back, we also experienced some great positives; such as the launch of our new aircraft livery and the development of our latest TV advertising campaign. Last May we expanded our route network to another African destination, Accra which is an important business hub for Ghana. We also celebrated 10 years of flying direct to Las Vegas. And we're delighted to launch direct flights from Manchester to this great destination in April 2011.

Another superb development to look forward to is the addition to our fleet of the A330-300 aircraft. These twin engine aircraft will showcase new products and deliver great efficiency gains that will help us reach our sustainability targets. Again we continue to fly one of the youngest fleets in the air.

We'll also be developing our charity relationship with Free the Children, an extraordinary organisation helping children in Virgin Atlantic destinations such as Africa and India. We'll be calling on our Flying Club members to get involved, so watch out for more information on this soon.

I'm sure 2011 will throw up a few surprises, however I'd like to thank you again for your continued support and we hope to see you onboard a Virgin Atlantic flight again soon.

Best regards,


Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive, Virgin Atlantic.

Given that it has been sent out to all FC members, and they are trying to spread the message as far and wide as they can - I would hope there will be no copyright problems from VS.

If they do complain, we will have to remove it.

Nick

eejp1007 wrote:Another superb development to look forward to is the addition to our fleet of the A330-300 aircraft. These twin engine aircraft will showcase new products...

Trying to kill the rumours about the 333s?

MrT wrote:Trying to kill the rumours about the 333s?

LOL my thought exactly, someone at VS reading here and alerting the brass?

I guess they want to make a big announcement and show off the 'new products' but are just not ready to do it yet. In the meantime, the rumours could spell disaster if they rumble on and escalate out of control so I can understand why they've sent the email!

To ALL FC members? I didn't get the email....

Its weird how they didnt mention April or any kind of date in that specific paragraph =P

catsilversword wrote:To ALL FC members? I didn't get the email....

I didn't receive the email either :0 :0

Thanks for posting though, interesting....

Nor me

Typically wooly email really. No solid annoucements in there regarding service improvements. Says a lot when the 2 major positives in 2010 highlighted were a new livery (still only on 2 aircraft I think) and a TV ad...

I presume it is done in order of importance of the customer...

Only kidding, these sometimes take a couple of days to all be processed, I am sure it will come.

Yes, A TV ad and a couple of paint jobs, a bit pathetic really.

Virgin cant make any announcements with regards to service improvments, would be like sending an email to BA telling them what we are up to! once a definate go ahead is given and they are onboard, thats when they will anounce stuff like that.

Also our planes are repainted every 8 yrs so thats why only 2 are done so far. other will follow quickly as their paint work expires. Would be silly to repaint the whole fleet in one go. not ecconomical or enviromently friendly. Also the company has to find gaps to take them out the flying program. Although im really keen to see an airbus in the new paint job. we have a model at work and it looks fab. suits it far better than the 747.

johnvscrew - totally agree with the onboard developments point you make... but... many people are seeing VS as little more than a flying brand at the moment. There appears to be very little substance beyond a lot of the PR and spin, which even extends to something as fundamental as purchasing aircraft and putting seats inside them.

'Although im really keen to see an airbus in the new paint job. We have a model at work and it looks fab'


But you have removed the Union Jack from the winglets on the new paint job so fab is not a work i'd use

johnvscrew wrote:Virgin cant make any announcements with regards to service improvments, would be like sending an email to BA telling them what we are up to! once a definate go ahead is given and they are onboard, thats when they will anounce stuff like that.

Trouble with that argument is that so many of us have seen the ANZ PR.
UTube walkabouts with Ed Simms around the cabin mock-up well before they are in service.

If it's good enough then show it off.

Pax are booking seats in those new cabins NOW!

Got this too...

Don't really see the point.

Apart from ash again, there's nothing really worth the electrons in this email.

Funny how the A330 gets a mention...hmmm

I got the e-mail today, wasn't anything really exciting to be honest, but was a nice touch.

Says a lot when the style (livery / tv add) gets a mention before the substance (the Accra route and MAN - LAS)

Pretty thin - I agree a response to the A330 postings on these forums.

As for highlights being new paint and a TV ad...... I feel mildly insulted. I do hope that VS don't REALLY believe that key elements in my flying experience are these issues!

I was unfortunate enough to get the email, and i thought what a lot of nothing ?| ?|

cheers

alex

I really think we should be glad to see any response from SR to the FC.

It is all too easy to criticise the words and subjects but we should be applauding the issue of a newsletter.

OK - it may seem a bit thin - but this is clearly a trial - and it was necessary to kill off suggestions that VS were cancelling the A333 completely.

SR issues a regular newsletter to staff - Would it not be great for him to also keep in touch with FC and V-Flyer?

There will be occasions when more detailed news can be given out - It would be very nice if we get a pre-launch "leak".
While this sometimes comes out in dribs and drabs via members of staff, would it not be good to have it from Steve himself?

So if issues are reported back to SR - please say that some of us welcome his newsletter - and hope for a lot more to come!

Bill S, are you infact SR?!

Finally got my email 10 minutes ago!!

(I know, I'm sad, but don't like being left out!!)

) ) ) )

Sarahjx wrote:Bill S, are you infact SR?!

Da** Rumbled! ):

I received a FlyingClub email today but it was of the "Amazing Destinations, Fantastic Fares" variety...