V-Flyer

Evening Lounge

I remember reading a while ago that Virgin were planning possible new routes to Bangkok,Melbourne,Rio and Honolulu.
Does anyone have any further information on future LH destinations?

Isnt Honolulu coming where the 787's do??

Lobo13 wrote:Evening Lounge

I remember reading a while ago that Virgin were planning possible new routes to Bangkok,Melbourne,Rio and Honolulu.
Does anyone have any further information on future LH destinations?

Welcome to V-Flyer. When considering what SRB says, and what happens you generally need to take a pinch of salt. Of these I suspect Rio might happen but not the others - all being thin, long routes that are relatively low yield.

I'd be surprised if there are anymore longhaul routes announced before the 787's arrive - especially with the focus being on shorthaul and getting the DL JV up and running. I'm not sure they will even have the aircraft to do it given 2 more 346's go back this year.

VS have shown no inclination to acquire LHR slots (other than short haul), and have actually shrunk their operation there since 2008-ish. Therefore I can't see any new LH routes starting.

clarkeysntfc wrote:VS have shown no inclination to acquire LHR slots (other than short haul), and have actually shrunk their operation there since 2008-ish. Therefore I can't see any new LH routes starting.

They have been pretty varied since 2008 with a low point in 2010 when VS made a massive loss (£132m) Good news that is it is on the up in 2012! Not sure on how many VS really own, as I'm guessing that information is closely guarded, but slot trading is pretty murky and valuable. When the time comes, VS can just request the return of the slots from whom they are rented to, much like the Cyprus Airways returning VS's slots so they can start the LHR-MAN service.

Here is the list for you:

2008 - 326
2009 - 325
2010 - 286
2011 - 288
2012 - 310

Data from Airport Coordination Limited.

http://www.acl-uk.org/reportsStatistics ... bjectId=33

Rio I can see starting when the 787 arrives, probably time-sharing the slot. Whether it will be live for the world cup is debatable, at least on a 797.

Down to Rio WC14,UC on the Dreamliner would be quite special but
I have a feeling BA will get there first...

Lobo13 wrote:Down to Rio WC14,UC on the Dreamliner would be quite special but
I have a feeling BA will get there first...

BA already flies to Rio.