V-Flyer

I see that Russia is contemplating a flight ban on EU airlines flying over its territories into Asia. If this was to materialize not sure what impact this would have on the PVG, NRT and HKG routes VS has? Does A346 have range that it can avoid Russian air space to get to Asia? I hear PR have had similar issues for the last year and have a 15 hour plus flight out of MNL to LHR.

As holding a return UC ticket to HKG next month fingers crossed this does not occur else will have to switch to CX.

Yes that is interesting. I think for the NRT route VS fly quite far north indeed so that for the majority of the flight they are over the far reaches of northern siberia (which I am guessing is still Russian airspace) and ofcourse to then fly in to Japan they have to cut through a part of remote eastern Russia.
With a possible ban in place this must have implications for both flight time and airfare surely.
I wonder if VS will make an announcement on their website.

The Middle-Eastern airlines will be rubbing their hands then. Via Abu Dhabi and Dubai, anyone...?

This is just Putin willy waving. Any ban would result in a reciprocal ban which would probably destroy the Russian airline industry. Someone on the BA fT forum worked out the increase on the main routes and it's not that dramatic in either time or cost.

As well as the reciprocal sanctions that would follow, Aeroflot is actually the current beneficiary of the overfly charges paid by BA etc, they would lose over $200m a year if this was implemented. So yes, definite willy waving...

UPDATE, and apparently the Russia ministry of foreign affairs has now confirmed that this will not happen.

Willy back in pants then.