V-Flyer

Hi all,

I've been writing again! This time, I decided to (try) and keep track of what the VS fleet is up to during these uncertain times.

Obviously, all the A340's are gone.
All but one of the 747's has been parked.
All of the A330-200's have been stored.
All but one of the A330-300's have been parked.
Around half of the 787's have been parked.
All four A350's are currently in service.

I shall try to keep my list as up to date as possible, although I am also trying to keep track of the BA fleet too. Which is a far bigger task!

https://www.inflightwithjames.com/post/ ... -aircraft/

Think G-VROS might now be at LHR as I believe she returned there, coming in from Barbados overnight.

G-VROS....

G-VROY came in to LHR from ANU yesterday morning (I’m in the flight path so checked when I heard this and G-VROS flew over who it was and from where)

747 G-VROS wrote:Think G-VROS might now be at LHR as I believe she returned there, coming in from Barbados overnight.

G-VROS....

Yes, updated the article. Now two 747's at Heathrow.

G-VROS currently on her way to LAX as the VS607P.

To confirm and with data taken from the VS Source and FR24....

A330-200 VMNK, VLNM, VWND stored at Doncaster Sheffield, VMIK stored at Glasgow
A330-300 VGEM, VNYC stored at Gatwick, VGBR, VKSS, VLUV, VRAY, VSXY stored at Heathrow
B787-900 VNYL, VOOH stored at Heathrow
B747-400 VXLG stored at Glasgow, VGAL and VLIP stored at Manchester.

That leaves...

A330-300
VINE Last noted at Manchester 22/03 arriving from Atlanta VS110
VWAG last noted at Heathrow on 28/03 arriving from Montego Bay VS66
VUFO last noted at Gatwick on 24/03 arriving from St Lucia VS90

B787-900
VAHH worked VS24 from LAX to LHR arriving on 29/03
VZIG currently en route LHR to LAX (VS23)
VYUM worked VS686 from JFK to LHR 30/03
VWHO worked VS24 from LAX to LHR arriving on 30/03
VCRU worked VS686 from JFK to LHR arriving on 29/03
VSPY worked VS24 from LAX to LHR arriving on 28/03
VOWS worked VS24 from LAX to LHR arriving on 24/03
VDIA worked VS207 from HKG to LHR arriving on 28/03
VBZZ worked VS699 from JFK to LHR arriving on 29/03
VFAN worked VS686 from JFK to LHR arriving on 28/03
VBOW worked VS686 from JFK to LHR arriving on 27/03
VWOO worked VS104 from ATL to LHR arrving on 26/03
VBEL worked VS24 from LAX to LHR arriving on 27/03
VMAP worked VS450 from JNB to LHR arriving on 26/03
VNEW worked VS207 from HKG to LHR arrving on 30/03

B747-400
VAST worked VS30 from MBJ to LGW arriving on 24/03
VROS as above currently en route to LAX as VS607 from LHR
VROM worked VS78 from BGI to MAN arriving on 24/03
VROY worked VS34 from ANU to LHR arriving on 29/03

A350-1000
VLUX worked VS10 from JFK to LHR arriving 29/03
VPOP worked VS10 from JFK to LHR arriving 28/03
VPRD worked VS3 from LHR to JFK arriving on 30/03
VJAM worked VS10 from JFK to LHR arriving 30/03

Looking like just the two scheduled flights today:

VS3, G-VLUX
VS23 - yet to be assigned.

Of course, there could be others (cargo only/repatriation charters) that pop up unannounced.

VBOW on the VS23 today,
VMAP on VS685

It has been reported in the Bournemouth Echo that there are 3 VS A340’s stored at Hurn airport along with dozens of BA aircraft.

Yep, they are the 3 x A346, VNAP, VFIT and VWIN

Jorrie5 wrote:It has been reported in the Bournemouth Echo that there are 3 VS A340’s stored at Hurn airport along with dozens of BA aircraft.

There's 4 down there, along with 35 short haul BA aircraft and 5 747's.

I 'm also keeping track of where abouts the BA fleet are if anyone is interested:

https://www.inflightwithjames.com/post/ ... ster-list/

And final goodbye to the A346

https://blog.virginatlantic.com/farewel ... a340-600s/

flyingfox wrote:And final goodbye to the A346

https://blog.virginatlantic.com/farewel ... a340-600s/

Interesting that the linked article suggests you may see [some of] the A346's in action in future as charters under a new owner. I had assumed they positioned to Bournemouth as there is a scrapper located there.

Also noticed BA positioned 4x 744's to Bournemouth yesterday - allegedly for storage. I somehow suspect that all 4 will certainly not return to revenue service & some will meet their maker at Bournemouth.

The aviation businesses to be in at present Worldwide are clearly (A) - own an airport with very low parking / storage charges. Or (B) - aircraft scrapping & parts salvaging.

G-VNAP/WIN/FIT have been sold to European Aviation (as were G-VYOU/RED/WEB), so they will more than likely fly again (eventually).

Silver Surfer wrote:G-VNAP/WIN/FIT have been sold to European Aviation (as were G-VYOU/RED/WEB), so they will more than likely fly again (eventually).

If these were all owned, rather than leased, that should help the cash flow a little

The last 3 aircraft which have just retired were owned

VFIZ also ended up with European Aviation but recently moved on to Azman Air in Nigeria. European also took on a number of ex Emirates A340's and some ex China Eastern models.

Todays flights..... VPOP on its way to LAX (VS23), VSPY running a cargo flight to JFK (VS685) and VJAM is currently on the deck at JFK having flown in this morning with VS613.

Also to note, VNYL made its first flight in 20 months yesterday, a test flight from Heathrow to Scotland and back following engine repairs/replacement.

I'm assuming that those with flight numbers in the 600 range are cargo only flights?

Kraken wrote:

flyingfox wrote:And final goodbye to the A346

https://blog.virginatlantic.com/farewel ... a340-600s/

Interesting that the linked article suggests you may see [some of] the A346's in action in future as charters under a new owner. I had assumed they positioned to Bournemouth as there is a scrapper located there.

Also noticed BA positioned 4x 744's to Bournemouth yesterday - allegedly for storage. I somehow suspect that all 4 will certainly not return to revenue service & some will meet their maker at Bournemouth.

The aviation businesses to be in at present Worldwide are clearly (A) - own an airport with very low parking / storage charges. Or (B) - aircraft scrapping & parts salvaging.

I too am expecting some of those BA 744's to never return depending how bad the downturn is. During the post-9/11 downturn, BA used the opportunity to ditch their remaining 747-200's - some of which were also sold to European Aviation when they were also in the ACMI business.

jwhite9185 wrote:I'm assuming that those with flight numbers in the 600 range are cargo only flights?

It does appear that way....VAHH on VS685 today, and VLUX on VS23.

Is worth mentioning that VS23 switched to A350 ops yesterday, VPOP having the honour of the inaugural flight and therefore being the first VS A350 to visit LAX, coincidentally on the day the first BA A350 visited Washington.

It looks like the PVG route has started again today... G-VFAN currently en route operating the VS250

mattyp wrote:It looks like the PVG route has started again today... G-VFAN currently en route operating the VS250

Yes I saw that as well, but when you try and check the VS250 flight status on the VS website it throws up errors?

Interesting. No direct PVG flights bookable on any dates on Skyscanner either.
Maybe a cargo flight? I would have expected a different flight number to the 250 though...
No info on the VS Source as yet.

On the FCO website the Chinese Authorities are allowing 1 flight from each carrier to one destination per week, so I would assume these are repatriation and cargo flights.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advic ... -to-the-uk

Is worth mentioning that VS23 switched to A350 ops yesterday

Does this mean loads are good, given the increase in capacity?!