V-Flyer

V- flyer back online at last ( Thanks Nick)

Does anyone have an up to date list of flight start up dates ?

Thanks

David

VS seems to be taking it month by month now but the list is very small with many flights grounded.

flyingfox posted a list in this post

Thanks James. I’d thought I’d read somewhere that Orlando was October but that’s probably probably been changed again given the borders still closed

David

Last update for Orlando was October 6th, I haven't seen any change from that and it's still listed as the 6th on the MCO site.

If you try and book a flight to MCO, there are no direct VS flights until at least Oct 25th now.

VS seem to have pushed all their proposed direct US flights back until around that date. For example, SFO and LAS direct flights are showing the same date so far.

VS seem to be reviewing flights on a monthly basis and pushing the re-start date back 1 month at a time.

TBH, I wouldn't except many US direct flights now any time this year.

Oct 25th is the start of the winter timetable.

Clearly just aspirational at the moment though - unless there’s a significant relaxing of the current UK and US travel restrictions I wouldn’t expect much change to what we have now, and certainly no MCO or LAS flights.

I think another factor is only a small number of US airports are approved international arrival points at the present time. MCO certainly wasn't on that list from memory.

The biggest elephant in the room is the current travel restrictions and I can't see that changing before a certain event takes place in early-November.

Agree with VS075, above. MCO is not on the list of approved US airports for international arrivals - only MIA is in Florida.

I too can't see things changing until after the US election (which is less than 2 weeks after the start of the IATA winter season). It must be a real tough one for Donald. On one hand he wants to be seen to be protecting US citizens from the virus, whilst on the other hand, Florida - a big swing state - is very reliant on tourism.

I know it has already been stated - but the USA is not closed to us Brits. If we have the time & money we could fly to a country on the safe list, e.g. Barbados, stay there for two weeks then fly on to the USA as we would have been out of the UK for 14 days prior to US arrival.

25 October is the first scheduled LHR - HAV that they are hoping to be able to operate depending on the situation in Havana and if it gets the recent outbreak and increase of cases under control. If it does not get back to phase 3 soon Cuba will not open up the mainland to international tourism and allows commercial flights to Havana

I've written off any chance this year

cheesebag wrote:I've written off any chance this year

It is very sad but that statement is the only sensible decision to make.

As far as flying into a Florida, well that would be incredibly foolish. Yes Orlando needs the tourists but surely people value their health and the health of those around them as bring far more important. The US aren’t coping to contain this virus so why ever would anyone want to visit the country.
As someone who arrived in the US back in March just one day before he shut down the borders, I can honestly say it was a horrible worrying experience. Thank god for wonderful Virgin Atlantic eventually getting us home.

I’m hoping that in 2021 I resume my USA love affair ! but until then then I intend to stay safe in the UK

Hev60 wrote:

cheesebag wrote:I've written off any chance this year

It is very sad but that statement is the only sensible decision to make.

As far as flying into a Florida, well that would be incredibly foolish. Yes Orlando needs the tourists but surely people value their health and the health of those around them as bring far more important. The US aren’t coping to contain this virus so why ever would anyone want to visit the country.
As someone who arrived in the US back in March just one day before he shut down the borders, I can honestly say it was a horrible worrying experience. Thank god for wonderful Virgin Atlantic eventually getting us home.

I’m hoping that in 2021 I resume my USA love affair ! but until then then I intend to stay safe in the UK

I concur with the above. Am really pleased I got two weeks out in Florida back in November (a very enjoyable two weeks too). Have managed a couple of very short trips there in Jan & Feb, but nothing since then. I firmly don't think it will be until 2021 until I'm back either.

Updated flight schedule as per Routesonline;

Virgin Atlantic in recent weeks filed operation changes for the remainder of summer 2020 season. Based on schedule listing as of 16AUG20, planned operation for the period of 01ESP20 – 24OCT20 as follows. Various travel restrictions continue to impact the airline’s planned operation.

London Heathrow – Atlanta eff 15SEP20 3 weekly 787-9 (4 weekly from 11OCT20)
London Heathrow – Bridgetown 1 weekly 787-9 (3 weekly from 13OCT20)
London Heathrow – Delhi 3 weekly 787-9 (4 weekly from 01OCT20)
London Heathrow – Hong Kong 3 weekly 787-9 (4 weekly from 18OCT20)
London Heathrow – Johannesburg eff 17OCT20 1 daily 787-9
London Heathrow – Lagos eff 24SEP20 4 weekly A350-1000XWB
London Heathrow – Los Angeles 1 daily 787-9/A350-1000XWB
London Heathrow – Miami 3 weekly 787-9 (2 weekly 01OCT20 – 17OCT20)
London Heathrow – Montego Bay eff 02OCT20 2 weekly 787-9
London Heathrow – Mumbai eff 16SEP20 4 weekly 787-9
London Heathrow – New York JFK 10 weekly 787-9/A350-1000XWB (14 weekly from 19SEP20, 17 weekly from 26SEP20, 21 weekly from 12OCT20)
London Heathrow – Orlando eff 06OCT20 4 weekly 787-9
London Heathrow – Shanghai Pu Dong 2 weekly 787-9
London Heathrow – Tel Aviv eff 06SEP20 3 weekly 787-9 (4 weekly from 01OCT20, 1 daily from 12OCT20)
Manchester – Orlando eff 06OCT20 4 weekly 787-9

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... ght=Virgin

3 Flights a day for New York seems incredible from 12th October! I would love to think its possible, but even with connecting traffic back from Lagos, Mumbai, Joberg, Tel Aviv and Delhi it still seams like a LOT!

As ever, the routesonline info is simply VS’s plan for what it aspires to fly if all the stars align.

The reality is likely to be very different. Orlando can’t even happen until Trump says so.