747-200 Manchester

I'm flying from Manchester with Virgin to Orlando in September this year. I'm a bit worried about flying on a 747-200, are they safe?.

When I booked the holiday the Virgin brocher said that Virgin have one of the newest fleets in the world, if this is true why are they still using 747-200's. They are getting on a bit, and someone told me Virgin don't mantain these Aircraft.

Also how many planes do Virgin use on the Manchester run, surly they can't use just two aircrafts all year from Manchester, can they?.

There is absolutely nothing to worry about.

You are correct in saying that that Virgin does not maintain the aircraft themselves, however that is not to say they are not maintained at all?!?! VA lease these aircraft from air atlanta (a leasing airline) and the maintainance contract is part of the lease.
CAA (civil aviation authority), JAA (joint aviation association) and ICAO (international civil aviation organisation) are in place to ensure that aircraft are maintained and are safe to fly.

VA does have one of the youngest fleets in the sky but this is an average, therefore there are going to be exceptions.
VA has 2 747-200's and they are used all year round one the MAN-MCO route.

I do understand your concerns but I assure you that if aircraft are maintained to a high standard, they are as safe (if not safer IMO) than an aircraft that has just rolled of the production line.

[HighFlyer]

EasyJet have a bit of a rep because they used some very old planes, many consumers complained saying that it was unsafe but in all fairness they have not exactly had loads of crashes.

The issue i find is that its not the age of the aircraft but the maintenance, if thats done properly it will be fine. My Uncle worked at T4 for years and he could tell you some right scary stuff!

And the final argument ... Concorde. That plane is ancient but people dont tend to think of that.

[HighFlyer]

Sorry ... should have put as a footnote ..

It will be fine!!!!

Didnt want to scare you or anything!!

Look at the history of those two planes, yes they are old and will likely leave the fleet soon once UCS is on all LGW planes, but they have served VS very well and i dont recall them being involved in any accidents.

Rest assured, air travel is one of the safest!

Maybe you could give us a trip report. We are on this flight in nov. I understand they do have the odessy ife, which is supposed to be okay.
Sianx

Your something like 10,000 times more likely to injusre yourself at a compter than on an aeroplane.

Also, just think what happens to all these old aircraft once the modern airlines are done with them - they get shipped off to africa. Probably with one man mainting them. Yet still, how many airplane crashes did you hear of in Africa lately? None!

Hi,

I am ex BA crew, I live near Man airport and have flown on the 2 747 200's many times, I watch them take off and land most days (sad I know)!

As far as safety I feel OK, what I do feel let down by is the lower standard of aircraft interior and the IFE which is very often not working, the games have never work on any of our trips, I pay a lot of money for 5 of us to go PE and we understand that we cannot use our lap tops in PE (never took them before so didnt notice) as there are no connections where as on BMI New Econ and BA's WTP they are available.

I have heard a rummour that they will be replaced next year by 747-400's, not doubt they will be old style PE and UC???

Happy flying!

P.S I'm flying out on 31 July so will let you know what it's like this time!

Hi
nothing to worry about on these old girls i've just got back this morning and Island lady got us back a whole hour early and we went out on Honey pie and arrived an hour early unlike another airline using 747-200s who had a bit of a delay.
Inside and out is all Virgin and the I.F.E was great the games kept my nine year old son happy for most of the flight all in all the Virgin exp was great so have a good one.[8D][8D][8D]
(off to kip now work monday)[:(][:(]

I would imagine that the two aircraft have had most things changed on them over the years, so the aircraft themselves are not the age they seem to be??