VS75 & VS76 DELAYS?

Hi everyone.

Noticed for the last couple of delays that there has been some bad delays on this route. Is this due to the volcanic ash causing a longer routing or some other reason?

VS76 isn't arriving into MAN today intil 1415 and the VS75 flight isn't due to depart until 1715.

Longer routing, often into headwinds, due to the dense volcanic ash cloud.

[Neil]

The whole Virgin schedule is all over the place at the moment, with most flights having delays, and some quite serious. The ash cloud is still having an impact and I guess it is better to be delayed a bit rather than having flights cancelled like we had at the end of April.

I was on the VS75 on Sunday. The inbound aircraft (the 76) did not land until just before Noon. We finally took off at 16:00 - but interestingly, we took a very normal route, no extreme northern / southerly route.

The schedule Virgin operate on their LGW/MAN fleet is pretty tight, with not a lot of space for manouvre. There is a bit (but not a lot) more flexibility at LHR. Even if the ash cloud was to disappear overnight tonight, it is going to take quite a while to get back to normal.

We need them southerly winds to blow the ash North!

I heard the Met Office say that the problems could last all summer with Ash over the Atlantic, and it is literally on a day to day basis of what problems it will cause.

I go in July to Orlando, and can handle a delay as long as we get there. I know that Icelands President has recently said though that everyone should be prepared for the Katla Volcano to start erupting as every time Eyjafjallajökull has erupted it has subsequently caused Katla to erupt.

It's all out of our hands as Mother Nature will do whatever it wants. I just sit back and keep my fingers and toes crossed.

I was on the VS75 on Sunday. The inbound aircraft (the 76) did not land until just before Noon. We finally took off at 16:00 - but interestingly, we took a very normal route, no extreme northern / southerly route.

Even if the ash cloud was to disappear overnight tonight, it is going to take quite a while to get back to normal.

Oh joy, data so far showing a 7ish hour delay, with the trend not improving... n(
I think getting a couple more films for mini NH's DVD player today was a good move in readiness for Saturday..
And we can't take Mini into the Escape lounge...Grrr..

nh

[Neil]

And we can't take Mini into the Escape lounge...Grrr..

nh

Are you flying UC? If so, then you should be able to, I've seen kids in there before.

Are you flying UC? If so, then you should be able to, I've seen kids in there before.

My Signature (see above/below), tends to suggest otherwise.. ii)
PE I'm afraid, have grandmother in tow also, albeit she's sat downstairs ): .

Saying that we do have option of x2 guest on our prioritypass cards, but Escape Lounge don't do kids except if you're on UC ticket.

We will be trying mind. Or we'll end up fastening her to the stair's banister outside and bring her out some snacks. ):

[Neil]

We will be trying mind. Or we'll end up fastening her to the stair's banister outside and bring her out some snacks. ):

Yes, missed the signature information :w

I do like the idea above, although why not use the Styal Lounge instead? No age limit according to the PP website??

We will be trying mind. Or we'll end up fastening her to the stair's banister outside and bring her out some snacks. ):

Yes, missed the signature information :w

I do like the idea above, although why not use the Styal Lounge instead? No age limit according to the PP website??

Although not experienced it first hand yet, the reports I hear, are its called the Styal Lounge and not the Style lounge for a reason ):
A delay of an hour-or-so can make do with, but anymore..- Anyone experienced the stylish Styal room.. ?|
Mrs NH even commented that the Escape lounge, was preparing people for an overnight VS flight :w , by having the temp set to 100 degree's plus last week, and wasn't very comfortable place to sit. (numerous fans in operation as well)

[Neil]

We used the Styal Lounge when we went to MCO in April 2008, and to be honest, it is almost identical in terms of its offerings as the Escape Lounge, basic self service food and drinks, but it is certainly better than the Terminal.

In a way, it's layout is actually better as it is a larger space so you don't feel as cramped in like you do in the smaller rooms of the Escape lounge.

Is it worth £15per person as a guest on your Priority pass, 50/50 I would say, if you get delayed, then almost certainly.

Looks like G-VBIG is being/has been sent from LHR to MAN to cover Wednesday's flight, which will provide a "firebreak" to allow the schedule to recover.

I'd guess the LGW config aircraft will arrive in to MAN on Wednesday afternoon, overnight at MAN, and then resume the MAN-MCO run on Thursday on time, releasing BIG back to LHR.

Mike

I see that the delays are getting worse, with todays VS076 Flight not due to arrive into MAN until 1750!!!!!!

At least Virgin are trying to do something. I think they will be fighting a losing battle though, as the delays will build back up again looking at the long routing over the Atlantic at the moment.

[Neil]

As Mike has said, with G-VBIG heading up to MAN, to operate today's VS75, with a departure time of 11:30, it gives an extra a/c to help get the schedule back on track, so things should hopefully start running more smoothly.

Neil

As Mike has said, with G-VBIG heading up to MAN, to operate today's VS75, with a departure time of 11:30, it gives an extra a/c to help get the schedule back on track, so things should hopefully start running more smoothly.

Neil

Good ole Tink.!

Now how are they going to fill all those UC seats...? I think they should select by FC status.. ): or extremely tempting offers at Chk-in.. :w

Hopefully still helping to mop up the schedule on saturday.. :w

[Neil]

The flights over the next few days on the 75 are looking very full too, so there are going to be some very lucky PE pax being bumped to UC and Y to PE. Of course, Au members should be top of that list.

Wishful thinking Mike, although I imagine as soon as the schedule is back to anywhere near normal, Tink will be sent back to London to resume normal operations!

As Mike has said, with G-VBIG heading up to MAN, to operate today's VS75, with a departure time of 11:30, it gives an extra a/c to help get the schedule back on track, so things should hopefully start running more smoothly.

Neil

Good ole Tink.!

Now how are they going to fill all those UC seats...? I think they should select by FC status.. ): or extremely tempting offers at Chk-in.. :w

Hopefully still helping to mop up the schedule on saturday.. :w

Happened to Mrs DA and I when we went to LAS, change of plane and a op-up gratefully recieved but how many in your group?

Happened to Mrs DA and I when we went to LAS, change of plane and a op-up gratefully recieved but how many in your group?

Yes, we're not the best options for Op-ups: mr,dr & mini. However we are all silver,(yes mini should be as well, and to be fair UC trained and likely better behaved than some adults), o.k. not Gold, but hope this does get some form of recognition in the sky (cue old topics.. )..
Grandma NH unfortunately sat in Y, but being single traveller- would like to see her moved forward, would be great experience if they jumped her to the front..
given she'd already said "its just a bus, and I've got a seat.."

Happened to Mrs DA and I when we went to LAS, change of plane and a op-up gratefully recieved but how many in your group?

Yes, we're not the best options for Op-ups: mr,dr & mini. However we are all silver,(yes mini should be as well, and to be fair UC trained and likely better behaved than some adults), o.k. not Gold, but hope this does get some form of recognition in the sky (cue old topics.. )..
Grandma NH unfortunately sat in Y, but being single traveller- would like to see her moved forward, would be great experience if they jumped her to the front..
given she'd already said "its just a bus, and I've got a seat.."

We're ag but we didn't know until we got the beep at the gate.

Grandma NH unfortunately sat in Y, but being single traveller- would like to see her moved forward, would be great experience if they jumped her to the front..
given she'd already said "its just a bus, and I've got a seat.."

But would she rather be on the back seat smoking and causing trouble or sat behind the driver reminding him which way to go?

Looks like VROY (Pretty Woman) flying down to LGW from MAN this evening...

Mucho swapping around trying to get straight I imagine y)

[Neil]

Things in general seem to have run much more to schedule today. Hopefully things will continue to improve and get back to normal asap.

Things in general seem to have run much more to schedule today. Hopefully things will continue to improve and get back to normal asap.

Hopefullly Neil y), on a purely selfish note. Me and the present Mrs Treelo fly back from our trip to Charleston/Savannah/Orlando on Tue 18th ( and a fantastic trip it has been too ) ^)

[Scrooge]

Things in general seem to have run much more to schedule today. Hopefully things will continue to improve and get back to normal asap.

We had dinner at the Foundation room, atop the Mandalay bay tonight, we went out on the balcony and noticed that there was a VS744 and BA772 sitting at T-2, this was around 8pm.

Pulling up the flight tracker it seems G-VAST is just east of the rookies now, so 44 will be late in today.

We had dinner at the Foundation room, atop the Mandalay bay tonight, we went out on the balcony and noticed that there was a VS744 and BA772 sitting at T-2, this was around 8pm.

Pulling up the flight tracker it seems G-VAST is just east of the rookies now, so 44 will be late in today.

picture the scene;

We've come out for a nice meal, and there you are fiddling around with your phone AGAIN, they're only bloody planes!.. Can't we just a have meal in peace for once..

) )