VS direct from Belfast

Is there any truth in the rumour that Virgin flights from Glasgow will be stopping in Belfast next year? Would be great if they did!!

Thanks, Marie

[Neil]

Hi Marie and welcome to V-Flyer.

I haven't seen anything with regards to VS flying from Belfast next year, where did you hear this rumour from?

There are quite a few members on here who do get some info, so maybe they have heard something, or can support my thoughts that this is unlikely. We have had quite a few discussions on new routes etc recently what with new a/c been added to the fleet next year and I can't remember Belfast being mentioned at all.

Neil

I haven't seen anything with regards to VS flying from Dublin next year, where did you hear this rumour from?

Neil

From the person who mentioned BELFAST to her Neil !

Oh and welcome Marie !

[Neil]

I haven't seen anything with regards to VS flying from Dublin next year, where did you hear this rumour from?

Neil

From the person who mentioned BELFAST to her Neil !

Oh and welcome Marie !

D'oh, I meant Belfast, they are both over the water, and practically the same place though aren't they B)

D'oh, I meant Belfast, they are both over the water, and practically the same place though aren't they B)

Hmmm Christine might have something to say about that!

I suppose in Ryanair world ...

Dublin = Belfast South

Belfast = Dublin North !

Just having a spot of fun Marie - someone with a sensible answer should be along shortly ...

Thanks for the welcome guys! Heard the rumour on a Florida forum. Thought it was probably too good to be true.
Marie

[honey lamb]

I suppose in Ryanair world ...

Dublin = Belfast South

Belfast = Dublin North !

Just having a spot of fun Marie - someone with a sensible answer should be along shortly ...

Well if you look at how far heading north you have to walk in Pier D in Dublin Airport to get to the gates, and given that Ryanair fly out of Pier D, you are not far wrong, tonty! )

Marie, welcome to V-Flyer and as tonty says, just a spot of fun.

To answer your question, we haven't heard anything about VS stopping over at Belfast to date but if there is any truth in the rumour it will appear here sooner or later so stick around.

[Scrooge]

Marie, welcome to V-Flyer, please excuse Neil.

With so many new aircraft coming into the VS fleet in the next couple of years I really wouldn't be surprised to see VS start routes like this to enable them to market flights.

A Glasgow/Belfast - Orlando flight would probably work on a 333/787

It is a possibility.

Would it be a double drop route with GLA? Maybe, however GLA is only in its "earlier" years at the moment, it is not even operated out of peak season (unless something has changed since I last looked at the timetables). Maybe a better option would be too actual have a double drop with MAN on select days. I certainly cant see it working on its own unless a 330 is used.

With new aircraft arriving it is a possibility. I would imagine that we will see an increase in VS activity from MAN in the near future.

I would not say never but I think a couple of things need to be looked at. Firstly Thomas Cook are pulling out of the BFS-SFB market at the end of this month. Yes that could be a good sign as it will mean that there will be some 'slack' for VS to pick up on but it is a worrying move considering that TCX have had this market to themselves since Globespan went belly up. Surely if it was 'decent' they would not be pulling out. Secondly I think BFS would need some improvements, the presence of only one airbridge (cue: MAN passengers moan about them never being used at MAN) is a bit of a worry. Thirdly CO have the EWR market pretty well sorted, you must remember that CO will carry a lot of passengers that are connecting to MCO and there may not be much more demand for an additional service (even if direct).

Given EI's presence at BFS I am actually surprised that they have not thought about giving it a go.

It is also worth pointing out that BFS is not GLA by any stretch. BFS only takes 20,000 out to SFB a year (and the number has fallen the last two years), GLA's catchment area is much, much larger and looking at the figures takes 90,000 to SFB/MCO.

So in short nothing has been heard. Would I be surprised, yes mildly. Would it be the right move for VS, at this present time I dont think so. A concentration on establishing MAN as a real VS mini-hub is the best option for VS at the moment. Could VH offer bums on seats, yes. Does that make it worthwhile, not necessarily.

I see that Flybe operate from Belfast City airport to GLA and MAN so what about a VS hook up with Flybe offering a special 'your holiday starts here' flight to link with the GLA / MAN VS departures and arrivals?

Could be advertised as a VS codeshare with staff VS uniforms.

We have done FlyBe connections to Gatwick in the past.
There have been recent cases where VH have failed to book people's luggage onto the FlyBe flights & they have had to be paid for at the desk, not a great start to a holiday!!
We have booked with VH from Glasgow next August(cheaper than Gatwick!), will take the boat over the day before & visit husband's family: 2 birds, one stone!

Thanks again,Marie

I see that Flybe operate from Belfast City airport to GLA and MAN so what about a VS hook up with Flybe offering a special 'your holiday starts here' flight to link with the GLA / MAN VS departures and arrivals?

Possible- part of the reason why I think that if VS is to merge with any airline that it would have been BE. However the recent tie up between BE and AF makes this rather unlikely now.

Could be advertised as a VS codeshare with staff VS uniforms.

Just as an aside this was tried by VS before back in the early 90's. If you look on a.net you will see that there was a VS liveried BAE146 flying from DUB into LGW (I believe). IIRC it was operated by Cityjet (now really AF). Sadly the service did not last too long.