Routes being axed

Have just been reading another forum site, and one of the Virgin staffers is saying that after Christmas the LGW - PHC service is being cancelled and is being taken over by Virgin Nigeria. Also there is a possability that the Lagos service is also to be axed.

I thought that these routes were very profitable for Virgin. Does anyone know why they might be getting axed.

They are also saying that Virgin are adding new roues to the USA.

[Nottingham Nick]

Which other forum? If you post a link please, then it will be easier to comment on their provenance.

Rumours of Chicago and Toronto are still about.

Nick

Link to cabincrew.com.

[preiffer]

It appears that this is the specific link to the actual topic.

Virgin Nigeria move to LGW in November and the PHC service will not feature in the winter schedule (don't know if it will return). Instead the VK service will run LGW-LOS and PAX will connect to a seperate internal LOS-PHC VK service.

Don't know about the rumours of LHR-LOS cancelling. As far as I'm aware there is still enough demand for LOS flights that VK and VS can both operate it no problem.

Judging from what Ive read, am I to understand that the PHC flight (or the LOS one) were very popular with staff?
Still, it will be nice to see VS introduce some new US routes.

If I had to guess, I would say VS might go for South Carolina, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; or Chicago, again. These are all served by at least BA, but since they are practically in the middle of current VS routes to the U.S., they maybe worthwhile.

Not sure I can see the point of VA and Virgin Nigeria competing with each other on those routes - and if they are profitable then Virgin group will benefit while freeing up planes for new routes. Makes sense to me.

As for routes, well we've had our opinions on V-Flyer before and I wonder whether Virgin listened. I'd like to see Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, Chicago or Fort Lauderdale ... pre-Katrina I'd have added New Orleans but sadly there may not be the loads there now.

The Cabin Crew site speculates on the Maldives and Chicago - the latter certainly has traffic but also big competition with 5 (sometimes 6)x daily on AA and 2/3 on BA plus United.

Good to see evidence of Virgin changing and developing though.

I was also under the impression that LOS was a very prifitable route and may be able to support both VS and VK.

I'd like to see ORD added to the VS lineup for its connection potential with *A (I suppose Atlanta may be logical too for DL connections), and maybe DFW (I keep having to go to DFW but have to connect at either IAD or LAX).

There are 10 direct flights a day LHR-ORD on AA/BA/UA, with very good connections on all flights to other US destinations. Surely better for VS to compete on an easier route?
BC

[preiffer]

Originally posted by BlackCat
Surely better for VS to compete on an easier route?

Like Toronto/Montreal [^]

Only AC [:$] or BA [B)] service those two...

[mitchja]

I do hope YYZ starts up again. A.net does always seem to be full of rumours about VS and YYZ. If VS were to re-start YYZ again I would prefer flying from LHR though this time, but that's just me!

Regards

From a purely selfish point of view I'd like more MAN routes The DL MAN - ATL routes always seem to be full, so I'd love for VS to offer a competing route. LAS from MAN would also be great, given that BMI only operate a twice weekly service, it rather limits choice.

It has been rumoured that Virgin will start a twice weekly service from Manchester to Las Vegas next summer.

From what I've read in various threads here some seem to think that they'll take over the BMI service. With a bit of luck if the demand is there they'll increase the frequency, much like they did with MCO.

I'm in the process of trying to organise a 4 day trip to LAS in Feb/Mar which I can't do with the BMI direct service - I either have to stay 3 nights or 7. So now I have to take 2 flights on DL via ATL [n]

I think VS needs some more good ol' head to heads with BA![}:)]

Cheers,
VS045

[mitchja]

I think the other problem is lack of VS metal at the moment. Until more A346's come into service, I dont think VS have any spare A/C to move any more B744's from LHR to MAN at the moment.

Regards

Is there any news on when Virgin plan to start their daily service to beijing?

Originally posted by djuluvmee
Is there any news on when Virgin plan to start their daily service to beijing?

Summer 2006?

I think it is total rubbish about PHC flights ceasing!!!

They are still showing until Octobe 2006!!

LOS is one of the most profitable routes so why would VS cancel it????

The nigerian flights are here to stay in fact I would look out for further growth in Africa!!!!!

Declan's right. You can still buy tickets through to next October. I v.much doubt these will be cancelled.

Originally posted by declansmith
I think it is total rubbish about PHC flights ceasing!!!

I am sure that VS would not announce it to their flight crew first and let the rummour mill do the talking rather than their PR machine. I too would treat this all with a pinch of salt. VS have been adding destinations on to their portfolio. I would have thought an ideal time to announce route rationalisation would have been concurrently with a new destination announcement.

Anyone think that VS might take the BMI IAD slot which they ended yesterday?

RR

There is no doubt PHC is finishing on the 12th Jan 2006. The following page is displaying on the VS website

Link to VS website








Edit by mod to shorten link..... Nick

[Scrooge]

Well thats pretty clear,cant argue with that staement.