Troubled VS43

Lets say VS wanted to get rid of all their 747s today with an equal capacity plane, what could they order? An A350?

A350-1000 seems likely other options would be a stretched 787. The 777W or the very unlikely A380

[Darren Wheeler]

The only thing 'today', based on the LGW config of 455 passengers in 3 classes) is either a A380 or a 747-8I.

The 777-9X isn't due to 2020 and the 350-1000 is about 100 seats too small as is the 787-10.

When you look at the size of Easyjet's fleet and the number of matching aircraft types they fly and even they struggle with maintaining services without serious delays when a single aircraft has issues - I think VS do a pretty good job with what they have.

It's a really unlucky run of events for passengers on the LGW-LAS route that's spilled over onto other routes as VS try to get the maximum pax to their destinations with the least delays - but I'm sure they are trying very hard but it's so competitve out there that, as Darren says, you simply can't afford to have spare aircraft dotted around the place & LGW turnarounds are tight (as Gumshoe pointed out) so delays are harder to 'pull back' to schedule there.

For the sake of passengers and VS let's hope the maintenance issues calm down to more 'normal' levels again soon!

BA also have issues like this. They do have a little bit more flexibility in having a larger fleet in that they can move a plane scheduled to a later flight to replace a broken one but then they have an issue if they can't fix the problem in time for the later flight.

There was even a bit about this in the documentary about them but it is sometimes a bit back of the envelope stuff..

Even worse if a plane goes tech at an outstation rather than at home base.

I hope by June, when the routes get busy this is sorted... Not only because I have a flight

This does, however ask the question about new metal for VS - perhaps an A380 would be a good shout on these routes?

I hope by June, when the routes get busy this is sorted... Not only because I have a flight

This does, however ask the question about new metal for VS - perhaps an A380 would be a good shout on these routes?

It's all but been admitted that VS will not be getting any of the 6 A380 they ordered and the 6 options. The expected date has been deferred (By VS not Airbus) at least twice to my knowledge.

This does, however ask the question about new metal for VS - perhaps an A380 would be a good shout on these routes?

If anything A380 would reduce fleet flexibility as not all airports can handle them. I'm not even sure Las Vegas can handle a A380 laden for a 10 hour flight as its a "hot and high" airport and the 1% slope on the runway doesn't help.

The discontinuation of the Sydney and NRT flights was the death knell for the A380 order, it's not going to happen.

If anything A380 would reduce fleet flexibility as not all airports can handle them. I'm not even sure Las Vegas can handle a A380 laden for a 10 hour flight as its a "hot and high" airport and the 1% slope on the runway doesn't help.

The A380 will handle LAS perfectly well. It does so at JNB for AF, BA and EK ...

If anything A380 would reduce fleet flexibility as not all airports can handle them. I'm not even sure Las Vegas can handle a A380 laden for a 10 hour flight as its a "hot and high" airport and the 1% slope on the runway doesn't help.

The discontinuation of the Sydney and NRT flights was the death knell for the A380 order, it's not going to happen.

I agree with the Sydney route being shut that it was, more than likely the final nail in the coffin on the A380...

However, I can see how adding this to the fleet would reduce capacity..? Surely having this in the fleet would have helped pax. When condensing two flights would this not give them more flexibility..? Although, I don't think VS have the luxury of keeping an A380 around just to use if things go wrong!

VS just doesn't have the feed in terms of connections to any of its routes to justify an A380.

Airlines like BA and EK fill theirs by offering a true hub operation with connections to a plethora of destinations.

Plus, Delta appear to have the preference for frequency over individual flight capacity.

I simply can't see VS ever receiving A380's, even at LGW. As I've said before, I'd speculate that they'll swap the deposits for A350-1000's.

A380s would only work if VS could fill them every day, year round.

The MCO route can easily fill two 747s a day at LGW in July. But in much of January & February they can't even fill one so an A380 would just be transporting fresh air.

They could probably fill an A380 most days to LAX or SFO but the timings mean they'd need to use it on an Asian/African route on its return from California so they'd need a few.

They could probably fill an A380 to JFK most days but only if they reduced the frequency which, as pointed out above, isn't the strategy.

A380s may be shiny and sexy and work well for the likes of EK who've got money to burn but for a small airline like VS they're just not right. It's telling that there were no new A380 customers last year, and Airbus publicly said it was considering not building any more.

[Darren Wheeler]

The 747-8I hasn't exactly set the world alight with sales. Most have been freight versions with only Lufthansa committing to a reasonable fleet.

I wouldn't mind betting that the 2 replacements for 28000 and 29000 are the last 2 off the line.

The 747-8I hasn't exactly set the world alight with sales. Most have been freight versions with only Lufthansa committing to a reasonable fleet.

I wouldn't mind betting that the 2 replacements for 28000 and 29000 are the last 2 off the line.

Indeed - BBC World News posted this just yesterday.. Big is out, small is in!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154243249912588&pnref=story

No A380 orders in the whole of 2014...! Gosh.
Meanwhile the 787 is up to around 1000 orders, and the A350 doing about half that, so far.

Keeping in mind I think the A380 would be the wrong plane for Virgin, it's interesting to note that troubled Malaysia have just put up for sale all 6 of their A380s. All were built 2012. 2 available immediately and the other 4 in 2016. Could be a bargain...

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 9499,d.d2s

I bet Emirates take them. Six A380s? They'll just dip into the petty cash.

I reckon one A380 a day would work well for the MAN-MCO route if the airport (MCO)could handle the plane but I definitely would no want to be at the back if the line in immigration when it landed!

I reckon one A380 a day would work well for the MAN-MCO route if the airport (MCO)could handle the plane but I definitely would no want to be at the back if the line in immigration when it landed!

MCO was one of the first airports in the world to be able to take the A380.

The issue is not always if an airport can handle the A380 but if airlines want to operate them on a particular route. Merely being popular is not enough it has to be able to make the airline money. It is the yield that is important not the load.

VS have obviously done the sums (and possibly continue to do so given e.g. the fall in the oil price) for operating the A380 and still found them wanting. With no indication that the figures would improve has basically led to them all but cancelling the order.

I reckon one A380 a day would work well for the MAN-MCO route

They could probably fill one during school holidays and at other peak times.

But for a lot of the year it would be half empty so it just wouldn't be worth the investment.

If BA can fill 2 x A380 on certain routes I am sure that if VS joined Delta in the Sky team alliance they could if they get more feeder traffic and if they gave the 380 some VS style and flair then they would be able to support say LAX or SFO and in the peak summer months switch the aircraft to the very busy bucket and spade routes. This would be a great opportunity to refresh UC which is now over 10 years old especially as BA has a new CW seat which will have direct aisle access and will up the competition.

Unlike BA, VS doesn't get any feed from its own or partner metal at the LHR end. Therefore although it's undoubtedly benefitting from the DL tie-in across the pond, there isn't the overall traffic to justify larger aircraft.

If BA can fill 2 x A380 on certain routes I am sure that if VS joined Delta in the Sky team alliance they could if they get more feeder traffic and if they gave the 380 some VS style and flair then they would be able to support say LAX or SFO and in the peak summer months switch the aircraft to the very busy bucket and spade routes. This would be a great opportunity to refresh UC which is now over 10 years old especially as BA has a new CW seat which will have direct aisle access and will up the competition.

I'm positive VS are updating their UC suits on all aircraft.