Boeings going / Possible VS route changes

[honey lamb]

My guess when I read this thread was that the LAS flight moves to LHR from LGW to compete with the BA route.

Would be a shame to see SEA go already, nice city that carries the same quirky vibes as VS.

I know there have been rumblings about poor performance on the route, has that been verified though? Was that the logic behind the switch to the A330? (Apologies if I’ve missed a thread that definitely stated this already).

I wasn't aware that SEA wasn't performing well given the number of multi-nationals based in that city. EI are starting DUB-SEA at the end of this month four days a week and I have been reliably informed that J is already heavily booked by the multi-nationals based in Dublin such as Microsoft, Amazon etc.

Has to be LAS moving to LHR in my view, it's the prime candidate. BA are regularly filling 52 J & 14 F seats out of LHR - many days double that as two 747's a day. VS are missing out big time with only 14 a day versus BA's 100+ !

Would be a shame to see SEA go already, nice city that carries the same quirky vibes as VS.

I know there have been rumblings about poor performance on the route, has that been verified though? Was that the logic behind the switch to the A330? (Apologies if I’ve missed a thread that definitely stated this already).

Well its note a route termination just decreased frequency which if anything suggests its doing well enough not to cancel outright but better to right-size. Seattle does feel very VS, but the amount of capacity they now have from LGW/LHR seems particularly high to me (VS,BA,DY) compared to when BA had a monopoly.

If its US only routes I would stick with Vegas switch, Seattle decrease. Wouldn't say increase JFK frequency by opening a departure from LGW is completely out of the question, but for me the level of competition/race to the bottom for LGW transatlantic routes would be unattractive. Norwegian announced a 3rd daily flight, BA have one and I can't see the value in VS pitching up.

What are peoples thoughts more generally about when, if ever we will see new non-US VS routes? Conditions do seem difficult, Asia is pretty much throwing away cash battling against ME3, Turkish and established names like CX and SQ. Africa has proven unprofitable beyond the current VS network there and the South American economy has shown even 'strong' candidate routes like Rio are trending down in frequency of flights from london.

"Decreased frequency" suggests that it is not a route ending entirely...
One possibility is a daily going four or five-weekly for example and another route picking up a second daily for a few days of the week.

As someone in the process of booking hotels and car parking for our upcoming honeymoon which involves a LAS to LGW leg, any idea how soon would any possible changes occur?

[mitchja]

As someone in the process of booking hotels and car parking for our upcoming honeymoon which involves a LAS to LGW leg, any idea how soon would any possible changes occur?

Until the official announcement tomorrow, no-one knows unfortunately.

I remember getting caught up in the VS Miami flight LGW to LHR change over when that happened many years ago now!

Would be a shame to see SEA go already, nice city that carries the same quirky vibes as VS.

I know there have been rumblings about poor performance on the route, has that been verified though? Was that the logic behind the switch to the A330? (Apologies if I’ve missed a thread that definitely stated this already).

I thought the switch to A330s was due to the restrictions introduced on some 789s not being allowed to fly more than an hour from an emergency airport.

My flight to SEA in two weeks is now an A330 but the return two weeks later is still showing as a 789, although I expect that to change.

Hi everyone,

Newbie and first time poster here, before I put my two pennyworth in, I would just like to say a huge thankyou to everyone on this site for the wealth of info, help and advice you give, it has helped me on numerous occasions, so a big thanks to you all

Anyhoo, back to the post, my money would be on the LGW-LAS route decreasing (4 days per week) and the LGW-MCO route increasing (2 flights per day on some days, apologies if they already do that) I've got my fingers crossed that its the LAS route moving to LHR, I love the Gatwick clubhouse but after a 10+ hour flight, the drive back to Brum will be that little bit easier from LHR.

Regards to you all
Darbs

My Money's on the Vegas route moving from LGW to LHR

Virgin ran an 'experimental' LHR-LAS service in January, so they know how to do it.
It won't mean bringing a 747 back to LHR, as these are Sooo Uncool at LHR - only BA flies them

What aircraft it will be is anyone's guess

Peter

[mitchja]

If it is LAS that's moving, I wonder if VS may even operate 2 flights a day at peak times to maintain Economy seat numbers? (2 x A333's = 370 Y seats compared to 1 x B744 = 375 Y seats)

"Decreased frequency" suggests that it is not a route ending entirely...
One possibility is a daily going four or five-weekly for example and another route picking up a second daily for a few days of the week.

The route seeing a decrease will still be daily (and then some) after the decrease in current frequency.

If it is LAS that's moving, I wonder if VS may even operate 2 flights a day at peak times to maintain Economy seat numbers? (2 x A333's = 370 Y seats compared to 1 x B744 = 375 Y seats)

Norwegian are also starting LAS so I'm not sure they need to maintain their Y capacity going forward

Anyhoo, back to the post, my money would be on the LGW-LAS route decreasing (4 days per week) and the LGW-MCO route increasing (2 flights per day on some days, apologies if they already do that) I've got my fingers crossed that its the LAS route moving to LHR, I love the Gatwick clubhouse but after a 10+ hour flight, the drive back to Brum will be that little bit easier from LHR.

welcome to V-flyer!

Yes VS already operate 2 flights to MCO on some days especially at peak (school) holiday times.

I think BA moved one of it's LAS services to LHR and then either ended it or moved it back. And then Norwegian are in the mix as well.

I'd hate to be an airline route planner - let alone revenue management. It's easy to say 'lets fly to XXX' it's harder to make money!

I think MCO will be involved.

I know MCO is supposedly too bucket and spade for LHR but I could see a daily flight from Heathrow to tie up with Delta's new service to AMS. Perhaps with the A/C coming from a reduced MIA schedule.

DL seem to rate MCO as a focus city now so who knows..

I could also see MCO being reduced from Gatwick (atleast seasonally) with TUI, Thomas Cook, BA, Norwegian etc all competing.

You also have Aer Lingus, Icelandair all offering cheap indirect services now.

VS also offer capacity via ATL.

I also see the logic in the LAS swap.


Just thinking out loud but interested to see how this plays out..

Really hoping its LAS!!! I always go via LAX/SEA when going to LAS via LHR at the moment.

My Money's on the Vegas route moving from LGW to LHR

Virgin ran an 'experimental' LHR-LAS service in January, so they know how to do it.
It won't mean bringing a 747 back to LHR, as these are Sooo Uncool at LHR - only BA flies them

What aircraft it will be is anyone's guess

Peter

I have to disagree with you on the 747. For me F in the nose or CW upstairs is still my favourite place on any of BA’s fleet. The 52J aircraft used on this route are being kept longer than originally planned and will receive the cabin refurb as per the 86J aircraft. This aircraft is still the queen of the skies and im sure if VS could fill them they would still be using them out of LHR

I doubt that is true at all, however look out for some route news on Monday.

3 affected routes one very surprising announcement about one of them.

Sorry for being cloak and dagger but nothing has been announced externally.

So if Vegas moving to LHR is news piece one, and if LAX slots going from 3 to 2 is news piece two... what’s the third affected route?...

I was told Boston’s going twice daily.

I think MCO will be involved.

I know MCO is supposedly too bucket and spade for LHR but I could see a daily flight from Heathrow to tie up with Delta's new service to AMS. Perhaps with the A/C coming from a reduced MIA schedule.

DL seem to rate MCO as a focus city now so who knows..

Delta started a direct MCO-AMS a few weeks ago

I was told Boston’s going twice daily.

Interesting stuff. Would make for 3 daily BOS flights between VS/DL (assuming it's a simple add and not taking over DL's flight). Wonder where this one would slot in time-wise since DL covers the morning dep while VS has the late afternoon currently.

BOS will be day flight coming back like the 26

I think MCO will be involved.

I know MCO is supposedly too bucket and spade for LHR but I could see a daily flight from Heathrow to tie up with Delta's new service to AMS. Perhaps with the A/C coming from a reduced MIA schedule.

DL seem to rate MCO as a focus city now so who knows..

Delta started a direct MCO-AMS a few weeks ago

My point exactly it would give the group both AMS & LHR direct from Orlando.

I don't think MCO-CDG is to far away either if seasonal already, albeit on AirFrance

Alas I was wrong anyway!

<<A couple of years ago someone posted on this forum that a triumphant return to Tokyo (albeit to Haneda) was all set to be announced>>

That was me. I didn't say when........

Your source must be getting very confused.

Why would Airbus take a Boeing plane (let alone the 17 the VS has in service and which are new) in return for additional A350 orders? I really don't see that happening.

IIRC the B787 orders were placed well before DL bought the SQ stake in VS

VS is replacing the B747s with A350s though

Manufacturers have been known to take on planes from other manufacturers as part of deals to sell planes to airlines. I can’t see the 787’s all being ditched so soon though, but I wouldn’t rule out further A350 orders if Airbus or leaseco’s offer them for the right price. I expect a decision may need to be made soon regarding the A330’s as I seem to recall (and I stand to be corrected) they were only on leases of around 10 years or so and the ex-Air Berlin A330’s were taken on 4 year leases?

Guys, has anything been announced? I think this makes perfect sense to what i am seeing. I have been tracking Virgin flight prices for end of March 2019 into April 2019, between LGW and LAS as we are planning our wedding. As of yesterday all of the flights have disappeared. I cannot book anything direct between LGW and LAS after the 24th of March 2019, yet the day before i had a full calendar up until the 15th of April 2019.