CONFIRMED: VS/DL LGW & MAN return

https://twitter.com/seanm1997/status/11 ... 06724?s=21

Struggling to find something more official and I don’t know how well connected he is, but the tweet infers...

MAN-BOS to move to DL using 757’s but upgraded to daily
LGW-BOS to be operated by DL
LGW-JFK to be operated by VS

Things can change, but the VS site still shows VS as the operator for MAN-BOS with no flights on 21st May 2019.

From what I hear Sean is quite reliable.

Assuming they are true (they are appearing on the unofficial "airportnewsMAN" twitter feed as well - possibly where Sean got his information) I think these arrangements make the most sense. From what I have heard VS are struggling with Boston loads and a narrowbody is more suitable, with none at their disposal it seems logical for DL to take the reins. BOS is starting to because Delta Country so MAN and LGW for them sounds sensible. LGW-JFK is a curious entry with Norwegian and BA already serving the route.

Perhaps with MAN-BOS being moved to Delta, this could free up a/c for MAN-LAX which I hear is doing very well.

I believe this rumour to be accurate and is to be confirmed imminently, with further VS announcements re MAN (Clubhouse etc) due over the coming weeks.

No idea why VS are holding back on the MAN Clubhouse announcement - it's practically been 100% confirmed / leaked by both MAN & those in the know on the MAN T2X works.

Announcement tomorrow with additional frequencies on some routes too

Announcement tomorrow with additional frequencies on some routes too

Okay - the BOS announcement obviously frees up some capacity at MAN - are VS announcing what they will do with that tomorrow as well? I thought this would follow at a later date...

The LGW to JFK/BOS was announced several months ago but it wasn't clear at the time who would be operating the flights. The press release came from Delta with quotes from VS and that wasn't clear. Usually both would issue their own release with cross quotes and details.

So this clarification is good news.

Actual confirmation was possibly tied in with Jet Blue wanting to start TATL and their objecting to the revised Joint Venture and wanting to get some slots taken off DL/VS at LHR or LGW which has been rejected by the US DoT (ref a post I did a couple of weeks ago about the DoT decision)

Just depends on the pricing and I'll likely use these services.

Thanks for the clarifications, will wait and see what gets announced tomorrow.

Giving MAN-BOS to DL with a smaller aircraft makes sense. If it means the route goes daily then I'm all for the move. I don't mind the 757's they use TATL and, as SlimpyJones points out, a DL hub is emerging at BOS. It'll be interesting if they make it year-round or just summer daily. I wonder if this means an increase for MAN-LAX?

[mitchja]

VS are also not selling Premium on any of the MAN>BOS flights from the end of May onwards also indicating the service is switching to a DL service without a Premium Select cabin.

https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/gb ... edule.html

Adjusted the thread title, but now it's confirmed...

DL to return to MAN and will take over MAN-BOS and upgrade to daily, albeit still summer-only
DL to return to LGW to operate LGW-BOS
VS to operate LGW-JFK

In other news, DL are also launching a daytime JFK-LHR flight next year in addition to the daytime VS JFK-LHR flight.

Nothing about other frequency increases from MAN, though part of me isn't surprised considering the other new route announcements elsewhere across the network and the impending A340 & 747 withdrawals. Regardless of aircraft and putting aside the seasonal nature of the route, going daily to BOS is a good thing and will help make the route a more attractive proposition. Hopefully this will lead to further growth from MAN in 2021.

EDIT: See DL link below. MAN-BOS and LGW-BOS confirmed as being operated by 757's (the ex-TWA examples that were previously used MAN-JFK) and VS' A330-200 for the LGW-JFK. I guess that explains why MAN-ATL is now A330-300 next summer...

https://news.delta.com/delta-virgin-atl ... nd-uk-2020
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... Manchester

Some extras from the article:

• LHR-SEA to get second daily, four times a week for a total of 11 weekly
• LHR-LAX to re-gain it's third daily, during the summer months, three times a week for a total of 17 weekly
• LHR-LAX to be served by A350 next year

[buns]

For a traveller who is close to LGW (like me ) this is fantastic news!!

It may even open up a non direct route to MCO at hard to find times.

The only downside will be increased use of the lovely LGW Clubhouse.
buns

(PS May even think about an inaugural trip )

The flight timings and cost will be crucial but if they work out then Tonty could be heading to LGW a bit more often for his TATLs

Timings according to the DL announcement here

Delta’s new London-Heathrow service is scheduled as follows:

JFK

• Departs JFK at 10:15 a.m. and arrives LHR at 10:25 p.m. (daily)
• Departs LHR at 7:30 a.m. and arrives JFK at 10:30 a.m. (daily)

Delta and Virgin Atlantic’s new London Gatwick services are scheduled as follows:

BOS

• Departs BOS at 9:00 p.m. and arrives LGW at 8:45 a.m. (next day) (daily)
• Departs LGW at 10:30 a.m. and arrives BOS at 1:20 p.m. (daily)

JFK

• Departs JFK at 7:30 p.m. and arrives LGW at 7:50 a.m. (next day) (daily)
• Departs LGW at 12:55 p.m. and arrives JFK at 3:40 p.m. (daily)

Delta’s new Manchester service is scheduled as follows:

BOS

• Departs BOS at 10:00 p.m. and arrives MAN at 9:30 a.m. (next day) (daily)
• Departs MAN at 11:30 a.m. and arrives BOS at 2:00 p.m. (daily)

[mitchja]

It’s worth pointing out that VS are dropping 7 of their weekly LHR>JFK flights to allow for the extra SEA & LAX flights.

The DL 757's been used for both the MAN and LGW flights also will not have the Premium Select cabin. The config will be 16 x Delta One, 44 x Comfort+ and 105 x Economy.

VS will be using the A332's for the LGW>JFK flights.

I’m expecting further announcements of MAN when the clubhouse announcement is made (no idea what).

[mitchja]

More details regarding flight numbers, route additions & route cancelations from RoutesOnline:

London Gatwick – New York JFK eff 21MAY20 Service resumption, 5 weekly A330-200 (6 weekly from 13JUN19, 7 weekly from 27JUL20). This route was previously served from August 1989 to August 1991
VS193 LGW1355 – 1640JFK 332 x67
VS194 JFK1930 – 0750+1LGW 332 x67

Service operates Day x7 from 13JUN20, daily from 27JUL20

London Heathrow – Boston eff 29MAR20 2 daily service operated by A330-300, replacing 787-9 (This was not part of the announcement)

London Heathrow – Los Angeles eff 30MAR20 Increase from 14 to 17 weekly, 787-9 operating. The A350-operating service announced by the airline will be filed at later date
VS007 LHR1015 – 1325LAX 789 D
VS143 LHR1325 – 1625LAX 789 146
VS023 LHR1545 – 1855LAX 789 D

VS008 LAX1540 – 1020+1LHR 789 D
VS144 LAX1830 – 1245+1LHR 789 146
VS024 LAX2100 – 1515+1LHR 789 D

London Heathrow – New York JFK eff 29MAR20 Reduce from 42 to 35 weekly, VS153/154 cancelled. From 10JUN20, service further reduces to 33 weekly, VS137/010 cancelled on Day 26

London Heathrow – Seattle eff 29MAR20 Increase from 7 to 11 weekly, 787-9 operating
VS105 LHR1130 – 1310SEA 789 D
VS167 LHR1325 – 1505SEA 789 x146

VS106 SEA1520 – 0845+1LHR 789 D
VS168 SEA1920 – 1245+1LHR 789 x146

Manchester – Boston eff 23MAY20 Seasonal 3 weekly A330-200 service cancelled, replaced by Delta daily 757 service. Note reservation for this route as VS121/122 will be closed soon

Previously reported changes:

Belfast – Orlando 05APR20 – 17MAY20 A330-200 replaces 747-400, 1 weekly
Manchester – Atlanta eff 16MAY20 A330-300 operates 1 daily, replacing A330-200/747-400

Does anybody with long memories know if the LGW-JFK numbers are the originals or are they used for JFK flights out of LHR like with certain other flight numbers (e.g. VS001/002/, VS 005/006)?

VS1/2 was originally used for the LGW-EWR-LGW route and it retained the number when it switched to JFK

VS1/2 was originally used for the LGW-EWR-LGW route and it retained the number when it switched to JFK

You mean switched to LHR after the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules (TDRs) were aboloshed. The TDRs prevented VAA from operating at LHR.

In the early days I flew LGW-EWR a lot when working for AT&T. The days of canapes, cheauffer cars and gifts no matter what ticket you had in J class! I have fond memories.