Keeping track of the fleet

G-VLNM made its way from Doncaster to Heathrow today.....

Very interesting and makes a lot of sense, particularly with cheaper fuel. Which are the 5 VS 340's NAP, WIN and ?

With 330's also now in Spain, could they end up as freighters too? Smaller, but 2 engine...

I can only find 4 transferred. There must be one of the stored ones too.
G-VNAP now 9H-EAL
G-VWIN now 9H-NHS
G-VYOU now 2-EALJ
G-VWEB now 9H-PPE

The A330s will be in demand as a passenger aircraft somewhere in the world if they don't come back.

I believe that the 330's are just being moved over for storage, the fleet plan once restart happens very much still involves 350/787 as well as both variants of the 330's.

The former G-VFIT s their fifth ex Virgin A340, no re-registration for that one yet and it hasn't flown for its new operator.

Is the last 747 leaving Manchester on Wednesday? If so anyone know the time

I believe there's still 4x 747s at Manchester currently.

G-VAST is scheduled to move to LHR on Wednesday 15th at 4pm according to the TAS website.

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I believe there's still 4x 747s at Manchester currently.

G-VAST is scheduled to move to LHR on Wednesday 15th at 4pm according to the TAS website.

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Thank you

Why is Ladybird coming to LHR? To restart JFK services?, PPE flights?? If only.......

[mitchja]

My guess is VS are will just be dropping equipment and/or spares at LHR as all the 744’s will have had all their on-board equipment removed before they are retired and that’s currently all at MAN and so needs moving to main base which is now LHR.

There’s no way the proposed TATL pax flights (JFK & LAX) VS mentioned will start again next week. IMHO, we will be lucky to see any TATL pax flights this side of Christmas the way things are going.

Ladybird is now scheduled to leave MAN at 1100, bound not for Heathrow. but to be reunited with whats left of Tinkerbelle at St Athan

VWAG 330/300 Just left MAN for spain. ? cargo now perhaps.

[mitchja]

The A333's are being moved to Ciudad Real for storage. VS have been moving the A333's over the last few weeks now.

Looking at the current locations for the A330-300 fleet...

G-VSXY stored at Doncaster Flew in on 09/05/20 from Heathrow
G-VKSS stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 05/07/20 from Glasgow
G-VLUV stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 26/06/20 from Doncaster
G-VGEM stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 07/07/20 from Manchester
G-VINE stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 23/05/20 from Heathrow
G-VRAY stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 24/06/20 from Doncaster
G-VNYC stored at Manchester Flew in on 26/05/20 from Gatwick
G-VGBR stored at Doncaster Flew in on 09/05/20 from Heathrow
G-VWAG stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 14/07/20 from Manchester
G-VUFO stored at Cuidad Real Flew in on 22/06/20 from Manchester

For the 200's, VMNK, VMIK and VWND are all at Manchester whilst VLNM is at Heathrow

Ladybird is now scheduled to leave MAN at 1100, bound not for Heathrow. but to be reunited with whats left of Tinkerbelle at St Athan

That would sort of make sense, as G-VAST is owned by Virgin Atlantic (as was G-VBIG), so Virgin get to decide where it goes to meet it's ultimate demise. No point flying it further than you have to. A quick hop from MAN to St Athan will cost less in fuel & the flight deck crew can probably be back in their own homes that evening - so no overnight hotel costs for Virgin. (Yes, this sounds extreme, but every penny matters to Virgin at present).

The 747's that have made their way to Cuidad Real are leased, so the leasing company gets to decide where they are disposed of.

G-VROM due to leave Manchester at midday today for the last time, think that leaves only 2 at Manchester to go.

Just watched VROM depart Manchester after doing it's taxi both ways past the aviation viewing park. Seems it's heading to LHR - can only assume for a brief stay in the Virgin maintenance hangar there, where they will strip out anything they want to retain. It's won't be long before it moves on - presumably to Cuidad Real, as it's a leased frame - to meet it's maker.

I am sure I read somewhere ROM is having an engine change at LHR and then being flown on somewhere by the lease Company.

Well done VS for making something out of all the retirements for the fans to watch ans say good bye.

Ironic that ROM left being flowed by a Qatar 350! The new taking over from the old...

She is having an engine change at Heathrow, presumably there must be a buyer for her. Also there's a change of registered ownership being processed for G-VAST (Ladybird) which is currently sat (fully intact) at St Athan, so time will tell....

G-VROM due to leave Manchester at midday today for the last time, think that leaves only 2 at Manchester to go.

G-VROM was the last VS 747 I flew on. It was sad to see the photos and videos of it leaving MAN for the last time.

Just G-VROS and G-VXLG remain at MAN. Both are currently visible from Rwy 05L/23R and the Runway Visitor Park as they were moved to one of the taxiways within the last couple of weeks. If anybody wants a final glimpse of them whilst they're in a easy enough location to view from, I'd do it sooner rather than later.

Quick status update of the final 8 for everyone (not bothered to check the status of the other -400's that left the fleet years ago)...

G-VAST - St Athan
G-VBIG (or what's left of it) - St Athan
G-VGAL - Ciudad Real
G-VLIP - Ciudad Real
G-VROM - LHR
G-VROS - MAN
G-VROY - Ciudad Real
G-VXLG - MAN

A330-200 G-VMNK (Daydream Believer) has left the fleet and is now in Dusseldorf for return to the lessor.

2 brand new A350-1000 aircraft will arrive at Manchester on 9th September (G-VDOT - Ruby Slipper)
and 23rd September (G-VRNB - Purple Rain)

Boeing 747-400 G-VROS is due to fly from Manchester to London Heathrow on 8 September.

Are all the A330-200s going from the fleet ?

[mitchja]

The original plan was for the A332’s to retire in 2022 but that looks to be changing now. No idea about the others?

I wonder why they picked MNK first though as LNM is a couple of years older at almost 21 years now (the oldest A/C in the VS fleet by quite some margin now not counting the other A332’s).

MIK, MNK & WND are all ~19 years old.

I wonder why has are having the next A350’s delivered to MAN?

The new A350s probably being delivered to MAN for induction since VS has shut down their LGW base.

Any idea when the A330-300s will start leaving? I believe some of them are nearing the end of their 10 year leases.

GOOD NEWS for Virgin 747 fans! It looks like G-VROS, G-VROM and G-VROY may not be heading for the scrapper after all.
They are being purchased by Atlas Air (presumably for freighter conversion, but Atlas Air does operate passenger services as well).

G-VROS is due to depart Manchester tomorrow around 12pm. She'll be stopping by the Runway Viewing Park before leaving for a photo op.

Apparently heading to Heathrow for some maintenance.