Virgin Atlantic announces short haul flights to Manchester
Virgin Atlantic has just announced plans to fly domestic services from London Heathrow to Manchester Airport from March 2013. This new route is the first time we’ve flown domestically within the UK, signalling the start of a new network providing us with a regional feed for our long haul services, as well as a much needed choice for passengers flying between the two cities.
While we’re going to apply for all of the remedy slots being awarded following the IAG takeover of BMI, these new flights are being established using existing slots that were previously leased to another airline.
Manchester is a key airport for us, with over 65% of people who fly to London connecting to other flights, the majority to destinations we already serve, including Boston, Cape Town and Hong Kong.
Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Steve Ridgway said:
“Flying between Heathrow and Manchester is just the start for our new short haul operation. We have the means to connect thousands of passengers to our long haul network as well as to destinations served by other carriers. Our new service will provide strong competition to omnipresent BA. It will keep fares low and give consumers a genuine choice of airline to fly to Heathrow and beyond.”
Read our dedicated FAQs for further information about this service.
Timetable
We’ll be operating three daily flights to Manchester from 31 March 2013. The flights will operate from London Heathrow Terminal 1 to Manchester Airport Terminal 3, using A319 aircraft.
Virgin Atlantic has announced that it’ll launch its first Domestic UK service, with 3 daily London Heathrow – Manchester flight, on board leased Airbus A319 aircraft. Additional information regarding domestic inflight product will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Reservation for this new route is expected to open shortly. Schedule:
VS3041 LHR0920 – 1020MAN 319 D
VS3043 LHR1610 – 1710MAN 319 D
VS3045 LHR2010 – 2110MAN 319 D
VS3046 MAN0650 – 0800LHR 319 D
VS3042 MAN1220 – 1330LHR 319 D
VS3044 MAN1750 – 1900LHR 319 D
I wouldn't say it was Off Topic. I'd say it was fairly On Topic.
The usual barrage of questions:
Where are VS going to get a 319 from? Will it have a familiar registration, I wonder?
Will it work? Not sure, from that schedule. Needs further analysis of what it could connect into.
Will the BD MAN lounge now become the VS MAN lounge?
It's all about the connecting business. VS (and others) clearly think there are pax to be had out of MAN, and don't want to be craven to BA's fares. The usual frustration is that VS can do this because they have long-haul connections to places people want to fly to, and BD couldn't because it didn't.
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Another question - will the London Room become to VS domestic lounge too, although it would be way too large for that schedule - perhaps their marketing gimmick will be lounge access for all on short haul.
A lot of people think BA will give up the London Room from the winter schedule due to the reduction in domestics operating there and will use the GBL for both domestics and international.
Will the VS forum be full of VS golds complaining that they've had to use T1, that they expect the full Clubhouse experience on a short flight?
Will they codeshare with *A so the flights will carry a similar number of codes as they did when BD coded ones still operated? This is probably the best option if they want to get decent loads.
Will they try and undo all the years of Virgin Trains advertising and promote flying as the best option LON-MAN or will they stick with connecting traffic, plus direct flights for those that happen to be convenient for LHR?
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Those flight times look quite good to connect with their mid morning US departure bank (and to catch early AM arrivals) - likewise for the evening departure bank to DEL/DXB/ACC/SYD/JFK/EWR/JNB etc
Watch this space regarding more details about our domestic onboard service. We’re not going to reveal the details quite yet, but you can rest assured passengers on these flights will our usual innovative approach to inflight products and service.
What we can confirm is that Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members connecting to one of our long haul services will enjoy access to partner lounges in London Heathrow Terminal 1 and Manchester Airport Terminal 3. Limo services will also be available to Upper Class passengers travelling on selected fares from Manchester and connecting to one of our long haul flights at Heathrow.
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VS could also start DUB-LHR
It's been reported in recent days that, as part of Ryanair's attempt to secure approval of its takeover of Aer Lingus, it is prepared to abandon EI's routes to LHR and hand them over to another airline, and has been in discussion with VS.
It's been reported in recent days that, as part of Ryanair's attempt to secure approval of its takeover of Aer Lingus, it is prepared to abandon EI's routes to LHR and hand them over to another airline, and has been in discussion with VS.
In reality its hot air from MOL and wont happen .
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With regards the VS routes I can see it working for them . Feed to the LHR network and a choice for Domestic passengers. Im sure plenty of VS FT will choose VS and earn some miles rather than book BA . Maybe VS will offer wifi onboard and some other frills to seperate themselves from their rivals. Certainly will be interesting to see what develops. Coupled with a Star codeshare it could do very well.
Its been over 14 years since I was on a VS short haul product operated by a A320 . Back then I liked the product .
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irishguy28
It's been reported in recent days that, as part of Ryanair's attempt to secure approval of its takeover of Aer Lingus, it is prepared to abandon EI's routes to LHR and hand them over to another airline, and has been in discussion with VS.
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I suspect that the BD lounge in MAN will become a contract lounge. operated either by the airport as an Escape, or by Servisair. There's enough business in T3 for that.
I also suspect that the London Room will become a Servisiar lounge and that they will close their current hole in T1. The domestic lounge may just close as they will no longer be domestic flights from T1 with the final closure of BD.
I don't understand why RB isn't flying into T3 at LHR - much more sense for his connections. Unless he runs a dedicated connection bus for his flights - easy and cheap to do.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Globaliser
Could it be that T3 appears to have no facilities to handle domestic flights at present?
Oh yeah, I mentioned on one of the threads that all they'd need to do is install photograhpic equipment at security and then before the gates they intend to use for domestics, but I'd forgot all about arrivals which is a bit more tricky
What was the plan for BD (now presumably VS if they're still operating domestics by then) and EI when T1 gets demolished? Will the new T2 have domestic gates?
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Doh - yes. The mix of Pax in T3 isn't controlled as it's all international. There's no risk of swapping BPs, or having one already printed, for a UK flight without passing through passport control. Would need photo security to control. Arrivals could be bussed into the FCC or directly to the baggage hall. Lot of effort for 3 returns a day, but not very attractive for transfer pax when they realise the amount of walking and poor facilities in T1.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by layz
The article says Dublin - London routes so that'd include LGW as well presumably.
Maybe, but I really don't think so.
Ryanair already has a presence at Gatwick, and is apparently keen to refocus Aer Lingus on Europe. As EI already has a "base" at LGW, it would be the natural focus for huge EI expansion - particularly if FR/EI is forced to give up LHR.
Though of course, they may pull DUB-LGW anyway (ORK-LGW disappears for the winter anyway, as it is). But even so, I can't see VS wanting to start an "orphan" DUB-LGW service.
But FR may decide to move whatever presence EI retains in London up to Stansted if Ryanair's attempt to buy 25% of that airport, as well as their attempt to buy another 21% of Aer Lingus, comes off....
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Last edited by irishguy28; Aug 21, 12 at 9:33 am..
The domestic lounge may just close as they will no longer be domestic flights from T1 with the final closure of BD.
Closure of the LR does seem likely, though bear in mind that BA will continue to fly to BHD and, later on, to LBA from T1. Perhaps the BA T1 lounge operation will go to the GBL.
If VS extend their domestic plans beyond MAN the LR might well become attractive to them - and that would be good for balance in the market! ...watching with interest...
