KARFA

THEOBCMAN

Globaliser

There are lots of ways of doing training. Even BA, which has the ready option of "misusing" the aircraft on short routes in order to build up cycles and experience, can't satisfy all of its live training needs this way. So, for example, the 380s have done lot of circuits at CHR over the years. Also, ISTR that an aircraft went to DUR for a week basically for the same reason; although the opportunity was taken to do some PR, that can't have gone very far towards "paying" for the trip.

It wouldn't surprise me, therefore, if VS simply takes the view that it has to swallow the cost of doing its live training this way.

kaizenflying

KARFA

it's quite a looker

citiflyerUK

In the past VS have done training and circuits at NQY.

bisonrav

Do any of the insiders have a view about whether the training flights will go on to 21/22 sept? I have a speculative RFS for the early Saturday rotation and corresponding return on the Sunday, linking up with the Latam Frankfurt flight, and wondering whether to switch to a more convenient time and airport (LGW).

BotB

Don't have any inside information, however, as those that do likely won't or can't comment, (don't let my response stop them ) FWIW; current thinking is as follows, from the FAQ on the training flights from post 1 on this thread:

Are certain flights or dates more suspect than others during the training flight schedule? Yes, there is a high likelihood that the first day (6th Aug.) or days may be cancelled or pushed back...so these are extra risky but equally, if you do get on one, it may be the inaugural commercial flight of the A350...so risk and reward are both very high. Dates from the 10th onwards should be fairly 'safe' but there is no guarantee. Equally, the end dates are not known yet, so any date in the last week of Sept. is risky as BA will likely need a day or two to get it ready and set-up for the upcoming LHR YYZ long haul run starting in Oct. so likely best to avoid dates after the 28th Sept. (current thinking at least).
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Of course, this is all a dynamic situation and many things could potentially change the situation such as pilot strikes, any issues that shift the training back, forward, etc...I would expect your dates to be fine given the current information we have and indeed it would be a great way to sample the MAD FRA LATAM flights as well. ^ Caveat Emptor as always though until BA confirm or publish otherwise.

Hope this helps with your planning, safe travels.

mmxbreaks

Just booked my first A350 return, seats picked, excited. And I've never been to Toronto. Super!

mmxbreaks

Reminds me: map shows bassinets at row 15, but someone else said also at row 1 - the latter not showing in the app seat plan. Any more info there would be helpful. Thanks.

Young82

jdsworld

Apparently that is their plan (well, not the trolling). As their A350s arrive, they'll all be deployed on the NYC routes instead of being distributed across the route network.

KeaneJohn

jfallesen

Perhaps they'll just be winging it?

I'll get my coat…

rapidex

There is no problem doing familiarisation on LHR-JFK, but if they need 10 sectors or so each, doing LHR-MAD-LHR is fewer days than LHR-JFK overnight JFK-LHR