http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2...expansion.html

Could be finally VX is startup service to ORD? I think there is enough more gates space available in the concourse L. I think it will have a great opportunity to see VX is coming into ORD instead of going to MDW.

awesome

I was reading the article and was confused with the bizarre maths applied

There are also 20 options in addition to the 40 firm orders.

Reading the story, there is still the "economically viable" clause being bandied about. I wonder if that means they're still only going to do it if they can get gates in the regular terminals rather than the international terminal and this is just a move to force the ORD authorities' hand.

I would like to see it, but as long as their is no contract signed and no start date, this is not really news to me.

From the story:
Virgin is again negotiating with the city of Chicago for an �economically viable� deal at O�Hare, which it hopes to enter in the first half of 2011, said Virgin spokeswoman Abby Lunardini.

�We still have a lot of places to expand, but Chicago remains high on the list, as we hope to inject some healthy competition into a market that is still dominated by just a few legacy carriers,� Lunardini added.

Hope is never a strategy.

I've been holding my breath so long I've passed out...twice.

As much as I want VX here at ORD, I'll believe it when I see it. Shame they'll not fly to JFK from here. Maybe later.

Why does it matter? VX flies out of the international terminal in their freakin' hub, fergawdsakes (their new SFO terminal's not going to be ready before 2011, IIRC). They aren't going to connect passengers at ORD (or ever, really- I can't see them codesharing with another US carrier unless VX gets bought, and flying into the international terminal would be a BONUS for codesharing with VA or VS), and I can't imagine a common-use gate could cost more than paying Danegeld to AA or UA for one of their gates.

Hell, I think they should shoot for MDW if ORD isn't viable- DL just switched some shuttle service from MDW to ORD and there should be some spots open. Just GET INTO CHI. They aren't going to make money being SunCountry or Allegiant with killer IFE, expanding to leisrue markets like MCO, CUN and SJD- they HAVE to expand into some business markets.

Doesn't VS fly in/out of ORD? Perhaps they want ORD to allow for VS codesharing?

Why would you fly SFO/LAX-ORD(VX)-LHR(VS) when you can fly SFO/LAX-LHR on VS? And I seriously doubt VA's flying to ORD- if anything they'd connect Australian pax at LAX.

Now, maybe SRB is planning to expand the UK destinations out of ORD... but really, you'd think you'd want to do that out of SFO, LAX or JFK to maximize feed and O/D (plus UA is much weaker ex-JFK than it is out of ORD, though CO's strength at EWR comes into play). ORD is not a smart place for VX to put in a focus city to feed/receive feed from VS operations.

(I realize that somewhat contradicts my first statement, but the point is that the "hey, we want to fly into the primary international hub for a market, because that's where the cool people fly to" story's already dead now that VX flies to FLL, not MIA. Maybe VX thinks their target market's in Lake County and not on the Southside, but honestly, I cannot figure out the logic of CUN and SJD before ORD/MDW.)

The international terminal is not convenient for business travelers. There is no access to the CTA trains without taking a train to the domestic terminal. Plus, cabs are few and far between during many times of the day. To add insult to injury, the international terminal has almost NO amenities inside the secure area. It really is the worst dedicated international terminal in the US. If VX is to compete with UA and AA they have to do it on their turf.

As for MDW, it is not a business airport. There are no gates available right now (DL shifted some flights but did not surrender any gates). Also, right next to ORD sits the Rosemont business district which has as much office space in it as downtown MKE. Move to MDW and anyone needing to get to this part of town will not use you (up to 2+ hours from MDW during rush hour).

Based on VX's business model, ORD's domestic terminal is the only viable option. There are gates available in the L-concourse since DL consolidated in E. DL does not have a dog in this fight but my guess is AA will make a play for these gates to try and block VX from starting routes to LAX and SFO.

I believe VS is pulling out of ORD by last summer 2009. I don't think VX will ever joining codesharing partnership. There is no interline agreements yet. Don't be sure if VX will whether they want to joined codeshare with VS or not.

VS oulled out of year round service last year.

Now they fly the summer season only for 2010, and 2011.

I have absolutely no ideas where VS will returns into ORD.

I'm not gonna say I called it, but I called it.

VX has lost all credibility with ORD fliers. This is twice they have announced and pulled back. They need to stop jumping the gun and NOT announce until they have actually secured acceptable terms and gates. Gates are available to them, just not where they want (which I totally understand). Guess I'll keep flying DL and UA out west.

So what might this mean in terms of destinations for 2011 if ORD is not going to be started? VX did say something to the effect of three new destinations, so I am hedging that they are AUS, ATL, and PDX. If a fourth destination is also in the cards, maybe IAH.

Discussion....

~FAI PDX Flyer