Virgin Atlantic route changes

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VS have announced some route changes focussing on greater access between UK and US but losing some others including LHR-NRT.


We have some news thatwe want to share with you regarding changes to our worldwide flying programme.

We are pleased to announce that Virgin Atlantic is proposing to expand itstransatlantic services whilst continuing to fly to major destinations in therest of the world. These will be on sale soon and include:


  • A fifth daily service from London Heathrow to New York JFK
  • A new daily service from London Heathrow to Detroit offering new connections across North and Central USA such as Cincinnati, New Orleans, Memphis and Indianapolis*
  • An additional daily service from London Heathrow to Los Angeles
  • A second daily service during the summer season from London Heathrow to Atlanta
  • An additional summer seasonal service from London Heathrow to San Francisco flying five times a week
  • A second daily service during the winter season from London Heathrow to Miami
  • A daily service from Manchester to Atlanta.+
And with our partner,Delta Air Lines, you can enjoy further new services, providing you with greaterchoice where, as a Flying Club member you can earn and spend miles and earntier points when you fly with them:

  • Delta will operate one of our existing London Heathrow to Newark services**
  • Delta will launch a new daily service from Manchester to New York JFK in summer 2015.
Here are a few wordsfrom our Chief Executive Craig Kreeger:

"Our ambition is to be profitable for the long term, earn competitivereturns, and invest those into providing the very best experience for ourcustomers on the routes they most want to fly.

Transatlantic flying has always been at the heart of our network and our mostfinancially successful region. Today's announcement allows us to play to ourstrengths and focus our network on routes between the UK and US, as well asother critical global destinations that are most important to our customers.

We are confident that with this strengthened network, our new aircraft and ourwelcoming people delivering unrivalled service, we have all the rightingredients to achieve long-term success."

In order to take advantage of these opportunities, further proposed changes toour network will include:


  • A withdrawal of operations to Tokyo Narita with the final flight from London to Narita on 31 January 2015 and the final flight from Narita to London on 1 February 2015.
  • A withdrawal of operations to Mumbai with the final flight from London to Mumbai on 31 January 2015 and the final flight from Mumbai to London on 1 February 2015.
  • The summer seasonal service from London Heathrow to Vancouver will not return after this season's flying programme is completed on 11 October 2014.
  • The winter seasonal service to Cape Town will operate as planned in winter 2014/15 but will not be renewed the following winter. The final flight from London to Cape Town will be on 26 April 2015 and the final flight from Cape Town to London on 27 April 2015.
We remain deeply committed to our rest of worlddestinations and our network will include a continued presence in South Africathrough our daily non-stop Johannesburg service, a continued presence in Indiathrough our daily non-stop Delhi service, as well as flights to other keydestinations in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and the Middle East.

 
I too received the same email from Virgin Atlantic this morning.

My observations,

- Disappointing the LHR > YVR sector is getting the chop.
I know that the British charter flights from The likes of Thomas Cook & Monarch have been cut in recent years particularly for the Canadian Winter Season due to poor demand. Disappointing to see that VS can't see YVR work either.

- Another airline pulls out from the CPT > LHR sector after SA (South African Airways) pulled out 18- 24 months ago, leaving BA to have a monopoly on the route.

- Introducing Detroit to the Route map following all the recent economic doldrums in the city. Will be interesting to see if VS can make that one work.
 
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Surprised to see NRT going too. There was discussion that was a possible destination for their new 787
 
- Introducing Detroit to the Route map following all the recent economic doldrums in the city. Will be interesting to see if VS can make that one work.
It wouldn't be because of Detroit, it would be because of the Delta hub there.
 
- Disappointing the LHR > YVR sector is getting the chop.
I know that the British charter flights from The likes of Thomas Cook & Monarch have been cut in recent years particularly for the Canadian Winter Season due to poor demand. Disappointing to see that VS can't see YVR work either.

I flew LHR-YVR in UC early this current season and the plane was full. Not that that necessarily means it is profitable. I was using points.
 
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I flew LHR-YVR in UC early this current season and the plane was full. Not that that necessarily means it is profitable. I was using points.

I think VS are going through a rough time atm, similar to QF where they chopped off SFO from their route map in 2010 ( despite the strong demand/ loadings ) & switched for DFW.

With VS, they are counting that their loyalist customers will be happy to transit via the US, but with at least three other carriers offering a direct service from LHR/LGW to YVR a transit via the US won't be a winner in the eyes of many.

I was surprised also though they kept with HKG but ditched NRT .
 
I was surprised also though they kept with HKG but ditched NRT .

I would think that there are much stronger ties between London and HKG than London and Tokyo. However a very competitive route with 5 daily CX flights and twice daily BA flights.
 
This may look like VS is shrinking but good strategic approach to focusing on transatlantic niche.
 
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