Tag Archives: G-VROY

Virgin Atlantic bids farewell to its iconic Boeing 747 with pop up dining experience on board

Virgin Atlantic Airways has made this announcement:

Airline set to open doors to its Boeing 747 aircraft for one day only on December 12
Last chance to say farewell to the iconic Boeing 747 “Queen of the Skies” before it’s retired to make way for a younger, sustainable fleet
A limited number of tickets will be on sale from 09:00 on Monday, December 7, 2020 via https://virg.in/747experience

Virgin Atlantic is opening the cabin doors to its last Boeing 747 for the final time, in what’s set to be the hottest ticket in town for aviation enthusiasts. For one day only, the public will be able to purchase tickets for the ultimate 747 experience, including the opportunity to dine on-board, safely, in Upper Class.

As the airline’s fleet of jumbos are retired to make way for a younger, more sustainable fleet of A350-1000s and B787-9s, Virgin Atlantic is allowing fans one final fix inside the Queen of the Skies. Hosted at the airline’s Heathrow hangar on December 12, 2020, visitors will experience a full aircraft tour, where they can delve below deck to explore areas of the plane the public rarely see, as well as enjoy a sumptuous three course on-board meal. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Trussell Trust.

Virgin Atlantic pilots, cabin crew and engineers who have worked on the 747 will be present to provide first-hand accounts and anecdotes on what life was like on-board the famous jumbo jet. In what’s set to be the gift of a lifetime for plane buffs, guests will enjoy a three hour all-encompassing 747 experience, where they will;

Sip champagne on the aircraft’s upper deck, fondly known as ‘the bubble.’
Savour a luxurious, three course a-la-carte meal, inspired by Virgin Atlantic’s on-board cuisine, from the comfort of their own Upper Class suite.
Hear first-hand what life was like at the controls of the queen of the skies from the airline’s pilots, including Yvonne Kershaw, the first female pilot to Captain the 747.
Take a hidden tour to the parts of the aircraft the public don’t usually see. Visit where the cabin crew and pilots sleep, delve into in aircraft’s underbelly, explore the cargo hold and take a seat in the cockpit.
Have a photo taken in one of the aircraft’s iconic red engines, as a memento from the day.

Health and safety is Virgin Atlantic’s absolute priority, so due to Covid restrictions and to allow for social distancing, only a limited number of tickets are available for purchase. These will be allocated on a first come first serve basis via https://virg.in/747experience from 9 am on Monday 7^th December. Each ticket is priced at £50 with all donations going to the Trussell Trust. The Trussell Trust support a network of food banks and provide emergency food and support and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented;

“The much-loved Boeing 747 has played an important role in Virgin Atlantic’s story. It carried our first passengers to New York 36 years ago on our inaugural flight and over the years has transported countless millions of holiday-makers and business travelers safely around the world. As we close this chapter and continue the transformation towards a cleaner, greener fleet, what better tribute than to showcase the Queen of the Skies one last time. I’m delighted we’re able to offer this opportunity to a lucky few to be part of aviation history, before we say our fond farewells to this iconic plane.”

As the airline moves forward to a more sustainable fleet, Virgin Atlantic’s legion of 747s have now ceased operations in favor of cleaner, greener, twin engine aircraft, comprised of the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Each of these new planes is on average 30% more fuel efficient than the four engine aircraft they replaced. This investment alongside improving operations has led to a 20% reduction in total aircraft emissions (2007-2019), and these latest changes will generate approximately another 10% improvement in fuel efficiency in our fleet overall compared to pre-Covid-19.

Boeing 747-400 G-VROY is estimated make its final departure from London Heathrow on the December 16, 2020.

Top Copyright Photo: Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 747-443 G-VROY (msn 32340) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 402519.

Virgin Atlantic Airways aircraft slide show:

Virgin Atlantic to drop Cape Town, Mumbai, Tokyo Narita and Vancouver

Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) is closely aligning its network with Delta Air Lines (Atlanta), discontinuing four destinations which will free up aircraft for more promising routes or adding to profitable existing routes. The carrier will drop all service to Cape Town (April 27, 2015), Mumbai (February 1, 2015), Tokyo Narita (February 1, 2015) and Vancouver (October 11, 2014). The company issued this statement outlining this major revamp of its system:

Virgin Atlantic has identified opportunities for investment into its trans-Atlantic schedule as it looks to maximize the benefits of its joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines.

We are outlining a program of network changes that will significantly increase our presence in the key UK – US travel market, whilst we continue to fly to major strategic destinations in the rest of the world and retain a relevant global presence.

The proposed changes include:

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*

A fifth daily service from London Heathrow to New York, JFK

An additional daily service from London Heathrow to Los Angeles

An additional 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

An additional daily service during the winter season from London Heathrow to Miami

A transfer of operations with joint venture partner Delta Air Lines that will see Virgin Atlantic fly a daily service between Manchester and Atlanta and Delta fly one of Virgin Atlantic’s existing London Heathrow to Newark services**.

Across the joint venture, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines will now offer ten daily services from London to the New York area.

In addition, Delta Air Lines will launch a new daily service between Manchester and New York JFK in Summer 2015.

In order to maximize these opportunities, further proposed changes will include:

A withdrawal of operations to Tokyo Narita with the final flight from London to Narita on January 31, 2015 and the final flight from Tokyo Narita to London on February 1, 2015.

A withdrawal of operations to Mumbai with the final flight from London to Mumbai on January 31, 2015 and the final flight from Mumbai to London on February 1, 2015.

The summer seasonal service from London Heathrow to Vancouver will not return after this season’s flying program is completed on October 11, 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 April 26, 2015 and the final flight from Cape Town to London on April 27, 2015.

Craig Kreeger, Chief Executive at Virgin Atlantic said:

“Our ambition is to be profitable for the long term, earn competitive returns, and invest those into providing the very best experience for our customers on the routes they most want to fly.”

“Trans-Atlantic flying has always been at the heart of our network and our most financially successful region. This announcement allows us to play to our strengths and focus our network on routes between the UK and US, as well as other critical global destinations that are most important to our customers.”

“We are confident that with this strengthened network, our new aircraft and our welcoming people delivering unrivalled service, we have all the right ingredients to achieve long-term success.”

Customer investment

Among the plans the airline has set out is a commitment to investing in customer experience. A major program of work is already underway that will see £300m invested by the end of 2018, on the ground and in the air.

The imminent arrival of Virgin Atlantic’s first Boeing 787-9 will continue a fleet modernization program of over £2bn that will give it one of the youngest fleets in the world.

Virgin Atlantic would like to thank its customers and staff in Tokyo, Cape Town, Mumbai and Vancouver for their loyalty and commitment to our services.

In the future if Heathrow gains its long overdue expansion, Virgin Atlantic would love to re-enter Tokyo, Cape Town, Mumbai and Vancouver.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. As part of this master plan, the Boeing 747-400 fleet will slowly being reduced. Boeing 747-443 G-VROY (msn 32340) lands in Las Vegas.

Virgin Atlantic Aircraft Slide Show: CLICK HERE