Schedules getting back to normal?

[jna]

Hope this is a sign of schedules getting back to normal. 027 is almost back on time, but sadly 015 is still badly delayed.

Flight number VS 027
Departure date 15 Aug 2006
Route London (LGW) to Orlando (MCO)
Scheduled departure time 15 Aug 11:15
Estimated departure time 15 Aug 12:00
Scheduled arrival time 15 Aug 15:25
Estimated arrival time 15 Aug 15:38

Flight number VS 015
Departure date 15 Aug 2006
Route London (LGW) to Orlando (MCO)
Scheduled departure time 15 Aug 12:30
Estimated departure time 15 Aug 18:15
Scheduled arrival time 15 Aug 16:40
Estimated arrival time 15 Aug 22:25

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Looks like they were a being a bit over optimistic re: VS027:

Flight number VS 027
Departure date 15 Aug 2006
Route London (LGW) to Orlando (MCO)
Scheduled departure time 15 Aug 11:15
Estimated departure time 15 Aug 14:00
Scheduled arrival time 15 Aug 15:25
Estimated arrival time 15 Aug 17:38


Mick.

 

[Celestine]

Those timings still beat yesterday when BAA still had it loading at 19:00! Hoping that it is all back to "normal" (whatever that may be) by Monday when we fly (yes, I know that's being selfish!)

 

[Celestine]

Have just checked the BAA site & both Orlando flights from Gatwick today are showing 4 hour delays. Interestingly, most other US destinations seem to be unaffected, or have very minimal delays. Can anyone hypothesise why?

 

[Twilight Terror]

I have three possible suggestions for that - stand space, airspace and runway space. All planes load at certain terminals and certain stands within those terminals don't they? So if there is no space where they usually go, they won't be able to get in and unload/board, which would delay everything. All airlines are trying to 'catch-up' with the delayed/cancelled flights, so i'm guessing that the airspace is probably slightly busier than usual right now, and if you miss your gap, you could be in for a long wait, another reason for delays. Or there are just too many aircraft landing/taking off on the longer runways that a few poor little US bound planes just don't have the time or space to get a gap in the traffic to take off! That's my suggestions

 

[jna]

A few days ago there was a programme about how there are plans in place in the event of a national/world disaster, e.g. an asteriod hitting the earth or something as dramatic, yet when........it's complete and utter chaos.

And now the airlines and BAA are grizzling about who pays the costs. Well, we all know who will eventually, don't we!

 

[Bozza]

Mmmm - close to booking a trip for next Thursday out of LGW with Virgin - will be interesting to see how close to normal these flights get, assuming no further disruptions.

 

[Red-Snapper]

We are on the VS027 next Friday. They seem to be consistantly running at 4 - 6 hours late with no sign of improvement.

I am wondering whether it is worth booking a lounge to make things a bit more bearable if we are going to be stuck in the airport for 8 - 10 hours. (sseing as Virgin are stating you should arrive 3 hours before scheduled depature time.

Does anyone know if the delay is while you are in the departure lounge waiting for the gate to be caled or at the gate waiting to get through additional security checks etc ?

(obviously if the flight is called on time and the delay is at the gate the lounge is wasted)

 

[UKDEB]

I'm recording details of all the Virgin flights between LGW and MCO daily (VS27, VS15, VS28, VS16) to try to build up a picture over time. (I do answer to 'anorak' ). At the moment, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to any of it.

The 27 took off at 15:24 today and the 15 at 16:11.

 

[UKDEB]

Does anyone know if the delay is while you are in the departure lounge waiting for the gate to be caled or at the gate waiting to get through additional security checks etc

AndrewDEREK was posting from the Virgin Clubhouse Lounge on Saturday. His flight was 8.5 hours late and they stayed in the lounge all day. They were served hot food (toasted sandwiches) at teatime.

 

[jna]

I'm recording details of all the Virgin flights between LGW and MCO daily (VS27, VS15, VS28, VS16) to try to build up a picture over time. (I do answer to 'anorak' ). At the moment, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to any of it.

The 27 took off at 15:24 today and the 15 at 16:11.

I'm sure there are others who, like me, would be very interested in the picture you build up on this situation.

Thanks

Edited to add this comment from the BBC News site:-

"BA says it hopes to have services at Heathrow and Gatwick back to normal by Friday."

Can Virgin do the same we hope for travellers this weekend.

 

[Celestine]

UKDEb - what a great idea. I've been checking around about now each day ( not busy at work), but don't get chance once i get home with the kids! Today's 27 from Gatwick is showing as scheduled. but the BAA site also shows planes that taxied an hour ago, but appear not to have lifted off yet!

 

[Celestine]

So I've just checked BAA again, and considering that the plane did not land until 1040, it is now showing as loading! Hopefully this is a good sign, altho' it will be interesting to see how long it takes to load!

 

[Bozza]

Today's VS027/11:15 went up at 13:13, closely followed by VS015/12:30 which went up at 13:27.

Seems to be getting closer to normal...

 

[jna]

That's good. I've noticed that the actual time inflight is shown regularly as up to an hour less than the schedule, so I guess they "put the pedal to the metal"!

 

[UKDEB]

Looking better today:

Flight number VS 027
Departure date 17 Aug 2006
Route London (LGW) to Orlando (MCO)
Scheduled departure time 17 Aug 11:15
Actual departure time 17 Aug 12:55
Scheduled arrival time 17 Aug 15:25
Estimated arrival time 17 Aug 16:30

Flight number VS 015
Departure date 17 Aug 2006
Route London (LGW) to Orlando (MCO)
Scheduled departure time 17 Aug 12:30
Actual departure time 17 Aug 13:09
Scheduled arrival time 17 Aug 16:40
Estimated arrival time 17 Aug 16:4

 

[Red-Snapper]

Yes Deb i noticed that as well. Like you I have become strangely addicted to watching the flight schedules during the day

"Interestingly" the Gatwick site actually shows when the flight got airborne not just left the gate which for the VS027 was 20 mins later !!

Hopefully Virgin will now be able to keep things closer to schedule as I assume te security people get more used to their heavie checks.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I am flying out on VS02on the 17th September do you think they will be flying to schedule by then?

 

[Celestine]

Currently both flights are showing delays of about 1.5 hours
VS027 1245
VS015 1400
I'm guessing this must be a security thing as
VS026 landed at 0811
VS016 due at 0943
so surely turnaround time should be less of an issue?

 

[Celestine]

Have just checked again,and whilst no change for the VS015, it is last call for VS027 whiich looks rather promising!