Travel City Direct Aircraft

[Cochise]

Just got through the "pre" TCD brochure for 2007 and they are trumpeting the fact that they have acquired some 767's for the Florida route from Gatwick and Manchester.

Anyone know much about this?

From what i am uncovering these maybe re-branded XL aircraft as XL is part of the same group as TCD which is call Avion. Also they are down to receive two 744's for TCD bought from ANA at the end of this year. Wonder if these are to replace the 743's they currently own or is this to operate on the West Coast US ops they are starting for 2007

Overall it would seem they are getting stronger as a force for the USA aswell as increasing themselves for shorter haul as they are taking delivery of six 738's and two 739's.

 

[lizzysmith]

Going for 767's from Gatwick and Manchester hardly indicates they are becoming a stronger force but it may indicate that they are downsizing the numbers they expect to take.
Hardly surprising with another massive 24 hours delay this weekend at Sanford for their one of their geriatric 747's.

Lizzy

 

[Cochise]

These may be instead of the Air Atlanta branded plane they bring in for the summer months but will continue beyond into off season periods. If so then this is expanding services.

 

[Cochise]

Hardly surprising with another massive 24 hours delay this weekend at Sanford for their one of their geriatric 747's.

Lizzy

This is not intended to sound horrible in anyway but....
I refuse to get involved in a TCD bashing debate.This thread is merely about what their intentions are to change/increase their fleet. There are other threads about for that purpose.

 

[mushumadness]

very well said,

There seems to be too many bashings lately

wonder if the enw routes ae because of the new planes, my parents are looking at going with them to africa, as its to be one of their routes

 

[carolfoy]

Anna, if you get the chance to go too, then go, south africas amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of prices they offer on that route.
Good for them for upgrading/refitting/adding to their fleet, the more options the better

 

[vicky1bfc]

Well said,getting fed up with reading TCD bashing threads.


There was a big double spread about them in the local paper(they have an office in blackpool)for anyone that didn't know.It does seem that they are looking to fly further away with a bigger list of destinations.Adding to the fleet can only be the next step for them if they intend to do this.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I have never flown TCD but it's encouraging to see them expanding their service and if they are using more modern aircraft then that's all the better for thier customers.
It's only been fairly recent that Virgin (who we fly with) have provided a newer 747-400 type from Manchester so if TCD are modernising and providing more options then that's a good thing to see.

 

[NeilDrum]

When we were leaving Sanford at the weekend, we saw a TCD plane land.

It had Travel City Direct down the side in black lettering and XL.com in red and yellow on the tail, so looks like merger/changes are already afoot.

Claire

 

[pauldickinson]

air atalanta bought TCD last year. Air atalanta are the "wet lease" part of excel airways.

i was on the geraitric 24 hour delayed flight out of sanford.

fact was that the logic system failed on board. this has happened to me on both a monarch AND VIRGIN plane. By the time the compuiter had rebooted the crew were out of hours hence a stopover. they put us all up in the 5* hotel at the florid amall. meals, phone cards. frankly they couldnt have done more, & it was done efficeintly. we were at the hotel 2 hours after the delay was announced (an hour of that was the transfr). problem is sanford is such a dump when theres delays. fast food hell!

anyway, ive been to orlando on a virgin 747 that was so old the internal cabion padding was hanging off, the entertainment failed all over the plane, they didnt have enough meals to go round & thety said they were short of drinks (soft ones!)so we were limited!

TCD offer a very cheap price. the exact same holiday with virgin (same flight dates, transfers, 2 weeks at the enclave for 3 adults in a 2 bed suite) was £1000 less than virgin offered me & Im a member of the frequwent virgin club!

I have really fallen out of love with virgin. im not saying TCD are that good, just very competitive indeed.

one last thing - Im upgrading next time - 2 long haul flights with nothing but babies screming all the way! I just hope that people dont get a blind spot thinking virgin are the bees knees - they were but they arent any more..

 

[sue&and]

Thanks for that info Paul and I hope you don't feel your holiday was marred because of what happened It's so easy to jump on the 'bashing bandwagon' and to hear a full, balanced view is enlightening. Delays happen, to all airlines, and from my own personal experience aswell as yours it would seem TCD are trying to get their act together.

Sue

 

[Queenie]

We are TCD regulars so it's great to hear they are making some changes to their fleet.

Would these new destinations include Las Vegas by any chance? We've heard a rumour they will be flying out there next year. If it's true I'm hoping they'll let us fly into Vegas and out of Orlando for our multi-stop trip as I'd like to fly with TCD. Will definately be calling for quote if it's possible

 

[Cochise]

I am pretty sure I have their USA brochure for 2007 that includes Vegas on my desktop at home. They are definitely doing Vegas as my mum and dad are wanting to go next year so told them to price up TCD out of season and holiday periods.

 

[bazzanoid]

Would these new destinations include Las Vegas by any chance?

It probably will be - currently you can book to las vegas with TCD but they use exterior carriers like BA, Monarch, etc. makes sense for them to have more of their own fleet on the more popular destinations.

 

[lizzysmith]

This is not intended to sound horrible in anyway but....
I refuse to get involved in a TCD bashing debate.This thread is merely about what their intentions are to change/increase their fleet. There are other threads about for that purpose.

My response was to your own message. Hardly TCD bashing.


TCD are obviously increasing their services to other parts of the world and it seems to me that this diversification coupled with the reduction in visitors to Florida from the UK could be an explanation for your suggestion that they will be introducing 767's on the Gatwick and Manchester routes.

Lizzy

 

[Amyrlin]

If you are talking about the brand new plans that are due to be delivered, I think you may be disappointed, I am fairly sure there are planes being moved around within XL/Avion, but I am fairly sure that I read the brand new planes are to be used for freight and not passengers, or that is what they were registered for.

 

[Cochise]

The new craft are two 737 variants 738's and 739's. Question is why would they want 737 freighters? These are charter workhorses for Europe and at least one of the 738's is for LGW to Athens route