Virgin order 15 new Boeings!

Obi Wan Kenobi

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Sep 30, 2004
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On the Boeing company web iste this has just been released.
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q2/070424a_nr.html
Smaller than the 747, but for non-peak times they can be used for the Florida flights, with possible the A380's on order for the peak high demand times: (the 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 kilometers).)


CHICAGO, April 24, 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Virgin Atlantic today announced an environmental partnership, which includes an order for 15 787-9 Dreamliners, marking the largest 787 order to date for Europe.

The order, worth approximately $2.8 billion at list prices, was previously listed on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries Web site and attributed to an unidentified customer. The order also includes options for an additional eight 787-9s and purchase rights for an additional 20 787s.

"Virgin Atlantic is pleased to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as our aircraft of the future," said Steve Ridgway, chief executive officer, Virgin Atlantic. "This revolutionary aircraft will bring a step change to the industry, substantially reducing environmental impact and incorporating innovative design and advanced technology, while providing an enhanced flying experience for our passengers."

The environmental partnership includes a joint biofuel demonstration aimed at developing sustainable fuel sources suitable for commercial jet engines and the aviation industry. The demonstration, scheduled for 2008 using a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400, is being worked jointly with GE Aviation and Virgin Fuels. Further details will be announced later this year.

In addition, Boeing and Virgin Atlantic are working together on reducing fuel burn and cutting aircraft emissions on the ground by exploring alternatives to traditional aircraft operations at airports. For example, Boeing and Virgin Atlantic are partnering on trials of towing airplanes to "starting grids," areas close to the active runway to start engines preflight, with a goal of reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 50 percent, as well as limiting community noise. Trials conducted thus far at London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and San Francisco International Airport have produced positive results, and work continues to develop alternative operational procedures at the world's busiest airports.

"Virgin Atlantic has demonstrated extraordinary leadership within our industry on addressing environmental impact, and Boeing is proud that the 787 Dreamliner is such an important ingredient of the airline's plan for the future," said Scott Carson, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Working together in partnership, Boeing and Virgin Atlantic will develop innovative, environmentally progressive solutions to provide greater fuel efficiency and lower aircraft emissions."
 
:cool1:

Thats great news isn't it Obi? :cheer2:

Claire ;)
 

Funnily enough there was an article about this aircraft in the Times on Sunday.

Seem to recall that it is the first time that Boeing have not built the constituent parts of the aircraft, with it being manufactured by third parties then assembled by Boeing in Seattle - I guess more akin to the way Airbus work.

Also, it was saying the the biggest challenge is connecting the parts, as they are made out of composite material and not aluminium.

Good news is though, that due to the weight saving, the pressurisation of the cabin will be set at 6000ft and not the normal 8000ft and that the air management system will be more advanced and thus more humid making the entire experience better for the passenger.

Think it said, first test flights in July, with maiden run voyage in September/October and commercial flights starting in the Spring.
 
But they were when the UCS was added in 2004/2005 refit to all the LGW/MAN 747-400 fleet.

Claire ;)

The plane we came back on Sat evening to Manchester was a disgrace, Audio could not be used in 2 out of 3 seats, screens would not stay where you wanted them, seats filthy, overhead lockers all out of square, half looked open. Ice kept falling on me from lighting/aircon area. No games system, took them 2 restarts to get the films working.
If I did not have 75,000 miles to use I would not use Virgin from Manchester, used them twice from London and you cant believe they are the same company.
 
The plane we came back on Sat evening to Manchester was a disgrace, Audio could not be used in 2 out of 3 seats, screens would not stay where you wanted them, seats filthy, overhead lockers all out of square, half looked open. Ice kept falling on me from lighting/aircon area. No games system, took them 2 restarts to get the films working.

Cleaning is obviously down to the contractors. Plus the LGW don't have games either it is just the LHR planes, which are very nice I must say. We have had the movies play up on both LGW and LHR planes. I must say though that the LGW/MAN planes should be due for a total refit and do not proclaim they are the best as that award goes to the LHR planes, just wanted to point out the misconception that the LGW/MAN planes are different, as that was the case a couple of years ago but it is no more.

Claire ;)
 
Yes, just to confirm, the planes used from manchester and the planes used from gatwick are the same planes. they rotate around the tow airports and routes, hence the difficulties on th VS15 as they have to wait for the Las vegas flight to come in.

they are the same aircraft used from the two airports and will be the same when Glasgow comes into the equation.

What you probably will see is the Heathrow 747's coming over to Mnachester/Gatwick/Glasgow routes eventually
 
I must say though that the LGW/MAN planes should be due for a total refit and do not proclaim they are the best as that award goes to the LHR planes, just wanted to point out the misconception that the LGW/MAN planes are different, as that was the case a couple of years ago but it is no more.
Claire ;)


:scared1:
We've always flown from Gatwick & planes were fine.
Next year we are flying from Manchester & i'm worried now!!!!!
So are they the same as Gatwick???
Hate flying at the best of time!!!
 
:scared1:
We've always flown from Gatwick & planes were fine.
Next year we are flying from Manchester & i'm worried now!!!!!
So are they the same as Gatwick???
Hate flying at the best of time!!!

They are the same planes. they take it in turns to fly from Manchester
 
The plane we came back on Sat evening to Manchester was a disgrace, Audio could not be used in 2 out of 3 seats, screens would not stay where you wanted them, seats filthy, overhead lockers all out of square, half looked open. Ice kept falling on me from lighting/aircon area. No games system, took them 2 restarts to get the films working.
If I did not have 75,000 miles to use I would not use Virgin from Manchester, used them twice from London and you cant believe they are the same company.

Hi wayneg did you have agreat holiday. I noticed you had posted a few threads whilst you were out there.Did they offer you any compensation for the screens not working.My DH and I had £25 towards duty free as they didn't work for half the trip.There were quite a few of us that this happened too.
I know when we first flew from manchester I was always envious of the gatwick passengers as they flew on Jumbo's and we had the boeing A340-which to be fare was very nice but I much prefer the Jumbo 747 and have had no real issues with the apart from the one mentioned above,so I wouldn't worry traceycooper you will be finw:dance3:
 
Hi wayneg did you have agreat holiday. I noticed you had posted a few threads whilst you were out there.Did they offer you any compensation for the screens not working.My DH and I had £25 towards duty free as they didn't work for half the trip.There were quite a few of us that this happened too.
I know when we first flew from manchester I was always envious of the gatwick passengers as they flew on Jumbo's and we had the boeing A340-which to be fare was very nice but I much prefer the Jumbo 747 and have had no real issues with the apart from the one mentioned above,so I wouldn't worry traceycooper you will be finw:dance3:

Yes we had a great hol, we always do in Florida. Only time we did not enjoy was a few years ago, a week we spent at Clearwater, I hate sand, DW wont eat Seafood so not a good place to visit for us. Should have stayed in Orlando.
No did not complain about the entertainment system, its not something I use I was just listing how bad I feel Virgin has got from Manchester comapred to our great flights from London. I slept for over 6hrs out of the 7.5hrs home, I can sleep anywhere.
Only 3 months to next trip.:)
 
The dreamliner looks great, it should be a really comfortable aircraft, big windows too :thumbsup2
 
The dreamliner looks great, it should be a really comfortable aircraft, big windows too :thumbsup2

Will it have windows in the loo too? I traveled in a Thai Airways A340 the other week and people kept sutting the window blinds.

:) Chris
 












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