Archive for the 'Virgin Atlantic' Category


Virgin renews opposition to BA, AA tie-up

class="size-full wp-image-16017 alignright" title="Virgin Atlantic" src="http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/virgin.jpg" alt="Virgin says the tie-up is anti-competitive" width="319" height="211" />

href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/airlines/Virgin-Atlantic-Airways/">Virgin Atlantic has renewed its opposition to the looming tie-up between href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/airlines/British-Airways/">British Airways and href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/airlines/American-Airlines/">American Airlines, once again warning that the deal will harm transatlantic competition.

BA and AA are on the cusp of winning anti-trust immunity from both European and US regulators, paving the way for the airlines to coordinate their flying schedules across the Atlantic.

But Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has again lashed out at competition authorities over the move, accusing Brussels of being “lazy” and “misguided” in its investigation into the proposed tie-up.

The carriers have twice before sought immunity, but their previous effort in 2002 faltered after regulators ordered them to relinquish 16 take-off and landing slots at href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/airports/Heathrow/">Heathrow Airport.

Their most recent attempt at consolidation received a major boost in February, when the US Department of Transportation said leasing just a handful of slots would be sufficient.

At the time Sir Richard described that decision as a “kick in the teeth” for the travelling public. Reaffirming his opposition to the deal, he today turned his wrath on Brussels.

“I remain extremely concerned that consumers are not being put first in the European Commission’s decision-making process,” Sir Richard commented. “No evidence of consumer benefits has been put forward. The Commission needs to throw out the commitments proposed by BA and AA.”

Speaking later to The Financial Times, he continued: “The way the Commission is currently going about it is fundamentally flawed and misguided, and to be honest it’s rather a lazy approach.”

Virgin’s main objection to the alliance is that BA and AA would between them share 47 per cent of Heathrow slots, which according to Sir Richard will result in higher fares for passengers.

But BA says competition will still be rife on transatlantic routes, with more carriers than ever before currently operating US-bound flights from Heathrow due to the 2002 Open Skies treaty.

© Cheapflights Ltd (Creative Commons image: href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/johannes-pape/4381375399/" target="_blank">johannes pape / Flickr)


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Flybe hails success of check-in deal with Virgin

© Ingy / FlickrDomestic carrier Flybe is reporting positive feedback about its newly introduced through-check service for customers with onward Virgin Atlantic flights.

The airline introduced the service in December, enabling passengers to print one single boarding pass for both their Flybe flight and their onward connection.

Travellers making use of the through-check deal can also check in their bags for their final destination, meaning they don’t need to reclaim luggage in transit.

The service is currently available on selected transatlantic routes from Manchester and Gatwick airports, with flights to Orlando, Las Vegas and the Caribbean eligible.

Flybe spokesman Mike Rutter confirmed that the new facility “is proving very popular”.

“The introduction of this new service for connecting Virgin Atlantic passengers is yet another example of Flybe’s ongoing commitment to our customers and partners,” he said. “Now people can … fly to and from Aberdeen to Las Vegas via Gatwick by only checking in once on departure.”

Prior to the Virgin deal, Flybe already offered a similar service for passengers with onward connecting flights operated by British Airways, Brussels Airlines and Etihad.

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Virgin Atlantic opens new Clubhouse at Gatwick

Premium customers departing from Gatwick Airport on a Virgin Atlantic flight now have access to the airline's refurbished Clubhouse lounge.
The 795 sq metre facility features a luxurious Cowshed…



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Virgin and Air Jamaica to codeshare Gatwick flights

Virgin Atlantic is to launch a codeshare with Air Jamaica on flights from Gatwick Airport, the airline has announced. As of Sunday, November 18 Air Jamaica’s code will be placed on Virgin Atlantic flights operating to and from the Jamaican…


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Virgin reiterates commitment to sports travellers

Virgin Atlantic has stressed its commitment to sports travellers, pointing out that they can take one piece of sporting equipment with them on board along with their checked-in baggage allowance. The airline made the announcement following news that British Airways…


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Offset carbon emissions on board Virgin Atlantic flights

Virgin Atlantic is introducing an onboard service for passengers to offset the carbon generated by their travel during a flight. The Gold Standard Carbon Offset Scheme calculates how much carbon is produced by each flight, and then works out how…


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New Virgin microsite offers virtual tour of Heathrow T3 check-in

Long-haul airline Virgin Atlantic has launched a mini website offering customers a virtual tour of its new check-in facilities at Heathrow Terminal 3. Produced by The Juice Group, the microsite at www.virginatlantic.com/experienceT3 features several different virtual tours, demonstrating the check-in…


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Virgin launches flights to Kingston, Jamaica

Virgin Atlantic today (October 30) began flying between London Gatwick and Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. The service will run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On the way out, flights will leave London at 9.25am, getting to Kingston at…


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Virgin to move Barbados flights to Heathrow

Virgin Atlantic is set to move its Barbados flights from Gatwick to Heathrow Airport. According to The Jamaica Observer, Sir Richard Branson’s airline will use Heathrow slots sold by Air Jamaica for the route. Virgin has apparently wanted to make…


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Virgin Atlantic to fly Heathrow to Mauritius

Virgin Atlantic will begin its flights from London to Mauritius on Sunday, October 28. The route, which is the company’s first to an Indian Ocean destination, will be operated by an Airbus A340-300 aircraft with business class, premium economy, and…


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