It seems the planning of Virgin Atlantic’s new service to Moscow is slowly firming up according to Skynews with confirmation of equipment type that Virgin are going to deploy on the route.
It’s going to be an Airbus A330 with the new Virgin Atlantic Long Haul product in it – settling the first big question from my last Virgin to Moscow post – which product Virgin would deploy – a Mid-Haul product or a Long Haul product.
Going for a long haul product is a risk as that aircraft can be put to better use on a longer route elsehwere, but on the other hand it will easy to deploy the aircraft that Virgin Atlantic doesn’t have to fumble around for and introduce a sub-fleet.
The A330 product will be configured as 3 class plane – Upper Class (Business Class), Premium Economy and Economy.
Steve Ridgway – Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic says:
“This route is now open for another UK airline following BA’s takeover of bmi and we are making preparations to take up these rights early next year. Linking these two cities will be an important part of our strategy to run short haul flights into Heathrow and feed our long haul network. It will also radically improve competition on the route giving business and leisure travellers much better choice.”
If Virgin Atlantic gets permission to launch the route, then it is truly game on between the British carriers and the Russian carriers as customers will start asking why there is no long-haul product on those planes compared to the competition… which could really make the Russian competition authorities ask questions.
This is shaping up to be the next big battle – and I’d expect very keen fares if Virgin Atlantic are successful entering the market…
