Virgin Flights

Ian R · Post by **Ian R** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:33 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 23 October 2002

I have not seen it mentioned in the Forum but I know Virgin are planning to fly to Tobago from May 2003 has anyone got details such as which day of the week and if it is from Gatwick or Heathrow? Virgin have apparently expressed concern about the standard of Crowen point airport and in this weeks budget the T&T government has allocated funding which might be used to upgrade facilities. Thet will need to because a full Airbus A340-600 load of passengers and luggage would swamp the place!

Ian R · Post by **Ian R** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:34 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 23 October 2002

Answering my own question here - but I found a Vigin ptress release saying the service will fly out on a Monday morning to Tobago using a Boeing 747 and go direct to Tobago then on to Grenada. Brochure prices for 1 week in Tobago from £549 but I do not know if you will be able to buy ticket only.

Patrick Dankou · Post by **Patrick Dankou** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:35 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 October 2002

Hi Ian, The government of T &T and the Tobago House of Assembly were ventilating plans to upgrade the Crown Point Airport for quite some time now. The budget was presented two days ago and includes the necessary funding . The upgrade of runway and passenger facilities should be on the way shortly and should be finished by May 2003. Regards

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:37 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 October 2002

Hi Ian.

Although news of the new Virgin flights has been circulating since the end of June, I felt it imprudent to publish news of the service whilst it was only rumour. However, full details of this exciting new service have been available on our Airline information page (http://www.myTobago.info/airtravel01.php) since the official announcement in early September.

Yes, the flight utilises a 747-200 and will fly each Monday from next May, from London Gatwick. You are quite correct – it is a direct flight to Tobago, then on to Grenada before returning to Tobago in the early evening. It will therefore represent the quickest transport from the UK to Tobago.

I, for one, will be looking very closely at this flight for future trips to Tobago. Direct flight, good value, excellent service – what more could we ask for. I did write to Richard Branson asking if he would mind bringing the service forward for our next trip to Tobago in January, but the letter must have got lost, because he never replied!!!!

Rumours have circulated in Tobago that seats on the new Virgin Atlantic service will only be available as part of package holidays booked through Virgin Holidays. I am assured by Virgin Atlantic that this is not the case. Flight-only tickets will be available, as for all other scheduled Virgin flights, directly from Virgin or from all travel agents.

Ian R · Post by **Ian R** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:38 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 October 2002

Well I might have guessed Virgin would not used a 747-400 on the route - the economics of a relatively old 747-200 are suited to the route length and passenger profile. I hope they still have some premium economy seats at good prices otherwise I will stick with Monarch on a Saturday. Purchases in addition to the runway upgrade that may be needed at Crown Point are some new aicraft stairs to reach the doors on a 747 (although I did see an Air China 747 parked there in May 2000 so the existing ones might be adequate) and to do something about the luggage carousel / reclaim area.

Patrick Dankou · Post by **Patrick Dankou** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:39 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 October 2002

Ian, are you working in the airline industry? send me a mail and let's talk shop... Here are the latest unconfirmed rumours concerning the Crown Point upgrade: the runway will be upgraded and extended, 2 gate " fingers" will allow pax to get on and off aircraft without getting wet. As you might know Piarco in Trinidad is the only airport in the caribbean featuring these facilities at the moment. The departure and arrivals area will be reconstructed to accommodate the expected increase in traffic. The road to the terminal will be extended ( 2 lanes ) As I said, these are unconfirmed rumours, I'll post any hard facts as soon as I get them.