Help! BWIA Cancels US - Tobago Direct Flights

[Roger D.]

Hi Mikael;

I'm booked on BWIA to go to Trinidad for Christmas, leaving JFK on Dec 20th and returing January 3rd, I guess on Caribbean Airlines with the possibility of going over to Tobago for a few days - I would not miss that - The difference in the price between BWIA, American and Continental was as much as $500.00 pp, so I'm taking my chances - I certainly would not mind getting stuck in the Tropics in the middle of winter.
Anyway - This is not fact, but as I hear it, Caribbean Airlines maybe code sharing with Virgin Atlantic to operate the London Heathrow route and with United Airlines to operate some of their North American routes(Toronto & New York). Again this is not fact. We will have to wait and see, as we are in the same boat. An Announcement pertaining to the new Route Structure of Caribbean Airlines and who operates them will be made soon.

One of the biggest issues with BWIA and the London route was that their only two long range aircraft, the Airbus A340 plying that route, which were leased from Air Canada, were unreliable and spent more time in the hangar than flying. As a result when one Aircraft is down, their entire schedule went into Chaos affecting flights system wide.

[Patrick Dankou]

Hi Roger,
Your info about a possible code sharing with Virgin on the London route is indeed the latest rumor in town. The oracles speculate that Branson will offer a daily 747 service to POS. This would be good news indeed. Caribbean star and Liat are also talking about a merger, all this makes sense and might make travelling in the region much easier.

[David Watkins]

I just hope Virgin keep the direct London/Tobago flight.Please pretty please Sir Richard!!
David

[Roger D.]

Hi David - a.k.a - The Castara Kid - Sir Richard hears you

I do not think that the direct flight to Tobago would be cancelled. The LHR- POS flight would be operated by Virgin, but I believe it'll have a BW flight designation although the New Airline will be called Caribbean Airlines, it's BWIA under the covers, so that the route rights, especially those coveted Heathrow Slots would not be lost or have to be renegotiated.

Peter Davies the current CEO of BWIA and future CEO of CA is credited with turning Sabena around from a money pit to a very profitable airline. Let's see what happens.

Patrick, If I get stuck on January 3rd, I'll be knocking on your door.

[Mikael A]

Well it actully looks like bwiaa is going to be working in to abit off january, spoke with my travel agent a couple days ago, And according to hear only change i will suffer is that i will leave one hour later from tobago, "oh what a pain " On my home trip.

So for me atleast this is looking to not affect me much at all