Virgin Atlantic Airways Chief Executive Craig Kreeger said the carrier will decide in 5 to 9 months how to replace Boeing 747 jets used on leisure routes amid one of the biggest revamps of the British carrier's fleet and network.
Based on https://www.flickr.com/photos/47086222@N03/15532275158/lightbox/
The likely replacement candidates are Boeing´s 787s, 777s as well as Airbus' A350 wide-bodies, he said.
Virgin Atlantic, founded by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, flies seven 747s on leisure routes from London Gatwick. Those planes come to the end of their lease period starting in 2019.
The size of the fleet order, which would include options for growth, hasn't been fixed, Mr. Kreeger said.
Virgin Atlantic this year started flying Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner to phase out less fuel efficient Airbus A340 jets and 747 jumbos. The carrier has 16 orders for 787-9 and Delta Airlines –who took a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic- has 18 orders for 787-8.
Neither Virgin Atlantic nor Delta Airlines has any A350 in their orderbooks. Additionally Virgin Atlantic has announced that “it is unlikely to take the order for 6 A380s that placed some years ago”.
Based on the article “Virgin Atlantic CEO Sees 747 Replacement Choice in 5-9 Months” published inDow Jones Business News
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