Jaunted - Tag: virgin atlantic

Virgin Atlantic, BA Squabbling over Heathrow Slots

pbb — 2008-08-18T15:45:12-05:00

Now that British Airways, American Airlines and three other carriers have announced their merger-which-isn't a merger, Virgin Atlantic is making a serious stink. After all, Richard Branson's baby holds just three percent of the slots at Heathrow, while BA and its newest pals control 47 percent of the landing rights at the airport.

This is actually the third time that British has tried to link up with American, but it's the first such attempt since the latest Open Skies provision was enacted, ostensibly to improve competition in the transatlantic market. But Branson says that hasn't yet happened--and won't if a tie-up between BA and AA is approved:

Open Skies has not delivered the greater competition that was promised because Heathrow is full. BA/AA and Iberia would still be unacceptably dominant, with nearly half of all of the slots at Heathrow, leaving competitors powerless to take them on.

For his part, British Airways CEO Willie Walsh says his airline doesn't plan to give up any market share to appease regulators. The UK Times asked him if he'd consider giving up any slots, which can sell for as much as �20 million ($37 million) a pair. His response?

I won't

Alternative Fuel Flying: Is Jatropha Nut Oil the Anwer?

Victor Ozols — 2008-08-16T13:15:10-05:00

Topsy-turvy oil markets have got everybody in a tizzy these days, and the airline industry is no exception. Higher ticket prices are a drag, to be sure, but at least the economic shock is finally causing the major carriers to look into alternative fuels to power their fleets. A recent AP item points out that scientists are experimenting with various types of biodiesel jet fuels, an especially challenging proposition since there's little room for error at 35,000 feet.

Still, a few options look promising. South African carriers have been burning a jet fuel blend that uses "clean coal" as a primary ingredient for a decade already. And in February, Virgin Atlantic airlines flew a 747 that was partially powered by B20, a biodiesel made from babassu (a type of Amazon palm) and coconut oil. I wonder if the exhaust smelled like a pi�a colada. And there's even talk of harvesting algae to create fuel.

All eyes will be on Boeing and Air New Zealand later this year, though, as the companies prepare to test a fuel made from the oil of the jatropha tree. The homely-looking plant isn't good for food, but it grows easily in warm climates, doesn't require much water, and represents an economic opportunity for many impoverished people. Best of all, fuel made from the oil of jatropha nuts is significantly cheaper than crude oil, which is fortunate, because all the good intentions in the world won't create a market for alternative fuels unless it makes sense on the bottom line.

Related Stories:
· Airlines Push for Homegrown Jet Fuel [AP]
· Virgin Atlantic Completes Biodiesel Test [Biofuels Digest]
· Jatropha Plant's Oil Studied as Biofuel for Jets [LA Times]
· Airline News [Jaunted]

[Photo: AP]

Branson to U.S. Presidential Candidates: BA & AA Alliance Spells Bad News for Competition

Victor Ozols — 2008-08-10T12:50:07-05:00

Sir Richard Branson, a groovy rich guy from England who owns Virgin Atlantic airlines and enjoys doing fun, crazy stuff, sent a letter to U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama on Sunday warning that the proposed British Airways/American Airlines alliance would stifle competition and hurt consumers.

Not one for understatement, Branson also plans a nearly $6 million advertising and lobbying campaign intended to derail the pending deal.

Even though Branson has his own financial reasons to hope a deal doesn't go down, his complaints may well resonate with the candidates and consumers, as rising fares, disappearing routes, and lackluster service combine to make air travel a much bigger hassle than it ought to be.

Kim Cattrall Spotted on Virgin Atlantic

pbb — 2008-07-02T11:30:09-05:00

Anthony Bourdain may fly Continental, but Kim Cattrall doesn't mess with American carriers, a tipster tells us. The "Sex and the City" star was spotted in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class lounge on the way to New York after enjoying Nelson Mandela's birthday party in London.

Says a passenger:

She looked gorgeous--even in the black Virgin sleep suit. Sorry I don't have any pix.

Funny: We never thought of Samantha as the classy one.

Related Stories:
· Celeb Travel: Jake Gyllenhaal Flies Virgin Atlantic [Jaunted]
· Sex and the City coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: IMDb]

Celeb Travel: Jake Gyllenhaal Flies Virgin Atlantic

egw — 2008-06-24T08:45:01-05:00

One of our good tipsters spotted Jaunted fave and soon to be star of the live-action "Prince of Persia" adaptation Jake Gyllenhaal on a flight from LAX to Heathrow this weekend. Our spy could have patted the "Jarhead" and "Brokeback Mountain" actor on the head, but refrained:

He kept a hoodie up the whole flight. It appeared to be hiding long hair for the Princely role. He also desperately needed to buy and use a touché éclat from duty free.

Then again, maybe he's just flying to get closer to the space travel! Hopefully when he earns a seat on Virgin Galactic, he'll take his trusty backpack with him (shown here in a 2007 photo, and also by his side this weekend).

Seen a star on your flight? Won't you whisper in our ear?

Related Stories:
· Virgin Atlantic Announces Credit Card With Stellar Reward [Jaunted]
· VS024 LAX-LHR 18 Jun 08 (Upper) [V-Flyer.com]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: I Can't and I Won't]

San Francisco: The Virgin Clubhouse at SFO: Futuristic, with a Bong

DanielR — 2008-06-20T16:45:01-05:00

Before our recent Superfly flight, we had the opportunity to spend some time in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at SFO. We were greeted by a woman who looked like a missing character from an "Austin Powers" movie. She was older, just a hair over five feet tall with big red hair, even bigger glasses and a vague English accent. She said things like "Welcome love, great to have you here!" Good start...

New York: Virgin Atlantic Announces US Credit Card with Stellar Reward

egw — 2008-06-12T08:48:12-05:00

Well, all our speculation came to naught: Don't look for massage chairs or hotel tie-ins on a Virgin Atlantic flight any time soon. But buying expensive hotel rooms and massages is one way to rack up miles on the new Virgin Atlantic AmEx, which also offers a 10 percent discount on Premium Economy fares through the rest of the year.