IAD to get the dreaded A330?

I see our flight times from IAD have just been lengthened by 20 minutes in December.
Does that mean the A330 is being assigned to that route? Now tempted to find an alternative.

Yes, the A330 is going to IAD. What's wrong with it?

Looks that way.. Loads showing A330 throughout December.

Yes a330 on IAD from end of October

If you're flying in economy or premium it will be great ... or at least with JAM the IFE will make it better.

It's just UC that we dread on the A333s.

If you're flying in economy or premium it will be great ... or at least with JAM the IFE will make it better.

It's just UC that we dread on the A333s.

UC that we're booked in

I'm away to Boston on it today..

I must stick up for the 333s. Having flown 3 (return) transatlantic trips from MAN in PE, I have absolutely no complaints. UC might be a different kettle of fish but the aircraft itself is great. ^)

Are these suites going to be fitted in the new 787 Dreamliner. If so with the general consensus on here seem to be of a negative view VS may have scored a big own goal

Are these suites going to be fitted in the new 787 Dreamliner. If so with the general consensus on here seem to be of a negative view VS may have scored a big own goal

I believe they are (assuming the Dreamliner appears before there is a new new UCS! ).

This will doubtless be controversial, but personally I wouldn't read too much into the huffing and puffing about the new suite. There's a certain currency to be gained on fan sites by being the first to experience a new product, and also to criticise it in minute detail. On flyertalk there used to be a vocal contingent who preferred the old BA First to the new one, but it seems to be ebbing away. I am sure the same will happen here once the 'old' UCS starts to fall to pieces and get buried in grime. Judging by some of my experiences on the LHR 747s, that may not be too far away!

Just to be clear, I am not dismissing the views of those who have criticised the new UCS; far from it. I think that slinky posted a very interesting set of comments, particularly about the table. (I haven't even flown it myself so I am in no position to comment on it!) I am just observing that for every person who moans, I suspect there will be a considerably larger number of people who are very happy, and that sooner or later the controversy will be forgotten, and eventually, when VS unveils its next new UCS, the same leitmotif will be heard all over again -- and possibly from the same people!

It's just the way things are -- people complain about the particular changes that mean a lot to them -- and the more they matter to them, the more likely they are to lose a sense of the bigger picture. I certainly am guilty of this, all the time!

Totally agree at420!!

Don't forget the 787 is about 15" wider than the A330. The UCS will also have to be Boeing certified. Think about the difference between the 747 and A340 suites, small but it might make a difference for regular travellers.

I flew PE on an A330 LGW-MCO and thought it was okay and the entertainment much better, my biggest gripe was the longer flight time.. can't be helped though.

I must say I have flow PE in 747 and on 330 and for comfort e.g. less engine noise and room etc the 330 wins hands down. Only thing is I haven't flown an upgraded 747 yet with the new PE but am flying it in April 13. The experience I had on the 330 this year in March to Orlando and back was amazing can't fault one bit.

I don't necessarily thinkits the A333 that's causing concern, from other posts it's the tightness of the UC cabin. Being 6' 6" tall I will wait until somebody in this forum actually measure the suite to see if they are smaller than the other two air rafts. Quite like the look of AA's new 777 business cabin

Are these suites going to be fitted in the new 787 Dreamliner. If so with the general consensus on here seem to be of a negative view VS may have scored a big own goal

I agree - I find the man to mco pe product very satisfactory.

We travelled LHR - JFK - LHR recently, both ways on the new 330. Managed the window/aisle seats this time.

We travelled economy on VS 3 going out and upgraded to PE on VS4 coming back. Must say no complaints - boarding organised, good crew, food ok, comfortable seat and the IFE was super. I really like this aircraft but perhaps if I was in UC then I might not be so positive.

[Scrooge]

I flew PE on an A330 LGW-MCO and thought it was okay and the entertainment much better, my biggest gripe was the longer flight time.. can't be helped though.

The 333 cruises at .82M or .02M - .04M different from the 744, in other words, about 20 minutes difference crossing the Atlantic.

With that said, I love flying on the 330 series, great aircraft, however, the smaller suites as has already been said, could well be an issue for taller people like myself.

I flew PE on an A330 LGW-MCO and thought it was okay and the entertainment much better, my biggest gripe was the longer flight time.. can't be helped though.

The 333 cruises at .82M or .02M - .04M different from the 744, in other words, about 20 minutes difference crossing the Atlantic.

Must say it felt longer however im sure you are correct, my longest crossing to MCO though. Was around 9hrs45min.

I flew PE on an A330 LGW-MCO and thought it was okay and the entertainment much better, my biggest gripe was the longer flight time.. can't be helped though.

The 333 cruises at .82M or .02M - .04M different from the 744, in other words, about 20 minutes difference crossing the Atlantic.

Must say it felt longer however im sure you are correct, my longest crossing to MCO though. Was around 9hrs45min.

It may well have been if you had a unlucky day with a nasty headwind!

Flew back from Delhi on Uptown Girl yesterday. Seat 1A. Did it spoil the UC experience - not really though it's tough on the crew. I'll post a TR when I get a minute. Fantastic crew especially being offered a Final Port as we crossed the Essex cost - thanks guys.

I thought the new A330 UC was meant to be narrower, not necessarily shorter. For those complaining they're too tall, this shouldn't be an issue?


I'm just glad the A340-300's are going away. Never was a fan of them compared to the A340-600's.

Well, my tuppence is glad to know you get a plane with a decent IFE but hey i always fly economy or once in a while PE so a good IFE can make a difference.

Been flying back and forth for 19 years (afraid to say been lurking on this forum for years and only recently joined) as my partner is based just outside dc.

My October trip is my 47th time ive flow out there on either BA/UA/VS

ive had great, mediocre and down right p... Poor flights from all 3 airlines that serve LHR to IAD dirctly

ive also gone locally via Paris and Amsterdm. Ive got delayd due to snow and an (in)famous Air France strike.

The 343/346 journeys i have taken have ranged from great to pants.

ive had super clean planes to filth ridden planes. v(

ive had VS crew who were stunning but lousy customer service skills to non model esque but couldnt do enough for you the entire flight. ^)

My ipad is my new best friend but im looking forward, having flown EK and SIA and enjoyed their systems, to know finally an on demand system will be standard on this route.

Im flying out in october pre the change but coming home on 28th so 330 it should be. Th march and april 2013 ahould be 330 both ways.

What do BA and UA have to offer - old 747/767/777.

I for one am excited to fly a different plane. I lookbacknowandthink what a wow moment i felt to step on board a newish UA 777 when they debuted on the IAD/LHR routeandhope to feel the same in October On the 330.