Flight Switched to an A343 on our trip of a lifetime

We a due to fly to JFK at the end of July and I've treated my family to Upper Class to start and finish our holiday of a lifetime.

I researched Virgin Upper suite and which Aircraft to avoid. Our flight is VS003 and a A340-600 typically flies this route which I was really happy with (used previously).
Only to find out today they have changed the aircraft to the A340-300 which according to all reports is less than desirable and these aircraft are due replaced this year. Just my luck.
The kids are really looking forward to sampling UC and comparing it with BA Club World.

Question:
(1) Is the UC in the A343 that bad compared to the A346 or the 747?
(2) Has anyone ever heard Virgin changing aircraft on a route multiple times 12 days before departure? Im wishing they would change it again.

There are a number of fans of the 343 on here; the seats are the same as the 346, it's more intimate than the 346 and the sevice will be the same. Only the IFE *may* be different (a one in three chance?)

Personally, I wouldn't worry....

Welcome to V-Flyer.

VS currently have three A343s in service, two of which still have the old analogue IFE. In UC you will be given tablets pre-loaded with films to compensate but if your kids want specific games, TV shows etc to entertain them I'd suggest taking your own tablets or smartphones loaded with the appropriate content.

Other than that the seats and service are the same as on the A346 - indeed as pjh says some V-Flyers prefer the A343 because the UC cabin is smaller and more intimate.

Aircraft changes do happen for any number of reasons - an A346 may have gone technical or, more likely, they're juggling aircraft to match demand.

Thanks for the quick replies.
Glad to hear the main difference would the IFE, not ideal.
Looks like we'll have to load up the iPads which brings another problem in terms of charging them up.

Does anyone if these Anker battery packs are allowed on planes, as it would help out with the charging issue?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/15000mAh-Portab ... ttery+pack

Came back from YVR on the A343 in UC and had a great flight

Ditto Petmadness. Did return trip to YVR last week on one of these aircraft .
Apart from the IFE nothing negative about either trip, plane in good condition and same level of service as usual with Virgin . Tablets have a decent selection of films but not as comprehensive as advertised in the magazine, also no games or TV programmes .
Wouldn't worry too much about the change.

There is power onboard, but EmPower sockets. You can cheaply buy EmPower to USB cables and it will hold the iPads charge.

There is power onboard, but EmPower sockets. You can cheaply buy EmPower to USB cables and it will hold the iPads charge.

Thanks, I've found some EmPower leads at maplins for about £5. I'll grab a couple

Has anyone ever heard Virgin changing aircraft on a route multiple times 12 days before departure? Im wishing they would change it again.

They changed mine 12 hours befor a flight so there is still hope

[Darren Wheeler]

Has anyone ever heard Virgin changing aircraft on a route multiple times 12 days before departure? Im wishing they would change it again.

They changed mine 12 hours befor a flight so there is still hope

They can do, but no guarantees. Very much a case of plan for the worse, hope for the best.

Welcome to V-Flyer.

VS currently have three A343s in service, two of which still have the old analogue IFE. In UC you will be given tablets pre-loaded with films to compensate but if your kids want specific games, TV shows etc to entertain them I'd suggest taking your own tablets or smartphones loaded with the appropriate content.

Other than that the seats and service are the same as on the A346 - indeed as pjh says some V-Flyers prefer the A343 because the UC cabin is smaller and more intimate.

Aircraft changes do happen for any number of reasons - an A346 may have gone technical or, more likely, they're juggling aircraft to match demand.

I'd not sell the tablet as something good on the 343. The films were over a year out of date (indeed, a number of them I'd watched virtually one year before when I flew to LAX) when they handed them out on my flight from Vancouver. I previously had thought "at least they'll give out tablets", but browsed, and put it down without watching a single one...

Welcome to V-Flyer.

VS currently have three A343s in service, two of which still have the old analogue IFE. In UC you will be given tablets pre-loaded with films to compensate but if your kids want specific games, TV shows etc to entertain them I'd suggest taking your own tablets or smartphones loaded with the appropriate content.

I'd not sell the tablet as something good on the 343. The films were over a year out of date (indeed, a number of them I'd watched virtually one year before when I flew to LAX) when they handed them out on my flight from Vancouver. I previously had thought "at least they'll give out tablets", but browsed, and put it down without watching a single one...

If I knew I was on a 343, I'd preload a tablet with things to watch...

There is power onboard, but EmPower sockets. You can cheaply buy EmPower to USB cables and it will hold the iPads charge.

Thanks, I've found some EmPower leads at maplins for about £5. I'll grab a couple

Wow they've dropped in price. I picked one up about 3 years ago for 50 quid.

I bet I can guess which day you're flying out- my Boston to London flight next week just changed from a 340-300 to a 340-600. I'm guessing it's a question of seats sold on each route. I got a look at both the Premium Economy and Upper Class seat maps because I originally bought a PE ticket before snagging a G. Both were packed. Much more crowded than my return flight.

Any seat suggestions for the 346? All the research I've done is for the 343. I was looking forward to the Snooze Zone mini-cabin in the 343. I'm not sure if it will be the same as part of the main cabin.