V-Flyer

Hello new member,Be kind.When do you think seating/allocating in my booking, will be available for A330, Which starts manchester/orlando from April 2011.

Hi Lucy and welcome to the site.

The seat maps were initially going to be made available at the start of August, but there were some problems and that didn't happen.

Nothing official has been confirmed by Virgin, but all the rumours I have read state that it will be early November now when they become available.

Neil

I'm sure I saw it somewhere, but havn't VS now decided to put the PE cabin at the front of these 330's as originally it was going in the middle as per their other A/C cabin layouts

I think it's this that has caused the delay.

mitchja wrote:I'm sure I saw it somewhere, but havn't VS now decided to put the PE cabin at the front of these 330's as originally it was going in the middle as per their other A/C cabin layouts

I think it's this that has caused the delay.

Yep, that is correct, the PE cabin is now in the nose with Y behind it.

The seat map is here

There are all sorts of regulatory hoops that VS have to jump through on this one.
I imagine that someone from VS is just about camped out at CAA at the moment.
New operator of ETOPS.
New aircraft config.
New seats with some still needing approval.

All this takes time & must be programmed.
Someone has to keep the civil servants in a job

Only just noticed, but VS do now have the A330-300 seat map in their 'Our Fleet' section of the VS website here

I know it's not to scale but there seems a lot of wasted space between the PE and Economy cabin

Thank you for your comments. Yes i had already seen the layout map and agree there seems lots of wasted space. Still not sure about this small plane on such a long haul route, 747s much better, but very tatty in looks.

Where the hell is UC? PLEASE PLEASE don't tell me they are dropping UC on the MAN/MCO route? If that is the case I won't fly VS from MAN, which means BA can fight for my business again!

What is it? Do they think us 'Northerners' (I'm born and bred in West London, happen to live in Coventry and find Manchester easier to get to!) can't afford UC! I'm sure that's some kind of Racism (Us redneck midlanders are a race of our own!).

But on a serious note, please someone confirm there are some UC seats stashed somewhere!

Paul

p17blo wrote:Where the hell is UC? PLEASE PLEASE don't tell me they are dropping UC on the MAN/MCO route? If that is the case I won't fly VS from MAN, which means BA can fight for my business again!

What is it? Do they think us 'Northerners' (I'm born and bred in West London, happen to live in Coventry and find Manchester easier to get to!) can't afford UC! I'm sure that's some kind of Racism (Us redneck midlanders are a race of our own!).

But on a serious note, please someone confirm there are some UC seats stashed somewhere!

Paul

There is no UC on the first two A330's - just PE and Y. All subsequent A330's will offer UC, PE and Y.

And please don't start another North vs South rant - MAN is getting the newer planes with new seats and new IFE before LGW and LHR.

Calm down

It's nothing to do with anti-northern bias. In fact MAN will be the first base to get the new planes.

The first two of the new A330 planes wont have UC on them for a number of mainly technical reasons - See Bill S's post below - but the rest of the fleet will.

You will still be able to fly UC on the MAN-MCO routes but you will need to check the actual flights that UC is offered on - and you will only get the flights with a UC cabin if you select UC in the booking engine.

My completely unsubstantiated theory on the lack of Upper Class on the initial A330s;

• VS had a major bust up with the original supplier of the UCS
• If the original supplier is no longer a supplier, VS probably only have enough units for spares and repairs to the existing fleet
• An announcement of a new version of the Upper Class seating was mentioned by VS in relation to future A330s - this would support the point above about not being able to get the current design from the original supplier
• As Bill points out, any new equipment on an aircraft takes a lot of safety testing to get past the CAA, and it could possibly be a simple case that the new seats aren't going to be ready before the first couple of A330s are delivered.
• No seats = no Upper Class, so their best option is to use the aircraft on primarily leisure routes with low demand for J class until they can get new seats approved.

If that's the case Pete, then it's a bit of a failure on VS's part to line up its ducks sensibly.

But, recalling the bust up with the seat provider ... didn't VS argue it had the 'copy'right to the seat design and the provider couldn't sell it elsewhere? So, do we think the new-UCS will be a herringbone suite in an enhanced way, or something else completely? There seems to be no debate on this ...

My preference is strongly to retain herringbone, it works so well, but to switch the layering, so outer seats face the window and inner seats face each other, that would be so much better in terms of privacy and viewing when travelling alone, and better for couples too (albeit that it would only apply on 747s).

Also, I have not heard VS speaking to anyone about their preferences for the new design, and this could be a really big mistake. For example, a simple thing like changing the table mechanism so that it can be pushed back to exit the seat while meals are laid out was a singularly useful and highly retainable idea. And we all hate the light placing and usefulness - especially as at night in can shine into your eyes if sitting opposite someone. VS really should be talking to its most frequent flyers right now to get their views. Perhaps they are and I'm not included :# .

Perhaps we should have a separate thread discussing ideas for the new UCS???

Just to add, there will still be UC offered ex MAN to MCO however. The daily VS75/76 is changing to the new A333 without UC, but the 4 x weekly VS73/74 will still be operated by the B747, with UC.

The same thing is happening at LGW, one flight a day with UC on the B747, one without on the A333.

Neil

Good views by you all. I use PE and feel if there are no UCS then, I hope they will push the boat out on style in the PE cabin. I don't like the 3 seats in the middle, it looks cheap, but yes if the seats were turned etc, it would look/feel better. Pampering passengers will always go down well.

I am pretty certain the PE cabin will be just like the ones on the current A343/346. They have the 3 seats in the middle, and whilst the 2's are better if travelling as a couple, it certainly works for some families/groups etc.

The current PE on the 747's include 4's in across the middle as do BA's WT+ cabin.

Neil

Lucydog wrote: Still not sure about this small plane on such a long haul route, 747s much better, but very tatty in looks.

I believe the new A330-300's are a similar size to the current A340-300's just with 2 bigger engines instead of 4 smaller ones.

ComeFlyWithV wrote:I believe the new A330-300's are a similar size to the current A340-300's just with 2 bigger engines instead of 4 smaller ones.

In terms of length, wingspan, other dimensions, exactly the same. The A340 however has much higher max. take-off weight and very much larger fuel tanks and longer range.

Neil, do you know when the LGW plane will be in use?

Thanks,

Kaz

sunsational wrote:Neil, do you know when the LGW plane will be in use?

Thanks,

Kaz

The plan is currently to operate one flight a day ex LGW on the new A333 and one on the 747, I can't remember which flight number is due to be operated by each.

Ex MAN, the daily VS75 will be operated by the A333, and the 4 x weekly VS73 by the 747

Neil wrote:

sunsational wrote:Neil, do you know when the LGW plane will be in use?

Thanks,

Kaz

The plan is currently to operate one flight a day ex LGW on the new A333 and one on the 747, I can't remember which flight number is due to be operated by each.

Ex MAN, the daily VS75 will be operated by the A333, and the 4 x weekly VS73 by the 747

i think it is the 27/28 that will use the 333

CHill710 wrote:i think it is the 27/28 that will use the 333

Yes, it is the VS27/28 that will use the A333.

I was slightly wrong earlier, as it will only be on Mon/Tues/Sun that the VS27/28 operates on the A333, the rest of the week will be by the 747.

The A333 will also operate the VS71/72 GLA flights on a Saturday.

I think we will see a bit of swapping and changing depending on the loads etc, with the A333 doing another GLA flights during the quieter periods.

Neil

How sad to see the toilets located in such an awful position at row 46 to 48!

Other airlines layout is so much better on the A330 and I feel sorry for the poor people sat right next to the toilets!


Thought they would have learnt a lesson from the A346.. oh well

Also, I have not heard VS speaking to anyone about their preferences for the new design, and this could be a really big mistake. For example, a simple thing like changing the table mechanism so that it can be pushed back to exit the seat while meals are laid out was a singularly useful and highly retainable idea. And we all hate the light placing and usefulness - especially as at night in can shine into your eyes if sitting opposite someone. VS really should be talking to its most frequent flyers right now to get their views. Perhaps they are and I'm not included .

Really? They just flew me over to London in UC to chat about it

Thank you everyone ^)

This is starting to sound good. I will always be a 747 girl myself, feel safer with 4 engines. I agree that Virgin should ask not just members, but ordinary people, who dont fly every week,just holidays, what they would like in the cabins.At the end of the day, we all pay good money to fly with them.
Please my only gripe, will always be food. We should be able to select from our checking in procedure to order from a small menu hot/cold selection,ie sandwiches and heinz type soup that come for the microwave. I know there is a selection for veggie and other religion type. I dont like soggy type cottage pie or tough chewy meat. sandwich/wrap with cheese and crisps will do, at least i can eat it.