V-Flyer

Hey there, just got a question about aircraft types for the Gatwick Orlando route in May, basically this isn't my first time flying Virgin I've flown with them a couple of times the last being to Cuba a couple of years ago. I used this site a bit back then so I'm aware most Gatwick flights are operated by the old style 747s with the older Odyssey IFE.

Now the thing is I'm flying off to Orlando on the 10th May on honeymoon for 2 weeks, we were due to be on vs027 outbound and vs028 return, however last week we got a letter from virgin holidays saying those flights had been cancelled and we were now booked on the vs015 outbound and vs016 inbound on the same dates. However I've just gone to prebook our seats and found that although to be expected on the way out we are indeed on vs015 and its shown as a 747 our inbound flight is still showing as vs028 which we were told had been cancelled, it cant be a bug as it lets us book the seats, which is where the next interesting thing occurs. That flight is showing as an Airbus 330, it doesn't say it on the flight status but does when you go on the seat map to reserve seats, now the thing is I didn't think virgin flew Airbus's on this route or from Gatwick? I've been out of the loop for a while but is did read something about new A330s coming into service around June/July time? Is that true? And if so is it possible its been moved up? Or is the booking management system full of bs lol.

That would make sense as to why flights have seemingly been cancelled then not cancelled. Would be nice to think we would be on a plane with a new IFE etc.


So yeah what do you reckon is going on here?

Yup, if your seat map is showing a330, then you will be on the second a330 to be delivered to Virgin which will be doing one of the lgw - mco runs.

Please do a TR and tell us what the new IFE is like

David

That's cool, yep i'll be sure to report back Any info on the new system? I'm guessing it will be video on demand? That's the one thing I don't like about Virgin, I love the 747s but the IFE and inner furnishings are so outdated on the older ones in the fleet.......you would think with Virgin being one of the worlds top airlines they would have wanted to refit them by now for reputation if nothing else.

I guess I've been spoiled as since I last flew Virgin I went to Oz for a year backpacking, way out we flew Singapore air just after the a380 was launched, one leg we had an older 747(but even that had vod ife) and 2nd leg we had the a380 which was amazing quite simply. On the way back a year later was with Emirates with a newer 777-300er one leg and then an A380 2nd leg. After flying with those two comfort and entertainment wise the old virgin systems and cabins seem so outdated. I'm surprised they've let themselves fall so behind the times!, anyway hopefully that first outbound flight will get 'swapped' for a new plane as well :p

I'll submit a flight report including info on the IFE soon as I'm back in mid May

Sorry to be dense, but how can you know what type of plane you're likely to be on? I'm doing that same route in a couple of weeks' time...

Firstly, you can go to the toolbox section of this site and use the 'what plane will I be on' link, then pick your flight number an it will give you a list of past planes used in percentages so you can see which are used the most 'aka' which your more likely to get.

Secondly go into manage my booking via the Virgin Atlantic website and select the pick your seat option that will tell you the type of plane and allow yuu to reserve where you want to sit via a seat map.

Happy honeymoon Omskemmimg y) - oh & wedding!

Have a wonderful day & fantastic honeymoon.

R-P

The new IFE is VOD and a lot simpler to use than V-PORT, it operates very much like an iphone so you can scroll by touching the screen etc. There are also USB ports at all seats.
Hope you have a great flight!

Looks most likely to be a 747 config 1 or 2 then, with either Nova or Odyssey. Am I right in thinking neither of these IFEs are on-demand systems, or have I just been unlucky?

catsilversword wrote:Looks most likely to be a 747 config 1 or 2 then, with either Nova or Odyssey. Am I right in thinking neither of these IFEs are on-demand systems, or have I just been unlucky?

No, neither are on demand, all IFE info (with the exception of the new one which hasn't been updated yet) can be found in the IFE toolbox section