V-Flyer

Hi All.

Does anyone know which Virgin 747 aircraft are currently being used on the Gatwick to Orlando route? (referring to names of the aircraft) We fly on Monday (16th May) - all very exciting.

Weather forecast isn't good for Orlando but can't wait. Anyone descended into Orlando during thunderstorms?

Many thanks. J

Hi,

You can find details of the specific aircraft currently operating on a specific route using the "Which Aircraft?" tool in the toolbox. Simply select the flight route i.e. VS 15 or VS 27 for LGW to MCO and it will show a list of aircraft used on most recent flights. You can click on the "G-VXX" number for the specific place details and name.

The storms are often isolated and the flights are well managed, i've landed during a storm before with no problems - a little bumpy on the way down!

Luke

We had to circle for about 25mins when we were landing at MCO a couple of weeks ago due to a storm over the airport. Lightning usually means they close the airport for a short period while it passes, but as Luke has said, the storms appear and pass very quickly usually, so it shouldn't be to much of an issue.

Aren't the aircraft on this route generally all a bit tired-looking on the inside? Am sure I read that here and my experiences on that route seems to bear it out....

catsilversword wrote:Aren't the aircraft on this route generally all a bit tired-looking on the inside? Am sure I read that here and my experiences on that route seems to bear it out....

Depends - the brand spanking new A330 couldn't be any newer and full of the latest gadgets.

The 747's aren't the best of the fleet currently - but still have a certain charm about them.

Neil wrote:

catsilversword wrote:Aren't the aircraft on this route generally all a bit tired-looking on the inside? Am sure I read that here and my experiences on that route seems to bear it out....

Depends - the brand spanking new A330 couldn't be any newer and full of the latest gadgets.

The 747's aren't the best of the fleet currently - but still have a certain charm about them.

Ah yes - sorry, I meant the LGW-MCO route - think the A330 is on the Manchester route???

Neil wrote:

The 747's aren't the best of the fleet currently - but still have a certain charm about them.

Thats one way of putting it ) ) )

cheers

alex

catsilversword wrote:
Ah yes - sorry, I meant the LGW-MCO route - think the A330 is on the Manchester route???

They are working out of both MAN and LGW (and GLA occasionally)

Neil wrote:

catsilversword wrote:
Ah yes - sorry, I meant the LGW-MCO route - think the A330 is on the Manchester route???

They are working out of both MAN and LGW (and GLA occasionally)

Oh right. I just didn't get lucky then

I landed once at Tampa as MCO was closed due to a thunderstorm :0 We sat on the plane for what seemed like hours before being able to fly back to MCO with no food or drinks. So I always now keep a few snacks for emergency landings |:)

The weather here is glorious at the moment but is due to change at the weekend. However as others have said thunderstorms when predicted are isolated and short lived so you will probably be lucky y)

Sunshine 8D

We almost ended up in Tampa last year but just managed to get in. Very 'exciting' landing though. During the taxi in, couldnt see out of the window due to it raining so hard. Then once I got out of the terminal about an hour later, it was like it had never rained.

Then on the way home the opposite happened - lovely all day then poured down when we went to leave.

If you are on the VS27, the 11:15 flight then you have the brand spankers A330 which will have the newest IFE and certainly be a treat for you.

If you are on the VS15, the 13:00 flight then you have the good old 747 which will most likely have the Odyssey or Nova IFE systems.

Just to give you a bit of confidence, even though the A330 will outclass the 747 on product by a long mile the 747s really are not that bad. Although they have a bad name for themselves and are slightly more worn than others in the fleet, they are more than acceptable. I have flown on the LGW numerous times as well as the LHR fleet, and I have absolutely no problem with the Economy product in either. Although V-Port is better, just make sure you tune into the films when they start and you will have no problem at all!

I found space to be adequate, seats to be comfy and IFE to be absolutely fine. As said previously, it's not as good as the Heathrow fleet but oh well, there's nothing we can do about it at the present moment and at the end of the day you still get a choice of about 7 recent films!

Sunshine wrote:I landed once at Tampa as MCO was closed due to a thunderstorm :0 We sat on the plane for what seemed like hours before being able to fly back to MCO with no food or drinks. So I always now keep a few snacks for emergency landings |:)


Sunshine 8D

As I was waiting to get off the plane the other day, I glanced around and saw a metal box in the crew area, marked 'emergency rations'

MrSquare wrote:If you are on the VS27, the 11:15 flight then you have the brand spankers A330 which will have the newest IFE and certainly be a treat for you.

Just to clarify - the A330 isn't operating the VS27 every day just yet (4 x weekly IIRC), as it is also operating some GLA flights also.

Sorry Neil, completely correct however as for the OP's dates the 27 will the the A330.

Hi Neil, do you know when the 330 will be operating from 'consistantly' on the VS027 route? I'm due to go on weds 18th and would love it to be on the new plane!
VikkiCat

I don't think there are any firm plans for it to be operating the VS27 on a daily basis currently. I think VS are sticking with its current schedule and swapping between the 747/330 depending on how the loads are both ex LGW and GLA.

Your flight next week is currently scheduled to be on a 747.

Neil

Thanks Neil, I'd checked the VA website and it's still saying 747, but as it was not full i was hoping they would downsize to the 330!
As always thankyou for the information.... Vikkicat

Vikkicat wrote:Thanks Neil, I'd checked the VA website and it's still saying 747, but as it was not full i was hoping they would downsize to the 330!
As always thankyou for the information.... Vikkicat

Vikkicat, the plane for your flight may not be full but it is quite possible that the return flight might be in which case it would be pointless changing the aircraft type