V-Flyer

Just seen on Airliners.net that G-VINE made its 1st flight last month. Will this be heading straight to VS or to China?

Seems odd that the pic came up with the VS pics.

If G-VINE is the fifth on the list, then yes, it's off to China IIRC.

Airfleets has it down as being delivered to VS - but none of the others so maybe the plan has changed again?

I believe the plan was to take 2 and short lease 3 bit they've only been able to lease 2 so far. I don't know what they're planning to do now though. I guess it'll either join the VS fleet soon or get parked until the new UC is ready to be fitted.

Well logic would say use one on the VS075/76, one on the VS027/28 and the other on VS071/72 rather than keep swapping the 27 and 71 between the A330 and 747.

What has logic got to do with it?

jwhite9185 wrote:Well logic would say use one on the VS075/76, one on the VS027/28 and the other on VS071/72 rather than keep swapping the 27 and 71 between the A330 and 747.

Whilst it might seam sensible and logical to us, logic does not necessarily apply in the airline world where they need time to carry out maintenance checks etc and thats not always possible with current turn around times let alone trying to catch up from any earlier delays in flights.

Loads also vary so whilst it might be logical to send a smaller plane outbound pax demand may indicate a larger one is needed on the return so they send a large plane.

Would VS take a 3rd leisure config plane? Even as a stop gap until the new UC is launched or would it be cheaper to park and store the plane rather than have to re-config it with the new cabins?

Well MSN1229 was delivered 3 days ago so whatever is going to happen to MSN1231 we'll know soon ...

I am looking forward to see some piccies and reports of one fitted with uc.

Does any one know when the first one with uc is due to come into service ?

hectershouse wrote:I am looking forward to see some piccies and reports of one fitted with uc.

Does any one know when the first one with uc is due to come into service ?

I think that will be a while as there is no sign of the new Upper Suite as yet.

Ah the ongoing new UC suite saga, reminds me of the LGW/MAN refurb mess.

It will happen but when is a total mystery.

McMaddog wrote:Well MSN1229 was delivered 3 days ago so whatever is going to happen to MSN1231 we'll know soon ...

From this picture it looks like she's in short term storage.

McMaddog wrote:

McMaddog wrote:Well MSN1229 was delivered 3 days ago so whatever is going to happen to MSN1231 we'll know soon ...

From this picture it looks like she's in short term storage.

As it appears to be in the all white config, could this be the one that is going to Astraeus to offer for ACMI work ?

Credit Crunch wrote:

McMaddog wrote:

McMaddog wrote:Well MSN1229 was delivered 3 days ago so whatever is going to happen to MSN1231 we'll know soon ...

From this picture it looks like she's in short term storage.

As it appears to be in the all white config, could this be the one that is going to Astraeus to offer for ACMI work ?

She's been flown to Lourdes for "interim storage"
source

Apparently G-VINE positioned to LGW today after storage prior to painting link

McMaddog wrote:Apparently G-VINE positioned to LGW today after storage prior to painting link

Woo, thanks. So presumably it's either being fitted out internally or heading soon to MAN for painting. Sounds promising news y) .

If it is being fitted out, what will the Upper be like, assuming it has it?

The old suite is not classed as disabled-accessible and cannot be used on new planes flying to the US.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publicat ... sabled.htm

Darren Wheeler wrote:If it is being fitted out, what will the Upper be like, assuming it has it?

The old suite is not classed as disabled-accessible and cannot be used on new planes flying to the US.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publicat ... sabled.htm

I thought G-VINE was slated for the brand new UCS since it was parked awaiting it. In Spring we should hopefully see the 2 short-term loan birds come back from Taiwan for their UCS fit-out. The next new A330 (MSN1296) is shortly to begin assembly in Toulouse as Airbus have reached MSN1280. One assumes that all the 744s being refitted will also have the new UCS.

McMaddog wrote:

Darren Wheeler wrote:If it is being fitted out, what will the Upper be like, assuming it has it?

The old suite is not classed as disabled-accessible and cannot be used on new planes flying to the US.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publicat ... sabled.htm

I thought G-VINE was slated for the brand new UCS since it was parked awaiting it. In Spring we should hopefully see the 2 short-term loan birds come back from Taiwan for their UCS fit-out. The next new A330 (MSN1296) is shortly to begin assembly in Toulouse as Airbus have reached MSN1280. One assumes that all the 744s being refitted will also have the new UCS.

The article on the VS website only says this though:

you'll soon enjoy new seats in Premium Economy and Economy

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... %2011-_-UK

Unless they are just playing down the 'new UCS' as if it doesn't exist...?

MrT wrote:The article on the VS website only says this though:

you'll soon enjoy new seats in Premium Economy and Economy

Unless they are just playing down the 'new UCS' as if it doesn't exist...?

ISTBC but I don't believe there has been any formal announcement of the new UCS? Just a few of us know it is happening.

McMaddog wrote:Apparently G-VINE positioned to LGW today after storage prior to painting link

Uh oh, looks like G-VINE is off .

slinky09 wrote:

McMaddog wrote:Apparently G-VINE positioned to LGW today after storage prior to painting link

Uh oh, looks like G-VINE is off .

Let's hope the rumour is wrong. I was hoping she was here to be kitted out with the new UCS before the installs started on the currently in service birds.

I heard G-VINE was going off to Ryan International for a short period to ferry troops fro Afghanistan.

According to Wikipedia (so probably rubbish!) Ryan International will be taking 2 VS A333's.

Did a search on google and it seems that Ryan are looking for various 'A330 experienced' staff.