V-Flyer

Hi
I am still finding my way around all the great features on the vflyer site. But I have come across the route database in the tool box..
I am booked on the VS 5/6 next July and have booked 12a and 12k for myself and my wife (first UC experience). Virgin site I showing both inward and outward as 747 config 4.
Looking at the stats for this route it looks like it is rare for a 744 to be used and that most of the time the use ampn Airbus 346.
Is it likey the plane will change any I lose my seat choices?
Regards

I flew this route in August this year and had a 744 on the outbound (Mustang Sally) and an A346 on the inbound I think that VS have the right to change aircraft for operational reasons and that seating is requested and not reserved until check-in (and even then.......??)
I often check the status of my seating to ensure that it hasn't changed just in case y)

The Miami route is currently operated by a 747 on some days of the week and a 346 on others. If I recall correctly a 747 goes out (and back) on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and the 346 goes out on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Thank you.
I am travelling both out and back on a Friday. So this makes sense.
Regards

What are the B744's that do the LHR to MIA like in the cabin? Are the similar to the LGW B744's?

I usually from from LGW with VS into MCO, but next year we're exploring south Florida more so will fly outbound into MIA. I was hoping to get on an A346 but our outbound flight is on a B744 (flying on a Friday) so was a bit disappointed as I've experienced the aging LGW B744 fleet several times.

scnickr wrote:What are the B744's that do the LHR to MIA like in the cabin? Are the similar to the LGW B744's?

I usually from from LGW with VS into MCO, but next year we're exploring south Florida more so will fly outbound into MIA. I was hoping to get on an A346 but our outbound flight is on a B744 (flying on a Friday) so was a bit disappointed as I've experienced the aging LGW B744 fleet several times.

The LHR744 is quite abit different to the LGW744. Such as some Upper Class and Economy seats are upstairs. V:Port and new purple PE seats.

scnickr wrote:I was hoping to get on an A346 but our outbound flight is on a B744 (flying on a Friday) so was a bit disappointed as I've experienced the aging LGW B744 fleet several times.

The LGW fleet is not ageing, which I'll say time and time again - the interiors may be dated, even ageing, but the aircraft are in their prime.

Inside if you're used to the nose UC on a LGW 747 you'll feel very at home on a LHR 747 in the same place - just no bar, that's larger and further back next to the stairs to upstairs. The other thing you'll notice is a second cabin on the main deck behind the nose section, with four abreast UC seating.

Of course you'll get V:Port from LHR but really, it's pretty much the same.

The LGW fleet is not ageing, which I'll say time and time again - the interiors may be dated, even ageing, but the aircraft are in their prime.

Oh sorry, wrong choice of word.

The interiors are very much dated, which I personally think is an understatement. For VS, who are meant to be a quality airline, their B747's (from LGW) don't reflect this.

Thanks for all the information.
Just a couply of related questions
1. How long does it typically to get through immigration etc. To the car hire desks (uk passport and esta)
2 How much time is need for a connecting flight.
Both at mid-afternoon?

Regards

Hi, i am off to MIA on the 23rd Oct,
Manage my booking seat plan shows 744 but booking page shows 346,
Anybody know the actual?
Thank You

Hi Spill,

I fly to MIA quite a lot and it can be a nightmare to get through. There are two different immigration areas and both can get very busy. About 30-60mins is prob the longest time I've spent in these areas.

The car hire desks are located in a new shared rental car facility which I think you now can get a tram/train to. I was there in July and you still had to get the bus to the rental facility.

Hope it helps!

I agree about MIA immigration - horrible! They still have the multi queue system, rather than marshals sending people from the front of one big queue to the next available gate. The upshot of this is sod's law will dictate that you choose the slowest moving of all the queues. n(

Once through baggage reclaim, it is now quite a trek to the MIA people mover, a monorail that takes you to the huge new car rental centre. This is an excellent facility that houses all of the on airport companies, not just the major players. You go to your company's desk to sort out the paper work, then down to the parking garage to pick up the car. Shuttle buses are a thing of the past. y)

Nick

bedsalan wrote:Hi, i am off to MIA on the 23rd Oct,
Manage my booking seat plan shows 744 but booking page shows 346,
Anybody know the actual?
Thank You

bedsalan, you are most welcome to V-Flyer but I see you have already asked this question here. As it has been already answered here and on your original post I have locked that post to keep any discussion and queries about the aircraft on the VS5/6 route in the one place.

It should be noted that when the LGW/MAN fleet go in for refit in the new year both the A330's and B747's there will have the latest interiors in Y, PE and it's rumoured UC too. So it'll be the LHR fleet that is 'behind the times'.

Might have to reconsider my insistence on flying ex-LHR only!

Looking at the schedule for vs5&6, it looks like the 346 is now being used for this LHR-Mia-LHR route. The last time a 747 was used was 10th September.
Wonder wat will happen etween now and July. The seat request page still shows a 744.

so what do people think is the better aircraft for UC - the LHR 346 or the 747?

My flight next April to MIA is showing 747 right now but if it did change to the 346 is that a bad thing? or a good thing?

MCO used to have the multi lane queue system and i always found it advantageous to go far left or far right. For some reason, people usually herd to the middle queues so the end ones tend to be quieter. Alternatively, maybe i was just lucky ii)

MrsB