New Upper Class and A330's

A bit more info here http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/06/39496/virgin+atlantic+to+launch+new+upper+class.html so sounds like the VS3 will be the first to get the new Upper Seating and Bar.

So, news begins to seep. Very keen to see what it all is.

Interesting that at the same time as announcing an increase in UC bookings to New York, VS is also downsizing some of the planes.

It seems that the VS site is showing VS3 as an A343 next winter, probably as a 'placeholder' for the A333 intro.

It seems that the VS site is showing VS3 as an A343 next winter, probably as a 'placeholder' for the A333 intro.

That was announced and commented on a while back, seehere for the news.

And, according to this, capacity is being cut further with the VS9/10 becoming an A343. So that's 52 fewer UC seats per day compared to A346s.

So these may be placeholders for A333s, but I'm scratching my head - why announce J pax up, cut capacity, then announce a bigger JFK clubhouse ?| . Perhaps the fourth daily JFK is coming back, after all BA just launched an eighth daily 747 :0 ?

I wonder if anyone here is amongst the 1,200 ..

The cabin and service were developed with the help of 1,200 frequent flyers, who took part in surveys and in some cases joined workshops, with a group of 50 spending time sleeping in the seats at the cabin development facility

Has anybody out there slept in a hangar near Crawley recently and would like to share what they can?

this just appeared in the VS FB page

3 years to roll out though ?| ?| This could be the new livery all over again with twelfty variations all potentially leading to pax confusion and disappointment.

3 years to roll out though ?| ?| Thisd could be the new livery all over again with twelfty variations all potentially leading to pax confusion and dissapointment.

More likely it's when the last A340-600 is returned to its lessor and the final B787 is delivered.

this just appeared in the VS FB page

3 years to roll out though ?| ?| This could be the new livery all over again with twelfty variations all potentially leading to pax confusion and disappointment.

And queue all the mumping from the Gatwick customers (including me !!) v(


David

[Neil]

Yes, interestingly it only mentions the it rolling out on the new A330 LHR a/c, so one would assume that the LGW/MAN 747's refits won't get the new UC seat, which seems a very strange decision if that is the case.

[Darren Wheeler]

Assuming the suite is not already included in the LGW/MAN refits?

And queue all the mumping from the Gatwick customers (including me !!) v(
David

I think you'll find that's going to be the reverse - it's likely all the LGW fleet will be converted this year or as Neil says, it would be very odd if not!

Maybe the A333 will be the first on display and then the LGW fleet start coming back from their refits hopefully with the new seat.

[Neil]

Maybe the A333 will be the first on display and then the LGW fleet start coming back from their refits hopefully with the new seat.

First LGW 747 after refits due back mid April, but didn't think the new A330 for LHR would be until mid year?

I guess worst case we only have a couple of months until we know for certain.

And queue all the mumping from the Gatwick customers (including me !!) v(
David

I think you'll find that's going to be the reverse - it's likely all the LGW fleet will be converted this year or as Neil says, it would be very odd if not!

You would think so but this is VS - this http://www.virgin.com/travel/news/virgi ... ss-product press release says "before rolling out across all aircraft joining Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow fleet."

The Gatwick fleet isn't mentioned in any of the links in this thread


David

Here's why I think that new UCS will be in the LGW fleet this year:

- It will be designed to fit the 747 since the LHR 747s will be around for a while.
- It makes no sense to fit old UCS in the LGW refits - means long term difference with associated maintenance cost.
- The LGW fleet will have JAM, it's already announced I believe, as will the LHR A333s and therefore the refitted aircraft - that means IFE commonality with the new suite.

Just because the LGW fleet is in the announcement would not bother me, that has already be widely announced (the refit that is).

Here's why I think that new UCS will be in the LGW fleet this year:

- It will be designed to fit the 747 since the LHR 747s will be around for a while.
- It makes no sense to fit old UCS in the LGW refits - means long term difference with associated maintenance cost.
- The LGW fleet will have JAM, it's already announced I believe, as will the LHR A333s and therefore the refitted aircraft - that means IFE commonality with the new suite.

Just because the LGW fleet is in the announcement would not bother me, that has already be widely announced (the refit that is).

Fingers crossed you are right y) y)


David

[Neil]

Here's why I think that new UCS will be in the LGW fleet this year:

- It will be designed to fit the 747 since the LHR 747s will be around for a while.
- It makes no sense to fit old UCS in the LGW refits - means long term difference with associated maintenance cost.
- The LGW fleet will have JAM, it's already announced I believe, as will the LHR A333s and therefore the refitted aircraft - that means IFE commonality with the new suite.

Just because the LGW fleet is in the announcement would not bother me, that has already be widely announced (the refit that is).

I agree with everything you have said. It would be a crazy decision by VS to not put the new UCS in, when they have the a/c in for a major refurbishment and it is their new standard product going forward for the next x amount of years.

Finally starting to feel like things are beginning to move! Can't wait to see what the new UC offering is!

Will be very interesting to see how this pans out!

And queue all the mumping from the Gatwick customers (including me !!) v(
David

I think you'll find that's going to be the reverse - it's likely all the LGW fleet will be converted this year or as Neil says, it would be very odd if not!

You would think so but this is VS - this http://www.virgin.com/travel/news/virgi ... ss-product press release says "before rolling out across all aircraft joining Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow fleet."

The Gatwick fleet isn't mentioned in any of the links in this thread


David

I wouldn't get too exercised by the precise content of press releases. It would be very odd if all the lgw/man 747s were refitted with the old seat.

The VS website has not yet been updated consistently to reflect the new PE on the 330s.

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on what the new seat will look like? The press release mentions an 'enhanced seat' is that a brand new seat (something like the new AA offering perhaps?) or will it simply be a refresh?

Possibly something like this

It has a large table and a special place to put the new 'boob' champers glass so it dosen't fall over.

Possibly something like this

It has a large table and a special place to put the new 'boob' champers glass so it dosen't fall over.

^) y)

Possibly something like this

It has a large table and a special place to put the new 'boob' champers glass so it dosen't fall over.

Lol! y)

Strange how on the Virgin Group website, the announcement is tagged "first class"?

Maybe the A333 will be the first on display and then the LGW fleet start coming back from their refits hopefully with the new seat.

First LGW 747 after refits due back mid April, but didn't think the new A330 for LHR would be until mid year?

I guess worst case we only have a couple of months until we know for certain.

According to Jethros fleetlist MSN1296 is due in April. 1285 Rolled off the line on 13th Dec so could be appearing soonish.