V-Flyer

Just thought this would be a bit of pointless fun.

The refit which is running to "tight" schedules according to the ITV piece and supposed to take 4 weeks per aircraft is taking 6 weeks or so, 50% more time than planned.

Of course it might speed up, which is what I hope. I want to go to Vegas in October but will look at other options if I don't have at least a 50% chance of being on a refitted plane, especially when asked for £700 for an economy ticket.

So when do people think G-VLIP will be back at Gatwick?

I am going with 25 August.

I do find it quite amusing how obsessed people are with the refits and the chance of getting a refitted a/c. Until all a/c are done and TOP has left the fleet there is always going to be a chance you will be on a non refitted a/c.

why not go from LHR via LA, or SFO, and then its only a short hop from there to Vegas

I usually do this, and use VX from SFO

Neil wrote:I do find it quite assuming how obsessed people are with the refits and the chance of getting a refitted a/c. Until all a/c are done and TOP has left the fleet there is always going to be a chance you will be on a non refitted a/c.

Ditto !

Neil wrote:I do find it quite assuming how obsessed people are with the refits and the chance of getting a refitted a/c. Until all a/c are done and TOP has left the fleet there is always going to be a chance you will be on a non refitted a/c.

I think you assume too much!

ditto!!

however, was the OP trying to organise some sort of sweepstake for fun, guessing when VLIP will be back, compared to when VS have said she will be back?

As has been said, for the next 6-9 months no one will be certain of getting a refurbished a/c until they actually board it.

it was supposed to be a bit of harmless fun/sweepstake (where points do not mean prizes!)

Neil wrote:I do find it quite amusing how obsessed people are with the refits and the chance of getting a refitted a/c. Until all a/c are done and TOP has left the fleet there is always going to be a chance you will be on a non refitted a/c.

Well, I'm not sure "obsessed" is the right word. We have our first trip with Virgin coming up (to Barbados) and having read some of the comments in the trip reports about the state of the aircraft interiors, we are desparately hoping for a refurb. I worked very hard pursuading my wife that we should fork out the extra for a PE upgrade and I think I'd be lynched by the family if they end up with lumpy seats and no IFE!

hunterdwmgzt wrote:Well, I'm not sure "obsessed" is the right word. We have our first trip with Virgin coming up (to Barbados) and having read some of the comments in the trip reports about the state of the aircraft interiors, we are desparately hoping for a refurb. I worked very hard pursuading my wife that we should fork out the extra for a PE upgrade and I think I'd be lynched by the family if they end up with lumpy seats and no IFE!

The times recently I've had no IFE, it was on the London Heathrow flights with V-Port (power issue)... So, are you getting confused here? If anything the Gatwick flights are more consistent for getting the IFE, though some films fail to play (I've had half the same films on the way back because the others wouldn't work, but not the IFE not working at all)

And I've not flown with lumpy seats in Economy, PE or Upper on anywhere on the VS fleet so cannot comment on that aspect, though do wonder why negative comments use exactly the same words 'tired and dirty' to describe the LGW seats, its very very strange...

Neil wrote:I do find it quite amusing how obsessed people are with the refits and the chance of getting a refitted a/c. Until all a/c are done and TOP has left the fleet there is always going to be a chance you will be on a non refitted a/c.

As the OP said it his post it was just meant to be a bit of "pointless fun". Can't you just answer the question?

It's certainly not being obsessed!

I also personally find it nice keeping a check on where VS are with the refits and it's exciting for those due to go on their hols to know whether they're going to get a refitted aircraft or not.

scnickr wrote:

Neil wrote:I do find it quite amusing how obsessed people are with the refits and the chance of getting a refitted a/c. Until all a/c are done and TOP has left the fleet there is always going to be a chance you will be on a non refitted a/c.

As the OP said it his post it was just meant to be a bit of "pointless fun". Can't you just answer the question?

It's certainly not being obsessed!

I also personally find it nice keeping a check on where VS are with the refits and it's exciting for those due to go on their hols to know whether they're going to get a refitted aircraft or not.

But the OP didn't just ask a question, they made a statement about not booking VS if at least 50% of the a/c aren't refitted before October, which is what my post was in reference to. I'm not a fan of speculating on something I have no control on and I'm pretty sure there is no obligation to answer a question just because one was asked in a post.

Everyone is entilted to their opinion and free to make their own decisions, but the situation is and has been pretty clear for a while now, we have sticky threads detailing the progress, we have the first information of when the a/c are due to back for HKG but ultimately we can't change anything that is happening.

We can all check every hour of everyday and it won't change and we won't 100% know what a/c we will be on until we are sat in our seats, for me it is pointless worrying about things you cannot control. Would having a non refitted a/c really ruin someone's two week family holiday to Orlando? I can't imagine many who would say yes.

Will she be getting a respray into the new colours at Manchester first?

Penny_L wrote:why not go from LHR via LA, or SFO, and then its only a short hop from there to Vegas

I usually do this, and use VX from SFO

This was my plan. Travelling to LA and driving to Vegas!

RIPMadsButts wrote:This was my plan. Travelling to LA and driving to Vegas!

Be warned - it's a very, very, dull drive. Very doable, but not an iconic US road trip.

A very, very dull drive...? I am not sure I would agree - it might not be Route 66 but it is only 3 1/2 hours or so from LAX, and I usually find it OK and not too boring at all - some parts are actually quite interesting....

deep_south wrote:A very, very dull drive...? I am not sure I would agree - it might not be Route 66 but it is only 3 1/2 hours or so from LAX, and I usually find it OK and not too boring at all - some parts are actually quite interesting....

Sorry, should have course have added "in my opinion". B)

We love the drive from Vegas to LA area. This year we are flying into Vegas and then driving to the Laguna beach area after three days in Vegas. We always stop en route in Baker...'Home go the worlds tallest thermometer' it's old school California highway town and great for a lunch or breakfast stop.
I have three children and we are all crossing our fingers and toes that we get a refurb plane. It's just like any other experience that you buy (dinner at a great restaurant...you want the best table possible, theatre or concert...you want the best view). There is such a huge difference between the old system s in terms of choice and usability who wouldn't want the latest and best thats available. Chuckles...I'm crossing my toes and fingers for you you too.

skipness1E wrote:Will she be getting a respray into the new colours at Manchester first?

Went straight to HKG i believe. Not sure if it will be getting redone on the way back, but i doubt it as VLIP has only been in its current livery a couple of years.