V-Flyer

I taxied past a Ryan International A330-300 on the remote stands at Gatters today. I believe this was to be Virgin's G-VINE but was leased out, has Virgin taken delivery now that Ryan is in difficulties or was it just a maintenance visit perhaps?

Skyliner aviation suggests it has returned from lease to VS. it'll be interesting to see what VS do with her because I think the cabin config is Y-W-Y which differs from their other B&S A330s.

She has been returned early and will for the winter operate out of LGW to the Caribbean

So how many of the 330's in total will be 2 class LGW and how many 3 class at LHR. The next one at LHR - WAG is 3 class isnt it?

Think G-VINE will prob be in 3 config

virginboy747 wrote:Think G-VINE will prob be in 3 config

I thought the company said that this would remain in 2 class config for the time being?

Also I don't think they have mentioned Caribbean flights specifically, just 'quieter' flights.

Still carrying her US registration, she's swapped places at the Virgin Hangar (7) with a very naked looking G-VSHY.

RIP Madame butterfly

RIPMadsButts wrote:RIP Madame butterfly

She's showing as for sale on the Airbus website

I might be able to scrape together a few quid!

Do Airbus have a Quality Used Aircraft lot, just down the road from the main factory?

"One careful owner, little old lady used it for only for flying to church on Sundays."

I dont think anyone wants a 346 do they as they don't seem to have lived up to Airbus's fuel efficiency promises have they?

I believe that the 4 A346's that VS are getting rid of are early-build models which are heavier and therefore less fuel efficient than the others in the fleet.

mitchja wrote:I dont think anyone wants a 346 do they as they don't seem to have lived up to Airbus's fuel efficiency promises have they?

Depends what it's used for, how much the purchase price is (which could offset several year's fuel costs) etc. If you filled it with 450 Y seats and worked hard then could be good, but yes, you're right that these early birds were not meeting their goals and the 346 is expensive to run compared to aeroplanes of similar size (i.e. 77Ws).

VINE is now scheduled to move up to MAN next week (11th)...presumably to enter the paint facility.

Ryan International is in CH. 13 BK right now, the aircraft was returned early, no idea if it is staying 2 class or going to a 3 class layout.

Did VINE come back from MAN to LGW yesterday? And has it been painted in VS colours yet? Do we know if they have decided what class it is gonna be?

She will be in two class config like SXY and KSS and operate out of lgw on the quieter Caribbean routes for the winter

Any idea how soon we will see her in the air?

RLF wrote:Any idea how soon we will see her in the air?

Probably quite soon as she's in the air as I speak from MAN descending into London.

scnickr wrote:

RLF wrote:Any idea how soon we will see her in the air?

Probably quite soon as she's in the air as I speak from MAN descending into London.

Sorry, I meant in revenue earning service...

RLF wrote:

scnickr wrote:

RLF wrote:Any idea how soon we will see her in the air?

Probably quite soon as she's in the air as I speak from MAN descending into London.

Sorry, I meant in revenue earning service...

I know.

If she's returning to London then I'd imagine she's due to start flying soon with passengers.

Just a thought, if she goes into service at LGW, would that mean that VS could send 2 747's at a time away for refit to get them done??

Saw her tonight just before 7pm. 2 747's and 2 A330 parked up.

Was she in nice shiny VS colours or still all white?