A340-300 - advice please

Would like some advice regarding flying on the A340-300.

I'm looking to book a couple of G rewards to JFK for the end of Feb 2013 and the only available seats appear to be on this AC.

I've flown in UC on all of the other VS planes (747 still my favourite, even over the new UC-suite in the 330) but never on this one.

How does it compare? What is the IFE like?

Advice appreciated thanks.

[buns]

I would strongly suggest you look up the Trip Reports for the VS 3 and 4

The consensus of opinion is the 330 has the"Marmite" factor - folks either love or hate it

BTW I have not yet had the pleasure ):

buns

There are four 340-300s, one with VERA on demand (g-vsun) like the 340-600s and three with VERA real which are tapes on a loop system. On these three aircraft Samsung tablets are now handed out in upper and premium so that these pax have on-demand entertainment the same as the rest of the fleet.

G-VFAR, G-VAIR and G-VELD are VERA Reel aircraft with VERA Tab tablets given in UC and Prem. G-VSUN is a VERA on-demand aircraft.

My advise, bring something to do or read on the A343 unless you are in UC or Prem.

Thanks - will hopefully be in UC but lets hope its still G-VSUN.
Wonder how long these aircraft will be in operation?
Not sure why they would be on the popular JFK route?

How does it compare? What is the IFE like?

Advice appreciated thanks.

UC and PE on these aircraft are exactly the same as on other A346s and the service is the same as on all aircraft. Yes the single difference is with the three that don't have AVOD (I just can't call it Vera), although as VB says you do get given tablets loaded with some movies. I quite like the A343s, they're quiet and smooth, and as to why popular on this route that's down to VS ops, they know the right size for each flight number and the 343 obviously works - note that it can easily change however.

I've only flown on a 343 in UC so can't compare with any other plane but I love the cabin on the 343. It just feels the right size for a premium cabin to me.

Also has the advantage that the snooze zone on inbound flights is in the mini UC section behind the Galley in UC.

will they leave the fleet in 2013? And does anyone know which is leaving first? My prediction is that G-VSUN is leaving first because it is the oldest A340-300 in the active fleet

will they leave the fleet in 2013? And does anyone know which is leaving first? My prediction is that G-VSUN is leaving first because it is the oldest A340-300 in the active fleet

Age is not necessarily the prime criteria when making a decision to retire an aircraft from a fleet.

Other considerations such as if it she leased and when is that lease up for renewal may have more of a bearing that her passing a particular birthday.

Dont think they'll be leaving until the dreamliners arrive

will they leave the fleet in 2013? And does anyone know which is leaving first? My prediction is that G-VSUN is leaving first because it is the oldest A340-300 in the active fleet

Age is not necessarily the prime criteria when making a decision to retire an aircraft from a fleet.

Other considerations such as if it she leased and when is that lease up for renewal may have more of a bearing that her passing a particular birthday.

G-VSHY was the oldest A346 in the fleet before unfortunately, she was withdrawn. So that is why i think VSUN will leave first

I don't think the 340-300's are leaving until 2014. The only fleet retirements next year are 1 x 747 (G-VTOP) ans 2 x 346's (not sure which ones).

ALT and GOA leave next year along with TOP. The 600s so far have left in age order because they were built for virgin as the launch customer. The 300 are different. Virgin own G-VFAR for a start so will prob be the last to leave......

ALT and GOA leave next year along with TOP. The 600s so far have left in age order because they were built for virgin as the launch customer
. The 300 are different. Virgin own G-VFAR for a start so will prob be the last to leave......

When will the 2 a340's leave