744 v A330 what is you opinion ?

after returning from a trip to mco (uc 744 out,pe A330 back) i was wandering what was the general trend of opinion regarding 744 v A330 and what were your experiences ?

i have posted my return trip report, if you would like to check it out and compare notes i would be very interested to hear your thoughts.


forum/index.php?f=6&t=278521&rb_v=viewtopic

744 all the way for me, feels so much more spacious in my opinion

Another tick for the 744 from me,only flown Once on an A330 and that was in UC last week ,whilst I really enjoyed it because it was my first time I don't think I would do it again unless it was on a 744,I felt that they have tried to cram in too many suites,
Had a good chat with a couple of the cc at the bar about the plane and to say they don't like the 330 would be a massive understatement
Blacky

744 every time

Nope, you are all wrong.

I read your trip reports and was astonished by your comment about noise. Plus, you'll find economy blooming uncomfortable and cramped on pretty much all aircraft!

In my view the Airbus wins by a country mile - significantly quieter than the awful jumbo aircon, better air quality, newer stylish fittings vs the humdrum Boeing style.

On a more serious note, whilst I sympathise with the staff who dislike the A333 (and think that the airline's decision not to provide a crew rest is just shooting itself in the foot), I don't think that poorer service is justified in any way by their feelings about the equipment. You pay the same regardless of aircraft, and you should expect the same standards.

(I realise that no one has suggested otherwise, but just think the point is worth making.)

On a more serious note, whilst I sympathise with the staff who dislike the A333 (and think that the airline's decision not to provide a crew rest is just shooting itself in the foot), I don't think that poorer service is justified in any way by their feelings about the equipment. You pay the same regardless of aircraft, and you should expect the same standards.

It does astonish me that crew are even discussing how much they don't like it with passengers, it's a tad unprofessional in my opinion.

The A330-300 has the same size fuselage as the A340-300 but the A330 has an exter row of UC seats are the new UC seats smaller ?

The A330-300 has the same size fuselage as the A340-300 but the A330 has an exter row of UC seats are the new UC seats smaller ?

Oh boy, now there's a can of worms. VS would say no, that they have been clever with space, herringbone layout, narrower aisles etc so as not to compromise the actuial seat space.

Having flown it, I call BS on that one, especially as regards ottoman and shoulder width (when in bed mode). Cramped, lack of privacy and I for one am going out of my way to avoid UC on 330s. A-Zone on the 744 any time (19A today for me to JFK, doesn't get a lot better than that)

Many people don't like the new UCDS compared to the old one ,personally I liked the suite but there are too many of them in the A330 it's that simple .

I have only been in the old UC seats but am flying on an A330 in september so i will able to see for myself

Ken54, I haven't done the old suite yet so will be interesting to compare the two ,I'm a big chap at 6ft 2 and 19 st and I honestly didn't find the suite cramped ,it's just the lack of privacy around you I didn't think was good ,this has been said before but on this plane it should be a 1-1-1 config but I guess the financial aspect says otherwise

I think your right it should be 1-1-1 as the A340

Sat in 2 and 3 g in the middle ,didn't like not having a window to gaze out of

I found economy on the A330 pretty good compared to the A346 and the 744 - Although admittedly it had been years since I flew Economy on the 346 and 744.

744 every time. I just chosen BA for my flight next month. To DXB as VS are operating a 333 and I didn't fancy th new UCDS

I did't find the A330 PE seats hard at all. Are the same seats fitted in the refurbed 747's?

another 747 vote here...blow the noise, the plane is a classsic and the chance to sit in the bubble mustnt be missed. must rank as one of the great designs of the century (or two)

I think the 330 is a heap of ship and virgin have done it no favours
I'm currently training ATM for crew with them and the a/c only goes to crappy places like Mumbai vs3 and mco spew
747's arnt much better as even though they been refitted you can still see the old framework inside heap of crap I think tbh

another 747 vote here...blow the noise, the plane is a classsic and the chance to sit in the bubble mustnt be missed. must rank as one of the great designs of the century (or two)

Agreed, nearly everyone can tell you what type a 747 is just by looking at it, can't say that about many others! Concorde maybe!

I totally agree about the iconic design of the 744, and all of the great things it brings (the bubble, the nose, etc.). But I still think the Airbus now delivers on average a better passenger experience -- ignoring airline-specific issues such as VS's decision to fit too many new UC suites into the forward section!

Order as follows:

A346
B747
A343
A333 by a country mile

All comparing the experience at the front. While I do love flying in a 747, and there's nowhere else like the nose, I always feel more tired compared to an A346 and I think the A346s are styled and fitted out better (the LHR 747s in UC are really beginning to show their age since the UC suite and cabin was fitted).

Others have commented on the A333 and my views are well shared. Don't forget there are the same number of seats in UC as an A343 but all in the front cabin, not the mini cabin behind the galley as well. On the 333s there should be no difference in Y and PE since the cabin width is the same on all Airbus types albeit variations in the actual seats in Y depending on when they were fitted.

I was wondering why the A340s were left out of this. For me the A340-600 beats all the others easily.

I was wondering why the A340s were left out of this. For me the A340-600 beats all the others easily.

after returning from a trip to mco (uc 744 out,pe A330 back) i was wandering what was the general trend of opinion regarding 744 v A330 and what were your experiences ?

I hope William c doesn't lead virgin atlantics press team to an actual trainee (for their sake) not great PR, when their own crew are so against their newest aircraft with flagship business class product...

Opinions are great but I wouldn't be so vocal on a site I know is frequented by my companies management.

Back on track...

747 all the way... A330 lacks a certain something in all classes.

Wow a good lot of opinions here ..

For me if travelling ECO or PE the A333 wins hands down, better IFE, seats and it all feels a lot newer too - got to say I have yet to try out a refit, this is purely based on the LHR 747s.

For UC whilst the new 'dream suite' is not the best offering for the front of the plane, it is a fairly good day seat.. just a rubbish bed, coupled with a cramped cabin could easily bring the whole rating down.

I do have a soft spot for the nose cabin in the 747, but judging the planes as a whole I would say A333..... are those pitch forks I hear being sharpened ii)

For me the A340-600 beats all the others easily.

Not really the original question, but agreed y) y)

I hope William c doesn't lead virgin atlantics press team to an actual trainee (for their sake) not great PR, when their own crew are so against their newest aircraft with flagship business class product...

Opinions are great but I wouldn't be so vocal on a site I know is frequented by my companies management.

If I were management I would be tweaking the company brainwashing machine as it evidently is not working ): ... A free forum such as this may very be the only way that some staffers will have the opportunity to leave comments on products.. management should look, listen and learn as opposed to censoring the masses.. who knows they may learn something