Which plane? Flying VS029 4th May 2013

Can anybody help me find out which plane we'll be on please?

Whilst you won't truly know what plane you'll be on until you step onboard, this tool might help with an educated guess as what type of plane you'll be on.

the-toolbox/which-aircraft

[Neil]

Hi and welcome to the site.

If you want to know which specific plane you will be on, then unfortunately you will only find out on the day. Specific a/c names are not given out in advance due to security reasons and also things change on a weekly, daily, even hourly basis so it is very hard to say for certain in advance.

If you want to know the a/c type, then you are currently scheduled to be on a 3 class A330, which is one of the newer, smaller, twin engined airbus a/c that have entered the fleet in the last couple of years.

Thanks,
Neil

many thanks

when picking my seats, it states 747 version 4. What choice of planes would this indicate?

It would be a LHR config 747. You can find the various seat maps here.

Still none the wiser. Config is exactly shown on VA website. Def flying from Gatwick though.

I've been able to book my seat numbers and its an a330 airbus. But not sure on the actual name of the aircraft.

On the VA website it states:
Flight number: VS 029
Operated by: Virgin Atlantic Airways
Departs: London (London Gatwick Airport)
Mon March 04 2013 at 10:30
Arrives: Grantley Adams International Airport
Mon March 04 2013 at 15:15

Meal: Complimentary meal and drinks provided
Aircraft type: Boeing 747-400

[Neil]

The VS site has now changed and it is scheduled to be on a 747, it doesn't state if it a LGW or LHR 747 though.

If you look at the seat map, you will be able to tell as the LGW 747's only 14 UC seats and the upper deck is a mixture of PE and Y. The LHR 747's have a much larger UC cabin downstairs, and the upper deck is a mixture of UC and Y.

Neil

The upper deck shows 10 UC and 33 EC seats

[Neil]

The upper deck shows 10 UC and 33 EC seats

That means it is a LHR 747.

Ok, so what choice of planes has this configuration?

[Neil]

ROC/WOW/BIG/HOT/FAB are the five LHR 747's.

Very many thanks. By a process of elimination, it looks like Lady Penelope (VFAB). Really appreciate your help.

[Neil]

Very many thanks. By a process of elimination, it looks like Lady Penelope (VFAB). Really appreciate your help.

What do you mean? What process have you done to get that result? I've been following VS a/c movements for a good few years now and have yet to work out any pattern or way of predicting more than 48/72 hours in advance.

Of the options you gave me, VFAB is the only plane of this configuration that has flown this route.

Registration %
G-VAST 17%
G-VROY 17%
G-VFAB 17%
G-VROS 12%
G-VXLG 9%
G-VTOP 7%
G-VLIP 7%
G-VGAL 6%
G-VROM 4%

BIG spent a few weeks last summer on the 29 6 days a week if I recall correctly, it could still be any of the 5 of them...

[Neil]

That's because it is normally an LGW route, but during popular/busier periods, or when one of the LGW a/c is away getting maintenance, an LHR a/c is sent to cover/help out.

So with the historical data, that just shows that it was FAB that covered that specific period at LGW for a few days, however it could be any of the five LHR a/c that are sent over when your flight is, it doesn't mean FAB always covers at LGW.

Ok, I must remember not to jump to conclusions..

It could indeed be any one of the LHR configured 744s.....I have flown on them all at some point or another over the last three years from LGW on the VS29/30.....

Jon

The VS site has now changed and it is scheduled to be on a 747, it doesn't state if it a LGW or LHR 747 though.

If you look at the seat map, you will be able to tell as the LGW 747's only 14 UC seats and the upper deck is a mixture of PE and Y. The LHR 747's have a much larger UC cabin downstairs, and the upper deck is a mixture of UC and Y.

Neil

Hi Neil,
Im confused, i am on this flight and have been able to book my seats. The Virgin Atlantic site suggests its a A330. Are you able to enlighten me any.