V-Flyer

Hi all
On vs 17 on the 25 th may and have noticed that its been using the a343 a bit lately ,apart from the obvious IFE weakness on this type is there anything else that might make this inferior to the 346 or am I worrying about nothing

seats are the same, service is the same so apart from the IFE I can't say there is a big difference other than a slightly difference number of seats and cabin layout.

I don't think there is a dedicated PE bathroom on the 343

Thanks Sam ,in UC so not too worried about that ,just always had the feeling the 343 was the worst type in the fleet and was a bit gutted to see they have been using it on this route lately,are they original suites or have they been refitted because these are quite old planes aren't they ?

Blacky1 wrote:Thanks Sam ,in UC so not too worried about that ,just always had the feeling the 343 was the worst type in the fleet and was a bit gutted to see they have been using it on this route lately,are they original suites or have they been refitted because these are quite old planes aren't they ?

No refit, they're the same UCS as all the non 330 aircraft. The only issue is the IFE. I thought the 330 was officially now the 'worst type in the fleet'

Ha ha pjh ,I haven't been in the old UC which was one reason I chose this flight but didn't realise til after I booked that the 343 sometimes crops up so I shall reserve my judgement on old vs new suite which I guess is what you are referring too ,

Blacky1 wrote:Thanks Sam ,in UC so not too worried about that ,just always had the feeling the 343 was the worst type in the fleet and was a bit gutted to see they have been using it on this route lately,are they original suites or have they been refitted because these are quite old planes aren't they ?

Actually, the 343s have the newest of the old UCS suites as they were the last to be refitted. I had the misfortune to have three out of four flights on the A343 on the one and only 343 not to be refitted and which later left the fleet. However, as if to make up for that, three out of my last four 343 flights were on G-VSUN which is the only one with VERA -Whatevervportcallsitselfnowadys! )

With regard the 343 in general, I much prefer the layout in the UC cabin. It is smaller and more intimate as I really hate the dormitory-like appearance on the A346. It just does not look like a premier cabin in my view.

Thanks HL ,I must say looking at the layout on here it does look better with the way there is more UC the other side of the bar rather than the PE cabin

Blacky1 wrote:Ha ha pjh ,I haven't been in the old UC which was one reason I chose this flight but didn't realise til after I booked that the 343 sometimes crops up so I shall reserve my judgement on old vs new suite which I guess is what you are referring too ,

Indeed. I have written down my guess on which of the UC variants you prefer and placed it in an envelope to be opened post your trip. Have all of these been on 330's thus far?

Yes ,3 trips in the UCDS so am keen to compare the two,I know the general consensus is that the old suite is superior ,to be honest I don't mind the new suite but as I have no comparison to the old I guess I'm in a bit of role reversal to a lot of people on here who have been on the old suite a lot

Blacky1 wrote:Thanks HL ,I must say looking at the layout on here it does look better with the way there is more UC the other side of the bar rather than the PE cabin

That's the uc snooze zone ...I think. I flew uc on vs10 a coupe if times and I seem to recall a snooze zone seat when I last flew on the 343 in that area. This is why thes no dedicated PE bathroom.

Blacky1 wrote:Thanks HL ,I must say looking at the layout on here it does look better with the way there is more UC the other side of the bar rather than the PE cabin

One of the positives of the 346/343 is the 3 across configuration for much of the UC cabin and the fact that you can select a seat that faces a wall instead of a stranger.(though as Dame Edna says, "My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet. She's now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia.")

samfarmer wrote:That's the uc snooze zone ...I think. I flew uc on vs10 a coupe if times and I seem to recall a snooze zone seat when I last flew on the 343 in that area. This is why thes no dedicated PE bathroom.

I don't think there's a snooze zone on VS17...in fact this was discussed last month here...

forum/index.php?f=4&t=279648&p=842896&rb_v=viewtopic#p842896

pjh wrote:I don't think there's a snooze zone on VS17...in fact this was discussed last month here...

forum/index.php?f=4&t=279648&p=842896&rb_v=viewtopic#p842896

Not on the VS17 but on any flight which is a snooze zone one, that's the area on the A343s

I love a good old snooze!

Blacky....a word of caution on the mini UC cabin on the A343s between the bar and PE.....this area does get a lot of footfall in my experience. The galley ahead of the mini cabin serves both UC and PE...so you do find a few trolleys up and down to/from PE and those in PE tend to use the washrooms also, which just makes it a bit busier.

The IFE on the A343s with the exception of G-VSUN is dire too....well past it's sell buy date......

For now, I see you are on a A346 and your flight has a very healthy Y load so that might just ensure you stay on a A346. That said, I personally like the A346 in UC and PE.

Enjoy.

Jon

I was in Upper Class on 343's at the weekend (to and from Dubai). We were in the front cabin on the way out and the mini one behind the bar on the way back. Both were fine. Out had the old reel IFE but V-Port on the way back (although I use my iPad so it doesn't make any difference to me!).

Thanks all for the further info ,selected seats 4-6 k and I guess if it does change I should with any luck retain those seats