V-Flyer

Hi All
Following on from @Kari's thread about IFE on 343s.
until yesterday on MMB the aircraft type was showing A346(and has been for a while). @Kari is flying LHR-NRT in November I am flying in December. However yesterday it changed to A343. When I checked on flightstats it is still showing the A/C type as A346.
My question is does anyone know if this is simply MMB up to its usual tricks? (it even showed B747 at one point today). Which one is more likely to be correct-flightstats or MMB?

there could be aircraft type changes on certain routes when the winter schedule starts

Penny_L wrote:there could be aircraft type changes on certain routes when the winter schedule starts

I feared you might say that n(
just wondering about the difference between flightstats and MMB

tried a few dummy bookings on VS website for dates in Nov/Dec, some dates are showing as 343, some 346

Penny_L wrote:tried a few dummy bookings on VS website for dates in Nov/Dec, some dates are showing as 343, some 346

Thanks Penny
I wonder then if it is a load issue hmmm
One of the mysteries of air travel lol

To answer your last question - MMB is more likely to be correct. I know this is not the answer you were hoping for - sorry.

at240 wrote:To answer your last question - MMB is more likely to be correct. I know this is not the answer you were hoping for - sorry.

Thanks at240
I feared you would say that but thanks
Will keep checking and if a 343 is on the cards we still have 1in4 chance of decent IFE otherwise will also make sure to load up the iPhone with entertainment and also write my TR

gfonk wrote:Thanks at240
I feared you would say that but thanks
Will keep checking and if a 343 is on the cards we still have 1in4 chance of decent IFE otherwise will also make sure to load up the iPhone with entertainment and also write my TR

As you have said it has thus far changed a couple of times.. keep an eye out, December is still quite far off.

A bit of advice, when the IFE does not take my fancy and I am travelling in UC - use the bar... not necessarily to drink the place dry (as I occasionally strive to do ii) ) , but as a good social environment. The crew are usually very good at keeping someone about to have a chat with and I have had some amazing debates and conversations with pax and crew there in the past y)

If you are on an A343 and the G-VSUN god is not listening to your prayers then it won't be the end of the world, never fear the VS crew will be on hand 8D

Thanks joey
That's good advice
I like the G-VSUN pun that was good:-)
Yes I will keep checking. I'm a bit OCD like that lol
Also for the last winter season I had worked out how to predict which plane was going to be on the NRT route but have not been able to do it during this summer schedule

Looks like its everyday but Friday on the 343 ATM. Could change again

Richie wrote:Looks like its everyday but Friday on the 343 ATM. Could change again

I wonder why it's changed for winter season hmmm no fair lol
Fingers crossed

Updated VS winter schedule :

http://airlineroute.net/2013/07/22/vs-pvgnrt-w13/

Thanks

flyingfox wrote:Updated VS winter schedule :

http://airlineroute.net/2013/07/22/vs-pvgnrt-w13/

Thanks

Thanks flyingfox
What does that mean? I'm a rookie here so would appreciate done help

It means from Oct 27th, when the winter schedule begins, the Tokyo flight will be operated by an A343 every day except Friday when it'll be an A346. On the return leg, it's an A343 every day except Saturday.

Shanghai will be an A343 half the week and an A346 the other half.

gumshoe wrote:It means from Oct 27th, when the winter schedule begins, the Tokyo flight will be operated by an A343 every day except Friday when it'll be an A346. On the return leg, it's an A343 every day except Saturday.

Shanghai will be an A343 half the week and an A346 the other half.

Thanks very much gumshoe
I understand
So now I am back to the odds of 1in4 chance of the G-VSUN
Does anyone know the reason for such a change?

The routes the A343s primarily operate now - Vancouver and Chicago - don't operate during the winter so they've got to go somewhere!

gumshoe wrote:The routes the A343s primarily operate now - Vancouver and Chicago - don't operate during the winter so they've got to go somewhere!

I seeee
Thanks gumshoe
Just feels a bit disappointing to get REEL when you pay for UC in this day and age:-(

Well I guess I better load up my devices
Or play simcity:-) lol

I never use IFE apart from the skymap. Why risk relying on a system that frequently falls over (whether Reel or Touch) and that may not have anything I want to watch when I can load my iPad full of films, TV and music I'm guaranteed to like and can access in far better quality?

I'm surprised in 2013 so many people still care about IFE. Surely in the next 5-10 years, as decent in-flight wifi becomes standard and most people own a tablet or laptop, it'll become redundant.

@Gumshoe - You make a very good point actually.
I still don't have a laptop or tablet but have a lot of capacity on my iPhone
I already watch sports and iplayer on this so why not movies or drama series etc
Also playing time consuming games like simcity. Which I never have enough time for at home.
You are right-once wifi becomes the norm and the inplane usage costs come right down you wouldn't need IFE
I feel more positive about my next flight now thanks
Just gotta get organised

hi gfonk

gumshoe explained it better than I would have
At least you will have the tried and tested UCS, I would choose that any day over the A330 with VERA and the UCDS!

Thanks

flyingfox wrote:hi gfonk

gumshoe explained it better than I would have
At least you will have the tried and tested UCS, I would choose that any day over the A330 with VERA and the UCDS!

Thanks

Hi flyingfox
Yes that is true. gumshoe (or should I say mr miyagi ) has made me see my glass as half full and am now actually looking forward to creating my own IFE with movies and TV that I haven't seen before or for a long time.
RE: the UCS, yes that seems to be the consensus and I am quite happy to stick with UCS.