V-Flyer

Does anyone know if and when Virgin will be putting some newer planes on the Miami route. Other than the a330s that sometimes fly mid week, the 747s that fly at peak times (Fridays/Saturdays) are so old and tired - I believe the oldest in the fleet. The cabins are particularly tatty which is a real shame being that this is one of Virgins original routes1

To each their own, love the 747, I'm making the most of it while it's still around!

As to your question, really not sure, I've got a return coming up to MIA, departing on a Thursday, returning on a Friday, both are on the 330.

Bonus points for using the word "tired". Ah I remember the constant "when's the refits on the gatwick flights. I wish they were as good as the heathrow ones!"

Personally, I don't find the LHR fleet are in need of refurb. Indeed, had more trouble with recent Gatwick refurbed IFE... Broken both over and the way back.

Flying on the new flight VS117 in January next year and it's on A333. The return on VS6 seems to be on A346.

My MIA flights are also a mix of an A333 and an A346 in Dec this year as well.

All the LHR 744's will probably be gone by the end of this year anyway. I believe 1 is being kept, but is being converted to the LGW/MAN config and moving across to LGW/MAN.

Me and the boyfriend flew to Miami a few weeks back and were surprised at how dated the planes were - the number of times I kept tapping the IFE screen in the hope of some modern touchscreen interaction was frustrating. A large number of people in our cabin were given portable DVD players as the screens were not working.

I love the 747's and when I flew the Mia-LHR route in July I didn't find anything tired or inoperable. I'll be sad when they are gone, really don't think you can beat the A zone on a 747

mitchja wrote:My MIA flights are also a mix of an A333 and an A346 in Dec this year as well.


All the LHR 744's will probably be gone by the end of this year anyway. I believe 1 is being kept, but is being converted to the LGW/MAN config and moving across to LGW/MAN.

Yes think it's G-VBIG

I've got my first flight in the nose of a 747 this year, first in a 747 so I'm quite excited no matter how they look

It really depends what 747 you fly on and how thorough the cleaning team have been...mustang Sally for example, was very tatty and dirty when we flew to Miami but tubular belle on the way home was excelent.
That said, I'd rather a tatty 747 to a 333 any day!

Virginboy747,
I would have thought that either or both of G-VROC or G-VWOW might have been been kept on for LGW/MAN as they are both quite a bit younger than G-VBIG. Any idea what the thinking is behind keeping one of the older 744s?

G-VROS....

Blimey have they accelerated the retirement schedule for the LHR 747 fleet? I thought it was next year that they were all gone by :-(

Bretty wrote:I've got my first flight in the nose of a 747 this year, first in a 747 so I'm quite excited no matter how they look

Me too for the nose bit - glad I've got to cross that one off my list. Looks quite cosy in the LGW config too!

But they'll still have the Gatwick 747's right, for at least a few more years. I'd miss flying in the nose...

Am on the VS05 in early November and seat map is showing plane as a 747; hope it stays as such as haven't been in the nose of one before......

ultreen1 wrote:It really depends what 747 you fly on and how thorough the cleaning team have been...mustang Sally for example, was very tatty and dirty when we flew to Miami but tubular belle on the way home was excelent.

I agree with this -- VROC is not in great cosmetic condition, and there is ingrained dirt that is far beyond what the turnaround cleaners can deal with. The state of it really has to be seen to be believed -- and it is not good.