V-Flyer

Might be a bit premature asking, but any rumours/bets on when the first A350-1000’s will arrive and the first routes they’ll be deployed on?

They are arriving in May 2019

It's odd that VS where posting a blog the other week here that their first A350 had gone into production already?

I don't know how long it takes to build an A350, but 11 months does seem a little excessive to me?

The first ones are going to all be LHR config as well aren't they?

mitchja wrote:It's odd that VS where posting a blog the other week here that their first A350 had gone into production already?

I don't know how long it takes to build an A350, but 11 months does seem a little excessive to me?

The first ones are going to all be LHR config as well aren't they?

I believe VS are getting one of the A350 test models at some point, that is already built but will then later be reconfig'd for Virgin. It was probably a picture of one of those.

Here is a site I use for tracking A350 production:

https://sites.google.com/site/a350xwbpr ... ction-list

VS #1 is getting closer but it will still be some months before it enters production.

There has been conflicting information on whether they will replaces the 346's or 744's first.

Now we have the RR problems, I suspect they will definitely go to LHR to help cover the 789 issues, and bolster the fleet there, and gradually replace the 744's later in 2020/2021 assuming it all runs to schedule (which I doubt).

Even RR engine issues on the Dreamliners aside, I'd have thought it a 99.9% done-deal that the A350's will find their way into the LHR fleet first. This ensures a newer & supposedly better PE & UC cabins on the routes where VS have the most competition from BA. As we have seen with other fleet renewals, LHR always gets the new planes first in full VS config.

Whilst I fly from Manchester in the main, I have to admit I'd probably do the same if I was making the decisions at Virgin - deploy the new aircraft where they potentially take most business off BA.

CommanderB wrote:There has been conflicting information on whether they will replaces the 346's or 744's first.

The information doing the rounds when the order was first placed 2 years ago was for the first few (5 I think) to go to LHR, with the remainder in a higher density config for LGW which I assume is for use across all leisure routes and not just out of LGW.

There were claims elsewhere such as over on a.net suggesting they would all go to LHR or never be used on routes such as MAN-MCO which I'd be surprised if they became a reality as it would represent big capacity drop on some routes, as well as necessitating a re-config of other aircraft. I note that some of the A333's are now on their third config as the first few were delivered without an Upper cabin and worked in service for a couple of years in that config.

Kraken wrote:Whilst I fly from Manchester in the main, I have to admit I'd probably do the same if I was making the decisions at Virgin - deploy the new aircraft where they potentially take most business off BA.

Looking at the production list, it would also mean VS get an A350-1000 first before BA.

Thank you - it’s been great to read people’s thoughts on this. Bit of a long shot, but here’s hoping LHR-LAX is an early contender for the new addition!

My guess would be they’ll enter service on the East Coast routes, like the Dreamliners did.

The longer routes are more complicated to schedule as the aircraft is away from base for more than 24 hours, so can’t just work the same service the next day. Therefore if it goes tech it has a wider impact on the schedule, disrupting more than one route.

Any news on the UC seat config?

Will be interesting to compare Virgin's new seat with BA's new seat!

Their based destinations should be pretty clear when they start arriving as they'll need a Y-heavy config for LGW if they want to maintain anywhere near the capacity currently offered by the 747.

Rumour is that there will be two configurations.

Heathrow will get a config similar to the 789 for the business routes.
LGW/MAN will get a higher density leisure config aimed at replacing the 744. There will be a loss of capacity but the loss of revenue will be offset by the reduced running costs of the A350 over that of a 20-yo 744.

The fuselage is being built now but I wonder if the engine supply chain is driving delivery? Given the problems RR are having with the 787 Trent engines.

The first VS build is 274
https://sites.google.com/site/a350xwbpr ... ction-list