A350 Production Thread

On some days in the high peak I believe there are 6 arrivals, 2XMAN, 2XLGW, 1xBFS, 1xGLA. VS are pretty much an all 747 fleet for Orlando so when you consider thats 455 people per plane on a 747 it will be interesting to see just how many seats the leisure config 350's have!

. Also, do we know how many seats are going to be on these a350s because wikipedia currently states a total of 335- 44 upper, 56 premium(!) and 235 economy.

There will be 2 configs of the 350s similar to what we used to have with the LHR and LGW/MAN config 747s.

Those based at LHR replacing 340's (which come first) will have the config on Wikipedia, and as you can see are very comparable to the 340
J W Y Total
Airbus A340-600 45 38 225 308
Airbus A350-1000 44 56 235 335

Whereas I suspect that the leisure config ones will be in the region of 400 pax, with maybe only 15-20 seats in J. Premium makes a shedload of money anyway so you can understand why they would increase it.

The second A350-1000, G-VPOP, is now moving to cabin fit! Not sure why the second is moving and not the first, but perhaps we will start seeing some interior shots soon

Registration of the first A350 has been listed as G-VLUX



No clues as to what the name will be yet though, any guesses? Haha

I noticed in the promotional material released this week for the new icons that the aircraft in the images was called “Red Velvet”... I wonder if this will be G-VLUX?

There was also
Mamma Mia
Rain Bow
Rosie Tea
Cool Runner too on some of the images on Twitter!

Registrations known so far:

G-VLUX
G-VPOP
G-VPRD

#4 is on the production line, with registration unknown as of yet - which should make up the four to be delivered this year

The first A350 shall be named "Red Velvet" apparently

Here are the other names

A350 names
D1FFE6F2-F716-47E6-942A-3C81B7207EDE.jpeg (96.12 KiB) Viewed 8378 times

I’m sure they have had a G-VJAM previously was it not the A340-6 that had a landing incident at Heathrow?

I seem to remember G-VJAM was one of the cancelled A346 aircraft which was never delivered. That was due to be called ‘Lady Marmalade’

Here are the other names

D1FFE6F2-F716-47E6-942A-3C81B7207EDE.jpeg

I’m sure they have had a G-VJAM previously was it not the A340-6 that had a landing incident at Heathrow?

I guess this explains the "inclusive" mastheads

[mitchja]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but I noticed this titbit buried in the press release:

The first A350 will take to the skies in August, as it flies from London Heathrow to New York JFK, followed by other services to JFK later in the year.

They seem to have been pushed back as originally VS where quoting spring or early summer weren't they?

Yep first one being delivered in July and will operate first service in August

So airframe 336 is showing as ref G-VJAP do you think it’s a mistake and should be G-VJAM or it’s a hint at a return to Tokyo?

I suspect it is a typo. Would it not clash with G-VNAP? (as I understand it, two frames cannot have the same two last letters..?)

Though NAP will be gone by the time it arrives ?

I suspect it is a typo. Would it not clash with G-VNAP? (as I understand it, two frames cannot have the same two last letters..?)

I always thought this was the case as well, but there is G-VBIG and G-VZIG both in service at the moment...

[mitchja]

There's 2 x AP's in service already as well - G-VNAP (A346) & G-VMAP (B789).

G-VPOP took her first flight today!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146519169 ... hotostream

Hearing 30 August for first flight.

JFK as we know will be first but there will be a quick succession of 350s arriving. PR packs state JFK and ATL but I have also heard LAX may leap frog ATL...

Also. Some interesting changes on the horizon in terms of the service in Upper First groups of crew are slowly filtering through the rig to see what it’s like. Removal of the Bar - apparently driven by Pax feedback as they feel intimidated using the bar if someone else is there. The loft aims to be more welcoming. Loft service will be available via Galley 2.

AND, No Wonder Wall.

Apparently Airbus give 30 days notice of delivery so I suspect Virgin will not be 100% sure when it is delivered.

Anyway, yes JFK touted as the first route - I would also not be surprised if LAX follows quickly, VS will probably want to put it's best foot forward on it's most competitive routes. I don't imagine there is much competitive edge to gain on Atlanta.

No wonderwall?! Wonder why they decided on that...

Apparently Airbus give 30 days notice of delivery so I suspect Virgin will not be 100% sure when it is delivered.

Anyway, yes JFK touted as the first route - I would also not be surprised if LAX follows quickly, VS will probably want to put it's best foot forward on it's most competitive routes. I don't imagine there is much competitive edge to gain on Atlanta.

I would say that they will be looking to switch all LHR-NYC flights over to the A350 before moving on to other routes. It would give VS a marketing advantage over BA who aren't putting their A350s on it until much later.

I didn’t think BA were putting the 350 into NYC given its lack of First. It’s scheduled to go to DXB, Toronto, Bangalore and TLV from memory at the start.

The VS fleet strategy is quite nimble with the 350 joining;

787 - Far East and longer long haul - able to compete due to fuel saving and loads - PVG, HKG, BOM, DEL, GRU

350 - next up from 787 when premium demands. NYC, ATL, LAX & SFO (at peak)

333 - backbone of US East coast routes and shorter hop - IAD, MIA, TLV

332 - Caribbean and Manchester - seat loss factor allows better economies.

I didn’t think BA were putting the 350 into NYC given its lack of First. It’s scheduled to go to DXB, Toronto, Bangalore and TLV from memory at the start.

The VS fleet strategy is quite nimble with the 350 joining;

787 - Far East and longer long haul - able to compete due to fuel saving and loads - PVG, HKG, BOM, DEL, GRU

350 - next up from 787 when premium demands. NYC, ATL, LAX & SFO (at peak)

333 - backbone of US East coast routes and shorter hop - IAD, MIA, TLV

332 - Caribbean and Manchester - seat loss factor allows better economies.

This all seems to make logical sense. Wonder what they will do for South Africa as SAA have a newish J product on their joberg Lon

I think there is every chance we see a top up order of one or both the B789 / A35K within the next 12-18 months.