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Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 26 Aug 2019, 12:05
by Murraymint
Good pics Fuzzy.

I see she was up and down numerous times each day last week

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 28 Aug 2019, 11:07
by SlimpyJones
G-VPOP delivery imminent :-)

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 28 Aug 2019, 13:56
by flyingfox
I see another A350 route has been advised but not yet filed to LAX;

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... 20Atlantic

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 04 Sep 2019, 20:14
by mitchja
G-VPRD (MSN 319) nearly ready for delivery :)

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 10 Sep 2019, 13:56
by Restus
Virgin Atlantic has revealed today that its final five A350-1000s will be serving leisure markets to Florida and the Caribbean. The aircraft, which will arrive in 2021, will be based out of both Gatwick and Manchester Airports.


https://simpleflying.com/virgin-a350-florida-caribbean/

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 10 Sep 2019, 14:11
by Edward T
Be interesting to see how they replace the 744 flying MAN-JFK - assume it will be one form of the A330

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 10 Sep 2019, 19:35
by Dobbo
Edward T wrote:Be interesting to see how they replace the 744 flying MAN-JFK - assume it will be one form of the A330


I wonder if the plan is for a daily A330 in winter with 11-14x weekly A330 in summer.

Will depend on the scope of the Virgin Connect operation and whether there is an acquisition of Thomas Cook longhaul.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2019, 13:18
by mitchja
G-VPOP is currently on her way home from MLA to LGW as the VS846P. Her first revenue flight to JFK is still scheduled for Sept 24th.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2019, 15:12
by VS075
Restus wrote:
Virgin Atlantic has revealed today that its final five A350-1000s will be serving leisure markets to Florida and the Caribbean. The aircraft, which will arrive in 2021, will be based out of both Gatwick and Manchester Airports.


https://simpleflying.com/virgin-a350-florida-caribbean/


It pretty much firms up what was announced at the time of the order and why they're logical 747 replacements. Hopefully that will put an end to talk on other forums elsewhere that MAN should become an all-A330 operation after the 747's leave etc.

I know delivery dates are vague besides saying 2021, though for me the message is that anybody wanting a last ride on a VS 747 should look to do so over the next 15 months; though it wouldn't surprise me if we see a 747 or two cling on until at least the end of Summer 2021 and specifically for MCO.

I am interested to see what they do config-wise. I can't see the current position of the Loft being logical if the size of Upper is reduced in favour of more PE/Economy.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2019, 16:25
by ColOrd
Almost certainly, there will not be a 44 seat J cabin and I can see them moving this down to something more akin to 16-20 seats with the rest of the space between L1 and L2 used as PE? I think given the amount of promotion the Loft has had, I can't imagine them not putting it in in some form on the leisure config aircraft. I was thinking maybe something by L1? Think of the FSM's desk area on the 346, could easily fit a little sofa style cubby in that kind of space? It wouldn't be as big obviously.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2019, 17:46
by jakedonson
I can't imagine them not putting it in in some form on the leisure config aircraft.

Agreed. I'd imagine their leisure travellers would make more use of it as well. Return of the bar? ;-)

Looking at photos, the new upper class doesn't exactly seem very couple friendly. Could we see them installing different seats in these leisure aircraft? Maybe something more aligned with what will eventually be offered on the new a330neos and retrofitted 787s, especially after they've got feedback from the new seats as I've heard the table isn't very favourable.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2019, 22:03
by LREDI
The table on the 350 is very tight and is getting amended. POP has had work done in Malta hence her visit. LUX will be going away to have similar. Couple friendly seats are in the middle. It’s no 332 Love Suite but it works and is better than the old seat.

I agree a smaller J and more Premium on the Leisure fleet, with a false wall between the two. No loft would be my thinking on the Leisure fleet, it will be more of a bigger space for both Premium and Upper to use ala revamped Wonder Wall and some stools for the masses to use.

No room for any loft type by L1, it’s already tight and to put seats beside the food prep area when the crew basically take over the whole area for meal service, just won’t work.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 14 Sep 2019, 14:14
by getinjonathan
I was told on the inaugural that the table issue would being rectified immediately but that POP might not be getting hers done before she enters service. PRD will definitely be heading for small modifications before entering service.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 14 Sep 2019, 20:36
by ColOrd
Apparently the J Cabin is the reason that they are visiting Malta before heading to LGW. I suspect it was cheaper to modify them post acceptance than have a contract variation with Airbus?

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 17 Sep 2019, 12:17
by mitchja
G-VPOP is currently positioning LGW>LHR so looks like she is ready to go into service.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 17 Sep 2019, 13:10
by ColOrd
Comes in to service on the 24th as I understand it.

The 153 and 45 will both op as 35Ks. Not sure which will do which.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 17 Sep 2019, 14:08
by jwhite9185
ColOrd wrote:Apparently the J Cabin is the reason that they are visiting Malta before heading to LGW. I suspect it was cheaper to modify them post acceptance than have a contract variation with Airbus?


VPOP was having the J cabin fitted in Malta. No modifications done on it yet.

mitchja wrote:G-VPOP is currently positioning LGW>LHR so looks like she is ready to go into service.


Via a flypast of Manchester to give the WiFi and IFE a run in.

ColOrd wrote:Comes in to service on the 24th as I understand it.

The 153 and 45 will both op as 35Ks. Not sure which will do which.


Nothing firm about running two in service yet, but doing a press flight tomorrow before entering service later this week.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 17 Sep 2019, 18:14
by ColOrd
Both the 45 and 153 are scheduled to op as 350s from next Tuesday! It’s in all downstream systems as such.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 18 Sep 2019, 11:58
by mitchja
There's a special A350 press launch flight (VS605) to JFK today departing LHR 12:05 op using G-VLUX whilst G-VPOP has gone into service op’ing the VS153.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2019, 14:16
by Fuzzy14
G-VPRD Rain Bow was doing training circuits out of Glasgow at the weekend, saw her go past my house a few times.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 04 Nov 2019, 18:01
by mitchja
G-VPRD has gone into service today as the VS9 to JFK.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 04 Dec 2019, 15:51
by mitchja
G-VJAM arrived at LGW this afternoon from BOD.

Looks like VS are still planning the 4th A350 to go into service from next Monday (Dec 9th) as the VS45 / VS46.

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 04 Dec 2019, 18:40
by flyingfox
Do we know if VS have fixed the table issue in Upper, and do the seats in row 1 offer a larger foot locker than the rest of the cabin?

Thanks

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 07 Dec 2019, 23:45
by mattyp
G-VJAM went into service today operating the VS3

Re: A350 Production Thread

PostPosted: 08 Dec 2019, 13:05
by virginboy747
A new table is being trialled on certain seats on G-VPOP if successful will be rolled out across the fleet