Is the 747-400 being phased out?

Hello,

I have read somewhere that the 747-400 Version 1 is being phased out?

We are travelling LGW/MCO 13th Aug on the morning flight, the VS website is showing Version 1 in Premium Economy.

And back MIA/LHR 28th August version 4.

Thinking about travelling with kids it seems we will only get vport on the way back.

Does this sound correct?
And would phasing out version 1 make any difference to me by then?

Thanks.

[Neil]

The 747's aren't being phased out. Virgin are currently changing the LHR config, from all UC upstairs, to half UC and half economy. PE is currently and will continue to be all downstairs.

The LGW 747's have also just had their leases extended and will have new economy and the new PE seats installed on them in the future.

For you, it won't make any difference, your outbound flight will be on the current LGW config, and your inbound, which will be on a LHR config will still be the same as it is now.

If you have a look at the seat maps on our site, config 2 and 3 are the LGW configs which are still current and config 4 is the current LHR config (LHR config 1 is not longer in operation). Do note, that the version numbers on our site are different to those on the VS site.

Neil

Neil

[Darren Wheeler]

That would be correct as the seating layout for LGW-MCO is different from the MIA-HLR version. The LHR 744's have V-Port while LGW have either Nova or Odyssey.

Only on rare occasions do LHR aircraft cover LGW routes.

Hope that makes sense and welcome to V-Flyer [y]

Thanks to both of you.

I did look at the seat maps on your site, my seat plan seems a tad different.
On the way out (VS27 13TH Aug) we are at the back of the upper deck, i understand VS holiday take the front of the upper deck, so my seat actual map seems to show rows 76,77,78,79,80 and 82 so cannot work out this version.

On my way back VS6 it shows rows 31 to 37, i guess in front of that could be hidden from my map.

[Neil]

That all sounds correct. Rows 75 to 80 are the back on the upper deck on one of the 2 LGW configs (it is only a small difference in economy that makes them different) and row 81/82 are part of the small downstairs PE cabin. Your return is on the LHR config which is all downstairs.

we are flying LGW to Montego Bay on 23rd Oct and returning 30th.
We have a Version 4 747, showing upstairs to be half upper class and half economy 3x3.
We have booked 2 x 2 at the back both ways although I know this can change.
It surprised me when I logged in as I was expecting to see the classic LGW planes.
We usually upgrade but this will be our 3rd long haul trip this year and last year we purchased the extra legroom seats which we were very pleased with, so may try again if we get moved from our existing seat numbers

[Neil]

The LHR fleet do help out on the LGW routes fairly often now, what with VS getting rid of one of the LGW fleet not so long ago. It might be worth you keeping an eye on the manage my booking section as it could change back to an LGW config. I am pretty certain that the LHR a/c don't have the extra leg room seats like the LGW fleet does, only the exit rows.

quote:Originally posted by Neil
I am pretty certain that the LHR a/c don't have the extra leg room seats like the LGW fleet does, only the exit rows.


The LHR aircraft are currently being fitted with the extra legroom seats (some are definitely already flying) though I don't think they are selling them as such at the moment.

thanks, will keep an eye on Manage my booking, just in case

personally I prefer the 747 over the 346.although the 346 is quieter, the UC cabin in the nose and the PE upstairs are far better and more cosy than the open 346s