New aircraft and cabin refits...

I'm fairly new on here, so please forgive if this has been done recently (search didn't come up with anything).

Can anyone shed light on the latest status of the (postponed?) cabin refits for the LGW based 747's?

Also, what new aircraft are on order for VS, and are they replacing or augmenting the fleet? Any idea of routes affected?

Thanks in advance for any insights...and apologies again if this is a "done" topic...

Al

No problem, there is a thread somewhere however in summary, 5 new Airbus A330-300s are arriving from February 2011. They will initially be used on leisure routes and will release the 747s for refit.
The A330s will have a new Upper Class (not on the first 2 ac) and a new Economy. A new IFE will be present with comms coming on-stream later in 2011. The 747s will also be refitted in the same way.

Thanks for that.

Are the A330 temporary whilst the 747s are refitted, or will they augment the flett once the 747s are back in service?

BTW - what happened to the "4 engines is best" thing...

I'll go try to find the thread you refer to...

Thanks again,

Al

[Neil]

The A330's are a permanent addition to the fleet. The first a/c in a 2 class config will operate ex MAN/LGW initially to MCO, but maybe other destinations, and then when further a/c are received they should be in a 3 class config they will be based ex LHR operating existing and hopefully some new routes.

Neil

4 engines has gone as VS have switched to environmental credentials as the A330s will consume 10% less fuel than the A343s. Once the refits are done I'm guessing we'll see quite an expansion in destinations and/or frequencies. There are another 5 A330s arriving in 2012. The A343s will be disposed of as the B787s come in around 2013.

Can anyone with some insider knowledge confirm that once the Upper Class is approved for the new 330's that it will be retrofitted to the first ones delivered?

thanks

David

I have no insider knowledge but all the forums state the layout will be Y-W-Y. I'd be surprised if that was considered to be ideal longer term. I would guess that when A330 number 6 and 7 arrive, these two would be retrofitted at that point.

[Neil]

Can anyone with some insider knowledge confirm that once the Upper Class is approved for the new 330's that it will be retrofitted to the first ones delivered?

thanks

David

It seems that retrofitting the first two aircraft aren't part of the plans currently. VS seem more than happy to operate the 2 class config on certain leisure routes.

Neil

Can anyone with some insider knowledge confirm that once the Upper Class is approved for the new 330's that it will be retrofitted to the first ones delivered?

thanks

David

It seems that retrofitting the first two aircraft aren't part of the plans currently. VS seem more than happy to operate the 2 class config on certain leisure routes.

Neil

If that's correct, I find that astounding and it will be a huge mistake by Virgin :0 . We have flown out of LGW into MCO in Upper around 10 times in the past two and a half years and I could probably count on one hand the number of empty seats on all of these flights in the front cabin.

David

We're all astounded if that is the case - even more so as frequent fliers it means VS cutting any hope of UC on some routes / flights as rewards simply won't be available. That is no way to run a frequent flier scheme.

Re. the A333s, I saw somewhere else that ORD will be the first destination to be transferred to a A333 flight from LHR.

It is likely that the A330s will only do mid-haul destinations due to limited range and there is no crew rest fitted.

[Neil]

Re. the A333s, I saw somewhere else that ORD will be the first destination to be transferred to a A333 flight from LHR.

I've heard that also. I think it is safe to assume the A333's will operate routes that the A343's currently operate.

Also ORD is being extended next year - I think it's something like end May to end September this year, it'll be April through October next year. Hoping this means it comes back for good!

surely you would still have some UC flights on the route? you just get more restrictive as to when you can fly I would think...

Don't forget there'll be reconfigured 744s entering the leisure routes after a few months of the A330s. Who knows, they might have extra UC seats.