A330 routes and start date.

No reason why not, laptop power available on other airlines using EX2, along with USB port at each seat.

I agree. In fact I recall a press release saying they would have USB ports etc. If they dont then it really is a step backwards.

Just please please dont put the toilets right next to seats - still causes a problem on the 340-300!

They've just made an announcement regarding the new IFE on the A330's on Facebook.

[honey lamb]

They've just made an announcement regarding the new IFE on the A330's on Facebook.

Under discussion here Please post any comments about the new IFE on that thread

[Nottingham Nick]

Don't know if this has already been posted, but the official seat layout for the first couple of planes is now on the VS website.

Nick

Just about perfect for leisure routes I'd say.

Out of interest does anyone know what the new A330's are going to be called? e.g. G-V*** of what names the're going to be given?

So they have gone back on the original Y-W-Y layout.
This is certainly better but I fear it may signify they might never have J cabins on these aircraft.

59 W seats is a good number but I would have preferred the 2-2-2 layout as at Air NZ - to me that would easily have been worth an extra 17% ticket cost and could have been very near to a J particularly with slanted seats giving a long effective seat pitch.

It will be interesting to see actual cabins - lets hope that VS can learn that aspect from NZ - have a video presentation on YouTube.

The WC layout seems strange - only 1 forward and the middle 3 must be used by both cabins. How will that work out if they later have a J cabin?

The large galley area to the rear is interesting - is that where they might allow some kind of crew rest?

Edit to add:
With this configuration and if these aircraft always fly in parallel with a 744, might the refitted LGW 744s have a larger proportion of J seats? Increase from the 14 and it would be much more flexible for occasional exchange with LHR fleet.

[Neil]

Hmmm interesting, so no Y at the front then, which really does support the suggestion that these a/c are going to not get the UC installed in the future. I suppose having a couple of a/c in this config is no bad thing and like Bill I do think that extra J seats could well be installed on the 747's during the refits.

Neil

Bill good points. VS has always been somewhat parsimonious with loos on board, this layout isn't convincing that there will be a UC, and it's difficult to see where the UC / PE / Y future cabin separation will be.

Out of interest does anyone know what the new A330's are going to be called? e.g. G-V*** of what names the're going to be given?

dont know whether this is anything to go on but the images issued with the new livery on them the images of a 330 have the registration G-VNTC if you look closely

Great spot Nick y)

Some of the first A340-300's that were delivered, were delivered in that config.

W at the very front followed by Y (these were used on the MAN - MCO route for a little while) and were changed, so I guess nothing is impossible in the world of aircraft interiors.

David

Out of interest does anyone know what the new A330's are going to be called? e.g. G-V*** of what names the're going to be given?

dont know whether this is anything to go on but the images issued with the new livery on them the images of a 330 have the registration G-VNTC if you look closely

I think that is G-VNYC - NY,NY?

Interesting - it was one of the suggestions on this old thread

Don't know if this has already been posted, but the official seat layout for the first couple of planes is now on the VS website.

Nick

I thought it would be like this - not bad for pe but not up to Air NZ standard, but of course we haven't seen the actual interiors yet.

Would be difficult to slot any UC in, so I guess this is it for these planes until a major refit comes along.

Aargh, we always travel UC from Manchester. Looks like a trip down to Gatwick and BA. ?| Just don't like these aircraft though, give me a jumbo.

[Neil]

Aargh, we always travel UC from Manchester. Looks like a trip down to Gatwick and BA. ?| Just don't like these aircraft though, give me a jumbo.

Don't forget that will still be 4 x weekly flights ex MAN on the 747's with the UCS, so it isn't going totally from MAN.

Not too happy about this news. I like pe in the bubble- and no UC?

With yiou on that.

Also, I guess this boils down to replacing a 747 with an A330 on 3 flight s a week - very curious.

Availability on that route is quite hard to come by, so reducing capacity seems a strange move...

And, don't like A330s!!! Much prefer the bigt birds - B747!

[Neil]

Not too happy about this news. I like pe in the bubble- and no UC?

With yiou on that.

Also, I guess this boils down to replacing a 747 with an A330 on 3 flight s a week - very curious.

Availability on that route is quite hard to come by, so reducing capacity seems a strange move...

They are actually replacing a 747 with the A333 on 7 flights a week, as the daily VS75 from April 2011 will be operated by the A333. Only the 4 x weekly VS73 will be operated by the 747 still.

Don't know if this has already been posted, but the official seat layout for the first couple of planes is now on the VS website.

Nick

I thought it would be like this - not bad for pe but not up to Air NZ standard, but of course we haven't seen the actual interiors yet.

Would be difficult to slot any UC in, so I guess this is it for these planes until a major refit comes along.

Looks like only 1 dedicated WC for PE.

Aargh, we always travel UC from Manchester. Looks like a trip down to Gatwick and BA. ?| Just don't like these aircraft though, give me a jumbo.

Don't forget that will still be 4 x weekly flights ex MAN on the 747's with the UCS, so it isn't going totally from MAN.

I'm pleased about that and I will look out for those. But there is always the chance that planes will be swapped around as happens now and then our nice booked UC seats would disappear. I'm not sure I would be too confident booking.

I'm concerned the same as you Maz, especially whilst the refits are happening. I don't feel confident that if I book UC there might be some aircraft swaps (if loads don't justify the jumbo) and I end up being 'downgraded' to the airbus with no UC. I also don't like the airbus, working for an aviation engineering co has perhaps clouded my opinion lol

I'm considering until things become clearer holding off booking and keeping my options open.

Clare

I'm concerned the same as you Maz, especially whilst the refits are happening. I don't feel confident that if I book UC there might be some aircraft swaps (if loads don't justify the jumbo) and I end up being 'downgraded' to the airbus with no UC. I also don't like the airbus, working for an aviation engineering co has perhaps clouded my opinion lol

I'm considering until things become clearer holding off booking and keeping my options open.

Clare

Oh Clare, it is a complete pain!! We had great flights with BA Club in February, but I like the UC suites better, and the ability to request seats without paying extra. Also of course Virgin do fly from Manchester. UC has always been full when we have flown, so it is strange.

[Neil]

You have to remember that it is only going to be the first 2 A333's in this config. One a/c is going to do the daily VS75 ex MAN and then when the second is delivered in May, that is going to operate one of the daily flights ex LGW (can't remember if it is the 15 or 27).

With that in mind, it is going to be pretty tough for Virgin to swap one of the 747's operating the VS73 to an A333, as they both already have full schedules. If anything, it is more likely that if there is any delay or tech problems with the new a/c, they will get swapped a 747.

Neil

ORD is out for now link

I'm totally lost in all of this talk about different planes and classes n seats and weird code words =p
sorry if ive missed this being asked anywhere else, but how much longer will the A330-300(A333?)planes take than a 747? (man to orlando)