VS to LAS in A343?

Hi,

I've just done a dummy booking to LAS next year at the a/c is showing as an A343. I was a little surprised by this since I thought LAS was one of the more popular routes from LGW and was always a 744. I didn't even realise that there was going to be a 343 at LGW and this is over 6 months away so it's not just a short notice replacement. Has it been downsized due to the impending MAN>LAS service?

I'll probably still book it (like the idea of two seats between window and aisle!) but was just wondering if this was likely to be a long term switch?

Hmmmn what date was it, as our load checker still showing a 744?

[Neil]

What dates are you getting an A343 for?

Was it definitely an A343 and not one of the new A333's?

The LGW 747's are going to be getting their refits next year so there will be periods when some flights will have to be moved to other a/c types to cover their absence and I imagine that this could be the reason.

The MAN-LAS service is due to be operated on an LGW 747 so I can't see the LGW-LAS service moving away from one long term.

Apologies, I think I'm going mad! I'm sure it said A343 but have gone back in and sure enough, it's a 744.

I was looking for a Reward seat (sale for 25k miles) in June, but no availability, but dates in May and July show a 343.

I've been looking at a reward seat for november to LAS and on checking it has changed several times in the last few days from an A340 to a 747

I had the same thing when looking for a flight from LHR to MIA (23rd March 2011). It said that it would be a A343.

Unless I'm doing something wrong. All the flight checkers still say it is a B744.

Error on the system? Or a juggling of the fleet? ?|

I think we will see some fleet jiggling next year.

I believe the first 330 is growth, but the 2nd appears to be replacing a LGW/MAN 744 while they go in for a refit (about time!).

I believe an A340-600 is also come out of storage.

Not sure if there are any increases EX LHR, but on A.net it was reported DEL gets the 346 from NOV so may be a spare 343 capacity. It was also posted 2 x 343's may leave the fleet next year after being replace by 330's.

[Scrooge]

A 346 is currently in MNL going through some checks and will be returning to service shortly. DEL is going to a 346 daily meaning there will be one spare 343 floating around the system, probably until the 330's arrive en mass. The 343 will be used while the 744's are rotated through the cabin refits.