A330 routes and start date.

Maybe that's where the 777's that SR mentioned in his interview are coming from .

David

The 777-300ER is the ideal aircraft for nearly 100% of the VS network.

The 777-300ER is the ideal aircraft for nearly 100% of the VS network.

i like the 777 so y) from me if that happens

The 777-300ER is the ideal aircraft for nearly 100% of the VS network.

No,it is fundamentally not. VS needs a mix of long range fuel efficient aircraft and the 777ER is but one,

And it's about the best one!!! With a couple of different configs the B773ER could cover the majority of routes very efficiently.

As for the A330/B777 swap mentioned it on this topic this topic on the 19th. Though i don't think it's the entire order, just some of them as i believe there is also an issue about seats!!

I don't think we'll see a A333 / B773 swap.

Some A343s are staying for longer than expected.
Some A333s are going to be sublet and won't appear at LHR for a long time.
The MAN A333s will arrive in PE / Y layout.
No new seats / interiors till at least 2012 or beyond ... lots of issues to work out apparently.
Adding a B77W subfleet with no commonality, need for ETOPs rating etc. doesn't sound right.

And I disagree, a B77W is too much aeroplane for some of VS's lighter routes like ORD, IAD, or the late / early EWR and others - an ideal fleet would be A333 / B77W and possibly A380s for the really big crowd pleasers!

Nor do i, be interesting to see what Virgin Blue/V Oz does with them though.
Two A343 leases extended by 5 years, but no IFE upgrade!! There will be serious issues over the seats, as all know they are very heavy & not ideal for the A333.

Agree the A333/B77W would be a nice mix, but a lot of support required for the A380, wouldn't be surprised to see them delayed or canned.

So, I'm guessing this, the new UCS was designed for the B787, which is slightly wider than the A333. With the B787 delayed they tried to squeeze it into the A333 and it didn't work. Hence now rather than fit the current UCS into the new A333s (which would work perfectly, since it's the same diameter fuselage as the A346) and then refit, VS has decided not to for weight / cost reasons.

Hence, LHR A333s delayed for a few years and rumoured to be sub-letting, A343s with no interior upgrade retained, the whole thing a bit of a mess. Customers' experience falls behind ...

Customers' experience falls behind ...

... and prices continue to rise

David

Hi can you help

Want to book a Miles plus Money flight next year to MCO found the flight Vs27/28 LGW MCO on a Sunday. Would really like the A330 just to try it. Speaking to VA they tell me the A330 will not operate the LGW/MCO route in 2011, is this correct ? the also said the seat map is still the 747, which i understand.

A couple of questions ?

I know the AC can change but to the best of your knowledge have i picked the right flight and day for a A330 ?

If its the 747 is PE still upstairs ?

Thanks in advance

All depending on which aircraft you get on the day will depend if you get PE upstairs; if its a LHR aircraft, upstairs will be UC and Economy whereas if you get a LGW aircraft (highly likely), the PE seats will be upstairs in the bubble.

With regard to the LGW A330's, rumor has it that there will not be any based at LGW at all so I don't know if any day / flight is the right day for one of them! Still, something will be replacing the A330's... just not quite sure what as of yet!

[Neil]

The current plan is for the VS to operate the VS27/28 ex LGW 3 times a week on the new A330 from the 1st May, and there hasn't been any official communication to say that this isn't going to happen. The rest of the LGW flights will be operated by the 747.

I think this sounds like a real mess.

If VS aren't careful, this will turn into a major problem for them because a lack of updated cabins/fleet (and an increasingly shabby-looking current set up) could see more passengers lured to the competition, which means less revenue, which means less money to plough into the new updates etc etc.

AFAIK the refurbishment of the LGW 747s is still going ahead next year. With only modest growth at LHR (Accra increasing, Chicago lengthening) there appears to be no route expansion next year, and with the two stored A346s returning to service my expectation is that they will now provide the flexibility to switch LHR 747s to LGW to support the refurbishment.

Then, when the LGW 747s are refurbed, with the two new A333s at MAN, the LGW fleet will be more up to date than the LHR fleet for once, and tables turned.

Those of us who fly business regularly from LHR will have to put up with dated, no AVOD IFE, and increasingly shabby A343s for several more years.

Now, I'll hold my breath and see if the comments get reversed by leisure fliers when that happens .

Give them a chance, when the second A330 arrives one LGW/MAN B744 AC will go for refit at a time. There aren't that many that need treating ...

With all the rumours, little snipits and reading into quotes from Chief Execs that's happening at the moment, the situation with the A330's looks very "fluid"

IMHO, I think we should exercise a little caution until the picture becomes clear. (which knowing what Virgin have "promised" in the past, may not be until the week before ): )

How they are managing to offer flights not knowing how many seats and what classes they can sell must be very difficult ?| , but I am sure it will be worth the wait y) ^)

I am as excited as the rest ^)

David