MAN-MCO Aircraft type?

I have just joined V-Flyer but have been flying with Virgin Atlantic for the past 12 years so think it's about time I joined the Forum.
Having just managed to use hard earned miles to purchase flights to Orlando from Manchester on VS73 (July 2012)does anyone know if this is still a 747 or the Airbus A330 we have been able to pre-allocate our seats for the return flights on VS76 which is a A330, but have been unable to pre allocate anything for outward journey, having spoken to Virgin they say this is due to not knowing which type of aircraft will be flying that route next year.

Thanks for any help.

Auto (Mr Pilot) ii)

[Neil]

Hi and welcome.

The VS73 is operated by the 747. The reason you can't select your seats is because these a/c are being refitted from April next year and the config is going to change slightly. As there will be a/c with both configs running it means thu dont know which a/c type you will get, until the refits are finished later in the year.

You can select seats at OLCI stage.

Thank for the information Neil,only reason we were trying to book now was to try and get in the bubble if it was a 747, but alas we will have to trust to luck nearer the time.

by the way have you any idea what they are doing to the config just an interested retired anorak.

Hi

I am a newbie on the forum, but i have a similar query

My family and i are booked on VS075 from MAN to MCO on 30th July 2012 and that is showing as 747-400 plane
Coming back on VS076 it is A330-300

Is VS075 also getting a makeover in terms of 747-400 upgrade / refit??

[Neil]

Welcome,

That is strange as the VS75 is always operated by the new A330 a/c.

If it is a LGW/MAN 747 then the same applied as in my original reply. The 747's are being refitted from April next year and will be complete by October time, so for your flight you might get a refitted a/c or you might get one in the current state.

Thanks,
Neil

Is VS075 also getting a makeover in terms of 747-400 upgrade / refit??

All the planes are getting an upgrade.

Due to the timing of in/outbound flights and the need for maintenance etc individual named planes are not allcated to a particular route though a plane type will be.

If you have a look at the schedules in the tool box you will see a range of planes operating a route.

I've just booked UC VS073 30th May 2012 & VS074 15th June seat map showing seat choice was slightly hoping might be one of the planes due for a refit..... Looks unlikely now. However Virgin might still pull out a surprise before the flights. ii)

[Neil]

I've just booked UC VS073 30th May 2012 & VS074 15th June seat map showing seat choice was slightly hoping might be one of the planes due for a refit..... Looks unlikely now. However Virgin might still pull out a surprise before the flights. ii)

It is only the PE cabin that is affected with the config change, the UC and Y cabins are not changing, so you can still select your seats in these cabins, but it doesn't mean that it won't be a refitted a/c. The same applies, you will only know at OLCI stage.

[Neil]

by the way have you any idea what they are doing to the config just an interested retired anorak.

Nothing has been officially announced on the new config yet, so we don't 100% know.

As neither the UC or Y pax are affected with not being able to pre-select seats, it seems pretty obvious that the PE cabin will stay in the bubble, but will also increase downstairs, utilising the current small PE cabin and the small Y cabin situated behind it.

I've just booked UC VS073 30th May 2012 & VS074 15th June seat map showing seat choice was slightly hoping might be one of the planes due for a refit..... Looks unlikely now. However Virgin might still pull out a surprise before the flights. ii)

It is only the PE cabin that is affected with the config change, the UC and Y cabins are not changing, so you can still select your seats in these cabins, but it doesn't mean that it won't be a refitted a/c. The same applies, you will only know at OLCI stage.

Thanks Neil Fingers crossed ..............or it's i-pads & dvd players for the kids rather than watching an orange faced person with a line going through the screen. As on last MAN UC flight. Also any news on letting UC use Vroom at Man rather than current inferior lounge?

[Neil]

Also any news on letting UC use Vroom at Man rather than current inferior lounge?

It seems there are no plans to allow UC pax to use the V-Room. Like at LGW the V-Room is exclusively for VH pax only.