New Upper Class and A330's

The story from the Telegraph says wider seat, still herringbone layout, but on tracks rather than a plinth.

So will we see the new UC Suite at the Business Travel Show tomorrow?

I am flying LGW-MCO 27th April....I wonder....................

but on tracks rather than a plinth.

Can anyone tell me what this means? As a customer will I care? If not, why did he say it?

but on tracks rather than a plinth.

Can anyone tell me what this means? As a customer will I care? If not, why did he say it?

To me, it sounds like the seat reclines fully into a bed, but who knows?

Telegraph article

[Darren Wheeler]

Key words there..

"entire fleet"

Key words there..

"entire fleet"

And "eventually the entire fleet...."

MAN/LGW/GLA flights on old UC for another 5 years... :w

I was surprised to hear about retaining the Herringbone style seating. Not that I don't like it, but I figured the big new announcement would be something like AZ put on their new A330s in business class (http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/runwa ... ica-w.html).

Either way, I'm really excited to see what the enhancements will be, except I don't want them to be *too* good since I'm flying in May in UC and will probably not get to see any of the changes by that time !

As a customer will I care? If not, why did he say it?

To get people who do care about these things chattering about it?

I'm hoping for a new shiny refitted 744 for my return flight from MCO to GLA 24th June 2012!!

Not sure it'll happen to be honest (7 LGW 747 from mid april), don't know how many they will have refitted by this time

[Neil]

I'm hoping for a new shiny refitted 744 for my return flight from MCO to GLA 24th June 2012!!

Not sure it'll happen to be honest (7 LGW 747 from mid april), don't know how many they will have refitted by this time

2 maybe 3 if things are running to schedule, so more chance of not than yes.

Thought this might interest a few of you,
I was browsing the Virgin website and came across the seat maps.
They've loaded a 3 class A330 (Don't know how long its been there)
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp?type=15

The layout of the Upper Class section is 4 across, seeing as the A340's have 3 across in the current product, maybe this suggests that the new Upper Class Product is more than just a refresh?

Dan

[mitchja]

Well spotted Dan!!!

One question though, where's the bar :0

Thought this might interest a few of you,
I was browsing the Virgin website and came across the seat maps.
They've loaded a 3 class A330 (Don't know how long its been there)
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp?type=15

The layout of the Upper Class section is 4 across, seeing as the A340's have 3 across in the current product, maybe this suggests that the new Upper Class Product is more than just a refresh?

Dan

I hope no one thinks I'm a lush for asking the very important question, "where's the bar?"

Good spot. Interesting Mix of Seats:

33 UC Suites
48 PE Seats
185 EC Seats
No Bar?

Interesting choice to put 4 across the cabin, especially considering the A343 only has 3, and isn't exactly vastly different in size to the A333 in terms of width.

I suspect the bar will be in that notch at the rear of the cabin - though of it is, it will be rather smaller than the current one - small in this sense actually being 'futuristic' if you want to use VS corporate spin

[Neil]

Surely the bar is going to be either at row 9DG area, or even at the front of the cabin, in front of 1DG. The seat map has a very 'bar like' shape galley showing, with the much large normal galley in the same it is on the two current W/Y only A330 in the fleet.

UC looks very space efficient. Loses no rows to the A343 but squeezes an extra seat to the width. I'm intrigued to see how this is done. I'd guess it's not possible using herringbone unless the angle is much more shallow than currently.

Surely the bar is going to be either at row 9DG area, or even at the front of the cabin, in front of 1DG. The seat map has a very 'bar like' shape galley showing, with the much large normal galley in the same it is on the two current W/Y only A330 in the fleet.

Yes, you'll note I did point out that there is a notch at the rear of the cabin where it is likely to be.

However, unlike on the other seat maps available for the other fleet aircraft, there is no actual 'bar' indicated - hence the confusion.

[Darren Wheeler]

Without seeing the new suite it's difficult to tell, but seem strange to have a 1-2-1 config when the 340 and 360 only have a 1-1-1 and the 330 isn't much different in width.

Conspiracy theorists, start your engines.

Without seeing the new suite it's difficult to tell, but seem strange to have a 1-2-1 config when the 340 and 360 only have a 1-1-1 and the 330 isn't much different in width.

The A330 has exactly the same cabin dimensions as an A346 - they are common, the wings, engines, length, undercarriage are different, but the cabin width is identical.

It's very interesting to see this, my immediate thoughts:

- All aisle access so likely some variant of herringbone but less angled perhaps?
- I'm guessing herringbone rather than all the seat types where you recline into a gap between the seats in front, because on the sides its only 1 seat
- EK put 6 across on their A330s so 4 across is perfectly feasible depending on the layout
- The little curved edges indicate that the seat points inward from the windows, I was hoping for angled toward the window for better viewing.
- An increase in PE seats but a decrease in UC - that's going to make G's harder to get as more A333s are rolled out.
- Wonder which is the dedicated PE loo - that's going to be maintained?
- VS did say there would be a bar, so I too guess it's by the galley - perhaps the bar is the end of the galley to make serving easier?

So it's up ... EF is showing A346 on the VS003 through April 13 then a A343 from April 14, and then A340s through May, how about a bet that the A333 is being launch on April 14 (after all, VS did say "Spring" and on the VS3 route)?

Might plan a trip just to see ...

Without seeing the new suite it's difficult to tell, but seem strange to have a 1-2-1 config when the 340 and 360 only have a 1-1-1 and the 330 isn't much different in width.

The A330 has exactly the same cabin dimensions as an A346 - they are common, the wings, engines, length, undercarriage are different, but the cabin width is identical.

Might plan a trip just to see ...

I was thinking the same thing - perfectly justifiable excuse to spend £1800 on a JFK return

So now we need a new theory about the lack of centre overhead lockers in the 2 cabin variant

So now we need a new theory about the lack of centre overhead lockers in the 2 cabin variant

There was never any theory, it was always intended to be UC hence no overheads in the middle, just early feck ups meant UC wasn't installed and PE went in the space instead. Those aircraft are likely to be retrofitted with UC and hence will have a normal interior.