Next generation Virgin Atlantic planes entering service

Folks,

Since we seem to be getting quite a number of posts asking the same question eg "I'm flying in June will I get a new a/c?" I'm wondering if the below could form the start of a sticky?

New A330s with new Economy/PE and JAM entertainment
Note: these planes have no Upper Class cabin

G-VSXY - Entered service April 2011 - working flights out of LGW/MAN/GLA
G-VKSS - Entered service May 2011 - working flights out of LGW/MAN/GLA

New A330s with new Economy/PE/Upper Class and JAM entertainment

G-VRAY - Entered service April 2012 - currently dedicated to VS003/004
G-VWAG - Due mid-July 2012
G-VGBR - Due late August/early September 2012
G-VNYC - Due October 2012
G-VUFO - Due November 2012
G-VLUV - Currently on lease to China Airlines, reconfig adding UC and return to VS service date unknown
G-VGEM - Currently on lease to China Airlines, reconfig adding UC and return to VS service date unknown
G-VINE - Currently on lease to Ryan International, reconfig adding UC and return to VS service date unknown

The next two routes to benefit from the new A330s will be Delhi and Chicago.


Refitted 747s with new Economy/PE and JAM entertainment Unlikely to be dedicated to a route so could work any flight out of LGW/MAN/GLA

G-VROM - re-entered service 28th May 2012
G-VAST - departed for refit 26th May 2012

what do you think?

Very good idea, and it can be kept updated...

I recall seeing V-GEM (Diamond Girl)and V-INE (Champagne Girl?) around, and V-LUV in production. Are these a figment of my imagination, or off on lease. Could the sticky include VS aircraft currently leased out to others?

Very good idea. Can also include the 4 A340's which are set to leave the fleet too.

OK I updated with the the suggestions from RLF. Would new posters care about older planes retiring though? Not sure...

[Neil]

There might be some mileage in having some sort of refit sticky for the LGW/MAN 747's once they start entering the fleet.

With regards to some of the other info suggested, especially for the LGW/MAN A330's, do remember we already have a very in depth a/c database that not only gives the a/c name, it shows the seat map, what IFE is installed and unlike a simple sticky that is manually updated, it shows every movement the a/c makes thus giving a very accurate and detailed list of what routes/flight it is operated.

I'm not so sure having a list of a/c with 'due unknown' or 'with xx airline' is particularly helpful to anyone.

Yep totally agree, I didn't want to particularly replicate the aircraft database but, what the aircraft database does very badly is give an overall summary.

If you wish, feel free to take control of this thread and make changes as desired.

I saw something on the VS website a few weeks ago regarding aeromobile.
The A330-300s entering service (all before December) after G-VRAY will be G-VNYC, G-VGBR, G-VWAG and G-VUFO.
The 2 aircraft leased to China Airlines (G-VLUV & G-VGEM) are also due back with VS by December. There was no mention of G-VINE, currently on lease to Ryan International.

Many thanks, I think this is very helpful to help follow the 330's

If we are keeping track of the LGW/MAN 744's maybe a seperate sticky, although this info, as has been said, can be taken from the a/c database

Maybe a summary list of just VA aircraft, with last major OH date???

Very useful, thanks!

OK I updated with the the suggestions from RLF. Would new posters care about older planes retiring though? Not sure...

Madame Butterfly (G-VSHY) leaves in July
Mystic Meg (G-VMEG) leaves in October
Cover Girl (G-VOGE) leaves in November
Silver Lady (G-VFOX ) leaves in December

OK I updated with the the suggestions from RLF. Would new posters care about older planes retiring though? Not sure...

Madame Butterfly (G-VSHY) leaves in July
Mystic Meg (G-VMEG) leaves in October
Cover Girl (G-VOGE) leaves in November
Silver Lady (G-VFOX ) leaves in December

Some people seem to have a fascination about particular planes (which I have never understood - a plane is a plane to me) and appear to be very agrrieved if they get sold on or otherwise leave the fleet.

Some people seem to have a fascination about particular planes (which I have never understood - a plane is a plane to me) and appear to be very agrrieved if they get sold on or otherwise leave the fleet.

Whilst I'm not particularly obsessed by a plane, I do believe G-VWOW Cosmic Girl is stalking me. The last 4 flights have been on her. :w

I think it's all very exciting about the new generation but have these questions.

1. Will the re-fitted 747's have upgraded IFE video on demand?
2. The A340's retiring this year, what will happen to them and why are they being phased out before my worse aircraft Maiden Tokyo, Molly/Diana, Rainbow Lady and Rainbow Lady?
3. What are the chances I will have a new A330 on my LAin Upper in october?

Love Virgin!!

I saw something on the VS website a few weeks ago regarding aeromobile.
The A330-300s entering service (all before December) after G-VRAY will be G-VNYC, G-VGBR, G-VWAG and G-VUFO.
The 2 aircraft leased to China Airlines (G-VLUV & G-VGEM) are also due back with VS by December. There was no mention of G-VINE, currently on lease to Ryan International.

So that makes either 5 or 7 A330's joinging the fleet this calendar year, and 4 A340's leaving.

I wonder which routes the additional 1 to 3 aircraft are going to operate?

I'm confused about the refurbed 747's on the LGW fleet....the PE, is the config staying the same...I.e: 100%PE upstairs or are they changing to a similar config to the LHR fleet....??

[mitchja]

The upper deck will be half Premium and half economy. Found this seat map on the VS website which looks like the new 744 LGW/MAN config.

Well spotted mitchja!

The upper deck will be half Premium and half economy. Found this seat map on the VS website which looks like the new 744 LGW/MAN config.

Very well spotted!

Not a bad layout at all, PE downstairs will probably be more preferable now, with quick access off the aircraft.

I think it's all very exciting about the new generation but have these questions.

1. Will the re-fitted 747's have upgraded IFE video on demand?
2. The A340's retiring this year, what will happen to them and why are they being phased out before my worse aircraft Maiden Tokyo, Molly/Diana, Rainbow Lady and Rainbow Lady?
3. What are the chances I will have a new A330 on my LAin Upper in october?

Love Virgin!!

1 - Yes, the JAM system currently fitted to the A330's

2 - I believe they are going back to Airbus and probably sold on. Chances are that the lease is up on those aircraft, where as the 4 you mentioned are either still under lease or owned therefore will cost more to dispose of.

3 - Slim to none, as the A330s don't have a crew rest so can only do sectors of around 7-8 hours or so.

If were covering departures from the fleet, then its worth mentioning G-VTOP will be leaving also,therefore won't be refitted.

The upper deck will be half Premium and half economy. Found this seat map on the VS website which looks like the new 744 LGW/MAN config.

Yes, very well spotted mitcha, thanks. Be interesting to see how that works out...

Mitchja's link takes you to a page that talks about the A380 order arriving in 2015 - anyone know if these are still definites? Thanks

Mitchja's link takes you to a page that talks about the A380 order arriving in 2015 - anyone know if these are still definites? Thanks

This post suggests not.

But they could be used from Gatwick, I believe they are finally getting ready for A380's?

[honey lamb]

The upper deck will be half Premium and half economy. Found this seat map on the VS website which looks like the new 744 LGW/MAN config.

Erm, the seat map for the config 2 planes show the current layout. Either they are not changing or else VS have not updated the map

The upper deck will be half Premium and half economy. Found this seat map on the VS website which looks like the new 744 LGW/MAN config.

Erm, the seat map for the config 2 planes show the current layout. Either they are not changing or else VS have not updated the map

Well I guess the new config will be config 5, not config 2. Like when config 3 changed to config 4.

[Neil]

The upper deck will be half Premium and half economy. Found this seat map on the VS website which looks like the new 744 LGW/MAN config.

Erm, the seat map for the config 2 planes show the current layout. Either they are not changing or else VS have not updated the map

If you just click the link James provided then it does take you to the new config,however it doesn't have a config number so if you click off it you can't click straight back to it.

There is also a link to the same thing in The Dibb, so it definitely is there.