LGW Refits FAQ

I've just noticed that hot lips has been put back to 10th August ?| Not flying out to MCO till October so will have a really good chance of a refitted plane by then

The next "Swap" has been delayed again a few days... more slippage!

Hi all,

Anyone got any news on G-VLIP? Looked like she was due back on 01/08/12 then was delayed until 03/08/12 but there is no sign of her in the air today. Do we think this is possibly another delay in the process of refit?

I have noticed that all the re-fitted aircraft are only flying out of Gatwick at the moment,any news when Manchester might get a re-fitted plane.

G-VROM has operated a few flights ex MAN but as you have pointed out, especially recently, MAN hasn't seen a refitted a/c.

The a/c all rotate and it is just a tad unfortunate how the rotations have worked so far, but as more refitted a/c enter the fleet obviously the chance of them working out better when the rotations happen will increase.

Thanks,
Neil

I've noticed G-VINE A330 is flying to Man on 12/08/12 from LGW so maybe this might be going for maintenance/paint job after it's return but maybe it is taking over the MAN flights freeing up another 747 for re-fit or allowing another 330 to go off for maint

[Neil]

I doubt it. All A333's due to enter the fleet this year are due to be LHR a/c. She is only going to MAN for painting.

[Neil]

Hi all,

Anyone got any news on G-VLIP? Looked like she was due back on 01/08/12 then was delayed until 03/08/12 but there is no sign of her in the air today. Do we think this is possibly another delay in the process of refit?

She is currently now due back on the 10th with the next a/c due out on the11th.

but both will be back tomorrow in time for your 043, whether they will work that, or another service only tomorrow will tell....

Good point - I didn't think of that. Last day of work was a bit more than hectic B)

Fingers, toes, legs and arms crossed |:)

We were lucky and got a nice re-fit Ladybird to fly us from LGW to LAS. We secured exit rows in the bubble, and had a simply fantastic flight.

Crew were very excited, and were impressed by the new refurb conditions. It was their first flight on a refit aircraft

I'm not sure there is much left to cross in the hope we get another re-fit for the return journey! )

Have any of the refitted 747's been on MAN to MCO yet? Flying upper on Wednesday and wanted to know the chance of getting updated in flight entertainment

[mitchja]

Yes G-VROM has worked a couple of MAN>MCO flights.

Although G-VROM has operated a few MAN-MCO runs, I spoke to Virgin not long ago about the possibility of flying on a refurbed aircraft on my recent MAN-MCO run. I was told that for the time being, until more aircraft have been refitted, they are basing the re-fitted aircraft at Gatwick as it is a larger base for them than Manchester. I suspect G-VROM did a few MAN-MCO runs to give Manchester a 'taster' of what was to come in the upcoming months.

Me and my soon to be wife are travelling on VS073 from MAN to MCO for our honeymoon on 3rd October...what do you reckon our chances are of getting a refurbed 747 ???

[Neil]

Me and my soon to be wife are travelling on VS073 from MAN to MCO for our honeymoon on 3rd October...what do you reckon our chances are of getting a refurbed 747 ???

There should be 4 refitted a/c by then, with an outside chance of a 5th.

About right that LGW get the refit planes till there is more finished, MAN and GLA get the old junk for the time being!!.

About right that lgw get the refit planes till there is more finished,man and Gla get the old junk for the time been!!.

Why ?

A330?

Any idea when they will all be complete?

[Neil]

The 7 that are being done should be done by the end of the year (1 is leaving the fleet later this year so isn't being done)

Fingers crossed for Havana end of November

Does any one have a screen shot of the checkin layout of the refurbished planes compared to the old layout?

Flying to MCO From LGW on 07/07/12

Does any one have a screen shot of the checkin layout of the refurbished planes compared to the old layout?

Flying to MCO From LGW on 07/07/12

Old Layout

New Layout

Hi,
I know people are getting bored with this question so I'm sorry for asking it.
We are flying PE gatwick to Orlando on the 9th September returning 23rd September, what are the chances of a refurb plane or will we be stuck with an older plane with its dodgy audio sockets.

You'll probably have about a 1 in 3 chance of getting a refurbed plane. Currently there are only two in service but it'll probably be three by then.

Of course you may also get one of the newish A330s on that route.

Flew back from Vegas today on the delayed VS43 from 7 August. Was on Barbarella and the difference in the seating, IFE and overall experience was amazing. The delay was one of those things and we were looked after well. Had excellent cabin crew also.

Overall it was a great flight and reaffirmed why I choose virgin.

When all the leisure fleet are kitted out like this, I think they will have one of the best offerings out there.

Hi all,

Anyone got any news on G-VLIP? Looked like she was due back on 01/08/12 then was delayed until 03/08/12 but there is no sign of her in the air today. Do we think this is possibly another delay in the process of refit?

She is currently now due back on the 10th with the next a/c due out on the11th.

Seems like she's in the air, so that'll be three done when she lands at LGW later today.