A332 Verdict

Hello V-Flyers. My sincere apologies if this has been addressed. But have all the A332's UC cabins been modified to VS standard. If so, what is the verdict on the UC cabin in the A332 versus the A333 or Dreamliner? If not all complete when will all aircraft be complete?

Thanks.

[mitchja]

Yes, the are all now fully refurbished. The A332 seat maps on the VS website also received a much-needed refresh this week as well. They now look to show the Upper Seats much more clearly than just the squares the previous seat maps showed.

Not flown on the A332 yet so cannot comment on what they are like sorry.

Indeed we have not had any TRs posted about the A332 Upper class so there are no opinions round these 'ere parts sorry!

I will be on one in mid April so can review after that

Flying VS33 Upper 30th March. Will give my opinion (for what it's worth) shortly after.

A332 mini review
LGW out to St Lucia (VS89) late Jan and back from Grenada (VS90) early March
The cabin seems really small and a little claustrophobic compared to the other VS planes, maybe because of the layout - or that it is actually quite a small plane.
Seats - The new seats are very very confined and quite short- not sure how anyone near or above 6ft is expected to be able to sleep. For the ‘Love seats’ - I really don’t like this coffin style layout that seems to appear on a few airlines much prefer the existing angled beds.
Be aware that for anybody in the ‘solo freedom seats’ they will get continually knocked by anyone passing in the aisle.
The table only pivots - no sliding so not as flexible in use as existing layouts.
One bathroom for UC - or one shared with PE.
Crew - both ways seemed a little confused with the plane and where everything was - on return ran out of first choice of meal- No ice for drinks- No napkins -
Highlight - some new style pyjamas. Shame they did not have any in XL - Zodiac IFE is high quality with lots of choice.
Summary - very disappointed in the layout - would prefer to travel in PE than those UC seats

seems to be very mixed reviews out there about the plane (eg. https://www.headforpoints.com/2018/06/2 ... lass-seat/)
I wonder if the new a350 upper class will resemble anything like the a332 as virgin have been quoted saying it will allow them to explore new ideas etc for a350. Also curious how long the planes will last for as they are supposedly to fill in for 787s, but i believe there aren't many with issues now?!

My question exactly!

Does anyone know how long they will be on the Caribbean routes?

We assume we will be on one in May LGW-ANU. It would be excellent if that turned out to not be the case!

You’ll find a lot of the crew will
It have flown on them before especially those crew who mostly fly from LHR so they’ll be as unacquainted with the layout and how everything works as you are. Reading a notice and actually working on the aircraft are completely different. There’s no aircraft visit to get used to it before you actually have to work on it

Appreciate all the thoughtful replies. I do find it interesting that the A332 will be flying the LAX-MAN route, but then I also find it strange that it is not a daily service.

Kind Regards,
Dan

[mitchja]

As far as I’m aware, the A332’s are staying at LGW and as above, will also be op’ing the seasonal MAN flights (LAX & BOS).

Not sure what aircraft VS are using in the MAN>ATL and MAN>JFK flights this year. Are they staying as a 744?

My MAN>BOS return flight in August is also an A332.

The commercial email from VS indicated the new LHR-TEL route would be using the A332

[mitchja]

The commercial email from VS indicated the new LHR-TEL route would be using the A332

I think that’s a typo as if you look at booking a flight to TLV using the VS website, the A/C type shows an A333 on the several random dates I tried.

As far as I’m aware, the A332’s are staying at LGW and as above, will also be op’ing the seasonal MAN flights (LAX & BOS).

Not sure what aircraft VS are using in the MAN>ATL and MAN>JFK flights this year. Are they staying as a 744?

My MAN>BOS return flight in August is also an A332.

I was told MAN-JFK will stick with the 744 and the odd 332.

This was on routes on line pre Xmas

Virgin Atlantic in recent weeks filed additional changes to its winter 2019/20 operation from Manchester, effective from 27OCT19. Latest adjustment as follows.

Manchester – Atlanta eff 27OCT19 Boeing 747-400 operates 5 weekly flights, instead of previously filed 3 weekly
VS109 MAN1040 – 1450ATL 744 x24
VS110 ATL1800 – 0650+1MAN 744 x24

Manchester – New York JFK eff 27OCT19 A330-200 operates 7 weekly, instead of previously filed 3 weekly
VS127 MAN1300 – 1530JFK 332 D
VS128 JFK1855 – 0620+1MAN 332 D