A330-300 retirements

The A333 retirements are starting this year. G-VNYC and G-VGBR are leaving the fleet and are being leased to Thai Airways.

[mitchja]

I believe they are not going until the end of the summer season. VS are due 2 more A339s to replace these along with another 2 A350s this year.

No idea when any of the new A/C deliveries are due though?

Interesting choice of retirement frames - both 11yrs old (MSN 1315 for VNYC & 1329 for VGBR) whilst keeping older aircraft, notably VSXY (MSN 1195 / 12yrs old) & VKSS (MSN 1201 / 12yrs old) in the fleet. Must be down to different leasing companies / the terms they are offering for extending leases.

It's not as though you can avoid an expensive D check by handing the plane back early, as a return to lessor check will be needed, as well as a white paint job.

Yes, 2 A350s this year which are are sitting unpainted at TLS now (VNVR and VELJ), 1 in 2025 and 1 in 2026.

I believe they are getting 4 A339s each year now through to 2026. This would suggest that after the next 2 A339s arrive, an A333 will be retired with every new A339 delivery.

It would make sense if the newer of the A333s remaining were kept until 2026 as they would likely be in better condition inside (VINE, VRAY, VWAG and VUFO).

Yes, 2 A350s this year which are are sitting unpainted at TLS now (VNVR and VELJ), 1 in 2025 and 1 in 2026.

I believe they are getting 4 A339s each year now through to 2026. This would suggest that after the next 2 A339s arrive, an A333 will be retired with every new A339 delivery.

It would make sense if the newer of the A333s remaining were kept until 2026 as they would likely be in better condition inside (VINE, VRAY, VWAG and VUFO).

I can't speak for other A330s, however when I flew on G-VRAY and G-VUFO 2 years ago, the Y and W cabins were both looking tired and would need a refresh if they're staying part of the fleet for longer. I am due to fly on an A330-operated flight in May and I suspect they will be worse then if I get either of them again.

I'm sure VS and the leaseco have their reasons for withdrawing certain aircraft first. Age isn't a major factor compared to when an aircraft is due a C or D Check or how many hours/cycles it has done.

Does anyone know on the schedule of Neo deliveries this year?

I know schedules can/likely will change, but in November I see Neo scheduled on:

3x JFK, 1x MIA, 1x TPA, 1x BOS & 1x IAD all on the same day. Are we expecting 3-4 neos delivers before end of year? I’ve experience the Neo last year on TPA in retreat suite. Booked MIA in Nov currently scheduled on Neo, paid for both retreat suites already. I know VA along with many other airlines change aircraft but as Neo is used currently on quite a lot of MIA flights per week, I thought it would be a safe bet

Does anyone know on the schedule of Neo deliveries this year?

I know schedules can/likely will change, but in November I see Neo scheduled on:

3x JFK, 1x MIA, 1x TPA, 1x BOS & 1x IAD all on the same day. Are we expecting 3-4 neos delivers before end of year? I’ve experience the Neo last year on TPA in retreat suite. Booked MIA in Nov currently scheduled on Neo, paid for both retreat suites already. I know VA along with many other airlines change aircraft but as Neo is used currently on quite a lot of MIA flights per week, I thought it would be a safe bet

Ours for March has also been switched back to the NEO, can I ask how much you paid for the retreat suite upgrade? Showing available for us to book but at £300 per person. Sure it used to be £200?

[mitchja]

The Retreat suite upgrade increased to £300 in December, mentioned in this post.

The Retreat suite upgrade increased to £300 in December, mentioned in this post.

Much appreciated, assumed it was the case but for some reason when searching didn't bring it up in the forums.

Hmmmm £200 felt worth it, not sure about £300.... decisions, decisions...

The Retreat suite upgrade increased to £300 in December, mentioned in this post.

Much appreciated, assumed it was the case but for some reason when searching didn't bring it up in the forums.

Hmmmm £200 felt worth it, not sure about £300.... decisions, decisions...

Yes I paid £300. It seems they increased it as I paid £200 per seat last January for the Tampa flight. Not sure if it’s worth it on JFK/BOS as that’s a quicker flight but I think it’s worth it for the longer flights definitely. Way more space!

Has VINE left the fleet?

[mitchja]

Not sure as VINE positioned to ISL in Turkey Apr 30th. The CAA registration database still shows VS as the AOC holder.

Hello Virgin Experts!

I have booked a flight next Easter, returning from Tampa to London Heathrow on 11th April. At the moment it says its an A330-300. Anyone have any thoughts of whether that is likely to be replaced with an A350 or A330 Neo?

Booked in Upper Class so very much hoping one of the newer planes takes over.

VINE returned to LHR yesterday wearing Thai Airways livery. It’ll be joining them, presumably as HS-TEX

I do wonder, since B787 will begin refit starting 2028, and Virgin to receive rest of Neo aircraft in order by 2028, will a few A330 remain until most B787 have been refitted, just in case they need a back up aircraft due to operations/maintenance.

G-VGEM flew to Istanbul on 13th October after being out of service for 3 days. Maybe 'Diamond Girl' is the next one to leave....

Update of VS a330neo delivery schedule according to ATDB:
2026 3x (march, october, december)
2027 1x
2028 5x
2029 2x

VS have saved a lot of cap ex with no deliveries in 2025. Bizarre how it's only 3 deliveries in 2026 instead of the usual 4.
Hopefully some of these jets will be purchased in line with the new 50% owned 50% leased fleet strategy. I thought all A333's would be gone by the end of 2026 MAN no doubt will get those last 2 remaining.

I think they said by end of Q1 - all A330 to be gone.
But they may keep a few on as that is when the Boeing refit starts.
I actually think MAN might get lucky in sense as they don’t use the Boeing, but MCO this winter are using the A350 (heavy UC) aircraft. Whilst next summer MIA looks like 2x A330 instead of A390. I’ll just be glad by 2029/30 are more standardised fleet. I had my SF flight changed from A39 to 787 next May. But it’s on the return, so doable as I’ll be sleeping.

Q1 of 2028 so a few more years yet. Make the most of the bar while you can. I still find the premium economy seats on the A333 more comfy for the daytime flights.

Currently scheduled on a A330 for a flight from Tampa to Heathrow in April next year. Do we think it will likely be replaced with a Neo?

[mitchja]

Currently scheduled on a A330 for a flight from Tampa to Heathrow in April next year. Do we think it will likely be replaced with a Neo?

Impossible to say. The A333’s will still be in service though for at least another 12 months. I believe there’s only a few A339’s due for delivery in 2026 and those are are due for delivery are getting a slightly different config with bigger J and W cabins.

Just had our Barbados flight in Jan swapped back to the A333 from the A339. I last flew on one in August and they were really shabby only plus side is at least they have a bar.

[mitchja]

The A333 Upper Class cabin *should* in theory be in better condition than the B789's Upper Cabin as the A333 cabin / seats are actually newer as they were only replaced around 6 or 7 years ago now.

If you remember the A333's initially had the Upper Class Dream Suite (which is still also actually pictured on V:Flyer today !)

The original A333 Upper Class Dream Suite
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