A330neo

Hey

Does anyone know when the next batch of A330neo’s are due to start getting delivered?

[mitchja]

I don’t think there’s any due now this year as DL ended up taking the most recent VS A339 order slot(s) as I believe VS have deferred their rest of their A339 orders until at least next year now.

I don’t think there’s any due now this year as DL ended up taking the most recent VS A339 order slot(s) as I believe VS have deferred their rest of their A339 orders until at least next year now.

Thanks! I’ve noticed a number of my Miami flights have changed to a330neo in Feb but I don’t hold out any hope. Especially with no deliveries forthcoming

As an FYI Virgin are now charging £300 to choose a retreat Suite seat. It first started at £200 at launch, then when to £250 soon after but noticed today it’s now bumped again.
I still think it’s worth it but wonder how much VA are going to keep pushing it up….

I think the original plan was to have 4 delivered each year until the order was completed.

As an FYI Virgin are now charging £300 to choose a retreat Suite seat. It first started at £200 at launch, then when to £250 soon after but noticed today it’s now bumped again.
I still think it’s worth it but wonder how much VA are going to keep pushing it up….

I've been flying a lot the last year and it seems they always have people in the retreat suite, it's never empty.

Indeed, in regards to the suite not opening up until 2 weeks prior to flight, I’d like to see a week prior released just to AU as an adidtional benefit

[mitchja]

Indeed, in regards to the suite not opening up until 2 weeks prior to flight, I’d like to see a week prior released just to AU as an adidtional benefit

Seems that might be a thing now as even though I don’t fly until April 2024, the 2 Retreat suites are now showing as available and selectable for £300. They were blocked a few weeks ago?

This seems an odd thing to offer so far out before my travel dates especially on the JFK route which is notorious for A/C changes?

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My LHR-MIA in late-Feb has switched back to a A330neo this morning having gone A330neo > 787 > A330neo

Interestingly they had me still in 9A which doesn’t exist on the NEO!

The return in March remains on the 787

According to aviation flights, the next A330neo will be registered G-VSRB (MSN 2061).

#4 was supposed to be registered G-VMER so this will probably be another one to be delivered this year too.

Indeed, in regards to the suite not opening up until 2 weeks prior to flight, I’d like to see a week prior released just to AU as an adidtional benefit

Seems that might be a thing now as even though I don’t fly until April 2024, the 2 Retreat suites are now showing as available and selectable for £300. They were blocked a few weeks ago?

This seems an odd thing to offer so far out before my travel dates especially on the JFK route which is notorious for A/C changes?

New guy here, I just booked the 2 retreat suites at £300 each for a flight in June. Must admit I’m a bit worried now that I read about the aircraft changes, won’t be very happy if they do.

Hello everyone! Flew the Neo in the retreat suite last year with VA to Tampa. It was amazing. Was hoping more neos would have been delivered by now. Done some digging and searching and they are currently anticipating 4 more this year to be delivered and operating. Indeed , VA do like to make schedule changes but as it currently stands these are the dates when the next neos are due to be flying (note: not delivered as delivery would be the week before:

May 13th:
5 Neo: 1x BOS, 4x JFK

August 29th:
6 Neo: 4xJFK, 2xBOS

5tH September -
7 Neo: 2x BOS, 1x TPA, 4x JFK

(From Winter schedule start date 27th October, the 2nd daily BOS flight is dropped and the 1 Neo is then scheduled on the MIA VS117 route)

5th December
8 Neo: 1x BOS, 1x TPA, 1x MIA, 1x IAD, 4x JFK

On a side note; I’ve booked LHR-MIA in November (Wednesday before Thanksgiving) which is currently scheduled as Neo (I know from plenty experience that VA May swap the aircraft). However, I am confident since the 7th is to be reviewed by early September even with delivery delays (note: all 4 neos currently were delayed 1-2 weeks in delivery).

From flyers previous experiences; are VA flights from London to USA/MIA busy Thanksgiving week? Currently only 4 seats taken on my flight! I know still 9 1/2 months to go… but routes like JFK on the same day are already busier way more passengers. I am not too worried as when I flew to Tampa in Jan 2023, only 60 passengers on the flight out… very quiet!

I’ve also booked the retreat suites.
1- Shocked the price has increased from £200 to £300 per seat but I think it’s worth it for the longer routes (Florida, and eventually west coast).
2- You can book them now and not two weeks before.

So I believe VA is confident these 4 neos due this year are on track and will be delivered otherwise I don’t think they’d risk opening up the selection to pay for the retreat suites if aircraft changes due to late deliveries were likely.

For those that have done the Retreat Suite, is there a better one of the two?

Not really at all. I took 1D & partner took 1G. No difference at all. Just that the storage lockers are in a different place. However, my partner was served faster in 1G. As the order food and drink went:

Left : 1A then 1D. Right: 1G then 1K.
So we got food and drink at different times

[mitchja]

Having tried both, I personally prefer 1G over 1D. 1G feels more private as the seat in 1G isn't right next to the aisle like it is in 1D.

Not really as issue when the suite doors are closed, but more noticeable when the doors are open i.e. before takeoff and during landing.

Just looked and the price has gone up again, now 336 for the R/S seats

[mitchja]

Just looked and the price has gone up again, now 336 for the R/S seats

It doesn't look like it's cross the board though as I've just checked my bookings and for JFK, it has indeed gone up to £336, however, for my BOS flight its still showing £300.

68% uplift since launch pricing is quite the increase in a cabin class that is getting further and further behind the competition..

[mitchja]

68% uplift since launch pricing is quite the increase in a cabin class that is getting further and further behind the competition..

Behind which competition though? It's a captive market as other than JetBlue, who else offers a similar J+ add-on option?

Just looked and the price has gone up again, now 336 for the R/S seats

It doesn't look like it's cross the board though as I've just checked my bookings and for JFK, it has indeed gone up to £336, however, for my BOS flight its still showing £300.

I think they have increased price on particular routes. I paid £200 last year to Tampa and I’ve paid £300 to Miami for later this year. For me I think it’s worth it.
I’ve checked VS117 the next day and it’s still £300, but checked JFK and it’s £336. Are people more inclined to pay the additional £36 on JFK route?

I only book (when I can) on the outbound as it’s a much longer flight so get the use out of it. For the inbound, just a regular UC seat as I’m sleeping or trying to sleep.

Is the price increase simply the result of supply and demand? If people are prepared to pay, then squeeze a little more money out...

Yeah, wanted to try them on my first Neo flight but they were booked, then the price went up to 300 so I thought sod it will splash out on this trip but now at 336 I feel like virgin is just trying to push for more money. Think I will just keep my 8k seat.

Its a shame really, not a huge fan of the Neo, I prefer the a350 everytime.

[mitchja]

The Retreat Suite upgrade showing as £344 today on my JFK flights next month. BOS is still £300 though.

The Retreat Suite upgrade showing as £344 today on my JFK flights next month. BOS is still £300 though.

Wow that is crazy! The limit for me is £300 which is even a little too steep.
In AF you can get a similar seat in Bulkhead rows on their new Business class product for free.

The Retreat Suite price has now droped to 270 for my flight next week, guess they are not selling well?