Virgin to reduce east-west flights, downgrade to Boeing 737s during A330 refurb

[CamDownUnder]

"Virgin Australia plans a rapid rollout of its next-generation business class seats, despite the launch being pushed back from March to an unspecified 'mid-year' timeframe.

But transcontinental travellers could face a little pain before enjoying their lie-flat business class gain, including possible cancellation of selected off-peak services and some flights operated by smaller Boeing 737s, as each of the A330s goes under the knife."

Not looking forward to that! Imagine you've booked A330 J weeks or months in advance and finding yourself on a B738! I'd want a big refund or travel credit for starters.

Virgin Australia to fast-track new A330 business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Pleb Status]

Not looking forward to that! Imagine you've booked A330 J weeks or months in advance and finding yourself on a B738! I'd want a big refund or travel credit for starters.

Very little chance of compensation considering there is no difference in price between the 332 J and the 738 J now.

 

[smit0847]

I think they'd let you transfer to an A330 flight with no penalty if there were seats available

 

[Comoman]

Very little chance of compensation considering there is no difference in price between the 332 J and the 738 J now.

That in itself is rather rough.....

 

[theevilmuppet]

"But transcontinental travellers could face a little pain before enjoying their lie-flat business class gain, including possible cancellation of selected off-peak services and some flights operated by smaller Boeing 737s, as each of the A330s goes under the knife."

Not looking forward to that! Imagine you've booked A330 J weeks or months in advance and finding yourself on a B738! I'd want a big refund or travel credit for starters.

Given there are 18 J class seats on the A330 and only 8 on the B738, that's a potentially...err..."interesting" problem.

EDIT: Corrected J class seat count for the B738

 

[DC3]

Given there are 18 J class seats on the A330 and only 4 on the B738, that's a potentially...err..."interesting" problem.

Only 4 seats in VA 738 J class, now? It was bad enough when it was 8 seats.

 

[theevilmuppet]

Only 4 seats in VA 738 J class, now? It was bad enough when it was 8 seats.

You're completely right - there are 8 seats. Thanks for picking that up.

The problem here is my inability to multiply by 2!

 

[mannej]

Given there are 18 J class seats on the A330 and only 8 on the B738, that's a potentially...err..."interesting" problem.

EDIT: Corrected J class seat count for the B738

Are there only 3 rows of J currently in the VA 330's?

 

[Grimace1]

Are there only 3 rows of J currently in the VA 330's?

No, there are four rows, making it 24 seats in Business class on the A330

 

[TomVexille]

Was always going to happen.

 

[shuuy]

On 1400 SC (almost all east-west J) I've only seen J full once. 80% of the time there are fewer than 8 pax.

 

[Isochronous]

VA aren't selling many J tickets obviously.

 

[Saab34]

It's a big and expensive aircraft to operate when the majority of loads can still squeeze into a 738.

It would be great if they could sacrifice one A330 and put it on SYD-HNL.

 

[MH_fan]

VA aren't selling many J tickets obviously.

That's because it's so bloody expensive!
$3600 return in J on a transcon when you can get a return J to Singapore or KL for <$3200! I know where I'd rather go for that amount of money.

 

[moa999]

Do we know where VA are doing the reconfigs? In Australia or offshore?

 

[VERITAZ]

Do we know where VA are doing the reconfigs? In Australia or offshore?

Singapore I believe.