737 subbed for A330 out of Perth 7/9/13

[dandandan]

All my info shows change from A330 to 737...no notice from Virgin!

 

[a330j]

All my info shows change from A330 to 737...no notice from Virgin!

That sucks. I'm getting worried. Booked in J to return from Per to BNE in a couple of weeks. Will be my first J trip ever, I booked because it was an A330. I'm getting worried that will happen to me. It seems to be a regular occurrence/complaint.

 

[DGW]

Being election day I'd expect loads would be pretty low, and the data from FlightStats bears that out; they're running 737s all day and still have seats available:



It sucks, but you can hardly blame them for not wanting to send half-empty 330s across the country and back.

 

[dandandan]

Being election day I'd expect loads would be pretty low, and the data from FlightStats bears that out; they're running 737s all day and still have seats available:


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It sucks, but you can hardly blame them for not wanting to send half-empty 330s across the country and back.

It's the communication issue... none! there was 15 seats booked on 558 on expert flyer last night. I just flew 6.5. hours on one and not looking forward to backing up in a few more hours, was looking forward to some R and R on the 330. Thunderstorms in Perth already saw 1hr in holding pattern the an 1hr at baggage as was not safe to go out on tarmac. It least it has reduced connection

 

[tyler21]

I flew VA 2 weeks ago to Melbourne with it showing a 330 but online check in was a 737 so I think it's a regular occurance for all 3 flights on Saturday. It gave me the oppurtunity to at least experience there new wifi which offered more choice then the 330's.

 

[pauly7]

Loads on PER routes have been patchy for a while for VA it has been noted on AFF before.

I guess in that environment they only have a few choices, cut flights or sub aircraft being the main ones....

Cutting flights: at least people still get a superior flight experience (unless you get unlucky with an old EK duck) but may be massively inconvenienced with a time change.

Sub aircraft: at least people get there at expected times but you are crammed into a VA 737.....

Guess they would prefer to maintain a schedule - which makes sense. For AFF diehards maybe not!!

 

[robbie1984]

I flew VA 2 weeks ago to Melbourne with it showing a 330 but online check in was a 737 so I think it's a regular occurance for all 3 flights on Saturday. It gave me the oppurtunity to at least experience there new wifi which offered more choice then the 330's.

Aren't the A330's only 'guaranteed' on weekdays, the 737's have always been used on Saturdays for most transcon flights...

 

[DGW]

Aren't the A330's only 'guaranteed' on weekdays, the 737's have always been used on Saturdays for most transcon flights...

330s are certainly scheduled for most flights (7 of 9 on a Saturday, I assume Sunday is similar) but of course when loads are low and they want to maintain frequency (and therefore disrupt as few pax travel plans as possible), substitutions will occur.

 

[robbie1984]

330s are certainly scheduled for most flights (7 of 9 on a Saturday, I assume Sunday is similar) but of course when loads are low and they want to maintain frequency (and therefore disrupt as few pax travel plans as possible), substitutions will occur.

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I was mistaken, seems they have added more frequency from when i last read about it.

 

[Cessna 180]

Does it really matter to most people what sort of plane it is?

So long as I get a feed and a couple of drinks without having to get my wallet out personally, I dont mind.

If in busines does one still get the same menu on the 737 as the 330? I guess if not that could upset anyone who was looking forward to that. It is a bit flash!

 

[mannej]

Does it really matter to most people what sort of plane it is?

So long as I get a feed and a couple of drinks without having to get my wallet out personally, I dont mind.

If in busines does one still get the same menu on the 737 as the 330? I guess if not that could upset anyone who was looking forward to that. It is a bit flash!

There is a big difference in the hard product between the two...

 

[marki]

There are big differences worth waiting paying for. Choice or illusion of choice would take A330 hands down.

 

[AdMEL]

Does it really matter to most people what sort of plane it is?

So long as I get a feed and a couple of drinks without having to get my wallet out personally, I dont mind.

If in busines does one still get the same menu on the 737 as the 330? I guess if not that could upset anyone who was looking forward to that. It is a bit flash!

As far as I aware (I've flown Business return MEL-PER on A330 - one way on new bird, one way on ex-EK bird, but not on 737), the menu on the 737 is not the same, as the 737 does not have a full galley kitchen and only has limited storage, so less choice of wine, etc. It's likely a cut down version of the A330 menu though.

 

[Bofter]

It's not a sub to a 737 but they just announced that XFA has non functioning IFE for the flight to Perth. My experience on the ex-Emirates birds made this no surprise. Fortunately the traditional IFE option I brought of a book is pretty reliable.

 

[eastwest101]

It's not a sub to a 737 but they just announced that XFA has non functioning IFE for the flight to Perth. My experience on the ex-Emirates birds made this no surprise. Fortunately the traditional IFE option I brought of a book is pretty reliable.

Thats an interesting justification - replace a A330 without working IFE to a B738 with no IFE fitted.....

* understanding of course that the IFE will need to be fixed on XFA and that it is an IFE problem only

 

[erkpod]

I read on VA's FB page that they put on a special AFL charter PER - AVV - PER for the Dockers game in Geelong yesterday. Not sure of aircraft type or if it was open to Dockers fans as well as players/staff.

 

[Mak404matt]

I read on VA's FB page that they put on a special AFL charter PER - AVV - PER for the Dockers game in Geelong yesterday. Not sure of aircraft type or if it was open to Dockers fans as well as players/staff.

It was a charter that was not bookable by the public. Only players/staff as far as I know.

 

[Comoman]

It was a charter that was not bookable by the public. Only players/staff as far as I know.

According to the news that's incorrect. Approx 50 Dockers fans and one Geelong fan (!) bought tickets for the flight.

 

[Mak404matt]

According to he news that's incorrect. Aprox 50 Dockers fans and people Geelong fan bought tickets for the flight.

Wow interesting, I looked online and couldn't find it, I miss the JQ and TT AVV flights

 

[bubblyguy]

The Dockers charter flight was able to be booked by the general public through the Fremantle Dockers website. As it was a charter service it was not displayed on the Virgin Australia website.

There is plenty of maintenance taking place at the moment on the weekends which has led to a slight increase (such as this weekend) of 737 services over A330s. Trying to resolve the many cabin defects that are on certain aircraft.