A330 lax?

[VOZ102]

For the regulars out there...If the A330 was put on BNE-LAX-BNE, would you notice any major product difference (apart from PE & the bar) between the airbus at the 777? Assuming there wasn't huge restrictions, Virgin could introduce the A330 on the days that the 777 doesn't fly.

Discuss.

 

[Quickstatus]

The A330-200 does not have that range (7160nm)

Though in the past QF used to have an A332 do a MEL-AKL-LAX-JFK. The AKL to LAX would be 6500nm pretty much at its range limits with a reduced payload

While VA does not have the A330-300, the A330-300 definitely unable because although longer than the -200 it has even less range because it only has wing tanks (no centre tanks like the -200)

 

[Quickstatus]

Additionally VA configuration is not really for long range ops because it's got 275 pax compared with QF at 235 pax. No crew rests? And less galley space. But has one toilet more than the reconfig QFA332

 

[jb747]

While VA does not have the A330-300, the A330-300 definitely unable because although longer than the -200 it has even less range because it only has wing tanks (no centre tanks like the -200)

And it's heavier.

Not really on topic, but that's a Geoff Dixon story. Apparently he was talking to some A330 pilots, and asked them what they thought of getting the 'long range one'. Silence for a second until they realised he thought that because the 747 range got longer with increasing model number, that the same applied to the AB. It was then pointed out that he was currently in the actual 'long range' one...a domestic 200.

 

[Mattg]

To answer your question, yes there would be a difference. It would be a more cramped experience in economy (VA's legroom on the A330 doesn't seem particularly generous in Y), there would be no premium economy and business class passengers would lose the bar. The A330 suites are still a good product, but there would only be half as many of them.

Even so, it's all a bit of moot point when the A330 doesn't have the range for such a flight. It would have to fly via HNL, NAN or AKL.

 

[oz_mark]

I imagine the main difference is that you would get wet when the plane went splash.

 

[VOZ102]

I can confirm the A332 does actually have the range, I've run the numbers. Quite a few airlines operate > 13-14 hours in the A332. Aircraft Type ✈ Airbus A330-200 (twin-jet) (A332) Aircraft ✈ FlightAware e.g. Sichuan Airlines (3U) #8632 ✈ 28-Apr-2017 ✈ KLAX - HGH / ZSHC ✈ FlightAware

I can image that it maybe wouldn't carry 275 pax but with PE and Y Extra introduced on the A330 it could make it viable I would imagine.

 

[Mattg]

I can confirm the A332 does actually have the range, I've run the numbers. Quite a few airlines operate > 13-14 hours in the A332. Aircraft Type ✈ Airbus A330-200 (twin-jet) (A332) Aircraft ✈ FlightAware e.g. Sichuan Airlines (3U) #8632 ✈ 28-Apr-2017 ✈ KLAX - HGH / ZSHC ✈ FlightAware

I can image that it maybe wouldn't carry 275 pax but with PE and Y Extra introduced on the A330 it could make it viable I would imagine.

Interesting. Would it really be commercially viable though to reconfigure an A330 with PE etc. just so that it could fly to LAX 1-2 times per week?

 

[straitman]

I can confirm the A332 does actually have the range, I've run the numbers. Quite a few airlines operate > 13-14 hours in the A332. Aircraft Type ✈ Airbus A330-200 (twin-jet) (A332) Aircraft ✈ FlightAware e.g. Sichuan Airlines (3U) #8632 ✈ 28-Apr-2017 ✈ KLAX - HGH / ZSHC ✈ FlightAware

I can image that it maybe wouldn't carry 275 pax but with PE and Y Extra introduced on the A330 it could make it viable I would imagine.

Whilst this is true I suspect you would/could end up with an issue on the west bound legs due to prevailing winds.

A quick stop in NAN maybe.

 

[Quickstatus]

I can confirm the A332 does actually have the range, I've run the numbers. Quite a few airlines operate > 13-14 hours in the A332. Aircraft Type ✈ Airbus A330-200 (twin-jet) (A332) Aircraft ✈ FlightAware e.g. Sichuan Airlines (3U) #8632 ✈ 28-Apr-2017 ✈ KLAX - HGH / ZSHC ✈ FlightAware

I can image that it maybe wouldn't carry 275 pax but with PE and Y Extra introduced on the A330 it could make it viable I would imagine.

Thanks for the info. It appears 3U has a 236 passenger version with J and Y. Looking at DL39 which operates SEA-HKG the A332 there had 234 seats.

However these flights are about 6500 n-miles which is what QF did with AKL-LAX and return and which is about 900 shorter than LAX-SYD

 

[a330j]

I don't even want to contemplate it. Am flying VA J BNE-LAX-BNE for the first time in about a month. Looking forward to the 777.

 

[VOZ102]

I don't even want to contemplate it. Am flying VA J BNE-LAX-BNE for the first time in about a month. Looking forward to the 777.

Fair comment. But if it afforded a daily service; people might think different.

 

[Quickstatus]

But I still think it does not have the range.