A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

[Justchecking]

The 737's will obviously get something else!

Excuse me if I've been asleep for a decade but where did a 737 refit come from? Does anyone really believe an entire fleet of seats less than 3yrs old are getting ripped out anytime soon? Even if they were what would they be replaced with, only something that will fit into the same space, unless of course [we imagine\fantasize] VA are going to re-jig an entire cabin just to change a product thats barely seen service. I dont see the 737 product changing for at least another 5yrs, the seat covers have barely been worn in.

The old 330's, yeah I can see that since the seats are the old EK ones and were only recovered when the service was launched.

 

[Justchecking]

a couple of crew on a flight a little while ago...

I just snorted milk out my nostrils! Surely no-one is taking the ramblings of crew seriously. We need a thread...

Stuff crew said that never happened

 

[DC3]

I just snorted milk out my nostrils! Surely no-one is taking the ramblings of crew seriously. We need a thread...

Stuff crew said that never happened

or a much smaller thread: Stuff crew said that did happen

 

[maninblack]

Excuse me if I've been asleep for a decade but where did a 737 refit come from? Does anyone really believe an entire fleet of seats less than 3yrs old are getting ripped out anytime soon? Even if they were what would they be replaced with, only something that will fit into the same space, unless of course [we imagine\fantasize] VA are going to re-jig an entire cabin just to change a product thats barely seen service. I dont see the 737 product changing for at least another 5yrs, the seat covers have barely been worn in.

The old 330's, yeah I can see that since the seats are the old EK ones and were only recovered when the service was launched.

See post 184, it came in an email from VA to a forum member but my assumption is it refers to business class only. The J seats on the 738's are of the super discount store variety and that they are only a few years old would not necessarily prevent them being changed for a superior design.

As it to cabin crew you are quite right, they are near the bottom of the information food chain.

 

[Intra]

SO, first A330 J experience coming up Thursday night, BNE-PER in the evening, online check-in opens AND.... I now have either Awful or Broken (2-3-2 config rather than the 2-2-2 that had been displaying on seat selection in the past.... Correct?)
Expectations have dropped significantly already based on what has been said, across the board. Bringing my iPad pre-loaded, eat abit more in The Lounge....

I return on the red-eye on Sunday.... If I get the new config, things might balance out....

 

[EuroKick]

Food is never a problem on these birds. In fact, I've had better meals on the emirates planes than the new ones.

 

[ap_spd]

Food is never a problem on these birds. In fact, I've had better meals on the emirates planes than the new ones.

Hey EuroKick did you mean the other way with food, better on VA than EK ??

 

[markis10]

Hey EuroKick did you mean the other way with food, better on VA than EK ??

No, better food on awful and broken, which were originally EK birds.

 

[ap_spd]

No, better food on awful and broken, which were originally EK birds.

thanks markis10. I only had two flights on the new ones so probably food wasn't the best but seats were

 

[MarkD]

Excuse my ignorance, but how the hell does food vary depending whether it's an old plane or new? Isn't it prepared for the airline? Not specific individual aircraft. I can see the caterers, hmm ok this one is an ex emirates plane. Let's send this variation on it. It's not going to happen

 

[lovestotravel]

Sent feedback regarding a sub and got this in the response

"As a result of this feedback, not only from yourself, but many of our loyal guests, we have commenced a total re-fit of our fleet to ensure we exceed your expectations."

Is this anything new or just fluff? I wasn't aware if any intention to refit apart from the botched J seat trials last year

LOL LOL

Standard form based response from probably years ago when VA didn't have business class on all of their aircraft!

There was a rumor going around late last year that they will refit all the 737's again with a better and not-so-cheap J seat.... Once can only hope what the person said is true but I wouldn't be too optimistic.

I have heard this as well and as Markis has said, there was meant to be a "product testing" of a potential new J product, that was cancelled at the last minute, which was strange in itself.

VA should simply put the Virgin America product on all of their 737's, it's a great J product and fine for all routes that should be served by a 737.

The J seat on VA is terrible and I keep hearing from friends that fly them, that they are lucky to see 1-3 people in J, on MEL-SYD-MEL flights at peak hour, while QF is pretty much always 100% full in J from my own personal observations on the golden triangle.

 

[Intra]

Excuse my ignorance, but how the hell does food vary depending whether it's an old plane or new? Isn't it prepared for the airline? Not specific individual aircraft. I can see the caterers, hmm ok this one is an ex emirates plane. Let's send this variation on it. It's not going to happen

*shrugs* Fair call.... Fair call, but I'm still going in with low expectations; Might be surprised first time around
I pray they give me a new bird on the red-eye Sunday - I'll need the sleep for a working Monday

I more see it as Menu A is better than Menu B, let's give Awful/Broken Menu B (Intentionally/Unintentionally). Who am I to make such judgement?
I've read all of the comments here about expirence a re:These Birds and have these assumptions in my mind - Maybe I'll do my first TR, Novice Trans-Con J Flyer.... Maybe....

 

[DaleS]

IMHO I can't see what difference it will make which bird you have for the red eye. Have only done it once PER-MEL. Boarding at 11 o something then laying the seat flat as it goes after seat belt off for 4 ish hours to be woken up and out into MEL at 05.45 is not my idea of sleep for a working any day. I know the trip to BNE is a little longer but it's not the way to travel. I'm day journeys all the way.
My mini TR having just done OOL-MEL-PER return for double status credits -
Didn't score an upgrade on OOL-MEL but row 3 is fine for that journey. 2 hours in Mel lounge where I saw my ride arrive. Got VXH seat 2A MEL-PER on 13.10 flight 10 pax in cabin. Took full advantage of hot nuts and a JD then the salmon salad, beef with glass of red, then the crumble and a glass of desert wine. All was excellent. Didn't think much of the movie selection or had seen them so read & listened to tunes. Arrived and straight to carousel where my bags came out 3rd then taxi to Convention Cnt to set up for expo. Great and easy day of travelling and the worst thing is how the 3 hours difference throws your body clock. Stayed up till 12.30 my time but of course is only 9.30 so after my usual 7 hours woke up at 04.30.
Anyway dealt with that and after the expo SWMBO and I drove to Smiths Beach and stayed at the Smiths Beach Resort which is very nice. Got a surf every morning on the great little reef break there and enjoyed a few days off. Return journey was on XFD 09.40. Had about 45 min in the PER lounge which I don't find as bad as some make out. I had 2A again and when I boarded there was a guy in 2B but there were only 12 pax. Bit weird but checked with FA and moved to 4F after seat belts off. Same menu and I couldn't pass up the salad and beef but this time I had the cheese and kept off the alcohol. Flight was only 3 hrs 50 so it seemed like it was over asap. Crew on both journeys were excellent - very attentive and nothing too much trouble. Another hour and something in the MEL lounge which is great I think and even at peak time on a Thursday not really crowded. Then 2A on to OOL on 18.10 flight. Full cabin but well looked after although the chicken pie is not so great. Soon at the carousel where my bags were about 6th so quick exit and on the road south and 280 SC's added to my tally to help keep Plat for another year.
So despite XFA/B I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience.

 

[AdMEL]

*shrugs* Fair call.... Fair call, but I'm still going in with low expectations; Might be surprised first time around
I pray they give me a new bird on the red-eye Sunday - I'll need the sleep for a working Monday

I more see it as Menu A is better than Menu B, let's give Awful/Broken Menu B (Intentionally/Unintentionally). Who am I to make such judgement?
I've read all of the comments here about expirence a re:These Birds and have these assumptions in my mind - Maybe I'll do my first TR, Novice Trans-Con J Flyer.... Maybe....

Could it be that the menu on one was better than the other because either:

1. one was east and one was west? (East and West flights have different menus!); or
2. one was significantly after the other and the menu had changed?

 

[drewbles]

Could it be that the menu on one was better than the other because either:

1. one was east and one was west? (East and West flights have different menus!); or
2. one was significantly after the other and the menu had changed?

Having done MEL-PER and PER-MEL several times within a few weeks on both XFA/B and the newer birds, I have not noticed any difference whatsoever, between them. Had the same westbound meal on XFA and XFE. Both tasted the same to me (and looked identical).

 

[docjames]

The J seat on VA is terrible and I keep hearing from friends that fly them, that they are lucky to see 1-3 people in J, on MEL-SYD-MEL flights at peak hour, while QF is pretty much always 100% full in J from my own personal observations on the golden triangle.

I'm not sure what's wrong with your friends but I find it perfectly acceptable for shorter flights, sure, theres better seats out there but eg. Virgin US use the same aircraft for transcons and thus need a better product, so ideally if VA can phase out the 738s on trans-cons (which is the intention it would seem) then this is less of an issue.

The "not full" problem vs QF would also relate to the fact that QF fill a lot of seats with people connecting to J international flights especially on routes to SYD.

 

[gwilli1]

Well I had my first experience on VA's A330's over the weekend . Went over SYD-PER on Friday on XFH in J , what fantastic service and experience that was . Last night on PER-BNE I unfortunately had the complete opposite experience , snagging XFA.... I know why that call it XF(Awful) now . Admittedly I did it in Y , so there is no comparison to my J experience , but as for a Y experience , its an embarassment , or at least should be an embarassment to VA , that this a/c is even running . It was like stepping back a decade or more ... absolute cough IFE , content & sound..... where was my RED !!!! Seats were uncomfortable and had poor recline . Thankgod I was able to grab a 4 seater ( low load) and grab 2 1/2 hours sleep and we got across the country in under 4 hours arriving at OMG o'clock in Brisvegas. I was more than happy to get off.

I honestly can't believe VA is running 2 x A330 products by not upgrading A & B . I don't know where they are at with any potential upgrade , but it can't come sooner enough IMO. Im not sure I want to enter the A330 "lottery" again until these 2 birds are upgraded . I would have preferred flying back in a 738 in Y last night.

 

[mannej]

I think people are forgetting that 5-6 years ago when the 767's were the mainstay of the transcon routes (even up to the EBJ days), QF had very little in terms of IFE on these routes (I am aware of the loop based on the 743's).
Take it or leave it but I feel that we do very well going across the country in terms of product (and yes I do think the VA J product is overkill for the PER- east coast routes unless it's a red eye).

 

[DJVA]

Sitting in the MEL VA lounge - unsurprisingly an announcement comes over the speakers that a service to PER has been delayed by an hour due to tech issues on an 330 aircraft. What are the odds it's A or B?

 

[TomVexille]

Sitting in the MEL VA lounge - unsurprisingly an announcement comes over the speakers that a service to PER has been delayed by an hour due to tech issues on an 330 aircraft. What are the odds it's A or B?

It's Broken