A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

[Mondo]

I have drawn the short straw and find myself on a XFA/B aircraft for an upcoming PER-SYD flight in J. I read somewhere on the forum, rumours that these aircraft were being removed from service for a refit over the last few months. Has anyone travelled this aircraft in the last couple of weeks and can confirm or deny these rumours? If no refit, which were the seats to avoid in J with the non-working seat and/or IFE? Thanks.

 

[maninblack]

I have drawn the short straw and find myself on a XFA/B aircraft for an upcoming PER-SYD flight in J. I read somewhere on the forum, rumours that these aircraft were being removed from service for a refit over the last few months. Has anyone travelled this aircraft in the last couple of weeks and can confirm or deny these rumours? If no refit, which were the seats to avoid in J with the non-working seat and/or IFE? Thanks.

Have travelled on one of these only a few weeks ago. No refit. Sorry. I would avoid all the seats, one of the worst J seats I have used in years. Plenty of recline and pitch but narrow and uncomfortable, legrests that don't extend adequately and an eating tray that is an ergonomic disaster. The window seats are strangely cramped up against the cabin wall. If this was Emirates J then I'm glad I never flew them. Best to avoid if you can. The new J seats on the VA 330 are excellent though.

 

[EuroKick]

Worst J seats? Travelled the QF domestic A330s? Yikes.

 

[maninblack]

I said "one of the worst". But actually the QF domestic J seat is more comfortable than these despite a lack of legroom.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I said "one of the worst". But actually the QF domestic J seat is more comfortable than these despite a lack of legroom.

I must agree...

Don't think they are going for refit. Probably up for heavy maintenance soon though?

 

[serfty]

I quite like the seats on the ex EK aircraft.

Shame the IFE is so unreliable, when it's working the nose and belly cams provide interesting coverage.

FWIW, the newer EK J seats ( I flew on their 777 last month ) are better than any in the VA or QF fleets.

 

[jneufeld]

Complained about this recently after a flight on XFA last month. Got this response:

[TD="class: td1"]Dear Mr. Neufeld,


Firstly, thank you for your feedback and taking the time to let us know of your recent experience.


Mr Neufeld it was with regret that I read your comments regarding the quality of the A330 aircraft aircraft on your flight to Perth recently. At Virgin Australia, a high standard of excellent service and satisfaction is one of the main focus points of the company. I am disheartened to hear that on this occasion the condition of the aircraft meant that we may not have been able to match our expectations.


As the airline grows, it can be very easy to become complacent and you have raised some very valid points. Mr Neufeld I can advise you that a project is underway at present to ensure that standards are maintained across all our aircraft.


Please rest assured all feedback provided by our valuable guests is an integral part of our business improvement plan. As such, your individual comments will be distributed to the relevant Product and In-Flight Experience managers within the airline via our comprehensive feedback reporting system.


I do hope you give us an opportunity to welcome you back on board one of our flights in the near future, and provide you with the high standards of service we pride ourselves on.


Kind regards,
VA
[/TD]

 

[eastwest101]

Its an old thread (and a long one) - but there have been issues with XFA and possibly XFB since at least Sept 2013. I can't find the actual thread but I remember people complaining about the IFE in the front rows of J and the front bulkhead rows in Y (maybe?). Depending on whether it was XFA or XFB there were reports of specific seats on say XFA that often had U/S IFE, but of course with no way of predicting if you get XFA or XFB until its too late and its at the gate.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a-velocity/declining-levels-of-ife-53793.html

 

[jneufeld]

For all intents and purposes there is no built in IFE in J on these aircraft anymore. The crew offer around Galaxy Tabs at the start of the flight, if your screen is working (most of them aren't) it pretty much only good for the map.

 

[Boris spatsky]

For all intents and purposes there is no built in IFE in J on these aircraft anymore. The crew offer around Galaxy Tabs at the start of the flight, if your screen is working (most of them aren't) it pretty much only good for the map.

Flew on XFA 2 weeks ago in J - no Galaxy tablets offered. All screens working from what i could see (i was 4K). Useless loop movies though.

 

[maninblack]

Yep XFA it looked like it had most screens working, saw one passenger given a Galaxy tab. I have the suspicion that if they are going in for heavy maintenence they will get the new J seats. It's not a major cost on two aircraft. Currently it's a total hassle for VA as much as for passengers having these two odd ones with a worn out J cabin with a different config. to the others.

 

[bass_ke]

Yep XFA it looked like it had most screens working, saw one passenger given a Galaxy tab. I have the suspicion that if they are going in for heavy maintenence they will get the new J seats. It's not a major cost on two aircraft. Currently it's a total hassle for VA as much as for passengers having these two odd ones with a worn out J cabin with a different config. to the others.

Now this would be wonderful!

 

[Jamesl]

At the of end of the day within the next month or so XFA/B will be either removed and donated to TT or will receive a refit.

 

[Intra]

Why would TT want A330s? Start turning into JQ and become the main int. flyer out of VA/TT? (Please No...)

I pray I don't get them on my flights to PER early next year....

 

[cove]

These two planes really help Qantas keep their J customers. It will be quite a while before Mrscove can be talked into another VA tryout.

 

[drewbles]

At the of end of the day within the next month or so XFA/B will be either removed and donated to TT or will receive a refit.

These are going nowhere. VA have the lease on these for several more years. Don't expect them to go anywhere (and TT are *not* going to take 330's). They will not be refitted from what my sources say.

These two planes really help Qantas keep their J customers. It will be quite a while before Mrscove can be talked into another VA tryout.

5 out of the 7 330's have the new config. I personally prefer those odds over QF's excuse for J. Also, I believe XFA/B are more on SYD and BNE routes (although I have seen them in/out of MEL) and as I mainly do MEL-PER-MEL, i'll take the gamble. I still think XFA/B's J is better than QF's J (excluding the odd Skybin flight).

 

[cove]

Serve Mrscove up with a poor flight and she will vote with her feet and not chance it for ages. I have had a good A330 and so has one of my sons but it is now only 3 months since she had the poor flight so there is little likelihood she will be sitting next to me any time soon. She won't even join their FF scheme nor take the free Amex flight.
At least it is clear what she wants and rogue planes are a NO.

 

[markis10]

These are going nowhere. VA have the lease on these for several more years. Don't expect them to go anywhere (and TT are *not* going to take 330's). They will not be refitted from what my sources say.

I doubt being around for a few more years yet will mean they wont be refitted? I have been told the opposite, with plans changing in the last 6 months with the new A 330 role requiring crew rest.

 

[docjames]

Serve Mrscove up with a poor flight and she will vote with her feet and not chance it for ages. I have had a good A330 and so has one of my sons but it is now only 3 months since she had the poor flight so there is little likelihood she will be sitting next to me any time soon. She won't even join their FF scheme nor take the free Amex flight.
At least it is clear what she wants and rogue planes are a NO.

What does she do when she gets a QF 2-3-2 A330 J with 34in pitch? Or heaven forbid a 767?

 

[mannej]

What does she do when she gets a QF 2-3-2 A330 J with 34in pitch? Or heaven forbid a 767?

I will pick here (and no it's not the point), but I don't think the figure of 34 inches is correct.

And yes the product is rubbish compared to the new 330 product...