DJ widebodies on the way?

[777]

As rumoured for a while:

There are two acquisition plans under consideration, the source says. The first is to lease Airbus A330-200s from Emirates, which the UAE carrier is withdrawing from its fleet starting early next year.

The second plan is to purchase new Boeing 767-300s. As part of the deal, if signed, Virgin Blue will be able to trade the B767s for Boeing B787s once the latter are available, the source says. It is understood Boeing has indicated to Virgin Blue that B767s currently being manufactured for other carriers could instead be delivered to Virgin Blue by February 2011.

Virgin Blue wants to have six frames operational by next February, the source says. The move will enable V Australia to focus its B777 fleet on ultra-long-haul destinations, such as its existing services to Los Angeles and Johannesburg, while adding new destinations to the network where the B777 would have provided too much capacity. It is likely Virgin Blue will want subsequent aircraft but details are not available.

From: Virgin Blue Evaluating Additional Widebody Options - Wings Down Under

It seems like there are some big changes afoot on the trunk routes and regional international destinations.

777.

 

[SeaWolf]

The article also mentions the possibility of 737s in a three class configuration, another thing to keep an eye out for. We live in interesting times indeed.

 

[docjames]

The article also mentions the possibility of 737s in a three class configuration, another thing to keep an eye out for. We live in interesting times indeed.

Expect the rearmost rows in Y to have less pitch (has been announced as a possibility previously).

 

[pauly7]

Expect the rearmost rows in Y to have less pitch (has been announced as a possibility previously).

Haha so a virgin aircraft could end up being like QF at the front, JQ in the middle and Tiger seats up the back!

 

[oz_mark]

Haha so a virgin aircraft could end up being like QF at the front, JQ in the middle and Tiger seats up the back!

Yep, Y+, Y and Y-

 

[docjames]

Yep, Y+, Y and Y-

Actually I believe it will be J, Y and Y-.

 

[notzac]

Actually I believe it will be J, Y and Y-.

I continue to think that this is a bad idea - it's confusing and could easily lead to people expecting one thing and getting another.

 

[markis10]

Branson is in town this week so I suspect the announcement might happen, I was expecting the widebodies to be announced at Farnborough last week.