E190 J class conversions start

[markis10]

According to the Sydney Airport Forum, its starting next week:

Sydney Airport Message Board - View Single Post - VB/PB livery rebranding starts.

The first E190 (ZPK) to get the business class modification is off to Santa Maria, CA next week to get the install and FAA certification sorted.

 

[Fruitcake]

Depending on exactly how this works out, E190 J may end up being a preferred option over 737 J (because of 1A and 2A being a standalone single seat). A pretty dramatic turnaround from being the most maligned J class in the fleet.

It would be nice to see some improvement over the 737 J seats - nothing outrageous, just some footrests would be a great start.

 

[eastwest101]

Should have been done earlier - the current config on E190 uses up a lot of space and earns less revenue if the footprint of the current and future J cabins is taken into account.

 

[markis10]

Should have been done earlier - the current config on E190 uses up a lot of space and earns less revenue if the footprint of the current and future J cabins is taken into account.

The fact it needs certification suggests its a new design, I dont think these things should be rushed.

 

[lovestotravel]

No FAA certification..

Hmm sounds like it might take a while ?

 

[markis10]

Apparently ZPK will be there for three weeks, a week later ZPM will get the same treatment.

HNL RareBirds: Virgin Australia's VH-ZPK

 

[brentonnn]

What is currently installed on current E190 for business class?

Was sitting in 3A on BNE - MKY last friday - had a curtain above me to section off business class. The seats were covered in different leather to the rest of the plane and there was even a bulkhead in front of 1A & 1C. Forget the rego but it was DJ605 05/10/12. Still in original Red Virgin Blue colour scheme on the outside.

 

[serfty]

Currently they are 2 rows of 2 x 2 seating.

Going to 2 rows of 1 x 2 seating.

How many are there to be converted (I have a Nov 24 booking)?

www.virginaustralia.com/us/en/about-us/media/2012/EMBRAER-E-190

 

[markis10]

2 rows of 2 x 2 seating.

Going to 2 rows of 1 x 2 seating.

How many are there to be converted (I have a Nov 24 booking)?

18 at one a month!

 

[dk4]

Was sitting in 3A on BNE - MKY last friday - had a curtain above me to section off business class.

A view just like this -

 

[moa999]

dk4
those pics are still 2x2-ie the old red seats.
getting renovated to 1x2

 

[eastwest101]

Possibly more like this mock-up but with VA colours and leather. Fancy that - 6 proper Biz seats in a space where they could only previously have sold 4 seats.....

 

[serfty]

... Fancy that - 6 proper Biz seats in a space where they could only previously have sold 4.....

View attachment 10092

But they are currently only selling the 4 window seats - everyone gets a spare seat beside them!

 

[eastwest101]

But they are currently only selling the 4 window seats - everyone gets a spare seat beside them!

But you would agree (when it is all done) that will mean increased availibility of J seats on routes served by E190's?

 

[serfty]

But you would agree (when it is all done) that will mean increased availibility of J seats on routes served by E190's?

Yup - I misinterpreted your post.

The main problem at the moment is for couples - if they want to sit together they lose the spare seat benefit.

 

[eastwest101]

The main problem at the moment is for couples - if they want to sit together they lose the spare seat benefit.

Yep I agree completely - there is no way I'd pay for J class as a couple with Mrs eastwest101 with the current PE setup that the DJ E190's currently have.

 

[markis10]

The AFR is reporting today the conversions will be complete fleet wide by March and its 2 / 1 config.

 

[Lowjhg]

did anyone get ZPA yet? its apparently in service now and is the only jet with the new J

 

[Fruitcake]

did anyone get ZPA yet? its apparently in service now and is the only jet with the new J

The VA tracker shows it was in action on Thursday (1 November) flying MEL-CBR-SYD-MKY-SYD-CBR. I'll be checking the seat map for my SYD-CNS flight next weekend pretty regularly...

 

[markis10]

did anyone get ZPA yet? its apparently in service now and is the only jet with the new J

I am under the impression it's ZPK that has the first fitout, and she is only on the way back today, having landed in Hawaii three hours ago.