How does one determine the plane Registration Number for up coming flights?

[Bolthead]

Excuse my ignorance however I have done a search and can't see where this question has been asked before.

I note on many other threads that there are well informed people that know the registration number (I think that is what is called) and in turn they know the age of the aircraft and in deed know the history of the said aircraft.

The reason why I am intrigued is that I am planning a trip to Perth early August and I want to fly J return however I note that the new A330 with VA have new and old models in the fleet. Because my flight times are flexible I want to ensure that I pick flights that have the new version A330 (if possible)

I will be departing SYD - PER 3/8 and returning 5/8 PER - SYD

I think there must be a website that shows that info. I found the VA Fleet Update Thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lia-fleet-update-thread-32486.html#post480492 and although that has useful info it doesn't help me.

Thanks for help in advance.

Bolt

 

[medhead]

I'm not sure how you can know in advance which plane will operate a flight. You could look at the Jettracker on The Virgin Source to see if there is any pattern.

I believe the old A330s are VH-XFA and XFB.


Sent from the Throne

 

[tuapekastar]

The seat map should help but you won't see that until you are booked, and (as I found out recently)y the 'new' may be subbed by an 'old' for your flight . One major difference between the new and the old 330s is that the old is 2-3-2 in J (except row 1, 2-2-2) and the new is all 2-2-2 in J.

Don't know what your seating preference is but I have taken a few flights in these planes, including at least one which was scheduled to be a 'new' config. Ended up being old, but booked seat 2D on all flights (2F would do as well), as on the old configs they do not (AFAIK) sell the middle seat in row 2 (because there are 3 seats and only 2 IFE screens in the backs of seats in front). So while you would get the old and relatively ordinary IFE in an 'old' config, you are guaranteed a spare seat next to you. (as far as I know). Moot point for me because out of ~27 J seats the most that were occupied on any of the 4 flights I did was about 6 to 8. Not to say it won't be chockers on other flights.

 

[serfty]

These sites are of use:

http://www.theqantassource.com

http://www.thevasource.com

But only after the event.

 

[mannej]

You don't determine the exact rego, however the seat selection can give clues away.

The QF 330's were like this with when EBJ being the dead give away looking at the Y seat map (back in the days of EBJ, EBM and EBN).


As it has been mentioned, planes do get subbed, so I guess the only real way to determine the rego is to look for it when you are waiting at your departure gate.

 

[Bolthead]

Thanks to all....

I just went and booked the flights and are very happy with the result despite what plane I get. I booked 2 x J return SYD - PER and it only cost me $628.00 plus 19800 points. I also utilised 2 x complementary upgrades.

Good result I think!!