Just flew J on new A332

[ChrisCunard]

I just flew J on the new A332 - what have I done!! It was so absolutely fantastic that I think I've been ruined for any other domestic aircraft now.

It was an absolutely brilliant flight. The crew were amazing with the most attentive service I can ever recall on a domestic flight.

The aircraft was fantastic. The hard product aboard the new A332 is the best on the transcontinental run with the only complaint being the head rest is pretty low for someone who is 6"5 - otherwise I couldn't fault it.

Things I particularly enjoyed included the crew remembering my name at every interaction from priority check in to descent.

The personalised introduction by the service person who looked after me so well and then a personalized thank you from the CSM at descent

The food service was fantastic. Meals perfectly cooked (had the soup starter, followed by beef) and the way it was presented couldn't have been better. Pudding was a delicious crumble with custard and ice cream (no Maggie beer in sight thank goodness) which made it feel extra special.

ESPRESSO COFFEE!!! So good I had two!

The water bottle at each seat is an extra little joy for someone who drinks about a liter an hour when flying and finally - my wine glass was never empty, which is 5-star restaurant style service.

"Red" IFE is good. The controls take a bit of getting used to. Sound proof headphones worked well. The amenities kit was nice but I didn't need it for only 4 hours.

Priority baggage worked.

Just trilled - a perfect flight.

Some photos attached.

 

[mella2007]

Ooooo...looks nice! Glad you had a great trip. Good coffee always puts me in great mood!

 

[Major]

But did you have the cheese platter ?

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks for posting. I had a flight scheduled on one of these but was subbed to an old config. Not sure if I'm imagining it, but the seat pitch looks noticeably less than the old config, though there seems to a goodly amount of underseat room you can plonk your feet into. That said, the pitch on the old config seems almost unnecessarily generous (don't believe I'm saying that ) for domestic service.

I guess if you're 6'5" and it's fine for you then it sure aint gonna worry me!

 

[shane2603]

Were you the really really tall guy on the 12:30 out of per-syd?
I was also on the new a330 flight yesterday and was absolutely delighted. Elana our attendant was perfect in every way and Shannon the supervisor made us feel like royalty. The rest of our trip to Europe is in first but the service food and hard product on this flight will be hard to beat! Thank you virgin, look forward to my trip back in a couple of weeks! What a great start to our 10 year wedding anniversary. My wife even said I had finally done something right booking this flight lol!

 

[serfty]

But did you have the cheese platter ?

I'm sure one was offerred ... with Cognac and/or Baileys ... after most everything else ...

 

[simongr]

The leg room doesn't look good compared to the Skybed Mk 1.

 

[k3nnis]

Is the new A332 only on SYD-PER routes?

 

[serfty]

The leg room doesn't look good compared to the Skybed Mk 1.

That would not be a major concern for a 4 hour flight.

Also, given the OP is apparently 196cm, there still looks plenty of room.

In any case the quoted pitch is similar - 60+" on DJ (Seat Maps | Virgin Australia) and 60" for Qantas (SeatGuru Seat Map Qantas Airways Boeing 747-438 Longreach 2-Class (744)).

 

[Justinf]

Excellent stuff.
What looked (in your opinion) to be the best seat? I have been browsing the threads on this aircraft in J and there seems to be a massive differing of opinion as to whether row 1 or 2 is better.
I have a flight coming on on Friday week (DJ685, MEL-PER 1pm) and was allocated 1A, but went to change and 2C, 2D and 2G have all been taken. So I changed mine to 2H (aisle).
I am led to believe row 1 might have more legroom, but the IFE is mounted on the wall? Should I change back to row 1 (perhaps 1C - I am not a window person) or stick with 2H? The flight is showing only 4 people in J so far - me in 2H, and the rest of row 2 filled apart from the window seats.
Would it even be worth moving to row 3 and not have to have a seat buddy who might want to climb out past me? I am a bit sad I missed the chance to grab 2D when I could.
Of course, knowing my luck it will get substituted for one of the older A330s or god forbid, a 738.

 

[simongr]

Interesting - looks a lot more cramped than when I have travelled on a Skybed Mk 1. Can't argue with facts though

Personally at 185cm on a four hour flight leg room is more important to me than service. I can't imagine how bad it would be to fly at 196cm :shock:

 

[Kef]

Thanks for the feedback and photos very much appreciated it. I am on the A330 in September MEL-PER so now looking forward to it.

 

[jazza1971]

Excellent stuff.
What looked (in your opinion) to be the best seat? I have been browsing the threads on this aircraft in J and there seems to be a massive differing of opinion as to whether row 1 or 2 is better.
I have a flight coming on on Friday week (DJ685, MEL-PER 1pm) and was allocated 1A, but went to change and 2C, 2D and 2G have all been taken. So I changed mine to 2H (aisle).
I am led to believe row 1 might have more legroom, but the IFE is mounted on the wall? Should I change back to row 1 (perhaps 1C - I am not a window person) or stick with 2H? The flight is showing only 4 people in J so far - me in 2H, and the rest of row 2 filled apart from the window seats.
Would it even be worth moving to row 3 and not have to have a seat buddy who might want to climb out past me? I am a bit sad I missed the chance to grab 2D when I could.
Of course, knowing my luck it will get substituted for one of the older A330s or god forbid, a 738.

Justinf, have a look at this :http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../virgin-virgin-business-class-trip-40993.html you'll see a few posts down a number of shots showing the legroom in row 1, it suited me fine and I'm 6ft1

And I have to agree, the coast to coast A330s are just a treat to travel in J!

 

[Justinf]

Justinf, have a look at this :http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../virgin-virgin-business-class-trip-40993.html you'll see a few posts down a number of shots showing the legroom in row 1, it suited me fine and I'm 6ft1

And I have to agree, the coast to coast A330s are just a treat to travel in J!

Thanks jazz. Great pics. I am 184cm, and by the looks of it, a similar build to you. The TV screen in row 1 doesn't look to a problem as they are quite big.

 

[jazza1971]

Thanks jazz. Great pics. I am 184cm, and by the looks of it, a similar build to you. The TV screen in row 1 doesn't look to a problem as they are quite big.

TV's were plenty big enough, I'd assume if you took another row the seat would extend just as far, but it would be into the bottom of the seat infront. The screens would be closer though. From what I have seen, the crew dont mind folks moving around seats if you wanted to have a look at something behind if they arent full. My last flight was only 9/25 so lots of seats.

 

[Justinf]

TV's were plenty big enough, I'd assume if you took another row the seat would extend just as far, but it would be into the bottom of the seat infront. The screens would be closer though. From what I have seen, the crew dont mind folks moving around seats if you wanted to have a look at something behind if they arent full. My last flight was only 9/25 so lots of seats.

Cool. Have changed to 1C and will hope I don't get a seat buddy and am able to shift over to 1A. Will check back every day and might move around if I get a 'stalker'.

 

[Flying Fox]

Are these seats the same as SQ's Regional J seats?

 

[Shy180]

Are these seats the same as SQ's Regional J seats?

In a word, no. SQ's J seats I have flown have been much wider and lie flat. These are closer to the Malaysian Airlines J in their 777.....

 

[drewbles]

That would not be a major concern for a 4 hour flight.

Also, given the OP is apparently 196cm, there still looks plenty of room.

In any case the quoted pitch is similar - 60+" on DJ (Seat Maps | Virgin Australia) and 60" for Qantas (SeatGuru Seat Map Qantas Airways Boeing 747-438 Longreach 2-Class (744)).

Having flown the new 330 in J a few times at 6'4", I can assure you it's perfectly comfortable. My experience pretty much mirrors the OP. Stunning service, nothing was too much trouble, staff were genuinely glad to help you and be there. Was a great experience each time (and i'll be doing more of 'em!).

 

[mannej]

In a word, no. SQ's J seats I have flown have been much wider and lie flat. These are closer to the Malaysian Airlines J in their 777.....

Have you been on the SQ 330?