Reducing the E190 fleet...

[minodude]

I can't be the only one to be sad to a reduction in the number of Embraers, right?

The 98-seat E190 fleet will be reduced to 13, from 18 currently, by September 2016, Virgin said in its 2015/16 first half financial results on Thursday.

(Source)

I freakin' love the E190s; I really prefer them to the 737s for the MEL-SYD-MEL I do twice a week. They're awesome if you prebook as a plat — row 3 on those things i amazing, the legroom is frankly ridiculous. And if you use flyahead (which I do a LOT), and get lucky enough to land on one… well, let's just say when you don't get to pick your seat, the fact that there's no middle seat is a huge advantage.

They're nicely laid out, comfy, quick to load on and off… only downside for pax is the lack of overhead luggage space, but I travel so light I don't care. I love those little things.

Hopefully dropping only to 13 means they'll still be regulars on MEL-SYD, and they'll mostly pull them off SYD-BNE etc. Well, I can hope…

Thoughts? Anyone else sad about this move?

 

[samas]

They are used for 28 flights a week between Perth and Adelaide (twice daily each direction) which is nearly all flights on that route.

Checking timetables for October looks like no reduction of E190 on this route, but it might be they just haven't gotten to that yet.

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/timetables-route-maps/flight-timetables/

 

[bullerdude]

The E-jets cost require a higher load percentage to cover costs when compared to the 737's.

As part of handing over some routes to tiger they probably have a few spare 737's which will be used instead of the E-Jets, hence reducing the fleet.

 

[Milefest]

I love flying J in an e190, you get your own aisle and window to yourself.

I can understand why they're reducing the fleet though.

Also when an e190 has an engineering issue they're much harder to sub compared to a 737 which has 4 times as many planes. I've experienced this few times over the years, subbing a plane or being put on a new flight can be difficult.

 

[minodude]

Yeah, I wondered if ease of maintenance was one of the drivers here. Homogeneity makes a lot of sense, the more consistent your fleet can be the easier operational changes are I guess.

Sensible move, for all the reasons given above. I'm still sad though.

 

[docjames]

I've tried (intentionally) booked MEL-SYD-MEL on the E190 and every time it's been subbed between 2 months and 2 days to a 738.

I think they've worked out where the aircraft is best used and which routes they can now run a 738 either through growth of the market or just fleet utilisation.

They are only getting rid of 5 of them - so 13 should still leave plenty of routes.

What are they running on SYD-CBR now? ATRs?

 

[minodude]

What are they running on SYD-CBR now? ATRs?

It was an ATR-72 on VA660 SYD-CBR a few weeks ago, at least.

 

[henleybeach]

I can't be the only one to be sad to a reduction in the number of Embraers, right?



(Source)

I freakin' love the E190s; I really prefer them to the 737s for the MEL-SYD-MEL I do twice a week. They're awesome if you prebook as a plat — row 3 on those things i amazing, the legroom is frankly ridiculous. And if you use flyahead (which I do a LOT), and get lucky enough to land on one… well, let's just say when you don't get to pick your seat, the fact that there's no middle seat is a huge advantage.

They're nicely laid out, comfy, quick to load on and off… only downside for pax is the lack of overhead luggage space, but I travel so light I don't care. I love those little things.

Hopefully dropping only to 13 means they'll still be regulars on MEL-SYD, and they'll mostly pull them off SYD-BNE etc. Well, I can hope…

Thoughts? Anyone else sad about this move?

Yesssss , I love the jets , I fly between perth and Adelaide about 8 times a year and really enjoy getting the e190 , not sure if it's me but the seats feel wider and more spacious, ms henleybeach always says can we get on that smaller plane with only 2 seats!

 

[HeavyElectricity]

I think they've worked out where the aircraft is best used and which routes they can now run a 738 either through growth of the market or just fleet utilisation.

I speculate that it may be to do with dumping of routes? In WA they're dropping coughet and Denpasar (plus Albany and Esperance but they're on F50s). Maybe they're just shifting the 737s from these over to some E190 routes? Although I guess some planes are being used for Tiger...

 

[Bagpuss]

I speculate that it may be to do with dumping of routes? In WA they're dropping coughet and Denpasar (plus Albany and Esperance but they're on F50s). Maybe they're just shifting the 737s from these over to some E190 routes? Although I guess some planes are being used for Tiger...

3 x 737-800's are going to Tiger (2 have gone across already)
F50's go "by September" .. Though with the new alliance with Alliance Airlines for FIFO I wouldn't be surprised if they go to Alliance Airlines
I think they are free-ing up 737's from coughet being cut and Denpasar "reductions" as I assume they will be making better utilisation with the Tiger change. I wouldn't be surprised if they held onto an additional 737 during the a330 business class refit???

I too am a fan of the E190 and sad to see the fleet reduced. Though I have wondered if they favour the F100 over the E190 for simplified fleet in the longer term??? Though that would be a cross over between VARA and VA Domestic. But with F100's based in WA I think it could operate PER - ADL ??? Though anyway, that's speculation from my part

 

[AIRwin]

Hopefully dropping only to 13 means they'll still be regulars on MEL-SYD, and they'll mostly pull them off SYD-BNE etc. Well, I can hope…

NO! I hope they remain in BNE for purely selfish reasons... And they currently do quite a lot of runs within Queensland between BNE and CNJ, ISA, ROK, MKY, PPP, TSV and CNS.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Count me in as a huge E190 fan. Love getting on one of these little guys to CBR.

 

[pythonisman]

I wouldn't be surprised if they held onto an additional 737 during the a330 business class refit???

Isn't the A330 refit done?

On the E90 topic - I too am sad. I will always pick the e-jet for a short hop. They're faster to load and unload, and in my opinion they seem to fly faster and more ... agile as well.

I get them occasionally between SYD and OOL and always enjoy them!

 

[Bagpuss]

Isn't the A330 refit done?

Yes, I was referencing that whilst it was being done I expect Virgin had a "spare" b737 which was utilised. As the refit is complete they would be putting it to work on other routes.
Virgin did state better utilisation of the b737 is why they can dispose on 5 e190's and simplify the fleet.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I think the E-Jets are the best aircraft in their domestic fleet. Of course there will always be the old economic argument, but to reduce the E90 numbers is a blow for travellers. Much better than the 738's and God forbid, don't mention the Airborne Trauma to Rectum as a substitute........I shudder at the thought.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm firmly in the anti-E190 club and last time I had a 738 which changed to E190 last minute - I voluntarily offloaded myself.
Small, no storage, much more turbulence

 

[UP4014]

I could never work out how Virgin made business case for them.

 

[MickC32]

I always enjoy flying on them, I really believe it is the no middle seat that makes it seem more comfy.

Virgin are making big headway in the freight game now and the E-Jets just don't have the ability to cope with the capacity.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I think the E-Jets are the best aircraft in their domestic fleet. Of course there will always be the old economic argument, but to reduce the E90 numbers is a blow for travellers. Much better than the 738's and God forbid, don't mention the Airborne Trauma to Rectum as a substitute........I shudder at the thought.

I love the ATRs!

(What is wrong with us!)

 

[UP4014]

I think the E-Jets are the best aircraft in their domestic fleet. Of course there will always be the old economic argument, but to reduce the E90 numbers is a blow for travellers. Much better than the 738's and God forbid, don't mention the Airborne Trauma to Rectum as a substitute........I shudder at the thought.

I wouldn't have gone with the ATRs, but maintenance/fuel use on a 737 may only be slightly more than and E with a significantly larger payload. (I don't know and haven't looked for any OEM specs on either)

Virgin did it to differentiate itself from QF but QF has a better offering with the 737 and Dash8 from a commercial business case viewpoint.