Sydney - Perth - which A330?

[PlutekPlutek]

Is there a way to check which of the A330 fleet operate certain SYD-PER (and return flights)?
I'm on VA551 next monday (26th) and VA564 on friday (30th). Wanted to use the complimentary upgrades, but if its one of the ex-Emirates birds, I'd rather save the upgrade for another trip.

Cheers

 

[DGW]

There's no way to reliably know this far in advance, as an aircraft change could happen the night before, or even the morning of your flight.

At this stage, based on the seat map VA551 is showing as one of the ex-Emirates aircraft (VH-XFA or XFB) and VA564 is showing as one of the newer 330s (VH-XFC to XFG).

 

[bass_ke]

What are the differences in the seat map? I need to check a transcon flight soon!

 

[Mak404matt]

What are the differences in the seat map? I need to check a transcon flight soon!

The old ones are 2-3-2. The new ones are 2-2-2

 

[PlutekPlutek]

And which are the best seats in economy? I am a plat, and usually get row 3 in the 737s or E190s. Is there anything comparable on the A330 ?

 

[DGW]

I'm rarely in Y on the 330 but when I am, the first row of Y (row 6 on the ex-Emirates aircraft, row 10 on the newer ones) is where it's at for me. The D and G seats have slightly more legroom than the others given the design of the bulkhead.

 

[Mogul]

And which are the best seats in economy? I am a plat, and usually get row 3 in the 737s or E190s. Is there anything comparable on the A330 ?

From memory it's row 7 on the old birds and row 10 on the new ones.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

OK, so I have a flexi fare - I go to the virgin website and there are still seats available in Business, but when I called the Virgin service centre, they said there are no seats available to use the Complimentary upgrades on? I thought if there were seats available and you had a flexi ticket you could use them ? Can anyone confirm ?

 

[Princess Fiona]

OK, so I have a flexi fare - I go to the virgin website and there are still seats available in Business, but when I called the Virgin service centre, they said there are no seats available to use the Complimentary upgrades on? I thought if there were seats available and you had a flexi ticket you could use them ? Can anyone confirm ?

No that is not true sadly. IIRC the comp upgrades have a completely separate availability to revenue fares.

 

[serfty]

I have found the seat maps from E/F and even VA.com will always show 2-2-2 until about two days before the flight.

 

[Fruitcake]

I thought if there were seats available and you had a flexi ticket you could use them ? Can anyone confirm ?

As Princess Fiona posted, "pre-booked" upgrades come from the pool of reward seats, which must be exhausted for your flight. But the at-the-lounge upgrade program should allow you to book an upgrade (either points, or from an upgrade certificate) into any remaining seat when you arrive at the airport.

 

[lukenet]

The only way around it requires a bit of pot luck.. If there is a later flight with availability in business for flex upgrades, you can book that flight and then try your luck with flyahead.. But this does mean you could luck out and be on the later flight?

 

[PlutekPlutek]

As Princess Fiona posted, "pre-booked" upgrades come from the pool of reward seats, which must be exhausted for your flight. But the at-the-lounge upgrade program should allow you to book an upgrade (either points, or from an upgrade certificate) into any remaining seat when you arrive at the airport.

Negative. Just checked in - asked to use the comp upgrade at the lounge - she confirmed there are still 4 seats free in Business , however none of them are upgradable so I'm out of luck. Bit peed off - booked flexi tickets 4 days out , and can't use the upgrades.

 

[Fruitcake]

Negative. Just checked in - asked to use the comp upgrade at the lounge - she confirmed there are still 4 seats free in Business , however none of them are upgradable so I'm out of luck. Bit peed off - booked flexi tickets 4 days out , and can't use the upgrades.

That's very disappointing. Apologies for the misleading info - obviously my understanding was wrong.

 

[Mogul]

Negative. Just checked in - asked to use the comp upgrade at the lounge - she confirmed there are still 4 seats free in Business , however none of them are upgradable so I'm out of luck. Bit peed off - booked flexi tickets 4 days out , and can't use the upgrades.

This seems to go against what VA have announced. My understanding is that VA are trying to fill unused seats in J. The same thing happened to me when lounge upgrades first started, the angels (or dragon in my case) flatley refused the upgrade 45mins prior even thought there were plenty of seats available.

I would send VFF a PM with the details and let them look into it for you.

 

[serfty]

Negative. Just checked in - asked to use the comp upgrade at the lounge - she confirmed there are still 4 seats free in Business , however none of them are upgradable so I'm out of luck. Bit peed off - booked flexi tickets 4 days out , and can't use the upgrades.

How soon before the flight did you check in at the airport/try to upgrade?

 

[goingboeing]

Sorry for straying a little OT... has anyone done MEL/SYD to PER lately on an A330 service that has been downgraded to a 737?

Looks like I have drawn the short straw for some upcoming flights and been bumped back down to a 737. Was curious to know if the full Coast-to-Coast menu is offered in J on the 737's along with the amenity pack? Or is it restricted to A330's only and it's standard 737 J catering instead.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

How soon before the flight did you check in at the airport/try to upgrade?

Flight was departing 0700. First called their number when I booked it (last friday). Got told there are no available seats.
On the way to the airport this morning (0500), checked their website, and it was still showing 4 seats available in J.
Checked in at 05:30, went into the lounge, and they confirmed seats available, but none that are "upgradeable".

 

[PlutekPlutek]

This seems to go against what VA have announced. My understanding is that VA are trying to fill unused seats in J. The same thing happened to me when lounge upgrades first started, the angels (or dragon in my case) flatley refused the upgrade 45mins prior even thought there were plenty of seats available.

I would send VFF a PM with the details and let them look into it for you.

I tweeted Virgin's account, and the response was a link to the terms and conditions of the complimentary upgrades (on the Platinum Status Benefits page), which in point 4 or 5 state that the upgrades are subject to the availability of Business Reward seats. So it is stated there. Makes the whole point of this rather benefit rather mute going forward, because booking flexi does not guarantee an upgrade at all (complimentary or using points) - you actually have to spend the additional extra time trying to call their membership centre and inquire about the possible flights, or trying to make a dummy reward point booking. Time consuming, and in my view hard to make use of - albeit emotional as I just got off this flight and I had a really coughpy seat with the ancient entertainment unit housing under the seat in front of me and I couldn't stretch my legs.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

I've just done this flight on an A330, and would take a 737 over it any day. This is in Y. I was on the ancient ex-emirates XFA bird.
The problem with Virgin is that they are inconsistent both in product and in service. I fly up and down the east coast regularly with them on 737/E190, admittedly always in row 3, so get plenty of legroom, and always get great seats and service. This flight felt a lot like Jetstar. Crew not really interested, old plane, ancient IFE, and cramped seating.
Probably better in J - but again, now if they are putting 737s on this route, there is three types of J class you can get on, and I think all are the same price (stand to be corrected). They are definitely not equal in seating, and I would think that you won't get the standard J amenities that you would get on an A330 when you fly a 737.