VA 777 - New Business Class rollout [Delayed until 2016]

[Captain hum]

Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER new business class seats upgrade - Australian Business Traveller

 

[under the radar]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

As an apparent QF 'fanboy', I'm looking forward to the VA 'apologists' posts on this topic

 

[TomVexille]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Well it appears that they're blaming the manufacturer for regulatory delays.

 

[Ausbt]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

As an apparent QF 'fanboy', I'm looking forward to the VA 'apologists' posts on this topic

VA are taking the time to get it right. VA should sell the old J seats to Q, who could use them to replace some of those Skybed Mk1s still getting around.

 

[theevilmuppet]

Bugger - 777 upgrade delayed

Hi all,

As I suspect many have seen on AusBT, Virgin's 777 upgrade has been delayed - Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER new business class seats upgrade - Australian Business Traveller

Given there are "only" 5 777 aircraft in Virgin's fleet, does anyone have an expectation of when the upgrades will be completed given this news? I was hoping that I'd be enjoying the new J product for my trip to LAX commencing at the end of April 2016.

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[MarkD]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

VA are taking the time to get it right. VA should sell the old J seats to Q, who could use them to replace some of those Skybed Mk1s still getting around.

LOL, This makes me laugh. They sure are taking their time. 2011 they became a full service carrier yet they still are very LCC to me. Don't rush these things VA. I do believe that this issue is not a "Virgin taking their time to get it right" as you put it, rather a manufacturer certification issue for the 777. Virgin need to pull their finger outta their clacka and start delivering their promises. I find their inflight offerings pathetic. having said that I guess US airlines aren't any different, but they don't claim to be this super flash full service airline that VA makes claim to. Their photos are false advertising and a 50c cheese/crackers pack and cold muddy coffee does not constitute a "Food and Beveridge"

 

[MH_fan]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

I hope the 777 refurbs are completed by Apr 2016. I'm planning to fly them again across the Pacific around that time. Flew them long-haul (in J) for the very first time and I was very impressed! So impressed, in fact, that I'm going back.

 

[pauly7]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

I hope the 777 refurbs are completed by Apr 2016. I'm planning to fly them again across the Pacific around that time. Flew them long-haul (in J) for the very first time and I was very impressed! So impressed, in fact, that I'm going back.

I'm in a similar boat I was sure that they'd be done by them and had cut there teeth with all the issues they are having with the A330 fleet. Unfortunately looks like similar problem

 

[MH_fan]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Does this mean they'll now start the refurbishment from February? Weren't they planning for one a month? That means the job will only be completed by June next year!

 

[serfty]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

By checking timetables it was looking like one out of service at a time wither two to be done Oct/Nov/Dec with a break over the peak christmens / new year season then the other three Feb/Mar/Apr.

Now it looks like nothing this year.

I did see one major sticking point was the designed angle of the seats in relation to a line running strait down the aircraft being greater than has been the case and this causing issues with certification of the seatbelts with airbags.

 

[MH_fan]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Could be a lottery in May next year then...

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Ah yes more delays to Virgin

More promises and not delivering

Standard

 

[theevilmuppet]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Could be a lottery in May next year then...

Yes, and that will be awful for those of us who delayed holidays with this upgrade in mind.

I deliberately fly NZ last time to ensure I'd enjoy this sort of J hard product.

 

[theevilmuppet]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Ah yes more delays to Virgin

More promises and not delivering

Standard

Without making statements about Virgin's record on execution, the fact that these same sort of certification issues impacted their A330 upgrades would surely prompt management to examine and communicate any changes to the 777 upgrade program one would think!

 

[doczim]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

Ok well that sorts that, one less pot luck upgrade to worry about. While I would have loved it for our Dec/Jan flights, I booked before my upgrade it was announced so was content with the current J , so will just remain so I suppose!.

 

[mannej]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

VA are taking the time to get it right. VA should sell the old J seats to Q, who could use them to replace some of those Skybed Mk1s still getting around.

Which after the 330 refurb program will be a grand total of two aircraft with Mk1's going around. Not really worth the expense considering the limited lifespan both these aircraft have within the QF fleet is it?

 

[newmarket]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

I would like to know what access va plats will get to the economy plus or whatever the article called it.

 

[Ben6]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

I think the real issue here is the likely extension of the almost non existent J Reward seats currently available to the States. Whilst the new seats look clearly excellent, the current service is still really, really good. The only problem is, you can't get a bloody seat without paying $$$.

I can live with just about everything else Virgin do but this current drying up of LH reward seats really devalues VA. Maybe they are trying to match QFF in every aspect, including impossible to use points!!

 

[AviationNZ]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

The only problem is, you can't get a bloody seat without paying $$$.

I'm going to play devils advocate here...but wouldn't it be quite logical that VA aim to get people to pay $$$ for seats?!?!?

I totally understand that loyalty is very important and the ability to earn/burn points is a major part of that, but if they're filling seats with paying customers due to their superior service/product, they would be stupid to stop that.

 

[RAM]

Re: VA pushes back 777 upgrade to 2016

LOL, This makes me laugh. They sure are taking their time. 2011 they became a full service carrier yet they still are very LCC to me. Don't rush these things VA. I do believe that this issue is not a "Virgin taking their time to get it right" as you put it, rather a manufacturer certification issue for the 777. Virgin need to pull their finger outta their clacka and start delivering their promises. I find their inflight offerings pathetic. having said that I guess US airlines aren't any different, but they don't claim to be this super flash full service airline that VA makes claim to. Their photos are false advertising and a 50c cheese/crackers pack and cold muddy coffee does not constitute a "Food and Beveridge"

Having had the "Groundhog Day" experience of flying Q, VA, EY & EK via Dubai/Abu Dhabi in Y and J - I'm in a position to make a comparison of the planes. Q was A380 but the rest B777.

From a seat perspective I (and rest of family) found VA best of B777 seating & service in Y and EY best business seating & service.

Q did have great service but the seating was not quite so comfortable (judged by 5 of 5 sleeping on VA, 4 of 5 on Q, 4 of 5 on EY, 2 of 5 on EK).

EK service was very poor, limited water for flight (could not believe it) both from LGW and Dubai. Some have had great flights with EK - we must have hit the 'Z' teams.

VA had plenty of everything available, meal choices did not run out nor did snacks (unfortunately - so many packets, so much regret on the scales back home).

Have not flown VA domestically (or Q) for a while so not sure how that product has changed but VA experience trumped the others so booked them once again to LHR.

Working on "Won't" power (expect to fail though).