Virgin 737 split scimitar winglets

[moa999]

Reports over on airliners.net that Virgin is going to get the split scimitar winglets on 20-25% of its 737 fleet (so 16-20 aircraft).

First aircraft VH-YIV currently in CHC getting the refit, and believed the other YI* aircraft will also get it (these are mostly 2011-13 deliveries and equipped with slide rafts so mostly used on the longer international routes).

 

[Pleb Status]

Maybe VA are modifying a few NG aircraft to help camoflauge the 737MAX8 aircraft when they arrive....

 

[serfty]

Maybe VA are modifying a few NG aircraft to help camoflauge the 737MAX8 aircraft when they arrive....

Except that VA have deferred their MAX8 orders and wont be getting any for some time

 

[juddles]

Interesting that Virgin are going with the split scimitars. In my understanding, these mods are very specific in their value - ie it is only on certain flight profiles that they have economic benefits. I wonder why QF would not be doing the same thing given their massive 737 fleet?

 

[Pleb Status]

Except that VA have deferred their MAX8 orders and wont be getting any for some time

As it is currently planned, VA are still scheduled to receive 23 737MAX8 from February 2025 (if it is flying by then).

https://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=02100026

 

[moa999]

In my understanding, these mods are very specific in their value - ie it is only on certain flight profiles that they have economic benefits.

As I understand they give benefit in cruise, but are worse for takeoff and landing - so you need to be flying 3+ hour segments to make it work.
They also aren't cheap with a list price of around US$500k plus install costs.

Been stated that VA has only a small set of aircraft with life rafts (needed for overwater flights) - so they effectively already have a subfleet dedicated to longer routes.

QF did the same a few years ago.

Qantas plan to remove life rafts is in line with global standards

Independent senator Nick Xenophon has demanded Qantas abandon plan, which would save $1m a year in fuel

www.theguardian.com

 

[CPMaverick]

Cool, I like the look of these things.

They'd make sense for the 737 that do short-haul international, TT, or transcon.

 

[Bagpuss]

They've posted regarding this on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/virginaustralia/posts/10156277131651990

 

[pauly7]

They've posted regarding this on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/virginaustralia/posts/10156277131651990

Yes they will want a highly visible show of putting these on for PR purposes so people don’t panic and think the Max’s have arrived...!

 

[moa999]

Good pics in the #3 post in this airliners.net thread showing how different the retrofit on the NG is compared to the MAX.

MAX-style winglets on 737NGs? - Airliners.net

And more background info on cost and savings here

The Boeing 737 Winglets

A description of the many types of winglets to appear on the Boeing 737. How many did you know of?

www.b737.org.uk

 

[daft009]

They've posted regarding this on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/virginaustralia/posts/10156277131651990

CO2 is a subscript 2, not a superscript 2 like in that video :O

 

[Flying Fox]

Good pics in the #3 post in this airliners.net thread showing how different the retrofit on the NG is compared to the MAX.

MAX-style winglets on 737NGs? - Airliners.net

And more background info on cost and savings here

The Boeing 737 Winglets

A description of the many types of winglets to appear on the Boeing 737. How many did you know of?

www.b737.org.uk

Didn't realise that there was a subtle difference between the 737-NG vs the 737-Max versions. Now I know what to look for!

 

[AIRwin]

I recently flew on VH-YIV which happened to be the first aircraft to be fitted...

 

[AIRwin]

Flew on VH-YIS today...

 

[AIRwin]

VH-YIT fitted:

https://www.haeco.com/en/Press-Room/Press-Releases/HAECO-Hong-Kong-Completes-The-First-Boeing-737-800-Split-Scimitar-Winglet-Modification

 

[jase05]

VH-YIT fitted:

https://www.haeco.com/en/Press-Room/Press-Releases/HAECO-Hong-Kong-Completes-The-First-Boeing-737-800-Split-Scimitar-Winglet-Modification

Pretty sure the work was done in October so strange that they only just announce it now

 

[Saab34]

So looks like anything that goes to Hong Kong for a C check will come back with these new wingtips.

 

[Harrison_133]

So looks like anything that goes to Hong Kong for a C check will come back with these new wingtips.

Not necessarily. If I recall correctly there were others that went to Hong Kong after YIT and returned without scimitars. Although I think they were in the YF rego block which can only operate domestic flights. Not sure if there were ever plans for them to get scimitars like some planes in the YI block.

 

[Saab34]

Why can’t YF machines operate international? I guess all the Sikair machines will be able to.

 

[Harrison_133]

Why can’t YF machines operate international? I guess all the Sikair machines will be able to.

They don’t have life rafts, so only do domestic flights. When I flew on IWQ (ex Silk), it had the centreline stowages for them but they must have been empty as life rafts weren’t mentioned during the safety demo like on the international YI machines. So I’d say the ex Silk aircraft will be staying on domestic for the time being.