Virgin A330, old or new?

[Matthewsnospam]

Ive recently had to start flying back and forth from sydney to perth again, all three of my flights in the next 10 days with virgin are business on A330's and connect through melbourne (got to love those corporate travel guys who mess with you for no reason). This is the first time I have flown on them and was disturbed to find on my way over here that I was on one of the clapped out ex emirates A330's which was fine for the day flight but both my returns are red eyes. Is there any way to find out which aircraft you are on specifically, do virgin do the common sense approach and use the new ones for the red eyes or am I likely to spend my friday night cradled like a 6 foot baby. (although its still better then a 737)

Cheers

 

[drewbles]

If the seat map for your flight shows 2-2-2 Config, you're on one of the new birds. If it's 2-3-2, you're on XFA or XFB, the ex-EK birds (and the old Business class).

Whilst the ex-EK seats are not great, they're still OK. You have more chance than not you'll get the new ones, as they have more new config than old.

I flew XFA on the w/end. Economy needs a desperate overhaul!

And welcome to AFF, Matthewsnospam

 

[tuapekastar]

While the new config is nicer to fly in, the pitch on the 'old' A330s is just as good in business as the new ones. Seats are a little narrower and there may not be as much recline.

 

[Matthewsnospam]

Cheers guys, I had a look online I can't see the seat map maybe because its external booking, and to be honest I never even look at it anymore when I book them they always put me In 2A anyway which is what I would pick. I was just asking incase the older aircraft flew the melbourne route as standard or something.
I think I will just ring tomorrow and get them to have a look and tell me what the config is, its one of those awful fridays when I'm not sure if i will finish on time and didn't want to risk missing the last day flight to be told there are no seats on the red-eye, which has happened before.

Thanks again.

 

[Fruitcake]

Unfortunately the only way to get a consistent product SYD-PER is with JQ!

 

[Mogul]

It's the luck of the draw and you know exactly until you are at the gate. I actually find the ex EK birds a little more comfortable to sleep in than the new ones.

 

[mannej]

Unfortunately the only way to get a consistent product SYD-PER is with JQ!

Or Tiger when they used to do that route

 

[ozbeachbabe]

VH-XFE (new bird) operated VA464 BNE/PER today. Nice to see A330's on the BNE/PER route.

 

[drewbles]

VH-XFE (new bird) operated VA464 BNE/PER today. Nice to see A330's on the BNE/PER route.

As someone that flies MEL-PER the most for domestic, the A330 on the BNE route has now reduced my A330 services (they've put at least one 738 back on from MEL) and I seem to get lumped with A and B now.

Yes, it really is a first world problem but hey