Virgin Australia B737 Max 8

Thanks for the report! I don’t think the Max is going to solve any of the seat issues. I flew on the new seats last week… they are a little softer, and the tray table is better, but no change to legroom or recline.
It's not exactly the same as what you've experienced. There is an extra 7 inch pitch on the Max in J and the seats recline further on the Max, VA has removed 1 row of Econ X directly behind J for standard Econ.
The divider (new design) is also returning, which is nice to see (phew).
Economy also has a little extra leg room in the Max thanks to the low profile seats.
All up, this will make the VA config on the Max more comfortable for everyone on the HND route.
 
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This part is wrong. There is an extra 7 inch pitch on the Max in J and the seats recline further on the Max, it's not exactly the same as what you've experienced. VA has removed 1 row of Econ X directly behind J for standard Econ.
The divider (new design) is also returning, which is nice to see (phew).
Economy also has a little extra leg room in the Max thanks to the low profile seats.
I take it the MAX hasn’t actually got the extra row from the new seat layout yet?

Seat maps for Monday’s inaugural flights have the existing J8Y168 layout, and clips from today’s event still show the same amount of Economy X seats on 8IA.
 
It's not exactly the same as what you've experienced. There is an extra 7 inch pitch on the Max in J and the seats recline further on the Max, VA has removed 1 row of Econ X directly behind J for standard Econ.
The divider (new design) is also returning, which is nice to see (phew).
Economy also has a little extra leg room in the Max thanks to the low profile seats.
All up, this will make the VA config on the Max more comfortable for everyone on the HND route.
Ok! thanks.

handy to know… but still begs the question where the additional space has gone? One row of economy X should gain them 38 inches, but they’re only giving up 14 for the new Max?
 
It's not exactly the same as what you've experienced. There is an extra 7 inch pitch on the Max in J and the seats recline further on the Max, VA has removed 1 row of Econ X directly behind J for standard Econ.
The divider (new design) is also returning, which is nice to see (phew).
Economy also has a little extra leg room in the Max thanks to the low profile seats.
All up, this will make the VA config on the Max more comfortable for everyone on the HND route.
Reading up it seems there’s potentially an extra 7 inch *recline* rather than pitch?

I have my doubts about the recline too, because an extra 7 inches would equate it to premium economy on JQ and QF… meaning almost impossible to get out if you’re on the window.

Given VA says they’ll be getting an extra 6-12 seats into economy… I have my doubts about 7 inches more pitch!

Happy to be wrong, of course!
 
Just read this article -


These adopt a more cavernous design allowing “capacity to stow up to 50 per cent more carry-on baggage” – sufficient to accommodate one standard-sized carry-on bag for every passenger because those bags can now slide in on their side rather than going in flat.

So does that mean that their current fleet has insufficient space to cater for one standard-sized carry-on bag for every passenger?? Wouldn't this be a problem?
 
Just read this article -


These adopt a more cavernous design allowing “capacity to stow up to 50 per cent more carry-on baggage” – sufficient to accommodate one standard-sized carry-on bag for every passenger because those bags can now slide in on their side rather than going in flat.

So does that mean that their current fleet has insufficient space to cater for one standard-sized carry-on bag for every passenger?? Wouldn't this be a problem?
When flights are full they will announce / stress more that bags are to go underneath the seat in front and heavier items in the lockers.

Pretty much standard for most aircraft.
 
So does that mean that their current fleet has insufficient space to cater for one standard-sized carry-on bag for every passenger?? Wouldn't this be a problem?
That's a longstanding problem for the 737NG (and older), I'm surprised you've never noticed this on any flight? It's quite common on full flights (from any carrier) for passengers towards the end of the boarding sequence to be forced to "gate check" their carry-on suitcases (anything larger than what will fit under the seat in front). This is true on other narrow bodies like the A320/321ceo as well, hardly anything unique to VA. It's a major problem in markets like the US where checked-bag fees are very high and most passengers try to take the kitchen sink with them. Airlines make the problem worse by charging for checked bags in advance, but they will typically gate-check them for free.
 
That's a longstanding problem for the 737NG (and older), I'm surprised you've never noticed this on any flight? It's quite common on full flights (from any carrier) for passengers towards the end of the boarding sequence to be forced to "gate check" their carry-on suitcases (anything larger than what will fit under the seat in front). This is true on other narrow bodies like the A320/321ceo as well, hardly anything unique to VA. It's a major problem in markets like the US where checked-bag fees are very high and most passengers try to take the kitchen sink with them. Airlines make the problem worse by charging for checked bags in advance, but they will typically gate-check them for free.
We try to mitigate this by yanking out backpacks, laptop bags, purses and Krispy Kreme donut boxes from the bins and ensuring pax stow these items under the seat Infront 😝
 
We try to mitigate this by yanking out backpacks, laptop bags, purses and Krispy Kreme donut boxes from the bins and ensuring pax stow these items under the seat Infront 😝
I’d propose that they eat the Krispy Kreme… problem solved but better have an AED on board.
 
For those interested, some additional sectors have appeared:

Tue 11 Jul
VA323 MEL 11:10 AM BNE 1:20 PM

Wed 12 Jul
VA314 BNE 7:55 AM MEL 10:20 AM

Fri 14 Jul
VA1293 MEL 8:45 AM CNS 12:10 PM
VA1294 CNS 12:50 PM MEL 4:15 PM

Sat 15 Jul
VA1293 MEL 8:45 AM CNS 12:10 PM
VA1294 CNS 12:50 PM MEL 4:15 PM

Sun 16 Jul
VA313 MEL 8:10 AM BNE 10:20 AM
VA326 BNE 11:55 AM MEL 2:20 PM
VA1297 MEL 3:50 PM CNS 7:15 PM
VA1298 CNS 7:55 PM MEL 11:20 PM

Again, subject to change
Any updates for next week? Specifically 20th/21st July?

Is there a public way to find this out? (Other than doing searches on every golden triangle route)?
 
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Any updates for next week? Specifically 20th/21st July?

Is there a public way to find this out? (Other than doing searches on every golden triangle route)?
As far as I can tell, 20th & 21st haven’t been loaded in yet. They’re loading them in blocks about a week in advance. The only way really is doing searches on their website.

Some more that have appeared though:
• Mon 17 Jul: VA1291 MELCNS, VA1292 CNSMEL, VA337 MELBNE
• Tue 18 Jul: VA771 BNECNS, VA776 CNSBNE, VA950 BNESYD, VA965 SYDBNE
• Wed 19 Jul: VA308 BNEMEL, VA321 MELBNE, VA785 BNECNS, VA786 CNSBNE

VA785 BNE-CNS on Sat 29 Jul will also be operated by the MAX so it can take over Tokyo from the 30th.

Also, domestic sectors for the second MAX that were scheduled to commence from 11th September are now reflected on the website.
 
So does that mean that their current fleet has insufficient space to cater for one standard-sized carry-on bag for every passenger??
Generally it works as the system depends on not everyone using their full carry-on allowance. Those that bring more than their alloted allowance are generally balanced out by those that check in all their luggage or stow under the seat.

It can become problematic though, especially on full flights.
 
Sun 16 Jul
VA313 MEL 8:10 AM BNE 10:20 AM
VA326 BNE 11:55 AM MEL 2:20 PM
VA1297 MEL 3:50 PM CNS 7:15 PM
VA1298 CNS 7:55 PM MEL 11:20 PM

Again, subject to change
MAX not operating these flights due to last minute aircraft swap
 
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Must be casa route priving / approval flights
Those flight numbers are used for replacement flights when there’s a disruption. It would have been a replacement for the early morning MELCNS that was cancelled yesterday.
 
Thu 20 Jul: VA920 BNESYD, VA931 SYDBNE, VA950 BNESYD, VA957 SYDBNE
Legend. Turns out I was booked on VA920 and just upgraded to business.

Here’s hoping it’s doing VA931 on Friday! I’m waitlisted for an upgrade. Only a short hop, but should be more interesting than the normal 737-800 bus
 

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