Virgin Australia B737 Max 8

[HS-TQE]

8IB assumedly scheduled for OGG-NOU and onward to BNE shortly (unless if they refile for OGG-BNE non-stop on the last minute).

 

[Bagpuss]

I just noticed this, but the link doesn't show anything.

https://www.airlineratings.com/category/news/

 

[Harrison_133]

8IB assumedly scheduled for OGG-NOU and onward to BNE shortly (unless if they refile for OGG-BNE non-stop on the last minute).

Ended up going non-stop to BNE.

I just noticed this, but the link doesn't show anything.

ET posted this on Twitter about 20 minutes ago but the link goes to ‘Page Not Found’.

Caption also suggests that cabin refits have commenced on the 737-800s.

 

[Harrison_133]

Would appear the next 737 is coming home via Florida, getting modifications done, assuming Wifi and Divider.

8IB has arrived with Wifi fitted.

 

[RooFlyer]

ET posted this on Twitter about 20 minutes ago but the link goes to ‘Page Not Found’.

AFR reporting:

Virgin Australia lifts Boeing 737 MAX fleet investment (probably paywalled, sorry).

Virgin Australia has ramped up its investment in new, more fuel-efficient planes as Boeing puts the biggest of its next generation MAX aircraft into flight testing.

The IPO-hopeful said on Friday it had ordered six more Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, bringing its total to 39. It received the third of 14 737-MAX 8 planes from Seattle on Friday, with the remainder due to arrive in 2024.

The airline will also start work on a $110 million fleet refurbishment program to install in-seat power for all passengers, as well as updated business class cabins and more overhead locker space.

“The first refitted aircraft is scheduled to come out of maintenance in Melbourne in early December, and the project will be completed during the next 18-24 months,” Virgin said.

The investment in new fleet and refurbishments comes as Virgin’s private equity owners Bain Capital try to convince local fund managers to participate in its forthcoming initial public offering, slated for May.

 

[Bagpuss]

AFR reporting:

Virgin Australia lifts Boeing 737 MAX fleet investment (probably paywalled, sorry).

The article (which now seems to be paywalled) also mentioned the entire current 737-NG fleet will be fully decommissioned in favor of the MAX.

Kind of obvious, but reflects they are going to stick with Boeing so expect ongoing new orders for the MAX.

 

[Harrison_133]

The article (which now seems to be paywalled) also mentioned the entire current 737-NG fleet will be fully decommissioned in favor of the MAX.

Kind of obvious, but reflects they are going to stick with Boeing so expect ongoing new orders for the MAX.

 

[Saab34]

Well they will need to replace the NGs at some point, they can’t go on forever. However an entire MAX fleet, wouldn’t be until at least 2035-2040 timeframe.

 

[AIRwin]

Media release:

Virgin Australia increases 737 MAX-8 aircraft order

Six additional fuel-efficient MAX-8 aircraft to enter the Virgin Australia fleet, bringing MAX-8 order to 14 and total planned latest generation aircraft to 39.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[stm1sydney]

Surely by then Boeing will have developed an all-new narrowbody?

 

[AviatorInsight]

Surely by then Boeing will have developed an all-new narrowbody?

I’m hoping for the 757.

 

[Saab34]

Airbus has indicated it looks to replace the A320 with something next Gen late 2030s.

So one would assume Boeing would target its new narrow body and larger potential narrow body, around the 2040 mark also which would be good timing to start replacing NGs.

 

[kerfuffle]

8IB assumedly scheduled for OGG-NOU and onward to BNE shortly (unless if they refile for OGG-BNE non-stop on the last minute).

If I'm not mistaken, I'm flying on this SYD-PER shortly

 

[BNEFlyer]

8IB assumedly scheduled for OGG-NOU and onward to BNE shortly (unless if they refile for OGG-BNE non-stop on the last minute).

It did fly OGG-BNE non-stop.

 

[AIRwin]

If I'm not mistaken, I'm flying on this SYD-PER shortly

Looks like it was the maiden commercial flight?

 

[kerfuffle]

Looks like it was the maiden commercial flight?

Probably. No fanfare though. Left an hour late due to either crewing issues or something in Melbourne (we just landed in Perth)

Edit: Captain just confirmed that it was indeed the maiden commercial flight

 

[AIRwin]

Virgin Australia 1Q24 737 MAX International Network Addition Update – 19JAN24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1900GMT 19JAN24 Virgin Australia in the past few weeks gradually filed changes to its planned Boeing 737 MAX 8 international network expansion. As of 19JAN24, latest 737 MAX 8 international service entry date are as follows. Adelaide – Denpasar eff 19MAR24 Brisbane – Apia eff 13M

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[Silvia]

Flew on 8IB this morning. Interestingly we got the stairs as the max is higher. The captain asked us if we noticed anything different from a passenger experience. I don’t think people were aware that we were flying a Max.

Interestingly the safety cards only say 737-800. Not dissimilar to other airlines that hide the fact they fly a max.

Our captain briefly mentioned some differences in the cabin, particularly the breaks and so on.

 

[encryptededdy]

Interestingly the safety cards only say 737-800. Not dissimilar to other airlines that hide the fact they fly a max.

I assume you mean 737-8. If it was -800 then that's actually the wrong aircraft type.

 

[Harrison_133]

I assume you mean 737-8. If it was -800 then that's actually the wrong aircraft type.

The safety cards say 737-8/737-800. Same card used on both types.