Virgin Australia B737 Max 8

[Saab34]

And VH-8ID is scheduled on its maiden commercial flight to Perth on Monday

Another site has advised its already been pulled from service to a ‘build issue’

 

[jb747]

At this point its still a tough call - I was on the same page as you previously, in that you'd think the MAX would now have no stone left unturned. But Boeings issues seem to have permeated through that. I would love Virgin to do a complete u turn and go all Airbus but obviously a crazed fantasy

Every time you turn over a stone, you find something else.....

 

[Digicola]

Every time you turn over a stone, you find something else.....

At this point it sounds like they keep on finding stuff when turning over the same stone again and again

 

[Saab34]

Apparently the new MAX is getting an engine change. Only online chatter but would explain the downtime. Now I bet VA are pissed off as rightly they should be.

Amazing how delivered from the factory at the weeks beginning, and by the end of it already in the hanger getting an engine change.

 

[HS-TQE]

8IF sighted in Renton.

https://flic.kr/p/2pGr4Es

 

[MooTime]

8IF sighted in Renton.

https://flic.kr/p/2pGr4Es

Out of interest, that teal colour of the tube, that's the natural material colour right?
That's what gets painted straight over?

The tube is a different material to the nose, tail, wings etc?

 

[Saab34]

Out of interest, that teal colour of the tube, that's the natural material colour right?
That's what gets painted straight over?

The tube is a different material to the nose, tail, wings etc?

Why Are Newly Built Airplanes Green?

Do you know the reason behind this aesthetic quirk?

simpleflying.com

 

[Harrison_133]

Apparently the new MAX is getting an engine change. Only online chatter but would explain the downtime. Now I bet VA are pissed off as rightly they should be.

Amazing how delivered from the factory at the weeks beginning, and by the end of it already in the hanger getting an engine change.

8ID back in service today.

 

[jb747]

At this point it sounds like they keep on finding stuff when turning over the same stone again and again

Doesn't turning the same stone over, and expecting a different result, indicate a more basic problem.

 

[Saab34]

Just buy Airbus! If you don’t want problems!

On a more serious note, it’s certainly an option. The whole 737 fleet will need to be cycled out in the mid 2030s. Wouldn’t be it great if Virgin got a deal with Airbus, A220/320/321/330N, for a refleet from next decade. They often provide type ratings as part of the deal, and you would think they would get very sharp pricing as they would be securing a new very long term customer with over 100 aircraft required. If you have a look at the Virgin fleet lists, and assuming these MAXs are on a 10 year lease which is the norm, the timing is pretty good to start removing the 737 fleet and changing over later this decade and be completely out in the 2030s as leases start to fall off. Forget the MAX10 it’s over.

One can dream!

 

[Digicola]

Just buy Airbus! If you don’t want problems!

On a more serious note, it’s certainly an option. The whole 737 fleet will need to be cycled out in the mid 2030s. Wouldn’t be it great if Virgin got a deal with Airbus, A220/320/321/330N, for a refleet from next decade. They often provide type ratings as part of the deal, and you would think they would get very sharp pricing as they would be securing a new very long term customer with over 100 aircraft required. If you have a look at the Virgin fleet lists, and assuming these MAXs are on a 10 year lease which is the norm, the timing is pretty good to start removing the 737 fleet and changing over later this decade and be completely out in the 2030s as leases start to fall off. Forget the MAX10 it’s over.

One can dream!

Ask NZ how their A320s are doing

 

[Saab34]

Ask NZ how they’re A320s are doing

Well depends which engine you pick

 

[pauly7]

Semi relevant but how does everyone feel about getting on a MAX now compared with NG?

At first I was under the logic that the MAX is the most scrutinized plane ever and thus it should be safe now. Clearly that is not the case so what's everyone's opinions now?

Yea nah. Case closed. Terrible situation. Avoiding that airframe.

Doesn't turning the same stone over, and expecting a different result, indicate a more basic problem.

Yes. This.

 

[ben95]

8ID back in service today.

Not sure how relevant but I was supposed to fly 8IA Wednesday morning MEL-SYD on VA811 but got a A/C change in the morning. The A/C was supposed to continue on to PER as VA555.

8IA ended up only doing 2 MEL-ADL-MEL before it resumed its normal rotation going to PER Thursday morning. Seems to suggest it’s got some minor engineering issue that needed to be fixed but could still fly some routes?

 

[jakeseven7]

Another story on the challenges of being burdened with the Max 8/10;

What’s worse than old planes? Not having any at all..​

As turmoil engulfs Boeing – following a series of incidents with its next-generation 737 MAX plane and the resignation of its chief executive, a big drop in deliveries of new 737s from Boeing are giving airlines plenty of reasons to be worried. And nowhere more so than at Virgin.

The Bain Capital-owned airline wants to streamline to a single aircraft type Virgin, which admits now it will have to replace its order for Boeing’s 737 MAX-10 with the smaller 737 MAX-8.

The merits of Virgin heading to a single fleet look more dubious when there are booking systems now letting people filter its aircraft type from their searches for seats, such has been the damage done to the Boeing 737-MAX brand.

Virgin is desperately trying to make its existing planes more comfortable, spending $110 million on expanding cabin baggage space, in-seat charging and more creature comforts, but it’s also highly dependent on the increasingly expensive leasing market.

What’s worse than old planes? Not having any at all

Qantas and Virgin Australia face long waits for new jets – a crucial part of their strategy to bring down costs and keep customers happy.

www.afr.com

 

[AIRwin]

MAX #4 has been handed over to VA. Heads to Florida today for wifi installation before coming to Australia.

VH-8IF has headed to MLB today

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

MLB (US) or MEL (AU) you mean?

 

[AIRwin]

MLB (US) or MEL (AU) you mean?

Florida

 

[AIRwin]

VH-8IF has headed to MLB today

Looks like it's scheduled to leave MLB tonight

 

[Saab34]

Wonder if they now have the divider now installed!