Virgin Australia Fleet Update Thread.

[MarkD]

Perhaps the emirates ones will end up on Bne-syd-Mel once all 4 new ones are here later this year anyway



Excuse the typos, this was sent from my iPhone using Fat fingers

 

[MichaelD]

What is disapointing, is that the 2 ex Emirates aircraft will not be upgraded, so yet again Virgin has an inconsistent product which is NOT acceptable for business class!

Two A330's with pretty good business and then another two A330's with lie flat....

Mostly I agree with the irritation and unacceptability of an inconsistent product in J (eg 737-800s vs 737-700s vs E190s), however, the 2 current A330s provide a perfectly acceptable J product transcontinental and these two new ones will provide an even better product.

Qantas can be said to be exactly the same to/from PER with their mostly 767 service with the odd 747 service thrown in.

Either way, none of the J product offered by either airline SYD-PER is unacceptable and if you're lucky you'll get something even more than acceptable.

 

[lovestotravel]

Qantas operate two different config a330 as well

Lol at the whinging starting already, and the planes havnt even started flying...... Bloody hell the existing a330s are nice planes especially in j. So who really cares????

Qantas operate a mis-match of planes on the route, I know that

Who cares ? Well let's see if VA advertise the flat bed A330 service when booking J on the A330 routes........ Or will that clearly state that you have a 50% chance of getting the newer product

People who book a bed, expect a bed, and when they get the other A330's...

It's about having a consistent product. Qantas is NOT the benchmark for that, a local airline that is is Air NZ, in J the 772 and 77W seating is very very much the same.

That being said they are not making money either..

 

[markis10]

I question how happy Virgin are with the "pre-loved" Emirates a330's. Unsure how committed they are to them now and I believe 2 more from Emirates are planned for this year. So it will be interesting to see what they do.
One option is that they wont be aggressive as first thought and use them less or as backups.

Would be interesting to know what the technical issues with the current a330's have been. Remember the a330 is supposed to be the flagship aircraft of Virgin Australia.

Virgin are not getting any more second hand aircraft, the final two are new aircraft due Nov.

 

[chrisjrn]

Errm, everyone I've spoken to on the subject says that the next two A330s to be delivered (after XFD) will be ex-Emirates...

 

[markis10]

Errm, everyone I've spoken to on the subject says that the next two A330s to be delivered (after XFD) will be ex-Emirates...

Perhaps you are talking to the wrong people?

The new Virgin Australia A330-243 aircraft are:

•VH-XFC (cn 1293) - To be delivered April 2012
•VH-XFD (cn 1306) - To be delivered May 2012
•VH-XFE (cn 1319) - To be delivered October 2012
•VH-... (cn not yet known) - To be delivered December 2012.

http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A330/1319,VH-XFE-Virgin-Australia.php

Australian Aviation which is written by real journalists covered this off in the Jan Feb issue on page 71.

 

[LiamR]

Errm, everyone I've spoken to on the subject says that the next two A330s to be delivered (after XFD) will be ex-Emirates...

Nope, they'll be factory fresh.

 

[737NG]

Errm, everyone I've spoken to on the subject says that the next two A330s to be delivered (after XFD) will be ex-Emirates...

Incorrect Chris, the next two after XFD will be newly built. VH-XFE has been allocated Airbus serial number 1319. XFD is serial number 1306.

 

[chrisjrn]

http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A330/1319,VH-XFE-Virgin-Australia.php

Australian Aviation which is written by real journalists covered this off in the Jan Feb issue on page 71.

Cool, thanks for the sources Point taken. Are the two further ex-Emirates A330s that were mentioned last year known to be definitely off the cards?

 

[markis10]

Cool, thanks for the sources Point taken. Are the two further ex-Emirates A330s that were mentioned last year known to be definitely off the cards?

I think the experience with XFBroken has probably helped,

 

[MadFairlane]

Looks like the re-fitted 777 ended up in Melbourne on the 12th... and hasnt moved since.

Fingers crossed I shall be on it this morning to LAX.

Winning

 

[markis10]

VBJ (Perth Princess) left the fleet yesterday, another 700 gone.

Photo Search Results | Airliners.net

 

[docjames]

Any ideas where all the -700s are going? Back to lessor obviously, but have they been re-placed to other airlines?

 

[Saab34]

Some have gone to Southwest but majority heading for Aerolineas.

 

[straitman]

How many 727-700s are left in the fleet?

Seems we have one from CBR-MEL on Tue 29th May. -- All economy fit out.

 

[moa999]

727s -- none.

737s -- VA source lists 8

 

[straitman]

727s -- none.

737s -- VA source lists 8

I'm glad one of us is awake.

Thanks.

 

[brentonnn]

Is VH-XFE (a330) due to be delivered soon? its first test flight was 18-05-2012. Surely would have to be before october as previously noted.

 

[markis10]

Is VH-XFE (a330) due to be delivered soon? its first test flight was 18-05-2012. Surely would have to be before october as previously noted.

XFE is now in service freeing up XFA for a refit next week.

Another 700 VBP left the country yesterday.

YIJ (738) is due in country soon.

 

[lovestotravel]

I have said it a few times.... XFA/XFB have not been confirmed to be getting the new interior.... In fact Virgin denied it a few months ago...

Heavy maintenance does NOT mean a new interior