Virgin Australia Fleet Update Thread.

[markis10]

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

LOL - does not matter how many times you say something, things have a way of changing , numerous insiders have confirmed the cabin refit here ! Wont be the same standard as the new birds but still an upgrade, when both are done expect to see them heading to BNE, first flight 5th Sep PER-BNE-PER.

 

[lovestotravel]

So a slight refit ? Kinda a waste of $$ as Virgin already completed a "slight" refit when they first received the aircraft

Would have assumed if they did anything they would complete a full refit, instead of another slight refit, seems very strange to even bother

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-and-virgin-australia-roll-out-a330s-in-battle-of-the-big-birds

However, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that despite speculation “we are definitely not refitting the original A330s to install the new business class seats" during their maintenance downtime.

 

[Justchecking]

Well it remains to be seen what a 'slight refit' actually means, I guess Sept will reveal. I personally have a hard time imagining what could change that would denote the word 'slight'. New bog-roll holders? The two middle seats in J removed? LED lighting so we can all enjoy more purple aircraft. I've heard so many conflicting stories now I believe absolutely none of it (yes, even the highly credible stuff on AFF by DJ insiders....:shock until it's actually flying around. Bit like the WiFi and galaxy tabs which have all gone quiet of late.

 

[markis10]

So a slight refit ? Kinda a waste of $$ as Virgin already completed a "slight" refit when they first received the aircraft

Would have assumed if they did anything they would complete a full refit, instead of another slight refit, seems very strange to even bother

Qantas and Virgin Australia roll out A330s in battle of the big birds - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

However, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that despite speculation “we are definitely not refitting the original A330s to install the new business class seats" during their maintenance downtime.

Your words, not mine when it comes to "slight"! I noticed the link has a quote from an unnamed virgin spokesperson, I wonder if its because the recent article on the Perth lounge upgrade had a quote from someone who no longer worked for Virgin some three weeks before the article appeared, indicating the use of old quotes in fresh stories? Of course the lack of a time context such as "today, an unnamed Virgin spokesperson said" does make it hard to judge!

 

[777]

Your words, not mine when it comes to "slight"! I noticed the link has a quote from an unnamed virgin spokesperson, I wonder if its because the recent article on the Perth lounge upgrade had a quote from someone who no longer worked for Virgin some three weeks before the article appeared, indicating the use of old quotes in fresh stories? Of course the lack of a time context such as "today, an unnamed Virgin spokesperson said" does make it hard to judge!

Not sure whether it's been amended or not but it now says:

a Virgin Australia spokeswoman confirmed to Australian Business Traveller this morning that despite speculation “we are definitely not refitting the original A330s to install the new business class seats" during their maintenance downtime.

No idea but i was assuming they were doing that refurb as well. Alas.

 

[markis10]

It has been amended, which is good to see!

 

[lovestotravel]

The words "this morning" have been added, yes!

So will or won't the A330's be upgraded ?

 

[markis10]

The words "this morning" have been added, yes!

So will or won't the A330's be upgraded ?

The A330s are being upgraded, to what extent only Virgin insiders would know, I suspect at least the IFE will get a rework, which would be odd without seat change if in fact that is what is happening.

 

[777]

The A330s are being upgraded, to what extent only Virgin insiders would know, I suspect at least the IFE will get a rework, which would be odd without seat change if in fact that is what is happening.

Was thinking myself that's the most likely scenario. What would be involved in stripping out the old IFE units are dropping in RED without actually changing the seats i wonder?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

expect to see them heading to BNE, first flight 5th Sep PER-BNE-PER.

I thought someone had previously stated in BNE VA don't have the areobridges (or something...sorry for the vagueness) to suit the A330s?

 

[777]

I thought someone had previously stated in BNE VA don't have the areobridges (or something...sorry for the vagueness) to suit the A330s?

Work is being done right now i expect. The first BNE-PER A330 flight is actually showing as September 5 if you search for it. Appears to be one-off at this time though.

 

[markis10]

I thought someone had previously stated in BNE VA don't have the areobridges (or something...sorry for the vagueness) to suit the A330s?

The pavement marks need to be applied, that's it, the aero bridges are not an issue other than the fact it's single door.

 

[Jousams]

in september the number of bne-per flights go from 3 to 2. maybe a330 service compensates for reduction in frequency?

 

[Solid]

I remember when I had a meeting with a Virgin rep last year who was trying to sell the Accelerate program he told us that BNE-PER would have a330s by Feb 2012. When that didn't happen I queried him as I had his email, he then said "by Easter".

Sigh.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

he then said "by Easter". Sigh.

Though he didn't say Easter in which year!

 

[Jamesl]

The pavement marks need to be applied, that's it, the aero bridges are not an issue other than the fact it's single door.

The only bay according to the current DAPs at the DOM terminal is 24 which is a QF one. Would the line markings change the DAPs?

 

[straitman]

The only bay according to the current DAPs at the DOM terminal is 24 which is a QF one. Would the line markings change the DAPs?

From my experience Yes.

 

[markis10]

The only bay according to the current DAPs at the DOM terminal is 24 which is a QF one. Would the line markings change the DAPs?

Yes, don't forget the DJ terminal has seen 747s etc before, so pavement strength is not an issue, same situation as in SYD and MEL before the A330s started really.

 

[Jamesl]

Yes, don't forget the DJ terminal has seen 747s etc before, so pavement strength is not an issue, same situation as in SYD and MEL before the A330s started really.

Thanks for that, just a quick one, taxi lane G at ML is going from dual to single again...

 

[wafliron]

Flew on VH-YFJ yesterday MEL-SYD, which I believe has only been in the fleet a few days. Nice bird - the BSI is a huge improvement over the old interior IMHO.