Virgin Australia Fleet Update Thread.

[pshepvic]

Ok I might have missed something here, but I'm confused!

Just boarded VH-VOT SYD-MEL and it's refitted ... but only rows 1-3 (luckily I'm in 3A, first time in ages I haven't been in PE).

Are they only refitting the first 3 rows now to churn through the aircraft quicker to have the fleet done by the end of the year? I could have sworn the last refitted aircraft I was on had the whole plane done and not just 3 rows...

Are there plans to put these aircraft back into have the rest of the seats replaced? They would have still needed to change all the row numbers, even without replacing the seats. Looks a bit weird with nice new seats in row 3, but the old ones from row 4 onwards, not to mention the fact that the new seats are much more comfy.

On a good note I was in row 4 online but was moved to 3 at the airport.


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And now I'm quoting myself with the answer. FA just made an announcement regarding the partial refit - it will be refitted "when the aircraft goes to New Zealand". Maybe they did the first bit when it had a bit of time between flights?


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[Justchecking]

Ok I might have missed something here, but I'm confused!

Just boarded VH-VOT SYD-MEL and it's refitted ... but only rows 1-3 (luckily I'm in 3A, first time in ages I haven't been in PE).

Are they only refitting the first 3 rows now to churn through the aircraft quicker to have the fleet done by the end of the year? I could have sworn the last refitted aircraft I was on had the whole plane done and not just 3 rows...

Are there plans to put these aircraft back into have the rest of the seats replaced? They would have still needed to change all the row numbers, even without replacing the seats. Looks a bit weird with nice new seats in row 3, but the old ones from row 4 onwards, not to mention the fact that the new seats are much more comfy.

On a good note I was in row 4 online but was moved to 3 at the airport.


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I heard that when the QF industrial action heated up a couple of the planes were taken off their refit jobs to cope with the demand for flights. They will go back in to have the job finished.

 

[pshepvic]

I heard that when the QF industrial action heated up a couple of the planes were taken off their refit jobs to cope with the demand for flights. They will go back in to have the job finished.

Ah that makes sense. Yep the FA confirmed they will be finished later.


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[Jack Melon]

And in other fleet news, I spotted this baby in DPS on Monday night - didn't realise that they were flying them on Pacific Blue routes yet.

View attachment 4467


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That one is VH-VUY the former AFL livery bird, she has been re-painted into the new livery.

She has been doing DPS runs a lot in the past couple of months, so thats why she is there.

Just check the rego, and see if the little antenna at the back is there to know if it is a BSI. BSI's will not be doing that route for a long time. She is indeed re-fitted.

Jack

 

[737NG]

BSI's will not be doing that route for a long time. She is indeed re-fitted.

Jack

Incorrect Jack, some of the BSIs are going to be deployed on the DPS route very soon.

 

[Jack Melon]

Incorrect Jack, some of the BSIs are going to be deployed on the DPS route very soon.

Can i have a source please?

 

[pshepvic]

That one is VH-VUY the former AFL livery bird, she has been re-painted into the new livery.

She has been doing DPS runs a lot in the past couple of months, so thats why she is there.

Just check the rego, and see if the little antenna at the back is there to know if it is a BSI. BSI's will not be doing that route for a long time. She is indeed re-fitted.

Jack

I didn't say it was a BSI. I was just surprised to see a aircraft painted in the new livery & potentially with J class seats at a Pacific Blue destination.


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[MarkD]

Can i have a source please?

Obviously more accurate than your source Jack:-|

Does anybody really care? no good getting upset, the seats are the same, and its still a bloody long flight in a 737

 

[737NG]

Can i have a source please?

No you cant Jack!

 

[cityloop]

Incorrect Jack, some of the BSIs are going to be deployed on the DPS route very soon.

What time frame are we talking about?

 

[markis10]

VH-YVC is now in country arriving in BNE yesterday from NAN.

 

[markis10]

VH-YID arrived since my last post and is in service, YFK is on delivery while YIE is due shortly as well after its first flight 12/12.

YFK could be the abreviation for a common phrase muttered by passengers when there is a delay announced

 

[dfcatch]

VH-YID arrived since my last post and is in service, YFK is on delivery while YIE is due shortly as well after its first flight 12/12.

YFK could be the abreviation for a common phrase muttered by passengers when there is a delay announced

I'm a fan of YFW?

 

[darkslayer88]

Does anyone know how many aircraft still need to be converted? Also, Will the E-190's be converted before 18 Jan?

 

[jaspon]

Flew on VH VBY, 737-700 ( VB's 50th aircraft)
It has had somewhat of a refurb -
- previously all of the overhead lockers had the names of DJ staff currently at the airline at the time the a/c went into service, these have now been removed, and the lockers are plain.
- the carpet has been re-laid in the new colour scheme
- all seats are the same
- live 2 air is still installed
- cabin divider at row 3, although it's different than the 800's, this one is attached from the overhead lockers, looking up the cabin it reminds me of a giant car sun visor
- at this stage no j seats installed - still PE seating ALTHOUGH row 1 A, 1C has been removed with a bulkhead in front of front left door, leaving row 2A 2C with around at least 6ft legroom

must be a work in progress

 

[pshepvic]

Does anyone know how many aircraft still need to be converted? Also, Will the E-190's be converted before 18 Jan?

I would hope the E-190s will be done - they are selling seats on them as J class from the 18th of Jan.


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[LiamR]

They should be getting fairly close to having all the (737) aircraft refitted by now?

 

[MomoWang]

I spoke to a friend who worked at Virgin today about the fleet upgrade.

Boeing 737-700
There are 15 in the fleet. 11 have Business Class seating, 4 don't. Although the 3 rogues are gone by March either by sale or lease return.

Boeing 737-800
There are 46 in the fleet and only 1 of those does not have Business Class seating. The rogue 800 is also meant to be gone by the end of March.

Overall, after March, in theory only 1x 737 wont have Business Class seating.

Apparently the Embraers are not have a config change and it will remain as Business Class = 2x PE seats.

 

[MichaelD]

Boeing 737-700
There are 15 in the fleet. 11 have Business Class seating, 4 don't. Although the 3 rogues are gone by March either by sale or lease return.

Boeing 737-800
There are 46 in the fleet and only 1 of those does not have Business Class seating. The rogue 800 is also meant to be gone by the end of March.

Mrs MichaelD had the misfortune of flying on one of the rogue aircraft MEL-BNE yesterday as a paid J passenger (i.e. a ticket sold as Business, not Premium Economy).

To say she (and I) are annoyed about paying for Business and getting Premium Economy is an understatement. We have made our feelings known to Virgin.

VIRGIN IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO SELL THESE SEATS AS BUSINESS SEATS. IT IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE THAT YOU HAVE LAUNCHED A PRODUCT YOU CANNOT 100% DELIVER.

Overall, after March, in theory only 1x 737 wont have Business Class seating.

Apparently the Embraers are not have a config change and it will remain as Business Class = 2x PE seats.

2 x PE seats = Premium Economy, not business. End of story.


It's mis-steps like these that alienate premium customers.

 

[maninblack]

How many 777-300's do Virgin actually operate?