Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Class

[Flywithd]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

Well they want a consistent fleet of 330 when they start doing the INT trips hence why all of the fleet getting upgraded.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

It also mentions a new Premium Economy and an Economy Plus product - that should make a few people quite happy!

And squeeze the majority of people sitting in economy in even tighter?

 

[Denali]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

VA website did say more leg room for economy. Losing 16 PE seats has to benefit someone and advertising an extra leg room zone should be a win for them.

 

[Clivem]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

Well they want a consistent fleet of 330 when they start doing the INT trips hence why all of the fleet getting upgraded.

So when is the full A330 refit to be completed by ? Following from that, do you have any inside information on the port/s likely ?

 

[TomVexille]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

So when is the full A330 refit to be completed by ? Following from that, do you have any inside information on the port/s likely ?

They are saying end of July at this stage.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

But only when traveling to/from NZ in economy (business etc already get that of course) and didn't that include SQ elites traveling to/from NZ as well?

I think the point is, it's now been done making similar decisions in future re: VA far easier and more palatable.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

If VA pull 330s off C2C, doesn't that hand the C2C prize back to QF?

 

[rtyuiop]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

Well they have for AirNZ elites with a recent partnership announcement.

Singapore Airlines - Star Alliance - Airpoints - Air New Zealand

Interesting! I didn't know that. Well, here's hoping - SilverKris lounge access in SIN to/from AU would certainly make me happy.

Danny

 

[SQ421]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

And squeeze the majority of people sitting in economy in even tighter?

Yup. As long as the seat pitch/width remains consistent with the competition (and it seems like the E+ is coming from reduced seats in PE Cabin than singular squeezing of Y), why not maximise bang for your buck in all cabins.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

Following from that, do you have any inside information on the port/s likely ?

Why would you expect that information to be accurate when only a week or so ago

cannot wait until XFJ is delivered with the new J class seats, now to plan and book her first revenue flight

Given that XFJ does NOT have the new seats.....

 

[lastrow]

Re: A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

You guys are obviously short on intelligence sources. On another web site VA plans are fully described with lots of photos and lots of good news.

Briefly:

A new J class seat with built in everything including lay flat will be fitted to the A330 and B777.

A new premium economy seat will also be installed.

In Y class it will be possible to purchase an Economy Plus seat with more room for an additional price.

Check the Australian Business Traveller web site. Virgin Australia new domestic international business class seats Airbus A330 Boeing 777 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[sydks]

Re: A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

So it's not the Cirrus seat nor is it installed on the new A330 after all? So much for the rumours or scoop by runwaygirl lol

While it certainly looks like a great seat, I am not sure how it leap frogs the new QF seat. 2 things that stand out immediately are a very cramped looking foot well and a very small 'opening' for the centre seats if you wish to have the divider open and actually 'sit together'.

Still - great to see competition working and delivering better products for the customer all round!

 

[Ascent]

Re: A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

Comparison of the new seats care of News Limited....

Why Virgin Australia claims its business seats are better
(with Qantas stats in brackets)

In the Boeing 777: Seat width 71cm (54.6cm)
Bed width: 71cm (61cm)
Bed length: 203cm (203cm)
Inflight entertainment unit: 43cm (30.7cm)
In the A330 seat width: 71cm (61cm)
Bed width: 71cm (63.5cm)
Bed length: 203cm (201cm)

 

[moa999]

Re: A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

Assume the 777 comparison is versus the 380 ? (noting the QF stats are different and it lines up with this - A380 Comfort now available on our B747 fleet | Qantas).
I note the large increases in width - I have never felt overly contained in the QF A380 Business seats.

For the direct A330 comparison.
I don't believe QF have published actual stats (though guess VA has some Thompson Vantage XL brochures lying around)
Both are using 16" IFE

I also suspect that the VA width of 71cm quoted may be at the elbow level only where both sides have a kink - if that is the case its not really usable space.
- Also note the AusBT review on Qatar A380 Business (which I believe is the same B/E basic seat) which quotes 55cm (20") width and 2m (80") length

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

great to see competition working and delivering better products for the customer all round!

Quote of the thread in my humble opinion! So true.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

Are there any pics anywhere of the 2 centre seats together? According to FA on VA flt other night there is still only minimal area to interact bw middle seats - any pics? Any knowledge pls?

 

[TomVexille]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

Are there any pics anywhere of the 2 centre seats together? According to FA on VA flt other night there is still only minimal area to interact bw middle seats - any pics? Any knowledge pls?

I think (happy to be corrected) that the new seat comes from the same base as the new QR seat. There's a couple of photos in the following articles of the QR product which may give you an idea.

http://upgrd.com/blogs/doublewidesf...-edition-of-aircraft-interiors-international/

 

[notzac]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

I think (happy to be corrected) that the new seat comes from the same base as the new QR seat. There's a couple of photos in the following articles of the QR product which may give you an idea.

Same base, yes, but the design has been heavily customised. If you look at the pictures of the Super Diamond seat on the B/E Aerospace website, it looks like the QR seat *is* the base - B/E Aerospace | Diamond Full-Flat Airline Seating - B/E Aerospace - (from the second link you posted, it seems as though the seat was designed for QR..?) From the VA pictures, it looks like the shell and privacy screen will keep the middle seat pair quite separate (which may or may not be a good thing, depending on who you're flying with )

Fixed up those URLs for you as well..:

Qatar Airways A380 cabins revealed - DoubleWides Fly
Super Diamond Seat features in March Edition of Aircraft Interiors International - The Design Society

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business...

Thanks kids - if centre pair like that it will be pretty cool.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: Virgin Australia raises the bar yet again revealing its new Domestic Business Cla

Sweet.

It does appear that the VA model will make it rather difficult to interact with a partner.