Virgin Australia to lease more 737s

[jakeseven7]

Yes, row 1 is good on the all Y 737s, but what happens when they are all taken up by VFF WPs/SGs, or those that have "passed" the "help the crew in case of an emergency" spiel?
Overwing seaters also have to do the spiel, ...
Though how unlikely an emergency would happen, but 25kg is very heavy a door to try to lift while seated, I tried to lift a 25kg dumbell at work once, not an easy fit.

Let’s just hope the 737-700s don’t have the new concrete slimline seats! All economy on some routes I can live with, but the new VA slim line seats are uncomfortable

 

[MooTime]

Let’s just hope the 737-700s don’t have the new concrete slimline seats! All economy on some routes I can live with, but the new VA slim line seats are uncomfortable

That doesn't seem to be the consensus.

I've read fair amount of satisfaction of the new design & it's comfort. Although yet to experience them myself.

 

[MarkD]

Lucky I have no interest in visiting MKY.
Its sad though that VAd has decided to do it, ie, lease 737s without a J cabin.

Not too long ago the only options for these qld towns was turboprop. I don't get the fascination with business class on a 50 minute flight Damn lucky to have 737s running around into these small cities / towns in my opinion

Post automatically merged: Nov 1, 2022

Let’s just hope the 737-700s don’t have the new concrete slimline seats! All economy on some routes I can live with, but the new VA slim line seats are uncomfortable

I have flown on one of the ex silkair 800s with these seats and found them comfortable. In fact more comfortable than the existing seats. Plus the added benefit of a tablet / phone holder.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Not too long ago the only options for these qld towns was turboprop. I don't get the fascination with business class on a 50 minute flight Damn lucky to have 737s running around into these small cities / towns in my opinion

Happy to be corrected, but VA never flew the ATR's to MKY, only to ROK/GLT/EMD/BDB. OTOH QF were quite happy to fly Dash-8's to MKY for quite a while...

 

[twinaisle]

700 have the new seats although covered in black leather.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

NBV also scheduled to operate another MKY turn and a CBR turn today. Let’s see if that materialises…

Surely they wouldn't run a service to/from CBR without J?? (at least not during parliamentary sitting weeks...)

 

[Harrison_133]

Surely they wouldn't run a service to/from CBR without J?? (at least not during parliamentary sitting weeks...)

It got stuck in MKY by the looks of it so it didn’t end up operating to CBR, but it’s scheduled again on the 8th Nov so yes, they are running a limited number of CBR services without J.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

It got stuck in MKY by the looks of it so it didn’t end up operating to CBR, but it’s scheduled again on the 8th Nov so yes, they are running a limited number of CBR services without J.

Not quite. VA611 was diverted back to BNE on 1/11.
Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24 shows it as running BNE-MKY & vv for the rest of the week.

 

[Harrison_133]

Not quite. VA611 was diverted back to BNE on 1/11.
Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24 shows it as running BNE-MKY & vv for the rest of the week.

NBV was supposed to operate VA1224 to CBR on 31/10, but it was swapped out after being on the ground in MKY for a couple of hours. That swap wouldn’t be reflected on Flight Radar.

The all-Y aircraft will really end up anywhere. NBV did HBA today and is currently enroute to CNS, and should be on HTI & PPP this Sunday.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

The all-Y aircraft will really end up anywhere. NBV did HBA today and is currently enroute to CNS, and should be on HTI & PPP this Sunday.

And that in itself is really quite sad. If VA is going to take the fight to QF and REX in the J space then they shouldn't be picking and choosing which ports they run the all-Y config to or not.

 

[lovestotravel]

If the all Y aircraft is going to fly around anywhere it makes booking J risky

Not a good idea at all

 

[simmomelb]

Sorry all, I have just read the last 3 pages and want to confirm something (need to get up to speed).
So VA is flying some A320's now without J (mainly ADL routes) and also has some 737's from KLM that it's fitting out and they won't have J either, is that correct?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Sorry all, I have just read the last 3 pages and want to confirm something (need to get up to speed).
So VA is flying some A320's now without J (mainly ADL routes) and also has some 737's from KLM that it's fitting out and they won't have J either, is that correct?

Spot on.

 

[jase05]

Sorry all, I have just read the last 3 pages and want to confirm something (need to get up to speed).
So VA is flying some A320's now without J (mainly ADL routes) and also has some 737's from KLM that it's fitting out and they won't have J either, is that correct?

ADL-PER seems to cop the A320’s
The KLM all Y configurations seem to be “unlucky dip”

 

[simmomelb]

Surely this isn't a long-term decision? ie, they will be reconfiguring them?
I'm a little shocked reading this to be honest.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Surely this isn't a long-term decision? ie, they will be reconfiguring them?
I'm a little shocked reading this to be honest.

The stated purpose of the 737-700's was to replace the F100's on charter and other routes where they've been operating recently. You'd like to hope that they keep them away from the longer routes, but given the A320's operating ADL-PER consistently, who knows?

 

[simmomelb]

The stated purpose of the 737-700's was to replace the F100's on charter and other routes where they've been operating recently. You'd like to hope that they keep them away from the longer routes, but given the A320's operating ADL-PER consistently, who knows?

Yeah, and I thought they wanted to stick with a 737 fleet for their regular flights (non-FIFO).

 

[HS-TQE]

The 73Gs will eventually make their way to the PER base, and will gradually replace the all-Y F100s.

The first few 73Gs are based in Queensland for Queensland intra-state and thin routes for the NW (Southern Summer) 2022/23 at the very least.

There are a number of factors though, such as the pending Qantas/Alliance takeover (which was pushed to end of March 2023) which may potentially affect the existing F100 work with Virgin when the NW season ends.

 

[Saab34]

Does KLM have anymore -700s available after this batch?

 

[simmomelb]

There are a number of factors though, such as the pending Qantas/Alliance takeover (which was pushed to end of March 2023) which may potentially affect the existing F100 work with Virgin when the NW season ends.

Also, the ACCC is looking at not renewing the VA Alliance 5-year agreement, which is about to come to an end, irrespective of the Qantas buyout approval pending.

On a side note, I just had a look at the VA site and there are plenty of F100's ADL - BNE route and the occasional 737-700 :/