Virgin Australia to lease more 737s

[PERLHR]

Downgrades can happen for variety of reasons ofcourse. Not notifying pax booked in J and downgrading due to aircraft change as all Y config is bordering on robbery as they obviously know. I do however stress that VA sent me an e mail to contact them on impending change for one flight and did nothing on another so they can't even be consistent.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Just have to spend time and read on here.
OffT, yes, I know this is the VA side:
If they (QF) changes the equipment, ie, goes from a 330 to 737 with a smaller cabin, they would have to downgrade some.
Years ago, in the 2000s or so, QF had a lot of 767s flying between PER - east coast Aust, and also, even SYD - MEL and sometimes SYD - BNE, but these days, its more or less 737s.
Some people mention being downgraded, and they have to claim ORC (original routing credit), ie, to claim for the points and SC they paid for, but for which they have gotten an equipment change.
If you have paid a rev tix for a J cabin, and then you see that the plane at your gate is 737, instead of a 330, and that you are now down the back of the bus.
Of course, we all love an upgrade/op up, when they upgrade us without us asking, (I got it once with QF), downgrades do happen too.
Oh, and not forgetting being moved from mainline QF to budget JQ.
OnT.

 

[PERLHR]

Just have to spend time and read on here.
OffT, yes, I know this is the VA side:
If they (QF) changes the equipment, ie, goes from a 330 to 737 with a smaller cabin, they would have to downgrade some.
Years ago, in the 2000s or so, QF had a lot of 767s flying between PER - east coast Aust, and also, even SYD - MEL and sometimes SYD - BNE, but these days, its more or less 737s.
Some people mention being downgraded, and they have to claim ORC (original routing credit), ie, to claim for the points and SC they paid for, but for which they have gotten an equipment change.
If you have paid a rev tix for a J cabin, and then you see that the plane at your gate is 737, instead of a 330, and that you are now down the back of the bus.
Of course, we all love an upgrade/op up, when they upgrade us without us asking, (I got it once with QF), downgrades do happen too.
Oh, and not forgetting being moved from mainline QF to budget JQ.
OnT.

More often than not, in my experience anyway, QF have changed west coast to east and probably vice versa from 330 to 737 often, but usually well in advance hence opportunity exists to change flights. I certainly agree that an airline can change aircraft at their discretion. There is enough people on various forums complaining when Qatar change a Q suite flight to "normal" business but at least you are in business. The issue with VA is that they sell a business seat on a 737, but operate a smaller version of 737 without any Business and don't notify pax in most cases it seems when it seems easy to do (8 pax max). One thing though I would be most gutted if I'm expected mainline QF and ended up on JQ!!

 

[Quickstatus]

Under what circumstances?

There are several stories, some involving airframe changes from larger to smaller such as 330 to 737, some involving flight cancellations and the chaos that follows.

However this one was particularly egregious as it was a overbooking but they did not tell the 2 pax before check in. Compo for the downgrade was $700 if I recall correctly for going from J to Y not for a little domestic flight but a long haul transpacific between USA and AUS

 

[cove]

Narrow body planes are not my favourite so I just hope Virgin get some wide body planes for the longer flights once they get flipped by Bain onto the ASX.

 

[simmomelb]

There are several stories, some involving airframe changes from larger to smaller such as 330 to 737, some involving flight cancellations and the chaos that follows.

However this one was particularly egregious as it was a overbooking but they did not tell the 2 pax before check in. Compo for the downgrade was $700 if I recall correctly for going from J to Y not for a little domestic flight but a long haul transpacific between USA and AUS

I'd hate to think how many J bookings got wiped yesterday between MEL - SYD with 5 flights switched to the 737-700 all Y class.
I bet they didn't notify any of them, including the 3 of us travelling.
I just wish VA would clearly let us know what their longer-term plans are with these all-Y-class planes.
Is it an interim measure due to demand and lack of aircraft, perhaps using FIFO planes to fill the gap, or a permanent plan and for what reason?
It really is a complete budget airline experience on these with:
- No internet (not even planned for them AFAIK)
- No inflight entertainment
- No econ X
- No J class

Possibly even more of a budget airline experience than with Jetstar.

 

[jase05]

I'd hate to think how many J bookings got wiped yesterday between MEL - SYD with 5 flights switched to the 737-700 all Y class.
I bet they didn't notify any of them, including the 3 of us travelling.
I just wish VA would clearly let us know what their longer-term plans are with these all-Y-class planes.
Is it an interim measure due to demand and lack of aircraft, perhaps using FIFO planes to fill the gap, or a permanent plan and for what reason?
It really is a complete budget airline experience on these with:
- No internet (not even planned for them AFAIK)
- No inflight entertainment
- No econ X
- No J class

I’m pretty sure it’s been mentioned on here repeatedly that the all Y class 737-700’s are heading to WA. VA are probably just waiting for the Max’s to arrive which should be in a few weeks

 

[simmomelb]

I’m pretty sure it’s been mentioned on here repeatedly that the all Y class 737-700’s are heading to WA. VA are probably just waiting for the Max’s to arrive which should be in a few weeks

Ahhh, I see, well that is a relief.
I thought most of the Max's were going to Japan and Bali.
Anyway, thanks for confirming

 

[PERLHR]

I’m pretty sure it’s been mentioned on here repeatedly that the all Y class 737-700’s are heading to WA. VA are probably just waiting for the Max’s to arrive which should be in a few weeks

First Max is not due until April I believe....not a few weeks.

 

[jase05]

First Max is not due until April I believe....not a few weeks.

I didn’t realise they had been delayed, that’s disappointing. All the talk amongst staff here had been that the first couple were arriving in early Feb.

 

[PERLHR]

I didn’t realise they had been delayed, that’s disappointing. All the talk amongst staff here had been that the first couple were arriving in early Feb.

The first 737 MAX in Virgin Australia livery is scheduled April 2023 from Boeing’s assembly centre at Renton to Brisbane.
Two more 737 MAX jets are scheduled to arrive “mid-year” and the remaining five aircraft from the 737 MAX 8 order are slated to arrive “from Q4 2023.

 

[MH_fan]

One of those 3 by mid year will be on permanent CNS-HND duty leaving the remaining 2 for domestic ops.

 

[Bagpuss]

I’m pretty sure it’s been mentioned on here repeatedly that the all Y class 737-700’s are heading to WA. VA are probably just waiting for the Max’s to arrive which should be in a few weeks

The 737-700's are going to replace the Fokker 100 (all Y fleet) which are WA based.
The offical line is that the current flying is to train and familiarize the transitioning crew. I suspect they're also trying to be a bit sneaky in using them to fill up seats better at the expense of business class and maybe ensure they are using slots.

 

[jase05]

The first 737 MAX in Virgin Australia livery is scheduled April 2023 from Boeing’s assembly centre at Renton to Brisbane.
Two more 737 MAX jets are scheduled to arrive “mid-year” and the remaining five aircraft from the 737 MAX 8 order are slated to arrive “from Q4 2023.

I’ve seen that now and it’s disappointing as they very bullish about the February delivery date but I guess delays happen

 

[Bagpuss]

I’ve seen that now and it’s disappointing as they very bullish about the February delivery date but I guess delays happen

If they are taking delivery in February they may publicly state April because that's when they actually go into service ... Maybe?

 

[Saab34]

Both manufacturers have delays, Airbus was 4 months behind with Jetstar’s 2/3/4th Neo deliveries this year.

Generally pics would surface from Seattle 4-6 weeks out. Have not seen anything so April sounds about right when taking into account delays with other customers in recent times, 3 months behind sounds about right

 

[Bugalugz]

They selling a few rows in Economy X....assume these rows at the front do indeed have extra leg room? PER-KTA on a 737-7 on Monday so it'll be interesting to see if the $50 for Economy x in row 3 was worthwhile

 

[simmomelb]

First Max is not due until April I believe....not a few weeks.

Several more months of this all Y 737-700 rubbish then.

Won't be booking any staff in J on VA until this saga is over.

 

[PERLHR]

They selling a few rows in Economy X....assume these rows at the front do indeed have extra leg room? PER-KTA on a 737-7 on Monday so it'll be interesting to see if the $50 for Economy x in row 3 was worthwhile

Please do report back. Have a nice flight.

 

[sven89]

They selling a few rows in Economy X....assume these rows at the front do indeed have extra leg room? PER-KTA on a 737-7 on Monday so it'll be interesting to see if the $50 for Economy x in row 3 was worthwhile

I have an upcoming PER>BNE on the all Y-class 737-7 in a few weeks. Due to schedule, unfortunately can't change. Thinking of getting row 3. @Pilotdude09 would love to know how you went and if it's indeed proper extra legroom.