Virgin Australia to lease more 737s

[Bagpuss]

Of course, they got it cheaps.
Now have to go for a "comfort seat" booking on the routes that are all Y, whether B737-700/A320.

Forgot to mention, I was also on VH-NJV on one of my flights last week which has been in service for 2 weeks with VA.
looking at the seats, the marks on them were a giveaway they’re not recycled seats. So they are likely from the F100’s

 

[PERLHR]

Which means ofcourse if no business available you have to add at least another 100 dollars on to the price of the Y ticket if trying for economy X seats and still in a row of 3 ...and still pay for menu food.

 

[Scarlett]

I've flown on one of the 737-700 Y only aircraft.

I sat in row 1 (economy X), which for foot space is the same as row 3 on the 737-800's.

The issue is the seats are very narrow, and I think they are probably the same as the refurbished Virgin Fokker 100 seats which seemed to be a lot narrower when they replaced them.

That guy looks in pain and he hasn’t even sat down…

 

[Harrison_133]

looking at the seats, the marks on them were a giveaway they’re not recycled seats. So they are likely from the F100’s

They’re not from the Fokkers. They were originally Tiger 737 seats. They were put into the ex Silk 800s temporarily while the orange cloth seats were reupholstered with the ribbed leather design on the trial aircraft. Now it’s the 700s turn it seems…

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

They’re not from the Fokkers. They were originally Tiger 737 seats.

Ummmm....weren't the Tiger 737s originally the old VA 737s??

 

[Harrison_133]

Ummmm....weren't the Tiger 737s originally the old VA 737s??

Yes but Tiger installed slimline seats with device holders during 2017, so the seats on the 700s are only 5-6 years old at most.

 

[PERLHR]

In case anyone is interested, took this VA 737 7 departing on a schedule the other day. So it's one to easily recognise in that scheme if it's at your gate!!

 

[Harrison_133]

In case anyone is interested, took this VA 737 7 departing on a schedule the other day. So it's one to easily recognise in that scheme if it's at your gate!!

Not for too long, it’s scheduled to ferry to Townsville tonight as VA9907, presumably for repaint at the paint shop there.

 

[AIRwin]

Not for too long, it’s scheduled to ferry to Townsville tonight as VA9907, presumably for repaint at the paint shop there.

Looks like it's cancelled?

 

[PERLHR]

Looks like it's cancelled?

Think aircraft is heading now from Perth to Brisbane...

 

[Harrison_133]

Looks like it's cancelled?

Appears so…

 

[Saab34]

VH-IJU has been in Townsville for the last week, I don’t know why it is getting a repaint as it’s already in VA colours.

It was meant to ferry back to BNE in the morning, that is now cancelled so explains the other cancellation so they are not 2 aircraft down.

Why is IJI getting a re paint?

 

[Tom/PER]

Think aircraft is heading now from Perth to Brisbane...

Possibly coming across to cover for 73G NHW which suffered an engine failure yesterday evening whilst operating VA471 to BNE, aircraft is expected to be out of action for sometime whilst a replacement engine is source and transported across to WA.

 

[Dee#]

Wish they'd lease an A330 instead of these blasted plague of 737s we are subjected too....

I wonder if they will ditch J class in their newly leased 737s and have a subfleet of all Y? Probably better fits their new customer base....

Well certainly the Darwin to Perth (3hr50min) planes are all economy and no lounge in Darwin. Getting sick of it. No business means no fully cancelable cash-back airfares

 

[twinaisle]

Getting sick of it.

Maybe VA isn't for you? Seek another airline or route yourself through a different port?

 

[PERLHR]

Maybe VA isn't for you? Seek another airline or route yourself through a different port?

Well maybe so...but it still begs the question why no lounge at Darwin or is it just 3 or 4 flights a day? Just curious as i assume QF have a lounge.

 

[Bagpuss]

Well maybe so...but it still begs the question why no lounge at Darwin or is it just 3 or 4 flights a day? Just curious as i assume QF have a lounge.

They did and it was closed as part of the review.

 

[twinaisle]

Well maybe so...but it still begs the question why no lounge at Darwin or is it just 3 or 4 flights a day? Just curious as i assume QF have a lounge.

It closed like a few other lounges around the network after administration as the airline emerged as a hybrid carrier.

 

[AIRwin]

It closed like a few other lounges around the network after administration as the airline emerged as a hybrid carrier.

CNS, MKY and PER T2

 

[simmomelb]

I think a couple of the 700 series (the older ones) also have business. Not the former KLM ones.

That's correct. In the mainline fleet, they have 2 x 737-700's with business and regular econ X.
It's just the FIFO 700's don't, such as VH-NHW, which I flew on a few weeks ago from Brisbane to Cairns - seating was terrible and no branding anywhere - an all-white plane, could have belonged to any airline.
Looks to be back in FIFO service now, thankfully https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHNHW