Virgin Australia to lease more 737s

[Harrison_133]

The first MAX (VH-8IA) is scheduled to arrive in Brisbane this Thursday (29th Jun).

Operating as VA9947, it leaves Boeing Field on Tuesday, stopping in Kona & Nadi.

 

[jase05]

The first MAX (VH-8IA) is scheduled to arrive in Brisbane this Thursday (29th Jun).

Operating as VA9947, it leaves Boeing Field on Tuesday, stopping in Kona & Nadi.

What would be the timeframe before it’s thrown on the HND route?

 

[Bagpuss]

What would be the timeframe before it’s thrown on the HND route?

It will be used domestically for crew familiarization at least. I wouldn't be surprised if it will be on the HND route before late July.

 

[AIRwin]

What would be the timeframe before it’s thrown on the HND route?

Looks like July 30

 

[Saab34]

Any word on the exact details re the interior?

 

[Bagpuss]

Any word on the exact details re the interior?

From a FA recently, it sounds like these are going to be the same as the ex Silkair 737-800's , plus a divider between business and economy. Its the MAX 10 which will be different.

Though if there are any changes, I expect they'll be kept under wraps as no doubt they'll do an media event.

 

[Saab34]

Didn't see a Wifi dome on the roof from the latest pics.

Would be good if each aircraft arrived with the full kit, Power/Usb/Wifi. One fleet type, you think they could perhaps try for one product type.

 

[Bagpuss]

Didn't see a Wifi dome on the roof from the latest pics.

Would be good if each aircraft arrived with the full kit, Power/Usb/Wifi. One fleet type, you think they could perhaps try for one product type.

Believe that is done when the aircraft is handed over. So when it's in Australia engineering will install. At time of ordering the wifi provider wasn't in-place.

 

[twinaisle]

Its the MAX 10 which will be different.


Do you know this specifically/ you've seen the floor plan for the MAX 10?

 

[Bagpuss]

RE: The MAX 10 as said in my post an FA said it would be different.

From the conversation I believe it includes the possibility of a forward economy toilet, taking it can accommodate upto 230 passengers it makes a lot of sense.

I doubt Virgin even have a seating plan.

 

[Digicola]

Any idea if -VBZ has been given the same treatment as the ex-Silkair birds? Or is the bog standard VA interior going to operate?

 

[HS-TQE]

"Old" VA Interior assumedly operates (ie only BYOD wireless IFE and Power only in J).

Would assume VBZ and VBY been cleaned up during maintenance in AUH.

 

[Harrison_133]

Any idea if -VBZ has been given the same treatment as the ex-Silkair birds? Or is the bog standard VA interior going to operate?

They’ve had a deep clean and new carpet installed. No idea if the seats have been swapped out or not.

"Old" VA Interior assumedly operates (ie only BYOD wireless IFE and Power only in J).

If I recall correctly, VBY and VBZ don’t have power in J.

 

[Saab34]

Pretty sure last time I flew those two
-700s they still had the original Virgin Blue seats, they have just been reupholstered, ie the old seats that used to carry that small IFE box. You can tell the difference between those newer leather seats.

While they are certainly in need of new seats, they only had a couple months notice it seems so unlikely a whole new wave of seats have been ordered.

 

[twinaisle]

RE: The MAX 10 as said in my post an FA said it would be different.

From the conversation I believe it includes the possibility of a forward economy toilet, taking it can accommodate upto 230 passengers it makes a lot of sense.

I doubt Virgin even have a seating plan.

It's interesting the FA knows so much when management tell us nothing. They haven't even confirmed or denied what the max will look like.

It would be convenient if there was a forward Y lav but highly unlikely as they'd rather seats than an extra lav. Happy to always be proven wrong in this case.

 

[antycbr]

It's interesting the FA knows so much when management tell us nothing. They haven't even confirmed or denied what the max will look like.

It would be convenient if there was a forward Y lav but highly unlikely as they'd rather seats than an extra lav. Happy to always be proven wrong in this case.

CASA need a number of toilets to pax ratio! 220 odd Y pax and 2 toilets is a recipe for disaster especially ex-DPS.

 

[N860CR]

CASA need a number of toilets to pax ratio!

Do they? It’s not really a safety issue. Customer service, yes, but not quite within the scope of the safety regulator.

 

[antycbr]

Do they? It’s not really a safety issue. Customer service, yes, but not quite within the scope of the safety regulator.

It was meant to be a joke…

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Which means they are wanting to use these -700 on the east coast in the coming years, I figured that would happen, they have got comfortable having these machines on the east coast and don’t want to stop it.

Perhaps they should just order some MAX7s like Southwest has done.

Do the ex-KLM 737-700s have IFE? Was on VH-NQY this morning and apologies were made pre-departure for it being inoperable.

 

[Harrison_133]

Do the ex-KLM 737-700s have IFE? Was on VH-NQY this morning and apologies were made pre-departure for it being inoperable.

At this stage they don’t. Apparently the VA IFE system isn’t compatible with the basic fit out that KLM opted for when the aircraft were built but from what I’ve heard, VA engineering are working to get IFE on them.