Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M

[ThatMrBlake]

I was on VUG this morning in row 4 and the seat bases were already coming apart. Not a great look for a new refurb. Agree with others that the new seats are less comfortable.

 

[bullerdude]

I don’t think the -700s have the new seats, are they not just a ‘interim’ seat that will just be reupholstered and modified?

Hmm... good question. This was one of the new "all economy" 737-700's acquired from KLM. The seats were new and look similar to the new seats they are getting, albeit a lighter grey. Perhaps they are different, but i can't see Virgin replacing/updating them, given they look new.

 

[HS-TQE]

I don’t think the -700s have the new seats, are they not just a ‘interim’ seat that will just be reupholstered and modified?

all -700s are being refurbished as 8J/126Y, including the 2 legacy 700s (VBY and VBZ).

 

[Harrison_133]

I don’t think the -700s have the new seats, are they not just a ‘interim’ seat that will just be reupholstered and modified?

Correct.

 

[Saab34]

The KLM seats are definitely new but not the ‘new’ concept seats.

I doubt they will replace them and throw them, likely just reupholster and install some form of power. Obviously they will gain new J seating. Do the KLM seats have any power of some form?

 

[Harrison_133]

The KLM seats are definitely new but not the ‘new’ concept seats.
Do the KLM seats have any power of some form?

They're old Tiger seats, so no.

 

[bullerdude]

The KLM seats are definitely new but not the ‘new’ concept seats.

I doubt they will replace them and throw them, likely just reupholster and install some form of power. Obviously they will gain new J seating. Do the KLM seats have any power of some form?

No power, no wifi… etc.

I’d be surprised to see them be refreshed anytime soon since they I believe these seats were installed when they were received from KLM.

I also would have expected Business seats to be installed at the same time… so wondering if they may stay as all economy.

 

[Harrison_133]

I also would have expected Business seats to be installed at the same time… so wondering if they may stay as all economy.

They took delivery of these planes before they announced the upgrades, and they have announced the all-economy 700s will be fitted with a business cabin.

 

[bullerdude]

They took delivery of these planes before they announced the upgrades, and they have announced the all-economy 700s will be fitted with a business cabin.

Ah that makes sense.

Finally found the press release which confirms their intention to add business to the economy only 737-700 aircraft.

Virgin Australia unveils cabin of the future and $110 million fleet-wide aircraft upgrade

Thousands of Virgin Australia team members and their families will welcome the airline’s first Boeing 737-8 aircraft at its Brisbane Hangar today.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[Saab34]

Well that sucks. The -700 have an inferior seat so would be better if they got reupholstered to the new style.

I mean, wouldn’t really care what they did with them, if they remained on mining flights. But sadly they don’t , and make regular appearances on the east coast.

 

[kerfuffle]

An additional toilet was seriously needed given that the front toilet is exclusive to a maximum of four people in business class.

Business Class cabin consists of eight seats, not four.

 

[rodkoguma]

Just a little reminder as to which aircraft are now "new seats in J" and 31 row refits, as at 4 April 2024

As always: refer to Virgin Australia Fleet Details and History

The ex-SilkAirs with 30 rows:
VH-IJQ and
VH-IWQ

The existing VAs, but now with 31 rows (and 1 row less of Economy X!)
VH-VOK
VH-VON
VH-VUE
VH-VUG
VH-VUL
VH-VUO
VH-VUP

And, of course, the VA Max8s, with 30 rows:
VH-8IA
VH-8IB
VH-8IC
VH-8ID

 

[AIRwin]

VH-IQW

VH-IWQ

 

[Saab34]

How long are each out of service for while getting the upgrade?

 

[Harrison_133]

How long are each out of service for while getting the upgrade?

Around 7 days give or take.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just a little reminder as to which aircraft are now "new seats in J" and 31 row refits, as at 4 April 2024

As always: refer to Virgin Australia Fleet Details and History


The existing VAs, but now with 31 rows (and 1 row less of Economy X!)
VH-VOK
VH-VON
VH-VUE
VH-VUG
VH-VUL
VH-VUO
VH-VUP

Hmmm… the next one should be AV-OID!

 

[Harrison_133]

IFE is finally being installed on the all-Y 737-700s. Can confirm NBV at least now has the entertainment system.

The first all-Y 700 to have Business Class fitted should also make an appearance on the network soon.

 

[Saab34]

IFE is finally being installed on the all-Y 737-700s. Can confirm NBV at least now has the entertainment system.

The first all-Y 700 to have Business Class fitted should also make an appearance on the network soon.

If someone can let us know post installation if these are the real deal concept Y seats like the initial batch as seen on the -800s, or they are just slightly reupholstered current -700 seats.

They only purchased all those KLM -700 ‘interim’ seats a few years ago. I have a feeling they might just ‘modify’ them. Mining ops generally never gets the latest and greatest in seat. I know they have said they are doing this fleet wide, but I have my suspicions with the KLM fleet.

 

[PERLHR]

TBH I question the value anyhow. Recently was on a week old Max from SYD to PER and the IFE was U/S. ,

 

[Harrison_133]

TBH I question the value anyhow. Recently was on a week old Max from SYD to PER and the IFE was U/S. ,

I would have been on that MAX a couple of days ago. It is now working.