Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M

[travelislife]

I believe this is annoying the crew as much as it is pax in J :/

Hopefully, there will be more news on the final sky divider configuration by the end of this year.

It is obvious it annoys the crew…the magnetic rope worked so well for them that they didn’t need to control econ passengers trying to use business lav.

On the newer fit without the divider I have noticed the announcement have been quite forceful about row 3 and back using toilets at the rear at the start of the flight.

I seriously don’t understand how it’s been this long and they haven’t implemented a cheap/easy solution. There are so many examples of it being done on other airlines around the world.

 

[marcojim]

It is obvious it annoys the crew…the magnetic rope worked so well for them that they didn’t need to control econ passengers trying to use business lav.

On the newer fit without the divider I have noticed the announcement have been quite forceful about row 3 and back using toilets at the rear at the start of the flight.

I seriously don’t understand how it’s been this long and they haven’t implemented a cheap/easy solution. There are so many examples of it being done on other airlines around the world.

Crew definitely seem unhappy about the lack of a proper divider.

Was chatting to a FA on my first flight on an aircraft with the new seats a while back and the first thing they said once I mentioned the new configuration was the lack of a divider…

 

[Clayton]

It is obvious it annoys the crew…the magnetic rope worked so well for them that they didn’t need to control econ passengers trying to use business lav.

On the newer fit without the divider I have noticed the announcement have been quite forceful about row 3 and back using toilets at the rear at the start of the flight.

I seriously don’t understand how it’s been this long and they haven’t implemented a cheap/easy solution. There are so many examples of it being done on other airlines around the world.

We flew ADL-PER last week on the refurbished aircraft, significantly better than the tatty and hard seats on the unrefurbished aircraft we flew back to ADL Tuesday. The rope worked perfectly on the old aircraft, with not a single Y flyer trying to get through to the front loos. But on the new one there was a steady stream of Y flyers using the front. There wasn't any announcement or attempt by cabin crew to turn them away except while they had the flight deck door open to provide the pilots refreshment.

 

[simmomelb]

But on the new one there was a steady stream of Y flyers using the front.

And this is partly what I feel has greatly devalued J, it doesn't do VA any favours financially, I am sure many would pass on paying the extra if this is known in advance.
Having quick and easy access to the front lavatory is worth paying the extra for many, now we have to somewhat join the queue with Y :/
You somewhat question what you are paying the extra for - obviously, there are other benefits.

 

[PERLHR]

O

And this is partly what I feel has greatly devalued J, it doesn't do VA any favours financially, I am sure many would pass on paying the extra if this is known in advance.
Having quick and easy access to the front lavatory is worth paying the extra for many, now we have to somewhat join the queue with Y :/
You somewhat question what you are paying the extra for - obviously, there are other benefits.

I think it's not great that it's not policed correct. Also, a simple mechanism like the rope does actually work. Apart from easy access forY and let's be honest if you are sitting on say Row 9 or forward the temptation to just pop to the loo at the front must be pretty high, however, there is nothing more frustrating on a biz prices ticket to have a steady flow of people passing you, or even bumping you when you are in 1C or 1D. Yes, quite simply, it does de-value paying or sitting in Biz.

 

[jase05]

And this is partly what I feel has greatly devalued J, it doesn't do VA any favours financially, I am sure many would pass on paying the extra if this is known in advance.
Having quick and easy access to the front lavatory is worth paying the extra for many, now we have to somewhat join the queue with Y :/
You somewhat question what you are paying the extra for - obviously, there are other benefits.

8 flights in J over the last fortnight and not one incursion by Y pax. I’ve found crew do a great job of enforcement.
I’ve probably jinxed it for myself now

 

[simmomelb]

8 flights in J over the last fortnight and not one incursion by Y pax. I’ve found crew do a great job of enforcement.
I’ve probably jinxed it for myself now

8 flights in the new config without a divider and no Y pax entering? Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing.
Every flight I've been on with a refurb or max (no divider) has had a small line of people from Y for the lavatory and I've spoken with the CM about this topic a few times (kindly of course as I have a lot of respect for what they do).
They've all said they usually let it slide as it's too much work/awkward stopping Y when there isn't an obvious barrier.

 

[PERLHR]

8 flights in J over the last fortnight and not one incursion by Y pax. I’ve found crew do a great job of enforcement.
I’ve probably jinxed it for myself now

That is a wonderful record...., ..bet none of your sectors involved Perth!

 

[jase05]

8 flights in the new config without a divider, just to make sure we are talking about the same thing?
Every flight I've been on with a refurb (no divider) has had a small line of people from Y for the lavatory.

No, sorry.
5 in the new config with no divider and 3 with a divider

 

[simmomelb]

That is a wonderful record...., ..bet none of your sectors involved Perth!

Yep, I was on this route twice last week, both with the divider and people still removed it bolting for the loo. All times with the divider the CM said something to them, when they saw them, but 1 Y pax made it through the gatekeeper.

 

[jase05]

That is a wonderful record...., ..bet none of your sectors involved Perth!

I try to avoid Perth
Probably helps that I’m usually only on short sectors so perhaps not the rush for the loos as there would be for a 3hr flight

 

[Must...Fly!]

I am a regular MEL-PER, only one non-divider aircraft and there were a handful who tried the front loo but turned away promptly by crew.

Haven't seen someone try to remove the magnetic rope since pre-covid times. It was a good system. Usually row 3 so I get a good view.

 

[twinaisle]

Please do submit feedback and complain on crews behalf regarding no divider and constant Y pax using the forward toilet.

 

[skiaplg]

I can understand why they would get rid of the physical divider in order to fit an additional row, however I am surprised they haven't put something else in (e.g. small curtain like many European airlines have in their cabins). Having a physical reminder that it is a different class would make people less likely to chance it in the forward toilet.

I flew a refurbished plane this week and found it to be very comfortable in the first few rows of economy - no complaints here. I would have been annoyed in Business as it does not feel very private.

 

[twinaisle]

I can understand why they would get rid of the physical divider in order to fit an additional row, however I am surprised they haven't put something else in (e.g. small curtain like many European airlines have in their cabins). Having a physical reminder that it is a different class would make people less likely to chance it in the forward toilet.

I flew a refurbished plane this week and found it to be very comfortable in the first few rows of economy - no complaints here. I would have been annoyed in Business as it does not feel very private.

They didn't like the standard ones so wanted customised one.

No curtain as they want cabin surveillance

 

[AIRwin]

They didn't like the standard ones so wanted customised one.

Standard ones would have cost less?

 

[twinaisle]

Standard ones would have cost less?

It probably would have but they didn't like that apparently

Most likely would be similar see through purple like the standalone bulkhead

 

[simmomelb]

They didn't like the standard ones so wanted customised one.

No curtain as they want cabin surveillance

From what I have seen it'll be an air divider only, above the back of J row 2. Have you seen the same?

 

[HS-TQE]

See through Sky Divider, not overly surprising.

So basically something like this (but see-through)

Class Dividers | J&C Aero

Lightweight, moveable class dividers for Airbus A320 Family and Boeing 737 Sky Interior. The dividers are produced in different colors and materials and can be fully branded.

jcaero.com

 

[simmomelb]

The issue is that without a curtain or rope, Y pax will continue to enter J for the lavatory and the crew will get so tired of this, through no fault of theirs, that this will end up being a common occurrence.