Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M

[marcojim]

Since the new 737-8s are being delivered with Economy X in rows 3-5 and 30 rows of seating (as opposed to Economy X in rows 3 and 4 and 31 rows of seating in the reconfigured 737-800s), does this mean that even after all the 737NGs are reconfigured, there will be inconsistencies remaining in the fleet? Or will the newer MAXs come with the 31-row cabin?

 

[rodkoguma]

Since the new 737-8s are being delivered with Economy X in rows 3-5 and 30 rows of seating (as opposed to Economy X in rows 3 and 4 and 31 rows of seating in the reconfigured 737-800s), does this mean that even after all the 737NGs are reconfigured, there will be inconsistencies remaining in the fleet? Or will the newer MAXs come with the 31-row cabin?

Currently 8IA, 8IB and 8IC are configured at 30 rows., and need to go through the reconfig one would think.

New Max jets may roll outta Seattle with 31 rows, but, you know... your aeronautical mileage may vary. Planespotters.net suggest they will also be 30 row jobs.

It might be a wait and see when 8ID through 8IH deliver.

Does it lead to this 30->31 row reconfig decision being made verrrrry recently, because, Bain wants a better market price when they sell/float?

Either way: Virgin Australia Fleet Details and History will remain informative as to which fleet numbers are flicked to 31 rows for 738s.

 

[rodkoguma]

VH-VUO is currently flying and has scheduled flight upcoming. How's it in progress?

I'm surprised they are doing the VU* aircraft, I thought they would be exiting the fleet soonest.

VUO is done, according to Please refresh this page | Planespotters.net

 

[The Flying Brick]

Can’t wait for cabin dividers and rope to go into the new config 738’s and the 2 ex Silk Air 738’s.

The constant stream of wanna be’s to the J cabin mqakes me feel like I’ve booked Qantas J by mistake

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I wish they would remove the first 2 rows of seats on their VARA 320s, irks me that on a long flight ADL - PER and back, plus others, that they are happy to put all into Y, even though I would be happy to pay $599 for a semi J.
Even 2 rows of J or semi J with the middle seat empty, and no lounge access, would be ok with me.
Yes, I know, I can easily phone up and make a "comfort seat booking", ie 2 seats for 1, but sometimes, I want to book and get it there and then, rather than phone up.

 

[antycbr]

On board VUO this morning heading to LST. J seats are so new that there is still protective film on the tray table lever…

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Can’t wait for cabin dividers and rope to go into the new config 738’s and the 2 ex Silk Air 738’s.

The constant stream of wanna be’s to the J cabin mqakes me feel like I’ve booked Qantas J by mistake

Ha! At least on Qantas there’s the excuse that service carts are in the aisle! On VA the ‘water only’ service means the aisles are pretty free.

 

[MooTime]

Ha! At least on Qantas there’s the excuse that service carts are in the aisle! On VA the ‘water only’ service means the aisles are pretty free.

VA have the aisle carts going down from row 3.

If your in J you may not notice this.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

VA have the aisle carts going down from row 3.

If your in J you may not notice this.

Yes

It was a snipe at a couple of recent MEL-SYD flights where despite the pilot declaring good weather and a smooth trip, no seat belt sign being illuminated, and a perfectly regular journey time, the CM has announced ‘water only’ in the economic cabin because of ‘an extremely short flight time’.

 

[Harrison_133]

On board VUO this morning heading to LST. J seats are so new that there is still protective film on the tray table lever…

Haha I was also on that flight. Albeit, schlepping it back in the exit rows.

Only managed to sneak a few quick photos. A good upgrade IMO. Perfectly comfortable and fresh seats, power was handy for a dying phone battery.

 

[Human]

VUO has already been upgraded. It was out of service for 9 days in MEL being reconfigured. I’m supposed to be flying on it tomorrow. Seat map is showing 31 rows for the new configuration.

So there’s now two 182 seaters floating around the network.

I’m on VH-VUO right now flying MEL-DRW in Business. The leg rests make such a difference on a 4-hour flight! Cabin crew great and no-one from Economy has tried to use the Business toilet (yet).

And the internet works! Trying to watch the cricket and it’s a bit flaky, but for browsing, emails, messaging etc it’s fine.

 

[antycbr]

Yes

It was a snipe at a couple of recent MEL-SYD flights where despite the pilot declaring good weather and a smooth trip, no seat belt sign being illuminated, and a perfectly regular journey time, the CM has announced ‘water only’ in the economic cabin because of ‘an extremely short flight time’.

Clearly the crew never flew AN on this sector, or they would remember a full tray Y service with hot meal delivered in a shorter block time than the current SYD-MEL/vv.

 

[Mattg]

I’m on VH-VUO right now flying MEL-DRW in Business. The leg rests make such a difference on a 4-hour flight! Cabin crew great and no-one from Economy has tried to use the Business toilet (yet).

And the internet works! Trying to watch the cricket and it’s a bit flaky, but for browsing, emails, messaging etc it’s fine.

Are you in row 1 or 2?

Based on some of the previous comments in this thread, it sounds like there isn't much space to stretch your legs out in row 1 any more?

 

[Human]

Are you in row 1 or 2?

Based on some of the previous comments in this thread, it sounds like there isn't much space to stretch your legs out in row 1 any more?

I’m in 2A. I can’t see any noticeable difference between the old row 1 and the new row 1, but as my wife will tell you I’m one of the least observant people in the world so what do I know! And I have to say that when it comes to stretching the new leg rests and footrests make a world of difference (to me anyway).

 

[antycbr]

I’m in 2A. I can’t see any noticeable difference between the old row 1 and the new row 1, but as my wife will tell you I’m one of the least observant people in the world so what do I know! And I have to say that when it comes to stretching the new leg rests and footrests make a world of difference (to me anyway).

I photographed the seat position against the window on VUO. I’ll do the same thing when on another non-BSI non upgraded VUx 737-800 to compare - or if someone else can do this for 1A. Bulkhead would be different in the BSI or ex MI aircraft.

 

[Sprucegoose]

14 years to make your first post

There's never a good a time as the present for most things, apart from planting trees and thats 40 years ago....

 

[antycbr]

Here’s VOO (left) - non BSI non upgraded compared to VUO non-BSI upgraded (right)

I’d estimate about 1” less, based on the window position.

 

[A321]

This is a new one from the app.
Still showing as a B737-800, 30 rows, and rows 3,4&5 Economy X up the front. All my flights are like this lol.

 

[PERLHR]

3 exit rows?

 

[Harrison_133]

The next aircraft with the new seats and configuration is VH-VON.

At almost 21 years old (2003 build), it's safe to say the oldest aircraft in the fleet will be sticking around for a few more years to come.