Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M

[XWu]

I thought they were trying to attract business travellers and considering they rather have one extra row of economy than create a new row of J class seats from Economy X, says their focus is getting more bum on seats hoping the fares (including Y seats) will remain high (granted most companies are trying to not fly their staff on J , particularly post COVID)

 

[stm1sydney]

At least there appears to be provision for a screen/divider, given the design of the row 2 seat backs.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At least there appears to be provision for a screen/divider, given the design of the row 2 seat backs.

A divider is not rocket science. They could have installed one already if they were half bothered!

 

[HS-TQE]

A divider is not rocket science. They could have installed one already if they were half bothered!

Speculation at this stage is that they're awaiting completion before choosing the right "Sky Divider" (i.e the one with Perspex or the cheaper option with Cloth)

 

[dk4]

I hope VA learns from American Airlines mess up, when AA also densified their cabins with the same new MiQ seats.

The original (off-the-shelf) cabin divider (below) simply didn't add enough definition or privacy to the First Class section.

source: We tried American's new-and-improved domestic first class - The Points Guy

So, they had to go back, re-design, and refit a more bespoke set of items.

source: We tried American's new-and-improved domestic first class - The Points Guy

Designing a divider that went all the way down from the ceiling to the top of the (reclined position) seat backs, and fully across to the wall. They also added sections to the backs of last row of seats, to close in the space between them.

 

[Keilobyte]

Speculation at this stage is that they're awaiting completion before choosing the right "Sky Divider" (i.e the one with Perspex or the cheaper option with Cloth)

It will be a huge shame if they get rid of the magnetic rope whichever solution they go with. It's the only thing that half deters people from swanning up to Business and hanging around there to use the fancy toilets (/s) up front. If they do get rid of the magnetic rope, I hope they introduce curtains as an alternative deterrent.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I hope VA learns from American Airlines mess up, when AA also densified their cabins with the same new MiQ seats.

The original (off-the-shelf) cabin divider (below) simply didn't add enough definition or privacy to the First Class section.

source: We tried American's new-and-improved domestic first class - The Points Guy

So, they had to go back, re-design, and refit a more bespoke set of items.


source: We tried American's new-and-improved domestic first class - The Points Guy

Designing a divider that went all the way down from the ceiling to the top of the (reclined position) seat backs, and fully across to the wall. They also added sections to the backs of last row of seats, to close in the space between them.

Right well. You just saved VA how many hours of research? Seems a pretty logical and easy fix to me.

 

[RooFlyer]

On one of the birds with new seating and no divider now. Unexpected benefit in J is the bin in the armrest where the entertainment screen used to be. Takes a tablet easily so in row 1 can have that with me on take off. The tablet/phone holder on the table is natty.

 

[michaelw]

Do row 13 and exit 14 decline on these new birds (abiet with the lock during takeoff and landing)? They dont on the SQ aircraft.

 

[Harrison_133]

Do row 13 and exit 14 decline on these new birds (abiet with the lock during takeoff and landing)? They dont on the SQ aircraft.

Row 13 (now 14 on the new configuration) are locked during take off and landing. They can be unlocked for you to recline, but that’s if the crew remember.

 

[kerfuffle]

Do row 13 and exit 14 decline on these new birds (abiet with the lock during takeoff and landing)? They dont on the SQ aircraft.

14 years to make your first post

 

[AIRwin]

14 years to make your first post

Late entrance - or (emergency) exit?

 

[Mattg]

14 years to make your first post

That's OK, everyone has to start posting somewhere

Welcome @michaelw

 

[Harrison_133]

Next reconfigured aircraft is VH-VUO.

 

[rodkoguma]

So, might be good to keep a master list of aircraft that have been retrofitted.

Remember, kids, if you want Economy X, best to book only seats in 3, 4, and 14 (given the new configuration)

Ex-Silkair:
VH-IJQ
VH-IWQ

Retrofitted (including removal of EconomyX row 5, and exit row renumbering to 14/15):
VH-VUP
VH-VUO

Next to be refitted:
Probably another VU* bird

Interesting that VA's first two to refit are 2008-manufactured birds...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Disappointing they didn’t take the opportunity to improve business class. Flew on a Rex 737 a couple days ago that had super plush seats with thick padded lefgrests (that actually came up!) and generous recline. Could not touch the bulkhead in row 1.

 

[Bagpuss]

Retrofitted (including removal of EconomyX row 5, and exit row renumbering to 14/15):
VH-VUO (in progress)

Interesting that VA's first two to refit are 2008-manufactured birds...

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.

 

[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.

Corrected ... next up to be upgraded

 

[Harrison_133]

Corrected ... next up to be upgraded

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.

 

[rodkoguma]

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.

Updated original post.... do we know bird 3? Assuming a VU*

VUQ has not had any flights in the past 7 days, and is showing only flights from today, according to flightradar24...

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Also next flight is a reposition from Singapore... sounds like an overhaul

15 Dec 2023

Singapore (XSP)

Brisbane (BNE)

VA9944

—

9:00 AM

—

7:15 PM

Though the next flight for VUQ is VA920 on 16th, BNE-SYD, and that's currently seatmapped as a 29 row 738... so... maybe the Seletar trip was a maintenance visit, not a cabin refit visit.

Though YIF went off to XSP as VA9945 on 24 Nov 2023, and has had no flights in past 7 days, so... hmmm... let's see who gets the next cabin refit. See: Follow Flight VA9945 on AirNav RadarBox