Virgin Blue A330 J class, ATR and new uniform details

[TonyHancock]

Those J seats look pretty good. I'm getting tempted!

 

[anat0l]

There are three threads started as a result of this press release.... don't know which one to post in (well, my comments are pertinent in two of them).

I wonder if the DJ A330 J class will be 2-2-2 or 2-3-2. Hmm...The pictures don't give away much,

I think it'll be 2-2-2. Given the same body type as QF's and the latter's failure in a 2-3-2 config, the pictures kind of suggest a nice wide seat so the only option is 2-2-2.

The seat kinda looks like VA's J in a way, except perhaps not fully flat. The pictures show that the back of the seats as a little "plastic" like (but hey, QF's shells are also made of plastic...just not all shiny like). Not that it's a big deal.

Of course it's a fresh look compared to QF - even compared with Skybed Mk II (which won't make the domestic network).

Those J seats look pretty good. I'm getting tempted!

Same here. I'm quite tempted to sweep off a chunk of points just to try it out.


Very intrigued with the idea to have direct entry to The Lounge in SYD T2. Maybe they'll have something like kerbside check-in/bag drop, or a small section there. Either way, for those that are on day trips / HLO, it makes the whole process very easy. Of course, I'm assuming there are provisions for security and how this can be best managed, because even at a smaller market share, the potential for many, many The Lounge members + DJ Golds has to be accommodated for.

 

[antycbr]

Very intrigued with the idea to have direct entry to The Lounge in SYD T2. Maybe they'll have something like kerbside check-in/bag drop, or a small section there. Either way, for those that are on day trips / HLO, it makes the whole process very easy. Of course, I'm assuming there are provisions for security and how this can be best managed, because even at a smaller market share, the potential for many, many The Lounge members + DJ Golds has to be accommodated for.

This PDF shows how easy it would be to create the entrance. A couple of check in desks immediately adjacent to the kerb, a bag drop facility and a single security point and you're done. Staffing the security point will be expensive though I would have thought. Might reduce the overall lounge floor space but SYD is already quite big and most people gravitate to the runway side of the lounge at the moment.

 

[737]

I wonder if the DJ A330 J class will be 2-2-2 or 2-3-2. Hmm...The pictures don't give away much,

Well it my guess is it will be 2-3-2, I guess either pitch or width has to be compromised. It looks like the seat is a restyled product from the EK plane they they are leasing. This is a photo I found online:

Photos: Airbus A330-243 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

You can see several of the features are the same, but I am assuming they have adopted the same 2-3-2 layout, as the pictures online seem to focus on the 2 outboard seats and nothing else

Don't know if there is as many seats as in that particular picture. I can only assume it will be the same as in this seat map:

Emirates Airbus A330-200 (Two class) - SeatExpert

But only time will tell.

 

[jakob]

I think the new J looks good, very good for domestic J actually. I'll be keen to at least 'give it a go' so that's a win for Virgin for a start.

The move by Qantas to add international equipment 333 and 744 on the transcontinentals has been pointed out to only cover a small number of the daily flights.

But that being said, surely the 2 A332 (with another 2 next year) from DJ will only provide limited availability of the new product. So perhaps QF's move will be enough... at this stage!

I think it will be important to see what J product will be installed into the 737's as these will be filling out the schedule, and if not as good (or no better) as QF's domestic transcontinental J then they will be struggling to take business away from QF.. IMHO. Also it will be a very small widebody fleet (if as I do, you prefer them on longer flights).

jakob.

 

[dk4]

SYD T2 kerbside lounge access has been a LONGGGG time coming -

yes, we've leased the old Ansett Golden Wing upstairs. Can't recall whether we are able to get direct kerbside access - have to work out where members will pass through security.

January 2008, http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gin-lounge-syd-domestic-12134.html#post157589

 

[anat0l]

Also it will be a very small widebody fleet (if as I do, you prefer them on longer flights)

It'll get bigger in time. Besides, if you are flying J then it wouldn't or shouldn't matter two hoots whether you get a narrow body or a wide body (unless you suffer from claustrophobia).

If DJ put widebodies on BNE/MEL that would be excellent. A golden triangle route which is fairly much neglected by QF (subject to not only no widebodies, but frequent use of the tired 734s).

Interesting that the acquirement of the 333s for DJ make them their oldest aircraft. Now people have reservations flying on several of QF's aircraft due to age, even some of the 737s which are only 10 years old or so. But they'll have no reservations at all flying on DJ's "new" aircraft.

I still believe strongly that DJ's ultimate hook for J will be price.

Another thing is that DJ have only 1 product on 1 kind of aircraft in terms of J. Which means that you can't have the rug pulled under you a la QF and equipment changes (which usually results in your hard product being changed). Now it would suck a bit if DJ irrop'ed and didn't have another 332 ready to go or even next flight (you may have to accept a downgrade and compensation from DJ) - these kinds of problems are nothing but typical for PER - but I'm sure DJ have thought this all out.


Off this sub-topic and not sure if I'm posting in the right thread, I find it interesting the Virgin Australia strategy, which is to firmly be Australia's domestic carrier of choice, but not necessarily (or at least immediately) that for international; the latter focus being on a more nimble and flexible model of establishing partnerships (codesharing).

 

[spaceboi]

I think the new J looks good, very good for domestic J actually. I'll be keen to at least 'give it a go' so that's a win for Virgin for a start.

But that being said, surely the 2 A332 (with another 2 next year) from DJ will only provide limited availability of the new product. So perhaps QF's move will be enough... at this stage!

I think it will be important to see what J product will be installed into the 737's as these will be filling out the schedule, and if not as good (or no better) as QF's domestic transcontinental J then they will be struggling to take business away from QF.. IMHO. Also it will be a very small widebody fleet (if as I do, you prefer them on longer flights).

jakob.

That's an impressive pitch at 62", and the seats do look very nice and comfy.. as a die-hard couch potato my only quibble would be that - with the TV on the back of the deep 'reclining' seat in front of you, you are at their mercy when it comes to your Optimimum Seating & Viewing Position .. is it a deal breaker? certainly not.. but it would have been nice for J seating not to impose on those behind. (from a swap-out & flexibility standpoint i get them use this type of seat on DOM routes)

In saying that perhaps, with the shorter runs on east coast J, this will be less of an issue as i imagine they'll use the same very nice looking seats, but reduce the pitch ( by quite a few inches as well as limit the recline for said pitch accordingly.).... lets just hope they give a bit more room that you get on the likes of *class.

At the end of the day it's definitely a step in the right direction, and i very much look forward to seeing how things pan out domestically with both DJ and QF.

BTW did anyone else notice the PR mention of V Australia "product enhancements" coming in 2012?.. curious...

spaceboi

 

[anat0l]

I suppose my only small gripe so far about J class would be the leather seats.

A non-fan speaking right here, although with a nice wide seat and a short flight (mere 5 hours) I'm prepared to let this go. Besides, who am I to complain bitterly - I did somehow survive JQ *C long haul (SYD-OOL-KIX r/t) about 3 years ago.

 

[crazydave98]

SYD T2 kerbside lounge access has been a LONGGGG time coming -
January 2008, http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gin-lounge-syd-domestic-12134.html#post157589

The issue always was that we need the volumes to be reasonable to make it worthwhile setting up a separate security checkpoint and line, which is horrendously expensive unless well used. So we needed to be in a position such as we are in now to be confident of shifting significant volume of premium passengers away from Qantas.

And frankly I would have been shot if I gave away too much too early

 

[straitman]

And frankly I would have been shot if I gave away too much too early

But if you don't give enough away you could get shot from this end :!: :shock:

 

[markis10]

If DJ put widebodies on BNE/MEL that would be excellent. A golden triangle route which is fairly much neglected by QF (subject to not only no widebodies, but frequent use of the tired 734s)..

Cannot see that happening, not only does the route have regular wide-bodies (between two and 4 flights each way of the 12 are 763s during the working week for QF) but adding more would be easy for QF to combat DJ. Much better to go after the neglected patches, such as OOL GLT where people want a premium service or are already paying premium prices!

 

[Mogul]

As a regular Sydney to Perth flyer this is great news, but whether or not I decide to fly J will come down to $$$$.

It will also be interesting to see what happens with Sydney to Perth fares in general as there will obviously be a huge increase in capacity (DJ and Q combined) over the coming months, especially considering it will be the off season.

 

[anat0l]

Cannot see that happening, not only does the route have regular wide-bodies (between two and 4 flights each way of the 12 are 763s during the working week for QF) but adding more would be easy for QF to combat DJ. Much better to go after the neglected patches, such as OOL GLT where people want a premium service or are already paying premium prices!

I didn't know that QF had 763s still operating on BNE/MEL. Well, at least the timetables seem to suggest 763s but the operating equipment frequently suggested otherwise. Besides, it's a route that's prime for exploitation of QF's weaknesses, i.e. their 763 resources can only stretch so far (don't forget they are also used for international), the 763s are very old anyway with only Millennium J product (which is measurably comparable or else inferior to the new DJ J product), and the cost of J on the route is massive (I'm sure DJ could easily undercut on this route).

Setting up another golden triangle with OOL would be a great idea. I'm also of the belief that QF made a mistake withdrawing from OOL, and I'm sure there are plenty of passengers in the expanding OOL population who would be willing to adopt DJ even more with its new premium model. OOL/MEL, OOL/SYD and OOL/PER with premium equipment would be most excellent.

 

[nlagalle]

If DJ put widebodies on BNE/MEL that would be excellent. A golden triangle route which is fairly much neglected by QF (subject to not only no widebodies, but frequent use of the tired 734s).

I don't believe this is quite true. I did about 9 trips last year to BNE and two flights were 767's (BNE-MEL) and every other flight was a 737-800. No -400's in sight. the last time I caught one was on a weekend 2 years ago to BNE.

 

[anat0l]

I don't believe this is quite true. I did about 9 trips last year to BNE and two flights were 767's (BNE-MEL) and every other flight was a 737-800. No -400's in sight. the last time I caught one was on a weekend 2 years ago to BNE.

Perhaps that is my problem. I haven't had a weekday flight on BNE/MEL in either direction for a few years now. The last time I did so my aircraft was (thankfully, because it was a paid ticket in D class) a 738 (which was the last flight of the day; even better because there were only 3 pax in J, lovely FAs and even lovelier when offered a box of truffles ).

All my other flights on BNE/MEL to or fro have been usually night flights on weekends, more often than not on 734 equipment and in Y.

 

[oz_mark]

If DJ put widebodies on BNE/MEL that would be excellent. A golden triangle route which is fairly much neglected by QF (subject to not only no widebodies, but frequent use of the tired 734s).

Can't see it happening - JB has made a comment that it will be dedicated to PER-SYD for now, and they won't be coming and going on other routes.

 

[straitman]

Can't see it happening - JB has made a comment that it will be dedicated to PER-SYD for now, and they won't be coming and going on other routes.

I agree on the short term but it certainly is food for thought as more airframes arrive.

 

[anat0l]

Can't see it happening - JB has made a comment that it will be dedicated to PER-SYD for now, and they won't be coming and going on other routes.

Well, I suppose therein lies the hope for the future (of which it is probably easier to be optimistic about DJ than it is to with a similar level of optimism about QF).

It's only natural that the longest routes, i.e. PER routes, should get first dibs on the widebodies. Some of us can only speculate where DJ will draw its attention after the PER routes are sufficiently catered for.

 

[oz_mark]

It's only natural that the longest routes, i.e. PER routes, should get first dibs on the widebodies. Some of us can only speculate where DJ will draw its attention after the PER routes are sufficiently catered for.

Maybe you can look forward to ATR's on BNE-SYD :mrgreen: