VA A330s - New Business Class Rollout

[Wunala Dreaming]

VA A330-200 VH-XFH is currently positioning to Singapore as VA9943. This aircraft will be the first in the fleet to have the new widebody Business Class installed. Here's a reminder as to what we can expect:

Image Soure - AusBT

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

Business Class Evolution

NEW BUSINESS CLASS FEATURES

• Individual suites in a 1-2-1 seat configuration which convert into 80 inch fully flat beds.
• Simply tailored, hopsack seat upholstery with leather head and arm rests.
• Unique tablet holder (L 10.50” x D 1.02” x W 7.35”) specifically designed for Virgin Australia as well as dedicated side console with USB port and universal power socket.
• Retractable privacy screen dividing centre seats.
• Three types of adjustable lighting including reading light, soft ambient lamp and brighter overhead light.
• Enhanced restaurant-style service with new Luke Mangan designed menus and table linen to complement the new suites.
• Dedicated “Deep Sleep” turndown service by Cabin Crew with large pillows and duvet for guests.

AIRBUS A330 FEATURES

• New amenity kit design featuring REN cosmetics.
• Larger 16” gesture-based touch screens with ‘Red’ Panasonic XE2 system graphical user interface providing additional functionality and more than 300 hours of entertainment

 

[Liroquai]

Looks great! You'd be kicking yourself if your 330 went tech and ended up on a 737. The difference between the two products is huge.

I haven't been following this too closely... Will the 777 J refit be identical?

 

[samuson]

Yep! It'll be the same seat on the 777. It's supposed to take 3 months after the completion of the A330s.

 

[stux]

Yep! It'll be the same seat on the 777. It's supposed to take 3 months after the completion of the A330s.

My flight back from AUH circa Nov 22 has been shifted to EH metal... Don't suppose they'll be doing the upgrade then?

Annoying, I had 4 seats in row 5

 

[Milefest]

Looks great! You'd be kicking yourself if your 330 went tech and ended up on a 737.

Does this ever happen?

 

[JohnPhelan]

Does this ever happen?

When an airline only has a handful of A330s - yes!!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Whilst this refit is underway a number of transcon will be 737s... check the schedule carefully

 

[Milefest]

When an airline only has a handful of A330s - yes!!

I'd just never heard of it happening, especially when you're essentially paying for a different product flying J in a 330. You'd totally be kicking yourself

 

[mannej]

I'd just never heard of it happening, especially when you're essentially paying for a different product flying J in a 330. You'd totally be kicking yourself

A search back on here will show that it has happened a number of times.

Several times the member was not aware of the change until they saw the aircraft at the gate.

 

[Jurahn]

I'd just never heard of it happening, especially when you're essentially paying for a different product flying J in a 330. You'd totally be kicking yourself

Not much you can do about it unfortunately especially, as mannej said, when you don't find out until you're at the gate! I'm currently booked in J PER-SYD-PER in early September, both flights are still showing as A330s, but who knows if that will be the case when the time comes - won't be happy at all if I cop the 737 in either (or even worse, both!) directions.

 

[melb78]

or u could be lucky and have both the new j seat

 

[Jurahn]

or u could be lucky and have both the new j seat

That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm usually never lucky enough for something like that to happen LOL.

 

[twoharts]

I know this thread is about VA but Qantas have "downgraded" us on a Per-Syd flight next year, when we booked the plane was an A330, 4 J seats rows 3 & 4 confirmed, then checking flights about a month ago found 2 of our party had no seat allocation, Qantas had "downgraded" the flight to a 737, a quick phone call to QFF solved the seating, now have all of row 2 but still the 737 is inferior to the A330 especially if the new business suites, but maybe better than the horrid 2-3-2 with the blocked out middle seat and "premium economy" seats
Yes they do downgrade

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

VH-XFG is the next A330 to have the new Business Class seating installed. Said aircraft is currently in Melbourne having the seats installed and should return to service early next week.

 

[smit0847]

VH-XFG is the next A330 to have the new Business Class seating installed. Said aircraft is currently in Melbourne having the seats installed and should return to service early next week.

I thought they were doing it in SIN?

 

[737NG]

I thought they were doing it in SIN?

Only the first one. The remaining 5 in MEL.

 

[doczim]

VH-XFG is the next A330 to have the new Business Class seating installed. Said aircraft is currently in Melbourne having the seats installed and should return to service early next week.

That's a lot quicker than I thought. pretty good turn around it would seem

 

[ishkaban]

a birdie has told me the remaining a/c will be back with new seats on these approx dates -


VH-XFH Monday, 17 August 2015

VH-XFG Tuesday, 25 August 2015

VH-??? Tuesday, 01 September 2015

VH-??? Monday, 19 October 2015

VH-??? Monday, 26 October 2015

VH-??? Saturday, 31 October 2015

 

[pauly7]

a birdie has told me the remaining a/c will be back with new seats on these approx dates -


VH-XFH Monday, 17 August 2015

VH-XFG Tuesday, 25 August 2015

VH-??? Tuesday, 01 September 2015

VH-??? Monday, 19 October 2015

VH-??? Monday, 26 October 2015

VH-??? Saturday, 31 October 2015

Thanks!

I would be interested if your little birdie had heard anything about the 777 fleet? After all they fly them the furthest...???? I would have thought VA would have prioritized them actually but I guess their international business is lower priority and shrinking.

 

[Denali]

Thanks!

I would be interested if your little birdie had heard anything about the 777 fleet? After all they fly them the furthest...???? I would have thought VA would have prioritized them actually but I guess their international business is lower priority and shrinking.

Do you think so?

Ive noticed that they seem pretty full every time ive flown and that includes J. I would like them to open more international routes - something direct to Japan is on my wish list.