A330-200 Routes

May be a dumb question but why didn't they just use the A340s that they have been retiring instead of these old Air Berlin planes? Less fuel efficient probably, but surely Rolls Royce will be compensating. It must also be costing a huge amount to do all these planned refurbs to the Air Berlin A300s so is it really that cost effective given that many loyal customers will now be avoiding Virgin due to the lack of PE.

They have viewtopic.php?f=4&t=296519&p=941585&hilit=A340#p941585

But, why just the one?

[mitchja]

G-VNAP is one of the few A346's that is actually owned by VS where as all the other A346's where all leased I think. I believe some more of the A346's are going later this year once their lease agreements run out.

I would have thought that it's not straight forward to bring leased aircraft back into service? Those airframes may be in use with other airlines now or even scraped?

I believe the A332's are more than just replacements for the B789 engine issues. If they where not staying in the fleet, VS wouldn't go to the expense of refitting them.

I'm fairly certain that there are more 332's in service than there are 789's out of service especially considering the reinstatement of G-VNAP.

Could it be that it was more strategically in VS's interests to have a smaller aircraft to test the waters on the MAN routes?

[mitchja]

I'm fairly certain that there are more 332's in service than there are 789's out of service especially considering the reinstatement of G-VNAP.

Could it be that it was more strategically in VS's interests to have a smaller aircraft to test the waters on the MAN routes?

As well as that VS have had two brand new B789's delivered this year, with a third (and final one) due later this month.

Also remember that last week VS started the new extra VS153/154 daily JFK service as well as putting their 3rd daily LAX VS141/142 service back on as well so extra capacity is also required at LHR for those flights.

There are 3 A332s in service at the moment, we are just awaiting Strawberry Fields to join the fleet. Whilst I agree that VS are making an investment refitting them, they are not making a real commitment to them longer than 4 years (as many have suggested their lease is for) - I always reflect on the fact they've had a Little Red paint job - non metallic (cheaper). This says a lot to me... I highly doubt the A350 will come in non metallic.

G-VNAP was apparently a nightmare coming out of storage, it was touch and go whether it left Manila back to Gatwick due to it leaking fuel just hours before it was due to be delivered. A huge list of faults had to be fixed before it could go back.

Is there still a page on the VS site with the routes/dates affected ? I can't find it anymore.

[mitchja]

Is there still a page on the VS site with the routes/dates affected ? I can't find it anymore.

No sorry not any more, VS took that page down a few weeks ago now ?!?

Our LGW to St Lucia (UVF) on 22nd October is shown owing as A330-200 and the return on 5th November is showing as A330-300. We have booked extra leg room seats both ways and although PE is showing on the -300 return they aren't selling PE yet. They are reward flights and we'd prefer to spend a few more miles...

But with BA squeezing in more seats in their LGW 777's our preferred option to the Caribbean is PE. We might have to consider WTP instead in the future...

Is there still a page on the VS site with the routes/dates affected ? I can't find it anymore.

They are still amending schedules, perhaps that's why VS have taken this page down as it would have been misleading.

We originally booked LGW UC return trip to the Caribbean in June and were due on A330-300's. This changed and then were due on A330-200's both ways. That then changed to a A330-300 out and a A330-200 back plus timing changes, I'm fully expecting further changes before we travel.

Our LGW to St Lucia (UVF) on 22nd October is shown owing as A330-200 and the return on 5th November is showing as A330-300. We have booked extra leg room seats both ways and although PE is showing on the -300 return they aren't selling PE yet. They are reward flights and we'd prefer to spend a few more miles...

But with BA squeezing in more seats in their LGW 777's our preferred option to the Caribbean is PE. We might have to consider WTP instead in the future...

Is there still a page on the VS site with the routes/dates affected ? I can't find it anymore.

They are still amending schedules, perhaps that's why VS have taken this page down as it would have been misleading.

We originally booked LGW UC return trip to the Caribbean in June and were due on A330-300's. This changed and then were due on A330-200's both ways. That then changed to a A330-300 out and a A330-200 back plus timing changes, I'm fully expecting further changes before we travel.

Looking at dummy bookings and from my own flights, it appears VS haven't decided yet what routes/services the -200's will operate beyond late-October and the situation is fluid. If they've already made that decision, it's not in the public domain yet.

I'd be curious to know how much custom VS have lost since removing PE as an option for flights that appear to be scheduled for an A330 for the winter months. I agree it's better to not offer it rather than disappoint people later, but there's no doubt a lot of people who will only travel PE or equivalent and are making plans accordingly. Not everyone is as clued up on these things as we are.

There are 3 A332s in service at the moment, we are just awaiting Strawberry Fields to join the fleet. Whilst I agree that VS are making an investment refitting them, they are not making a real commitment to them longer than 4 years (as many have suggested their lease is for) - I always reflect on the fact they've had a Little Red paint job - non metallic (cheaper). This says a lot to me... I highly doubt the A350 will come in non metallic.

Who paid for the paint job? If RR, it was probably cheaper to do it that way, especially considering they're no doubt forking out lots of money over the engine issues which is affecting numerous 787 operators besides VS.

[mitchja]

Both my MAN flights for Dec 18/Jan 19 are still showing as A333's (out via ATL, back via JFK). Not sure what's going to happen if it does switch to an A332 as the flight back from JFK already has at least 19 seats occupied including me in J (think there's 18 seats in the A332 J config isn't there?) and VS are still selling Upper fares for that route. Flight out to ATL is empty other than me in J so far still.

VS are not selling Premium though on either flight as well.

Both my MAN flights for Dec 18/Jan 19 are still showing as A333's (out via ATL, back via JFK). Not sure what's going to happen if it does switch to an A332 as the flight back from JFK already has at least 19 seats occupied including me in J (think there's 18 seats in the A332 J config isn't there?) and VS are still selling Upper fares for that route. Flight out to ATL is empty other than me in J so far still.

VS are not selling Premium though on either flight as well.

Looking on my 332 Seat Map for my MAN-SFO flight in October, it shows 18 seats in total for J so yeah, would definitely be interesting if they decided to try and switch that one!!

[mitchja]

Actually, I tell a lie. Just checked as VS are now selling Premium Economy on the MAN>ATL leg in Dec, but still not on the JFK>MAN leg coming home.

A few schedule adjustments have been finalised this week including placing the 744 on to a limited number of services from MAN to ATL/JFK over the winter too. So things still a little up in the air.

Jon

A few schedule adjustments have been finalised this week including placing the 744 on to a limited number of services from MAN to ATL/JFK over the winter too. So things still a little up in the air.

Jon

That fits in with them dropping the daily Orlando flight on some days in very low season then. I've been on some VS75/76's with little more than 100 pax onboard in low-season. Upper Class was pretty much always full, but it was very empty down the back - not a profitable flight for a fuel-hungry 747-400.

Routes online have posted today:

Virgin Atlantic in recent schedule update adjusted planned capacity at Manchester, as the Boeing 747-400 aircraft continues to serve New York in winter 2018/19 season. Previously planned 747 service to Atlanta from late-March 2018, is now scheduled to begin from late-October 2018.

Manchester – Atlanta eff 28OCT18 1 of 4 weekly operated by 747-400, instead of A330-300
VS109 MAN1020 – 1445ATL 333 136
VS109 MAN1020 – 1445ATL 744 4

VS110 ATL1800 – 0700+1MAN 333 136
VS110 ATL1800 – 0700+1MAN 744 4

Manchester – New York JFK eff 28OCT18 747-400 service continues to operate in winter season, operating 1 of 5 weekly flights
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 333 x136
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 744 3

VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 333 x136
VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 744 3

....interesting no mention of the A332s but of course is still subject to change.

Jon

[mitchja]

Not sure if I should start panicking yet, however, there's now appears to be no VS128 flight being sold at all online for the return JFK>MAN route the day I am due to fly home in January

If the VS128 does get cancelled that day, I guess VS will have to route me via ATL instead. I’m connecting to/from FLL so it doesn’t actually make much difference to my journey either way.


I saw something from VS trade the other day mentioning the A332's are also getting a 'cabin refresh' starting in May (new curtains, carpets and seat covers).

Premium Economy still planned for 'later this year' with new seats and new IFE screens as well as 'refreshed' washrooms and mood lighting.

Still no mention as to what is happening about the Upper Class Suite though!

Thanks for that info. Jon - I have been keeping an eye on the VS110 since we are due to return ATL-MAN on 3 Nov.
I have just rechecked the booking sysytem for the week of 29 Oct to 3 Nov and I see no 747 - but there is a 330-200 on Day 3 -Wednesday. (No premium available and a picture of the Air Berlin UC lay out is showing)
Days 1,4,6 are still showing 330-300's.
Maybe they are still in the process of changing the booking sysytem to show a 747? (Also the time of 18.00 they put online appears incorrect since these flights normally leave at 19.00)

(Also the time of 18.00 they put online appears incorrect since these flights normally leave at 19.00)

That’ll be because the clocks don’t go back in the US until Nov 4, whereas in the UK they go back a week earlier.

So for a week there’s only a 4 hour difference instead of 5, therefore flights from the US leave an hour earlier in order to arrive in the UK at the correct time.

2 more 600s FIZ and WIN are also rejoining the fleet apparently

Manchester – New York JFK eff 28OCT18 747-400 service continues to operate in winter season, operating 1 of 5 weekly flights
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 333 x136
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 744 3

VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 333 x136
VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 744 3

....interesting no mention of the A332s but of course is still subject to change.

Jon

That must be a typo with the JFK flights as it says there's 5 weekly flights, but only refers to 3 days by saying there will be 2 VS127/128's on Day 3: one with an A330, the other with a 747.

Not sure if I should start panicking yet, however, there's now appears to be no VS128 flight being sold at all online for the return JFK>MAN route the day I am due to fly home in January

Same with my VS128 for the day I'm due to fly late-Nov when I do a dummy booking, even though there's no changes to my actual booking, and my outbound VS127 is only showing UCS as having availability.

I'm assuming (OK, more like hoping) they're still making tweaks to the system to reflect the changes to the aircraft. We had deliberately chose the dates booked on to reflect VS' direct service operating.

[mitchja]

I spoke to VS yesterday and they are adamant that the VS128 is still showing as a ‘live’ on their system and is still operating on Jan 3rd despite it no longer coming up in the online VS booking engine or in any other GDS booking system (Expedia etc.) either!

Manchester – New York JFK eff 28OCT18 747-400 service continues to operate in winter season, operating 1 of 5 weekly flights
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 333 x136
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 744 3

VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 333 x136
VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 744 3

....interesting no mention of the A332s but of course is still subject to change.

Jon

Currently (and I would say the schedule remains quite up in the air at the moment) the VS127/VS128 is due to operate on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday operated by an A333 and on a Wednesday operated by a 744. So no typo I'm afraid.

The VS109/110 is currently expected to operate on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday operated by an A333 with a flight on a Thursday with a 744.

I would say both of these routes are subject to change as last Winter they switched quite a bit especially with the BGI charter the A333 also operated every two weeks on a Friday.

Hope that helps clear that up for you.

Jon