A330-200 Routes

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

The reason why I called a typo is because it infers that there are 2 VS127/128 flights on the Wednesday and makes no mention of what's working on the Tuesday or Friday. It would seem whoever published it didn't proofread it properly.

Anyway, I just had a quick look on VS' website and I can see it's now showing as a 747 on the Wednesday dates and A330-300 for the other dates - or at least those that are available to book. Question is, when will the dates that were previously available to book be opened up to bookings again and when will Economy/PE seats be made available again for flights that only offer UC availability.

Just noticed possibly first A332 to LHR. G-WND is returning from her stay in New York on the VS10 from JFK.

Is it indeed. Suggests the 332s may yet see more regular service out of LHR to the East coast given the 789 issues.

Think it was a fill in to get her home as the VS45 out was cancelled and the other returns all rejigged.

[mitchja]

Just logged into my booking to find VS have now bumped me onto the VS128 the following day (Friday 4th Jan 2019) now - surprise surprise!!

It doesn't really make much difference to me so I've accepted the change, just means I have an over-night stay now in New York on the way home. AVIS wanted another £200 (!) for an extra days car hire in Fort Lauderdale (I've only paid £158 for the total 5 days car hire) so it's easier / cheaper for me to just accept this change which keeps the DL flight from FLL>JFK on Thursday 3rd and now have a night in New York and fly home from JFK the following day rather than add an extra night in Fort Lauderdale.

At least the A/C will be staying as an A333 as there's only 6 empty seats now showing in J coming home on the Friday.

I got an e-mail and text this morning to say that my VS128 on Tuesday 27th November has been cancelled and we’ve been moved onto the following day’s flight. This means an extra night in NYC which I’ll need to sort the hotel for (already booked and paid for our hotel based on the original duration).

It also means I’m now flying on the 747 on the way home as the Wednesday flights are now scheduled for 747 over the winter. I put a call in to Flying Club as I wasn’t happy with the seats they had put us in (28B/C) and we’re now on the Upper Deck which they kindly waived the fee for.

Besides having to pay for an extra night, we have no qualms with the extra night added to our trip and the avgeek inside me is made up with the prospect of a 747 on one of the flights. The outbound flight remains the same and is still showing as an A330-300.

Newbie here (to the forum and also first time VA flyer). We're booked MAN-ATL on VS109 dpt 6th May and see the aircraft got changed from 333 to 332. We'd booked extra legroom seats, originally 51H/K. We've been moved to 18H/K.
Can anyone confirm if the pitch/legroom/width is the same as the extra legroom seats we had on the 333?

I know the aircraft are older (18 yrs) than the 333 as well. Are they noticeably noisier and less comfortable as a result? Or will we not notice a difference?

Disappointing first time to hear about the switch although I understand the reasons over RR.

In what appears to becoming a weekly update from VS - the latest changes announced through Routes:


Virgin Atlantic in recent schedule update extended operational schedule into first week of June 2019. For the first half of preliminary schedule in summer 2019 season, initial adjustment includes the following.

London Gatwick – St. Lucia – Grenada eff 31MAR19 2 weekly A330-200, replacing 1 weekly each -200/-300
London Heathrow – Atlanta eff 31MAR19 1 daily A330-300, replacing 787-9/A340-600
London Heathrow – Delhi eff 31MAR19 1 daily A330-300 to be introduced in winter 2018/19 season, is maintained in S19, replacing 787-9
Manchester – Atlanta eff 31MAR19 1 daily 747-400, replacing A330-300
Manchester – Las Vegas eff 31MAR19 2 weekly A330-200, replacing 747-400

Heard also that the planned B744 flights on the MAN-ATL/JFK routes over Winter 18/19 have been shelved so clearly things still up in th air.

Jon

Presumably Delhi going A333 is to accommodate the additional Johannesburg?

[Darren Wheeler]

G-VWIN Lucky Lady is on her way back. Dug out of the Bone Yard and being returned to service. If I were a betting man, I'd say to cover the JNB/HGK/PVG routes.

In what appears to becoming a weekly update from VS - the latest changes announced through Routes:


Virgin Atlantic in recent schedule update extended operational schedule into first week of June 2019. For the first half of preliminary schedule in summer 2019 season, initial adjustment includes the following.

London Gatwick – St. Lucia – Grenada eff 31MAR19 2 weekly A330-200, replacing 1 weekly each -200/-300
London Heathrow – Atlanta eff 31MAR19 1 daily A330-300, replacing 787-9/A340-600
London Heathrow – Delhi eff 31MAR19 1 daily A330-300 to be introduced in winter 2018/19 season, is maintained in S19, replacing 787-9
Manchester – Atlanta eff 31MAR19 1 daily 747-400, replacing A330-300
Manchester – Las Vegas eff 31MAR19 2 weekly A330-200, replacing 747-400

Heard also that the planned B744 flights on the MAN-ATL/JFK routes over Winter 18/19 have been shelved so clearly things still up in th air.

Jon

Interesting MAN-ATL and MAN-LAS is swapping equipment. I know DL used MD-11's and 777's in the late-90's/early-2000's, but are loads for ATL really popular these days to justify a daily 747? That's also a further cut in capacity for MAN-LAS after it went seasonal a few years ago.

As for this winter, I just checked and my VS128 is still showing as a 747, but I accept it could take a few more days for any changes to be reflected in bookings. They better not re-book me for a second time as the schedule change has already meant us forking out on an extra night's stay in a hotel in NYC plus spending money.

are loads for ATL really popular these days to justify a daily 747?

Seems unlikely I’d agree, but although the 747 is obviously much larger overall, it has a much smaller UC cabin so VS may have decided it needs to utilise the A330’s greater UC capacity for LAS and whichever other routes it serves on the other days.

The extra leg room seats on the a332 are I think 37 or 38”, much more than the a333 which is 34”. The aircraft is older but entertainment is great.

The latest from Routes which further confirms that the A332s will not be operating from MAN over the winter - shame to see JFK reduce in frequency (as it did last Winter - from a daily operation in Summer) but the 744s still are planned to be used on one of the services to both ATL & JFK.

Virgin Atlantic revises Manchester – US service in W18
Posted 9 May 2018 05:00

Virgin Atlantic in recent schedule update revised operational frequencies for Manchester – US service, for winter 2018/19 season. From 28OCT18 to 30MAR19, planned frequency changes includes the following.

Manchester – Atlanta Reduces from 4 to 3 weekly. Planned 747-400 service operating once a week remains unchanged
VS109 MAN1020 – 1445ATL 333 16
VS109 MAN1020 – 1445ATL 744 4

VS110 ATL1800 – 0700+1MAN 333 16
VS110 ATL1800 – 0700+1MAN 744 4

Manchester – New York JFK Reduces from 5 to 3 weekly
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 744 3
VS127 MAN1035 – 1315JFK 333 57

VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 744 3
VS128 JFK1930 – 0700+1MAN 333 57

These constant updates are confusing, where do we stand on LGW routes? Are we to assume the initial alterations put out still apply, it's quite hard to find up to date info.

I'm waiting to book a flight to ANU in July, I wont fly with VS if it's a 332 but will if it's a 333....ANU currently still only operating as a 333 but the first update said switching to a 332 in may I'm certain.

I second seany's post! Can't seem to find clarity on this route...

We are looking to fly LGW-ANU in Jan 2019 but won't fly VS if its 332

I second seany's post! Can't seem to find clarity on this route...

We are looking to fly LGW-ANU in Jan 2019 but won't fly VS if its 332

By January 2019 the 332s should all of had the interiors refreshed in VS style accoriding to crew on my flight last week

[mitchja]

By January 2019 the 332s should all of had the interiors refreshed in VS style accoriding to crew on my flight last week

Is that going to include proper Upper Class suites though? As far as I'm aware VS have not mentioned once yet what's happening (if anything) about Upper Class on the A332's.

I second seany's post! Can't seem to find clarity on this route...

We are looking to fly LGW-ANU in Jan 2019 but won't fly VS if its 332

And I've only gone and booked LGW-ANU for August this year ... Upper Class and paid money for it!...no miles involved.

I thought it would be 3rd time lucky for me to get a good trip via VS33/34 but now it's a 332, maybe not.
(The last 2 trips to ANU have had issues but not of VS doing).

Still, on the up side, there are only 5 seats requested including mine,in UC on both flights so far , so, it might be a virtual private jet experience. Time and flight will tell.

Paul

According to the crew on our flight back to MAN from ATL last month the new A332 upper will be in line with the new one being fitted to the A350s but I don't think there have been any information issued on the A350 layout.

By January 2019 the 332s should all of had the interiors refreshed in VS style accoriding to crew on my flight last week

Is that going to include proper Upper Class suites though? As far as I'm aware VS have not mentioned once yet what's happening (if anything) about Upper Class on the A332's.

Yes, they’ll start refitting them from October along with PE

I am not the best of flyers, and seeing so many changes within the Manchester route sent me into a frothing frenzy. So with a heavy heart, I have made the choice of not booking another flight with Virgin until this aircraft lotto is more stable. I would love the 330/300 to do a Tampa run at least twice a week from Man, but this will probably never happen.

I will look next year to see if its more settled and make a last minuet Man/Atl/Tpa booking. I do hope its better.I also loved Las and that's looking doubtful now. Back to Weymouth then.

Happy flying everybody.

Well, due to the constant changing of routes for the 332's I ended up having to spend an hour and a half on the web chat yesterday rebooking flights for my outbound to Vegas in October. After originally booking MAN-SFO-LAX-LAS (due to the price being to good to miss) they over the weekend decided to stick JFK in there too, only for that to then mean I would get to SFO an hour after my SFO-LAX flight was due to depart, therefore technically leaving me stranded in SFO...
After a while of waiting online, they have now managed to offer me MAN-ATL-LAS, much simpler, and gets us to Vegas 3 hours earlier at no extra cost. Looking at it the MAN-ATL flight is on one of the 332's which would have also been the case with our original itinerary for MAN-SFO, fingers crossed we'll be on one of the first refitted ones but I probably doubt that'll be the case

BA, I see, is applying to wet lease 3 Qatar A330s to cover for its grounded Dreamliners. They don’t have PE.

So it’s not just VS having issues. And at least VS isn’t cancelling flights - BA is on a daily basis.

New airworthiness directives on the 787 engines mean things won't be changing any time soon (until at least 2020). I suspect the -200s are here to stay and hence their full conversion. Might even see more second hand 330s