return of the J2000 seats?

due to the return of the A343s from VK will they be upgraded to the UC seat when they return or will they have the old J2000 seats?

I don't think we will see them back. Once the lease is up I see them either being renewed with VK or leased to another company or sold all together.

VS don't need them

Paul

I think we will be set to see the return of at least SUN, but I'm not sure on the situation of UCS.

VS.

What makes you think we shall see SUN?

Paul

Surely it's got to be a very backward step if we see even one aircraft with J2000 seats return - especially now the entire LHR/LGW/MAN fleet is UCS? Also, given how heavily VS are advertising the benefits of the UC Suite, they don't want a plane flying round with J2000 - it would only generate [very legitimate] complaints and bad press.

I agree with Paul, above, it's more likely the lease with VK will be renewed, or the aircraft will be sold. If the aircraft do return, VS will have to fit them out with UCS.

James

I think VS will be needing an extra -300 and I was under the impression that BUS had already been found another owner; that only leaves one...[:?];)

VS.

The return fits in with VS expansion plans AND the deferal of the 4 A346's. There has even been rumours about G-VSKY returning.You must also remember that although VS lease the aircraft to VK, VS don't own them & in the current market place VS may get a VERY good deal to keep them on!!!

VS are making great capital out of their biggest bed guarantee so I suspect UCS would have to be fitted no matter what.

More to the point - wouldn't this also mean a return to 4 different in-flight entertainment systems as I assume SUN is still fitted with Arcadia.

Phil FM

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by FamilyMan
More to the point - wouldn't this also mean a return to 4 different in-flight entertainment systems as I assume SUN is still fitted with Arcadia.

Phil FM

[:0] crap your right, that sucks..

I do have to say though that on day flights I prefer the J2k's

I don't believe the romours about VSKY, because if VS is that keen on having another 343, would that be easier to get VAEL back to service compare to get VSKY back from BWIA?

BWIA's closing up shop though, isn't it...

VS.

And it will be going VERY cheap!!!!!!

And it will be going VERY cheap!!!!!!

...and VS has been known to take advantage of a "good" offer eg. cancelled AZ orders...

VS.

Look back over the history of the VS aircraft & you'll find many a cancelled order that has been taken up by VS, the latest being the five B744's originally ordered by Alitalia until they opted for B777's.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Denzil
Look back over the history of the VS aircraft & you'll find many a cancelled order that has been taken up by VS, the latest being the five B744's originally ordered by Alitalia until they opted for B777's.

Err that was a while ago, off late, say the last few years it's been new order 346's

Errr, that's what my 2 year old say's. Anyway just to correct you (and we'll only talk A340)
G-VHOL (ex Airbus testbed), G-VSEA (originally ordered by Corsair), G-VBUS, G-VAEL & G-VSKY (all originally ordered by Northwest), G-VFLY (originally oredered by French Air Force), G-VSUN (originally ordered by Air France), G-VFAR (originally ordered by China Eastern), G-VGOA (ex Airbus testbed) & G-VMEG (Air Canada order reallocated to VS). So as you see it's nothing new!!! As for the A346's being new order, that's hardly surprising they're giving them away. Operators who have them are getting good deals to keep them after initial lease period (CX for example are keeping their 3 A346's).

Wow, I never realised the A343s were such a mix of original "fates."[:0]

VS.

Nothing to be ashamed of, it's all about getting a good deal.

[Scrooge]

Wowser, thanks for correcting me [y], I thought everything after the Italian sisters was new order, well ordered for VS not pick ups [?] see can learn new stuff

Just to confirm, after all discussions and rumurs we had regarding 343s. VSKY and VAEL are going to join Spanish airline Air Plus Comet.

http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Air% ... d-a340.htm

Just need to watch out VSUN and VBUS from VK now.

VK have confirmed that BUS and SUN are leaving. They will be replaced by two 763's from Air Canada (C-GGFJ and C-GHPA). They are being leased for 6 years and operated by Astraeus crew. This will be from May.

So that means the 343s will either be straight back to VS to operate to the end of their lease or if at the end of their lease they will be onto another airline. Trying to find out when their lease runs out. But with AEL off to Air Commet it looks like they will be back into the fleet.

SKY

BUS - which is to leave at the end of the month. AFAIK, the lease does not run out just yet.

VS.

Regardless, the leasing company will offer a good deal to keep them on.

Have been looking at the schedule pages on the virgin staff intranet and it looks like some 343 routes are moving to 346s in the near future so that should free up some 343s for the new routes without needing the old ones back. - LOS, EWR17 and DEL all appear to be scheduled to move to 600s over the next 6-8 months