Suite Progress

Any news on additional LHR based 747 conversions? I am scheduled out on VS 20 on March the 8th. Seating is assigned as a suite, but the last couple of days the old configuration has been making the run. Listen to me complain...I'm still sitting up front!

Any news would be appreciated. Thanks.

VROC, VTOP and VAST all have suite and are flying.

They suites are currently flying on the VS3/4 and VS19/20

They will also visit LAX VS7/8 and Newark on VS1/2

VBIG is being fitted now and will be flying early march. then VHOT goes in for suites and V-Port.

They are saying all LHR747-400 will have suites by summer 2004.

All A340-600 will have suites by winter 2004!!

[Bazz]

Thanks for the update Declan, it's good to have some "inside" information.

[ChuckC]

I am LAX/LHR VS8/7 in early May. Both flights are now showing as Suite-equipped, thus the reason for my smile.

[buns]

On the subject of suites, Mrs Buns and I are thinking of a December trip, possibly to MIA, to sample both the suites and the sunshine.

In follwing this string, i am not quite sure if the aircraft would be a 747 or a 340-300. If it is the latter, what are the chances?

Many thanks to anyone who can enlighten me.

Buns

Hi buns4vs,

I do not think at the moment there are any plans to reconfigure the A340-300 aircraft as the original plans were for them to be released as the -600 came on stream. However it seems that the -300s are being kept for a while longer ( covering route expansion?). So it it is a -300 then your current chances could be 0%.

Maybe one of our "insiders" knows different- it would be great if they did reconfigure.

Regards

TBS

Not sure whether or not they'll reconfigure the 343's, but I think some will remain for a while yet. Virgin signed a 5 year 20m Euro contract with FLS Aerospace (Dublin) for maintenance of the 343's in May 2002. This contract also includes all base maintenance, C-checks and "major modification programmes". But there is also a rumour that Air Canada might acquire some of VA's 343's.

[buns]

Thanks for the pointers.

Seems as though Mrs Buns & I will need to keep "posted" on these forums for the time being.

Buns4vs

[mitchja]

quote:Originally posted by The_Banking_Scot

However it seems that the -300s are being kept for a while longer ( covering route expansion?). So it it is a -300 then your current chances could be 0%.

Regards

TBS

Hmmmmm I wonder if this means the A343's will get the new style paint job now then [?] I do hope so, as the A343's do look their age now.

James

Hi mitchja,

Some of the A340-300's have been redone already in the new scheme ( I was on a repainted-300 on the LHR-SFO route on 1st Jan 20040

I think there only are 2 or 3 needing ot be redone now?

Regards

TBS

[mitchja]

cool thanks TBS - at least all the fleet will match then

Just used 80K miles to book a trip to LAX on the 10th Sept, returning 25th Sept. Im on the VS7 outbound and VS8 inbound. Ive been told by reservations that this route will be fitted with suites by then. The guy on reservations actually told me that the last LHR744 will be refitted with suites in late August. I guess this means we all wont have to wait too long to be guarenteed the suites!:)

Flight over on VS 20 on the 8th of March was on Tinker Belle...maiden trip after her refit. Lots of bugs in the suites. Had to switch seats a couple of times and the engineers were certainly busy for a good portion of the trip. Not a real favorable first impression for me. Had an email from VS saying that all San Francisco flights will now be operated with suites. We'll see how the return on Saturday goes. I'll let you know.

It ain't happening yet! 19 on the 13th was the J2000 - but soon I am promised and hope!

Of course there will be a few teething problems when the aircraft first takes to the air.

Thats why an engineer is on most UCS aircraft to rectify any problems.

Some of the problmes which may be experienced cannot be recreated in a hanger or without 44 people trying to do the same thing to the seat mid air.


Hope your flight back is better!

[ChuckC]

VS10 (JFK/LHR) is currently a A343 on most runs, correct? I recall reading that the 300's would be replaced. For a flight in May 2004 is it likely that the 300 would be replaced by either a Suite-equipped 346 or 744?

Thanks.

Regards,
Chuck-

28 MArch is the start of the summer season and will see lots of aircraft swaps.

JNB goes back on the A340-300.

-Boston goes on a 747-400 and the VS23 starts again .

Just back from VS 19. It was Tinker Bell again and my seat from the flight over (17K) was still non-operational and not assigned. Full flight except for the 3 or 4 UC suites that are still on the fritz. Good crew and an excellent time. I'll try and get to a proper review this week.

Interesting item was the letter we were all given from Sir Richard in which he acknowledged the problems that they have had with the design and said they are working to correct.

More later...can't type...must sleep.