UCS Refits

[HighFlyer]

I know that the planes at LHR are being fitted wit hthe new UCS, but is that all of them? Or just some?

I just wondered as i plan to be going to South Africa late next year in UC and i wondered what the chances are of having UCS both ways? I wasnt sure if all the LHR planes were being refitted before LGW or whether they were choosing a few of the most used planes for the popular routes to get them started.

I know that VA seem to use a 747 for Jo'burg and and Airbuses for Cape Town. If anyone knows anything about the refit schedule i would be most interested

[Pete]

In a nutshell; 747s & 346s at LHR are first (majority of 747s by Summer 04, 346s from now until the 4th qtr), then the 747s at LGW (First couple by the end of the year, majority by Spring 05). There is an unconfirmed rumour that 343s may get Suites because they are being kept in the fleet longer than originally anticipated. No news about the leased 742s in MAN, but I seriously doubt whether they will ever see Suites.

Pix

quote:Originally posted by pixuk
In a nutshell; 747s & 346s at LHR are first (majority of 747s by Summer 04, 346s from now until the 4th qtr), then the 747s at LGW (First couple by the end of the year, majority by Spring 05). There is an unconfirmed rumour that 343s may get Suites because they are being kept in the fleet longer than originally anticipated. No news about the leased 742s in MAN, but I seriously doubt whether they will ever see Suites.

Pix

Pix,
any new which LGW routes will get UCS first?
TIA

[HighFlyer]

Jeez! So when i take my UC flight next year from LHR its almost 100% that there will be suites! That is an amazing turnaround!

Im dissapointed that the 346s are being kept, i really dont like them and avoid flying them. Thats why im definately going in UC for the Cape Town route as they still seem to be using them for that one.

I guess its a case of finances, theyve already bought them havent they! Although the A380 should (hopefully) put them to shame!

[HighFlyer]

* I meant 343s not 346s

[Pete]

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
Pix,
any new which LGW routes will get UCS first?
TIA

My guess (and it's a guess!) is that they will just be used on the normal rotation. I don't think there are any particular 'priority routes' from LGW, unlike JFK, SFO & LAX from LHR.

Pix

quote:Originally posted by pixuk

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
Pix,
any new which LGW routes will get UCS first?
TIA

My guess (and it's a guess!) is that they will just be used on the normal rotation. I don't think there are any particular 'priority routes' from LGW, unlike JFK, SFO & LAX from LHR.

Pix

whoohoo! Russian roulette in january them!! :D:D:D
perhaps thats why the VS web site shows a 747 200 for our flights [8D][8D]

Spoke to FC yesterday about my trip to IAD in November, and was told a 343 was scheduled for the route. I guess this means the 346s will be in for refit during this period and so we'll have a 343 as replacement. Not often you hope for a plane to go tech is it?

Ho hum, pleanty of time for a change, but looks like a while yet before I'll try a suite.

VSlf

If the rumour about the A343's being refurbished with Suites is true , does this mean (like the 744s with Arcadia and Nova) that if the A343s with Arcadia are kept, will they get v:port, I imagine the ones with Odyssey will remain Odyssey, just like G-VTOP, G-VAST and soon to be done G-VXLG have done. It does make sense to keep the -300s though, as they are the smallest aircraft and are good for route development and routes with not so many pax needed. The only shame would be J2000 and, on a couple of -300s, Arcadia, but if they are refurbished, with UCS and v:port on Arcadia ones, then this will be a good idea if they remain for a while yet (obviously not if they are going to be here for a couple of months though!)

I thought Virgin were also considering a replacement of the A343s though, although I suppose, they won't arrive for some time.

Oh well!

[Pete]

Latest schedule is as follows (thanks to Airchabum for this info);

G-VHOT: Back from Suite refit any day.
G-VWOW: Goes in May
G-VSHY: Goes in May
G-VFOX: Goes in Jun
G-VFAB: Goes in Jun/Jul
G-VMEG: Goes in Jul
G-VGOA: Goes in Jul
G-VATL: Goes in Aug

Apparently the 744s will go to Dublin for the refit, and 346s go back to Toulouse. No specific details on the LGW 747s yet.

Pix

Wow, they're running a tight schedule to get them done to that timescale. Fingers crossed they stick to it, makes me feel a little bit more optimistic about November.

VSlf

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by Vslf
Wow, they're running a tight schedule to get them done to that timescale.

VSlf

You would think that each one they do get easier - the first few obviously threw up a whole host of problems that needed sorting - hence the delays.

Now - it must be like shelling peas;);)

Nick