GVSUN back with VS

Yep this 343 is officially returning to the VS fleet... which also includes the return of Arcadia IFE & the J2000 seat! Not sure where the AC will be used possibly NBO as LOS is now on a 346. I'm surprised that it didn't get a refit before it come back, as we are no longer guaranteeing UCS everywhere which seems like a step back to me[?]

Maybe it will actually go for a refit before it flies in VS service again?

Otherwise I can see a tirade of aggro flowing toward Customer Services, and yet another round of 'which 343 will I get' threads in this forum.

It's definitely a retrograde step if this aircraft goes into service without some sort of refit, but from time to time VS make some seemingly bonkers decisions we often wonder about, so maybe this is one of them.

Mike

Unbelievable!

If so time for Pete to put back the 'Arcadia' article in the IFE section of the site?

Originally posted by VS075
Unbelievable!

If so time for Pete to put back the 'Arcadia' article in the IFE section of the site?

And another seating plan - golly I hope this gets a refit, if I were to find myself in a J2000 seat now I'd go loopy.

Another rewrite of the VS Web site and marketing spin would also be in order. I noticed that for PE and UC they've now said a preflight drink and not champagne as it used to be ... so at least that's joined up with the service cuts.

Its not getting refitted we got a notice reminding us of the differences to the J cabin layout for this AC! Possibly it will just be temp measure as most 343s have the new PE seats so would think theyd do it all at once, i guess it depends how long its being kept for!

Crazy. Very crazy. Viva inconsistency!

I'll avoid flights booked for the 343, especially if I'm going to be in Upper, I think.[n]

(Though that's not hard for me, as I usually fly on the Boeing routes.)

Mike

Did I not read something about a 343 being based at Gatwick - looks like the poor relations suffer again [:(]

David

Although it is probably a bad thing to say - I never experience the J2000 seat (was at that time travelling right down the back), but would at interested to experience it....only on the basis of a 'free upgrade though rather than me paying for the 'privilege'

I would take the J2000 over UCS on a day time service no problems.

From my contact at VS the aircraft will opperate for 1 month from LGW without a re-fit while the first LGW 744 undergoes PE refit and will then undergo a full refit.

The problem with VSUN is that it has a very rigid layout which will make adding the UC Suite difficult. This is an issue with all A340s apparently in that they are heavily customised and therefore difficult to sell on/change product even the new PE is the same seat frame with new covers, not a radically new seat.

This is the benefit of the B787, there is a locked layout from Boeing with no internal layout variations in terms of toilet/galley location so it will be one big open cabin. This makes the aircraft highly valuable as sell-ons will be easy.

Anyway, fingers crossed GVSUN gets refitted ASAP

We have just had an email from VS at work to advise that all pax on the NBO 343 will recieve double miles if flying on the J2000 seat! It is still not the UCS but the miles will help!

DMB

As with jaguarpig, J2000 is fine for me on a dayflight.

even the new PE is the same seat frame with new covers, not a radically new seat.

No it's not; echo is completely different to Wash.

45.

From my understanding of the new PE seat, yes the whole thing looks and is different, however the basic metal frame for the seat is identical! This comes from my mate who works in the Product team.

From my understanding of the new PE seat, yes the whole thing looks and is different, however the basic metal frame for the seat is identical! This comes from my mate who works in the Product team.

Oh, I see what you mean; I thought you you were saying it was the same seat but just with different material.

45.

If the aircraft is to operate out of LGW - how can it service the NBO route since this goes from LHR? Or have I missed something??

Flying to NBO in September, however this is on a LGW 744 config - could this all change again?

Having never flown with VS before, and booked into PE - what is the J2000 seat like?

Thanks all

Or is the J2000 only for UC - what is the PE equivalent on this?

[mitchja]

Originally posted by Coakers
Or is the J2000 only for UC - what is the PE equivalent on this?

The PE seats are the same as the current A343's that dont have the brand new leather PE seats. The Arcadia IFE is similar to Nova but has fewer channels and has a very small screen in PE and economy. I seem to remember it does have games on though.

Regards

[Scrooge]

Here are a couple of pic's of the J2000 link and link

For a day time flight..at least to myself and a few others they are better than the UCS, however for a night flight I will take the UCS or the old recarros.

Yeah, dayflight to the US or returning from DXB - give me J2000 anytime[8D]

45.

Ive just read this on the VS website:

PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO NAIROBI
The aircraft we are scheduling for Nairobi from 1st October 2007 is an Airbus 340 and does not have our Upper Class Suite on board. This means that whilst you will enjoy our usual excellent Upper Class service, you will be travelling on our lie flat seat as opposed to our flat bed seat.

THE SEAT


21.7' wide 55' Seat Pitch 82' Recline

We recognise how important the Upper Class Suite is to our passengers and want to reassure you that the re-introduction of the lie flat seat is a temporary measure. This aircraft will be re-fitted in Summer 08, when we will once again be able to guarantee the Upper Class Suite on 100% of our flights.

It's good that it'll be kept route specific so no more wondering for the rest of the route network but sucks to fly NBO though as it's quite a long (night, at least outbound)) flight relative to, say, DXB[:?]

45.

I'd still be a bit worried if the inbound was running late and they subsequently used another plane you could easily end up with a J2000 on any of the routes, and can't understand why they intend to wait so long for the refit. I would have though with a new route you'd want to try to keep the route happy and popular - just seems a no brainer.

any one know which airline has got GV SUN at the moment...??

The aircraft was with VK/Virgin Nigeria

45.

I won't say I told you so! [;)]

I personally believe that it was inevitable with the amount of expansion, especially once it was announced that MRU was going from LHR and not LGW, coming recently and the clear lack in someone wanting to take her on.