Will I be on a rubbish plane?

Hello,

I have just booked our first Virgin flight and upgreaded to PE. I was really looking forward to being upstairs in the bubble, but from reading through some of the threads here it looks like the 744 LGW will be getting a re-fit or something and we will be on a 343, a bit of a dissapointment that we dont get to go upstairs but never mind I can live with that [:)]

The thing that has me really worried is reading the seat ratings - the 343 Config 1 is fine, new seats and no bad reviews at all, but the 343 config 2 - OMG what a nightmare, basically ever post says that Virgin are a disgrace for selling these seats as PE, that the plane is old, battered and a not up to PE standard. I am nervous as heck that we are going to end up on the config 2 and my first Virgin experience is going to be awful.

Iv saved for ages to take my family on this holiday, its my daugters 13th Birthday and also our wedding anniversary, Im going to be so upset if Iv paid out a shed load and its terrible.

We are flying to Montego Bay in April 09 is there anyway to find out if we will be on the horrid plane or the nice one?

Please help! Thank You

Chances are you will still be upstairs in the bubble on the 747, VS are only going to take one 747 out of service at a time for its refit.
I don't think VS have announced which particuar LGW/MAN route(s) the 343 will be covering. For example it may just be used for the 2nd daily MCO or it could be used for the carribean. I'm sure someone on here will have more information than me.
Regarding you point about config 2 on the 343 I was under the impression that they have now all been refitted, so no more config 2.

-Steve

Hi Ptarmigan

If you do get a 343 (and there's a very good chance you won't) it may be the replacement one that is rumoured to come from Etihad and discussed here.

The config 2 seat map referred to in your post was for the last 343 with the old seats which I think has now been refitted - this was dedicated to the Nairobi route before refitting.

If you do get this replacement 343 and it keeps the Etihad configuration, then I think you'll have the best PE experience of all Virgin aircraft. Other than that, yes the bubble awaits!

[Neil]

The config 2 A343 leased from Eithad will be operating on the MCO route as flight VS49/50 for at least 2 weeks in April (before it does this flight for most of the summer from June) so there is already a good chance you won't get this a/c, and others have said only one of the current LGW 747's at a time will be taken out of service so the chances are slim anyway.

At the moment the best chance of knowing which a/c type you are current scheduled to be on is to go into the 'manage my booking' section of the VS website and look at which seat map comes up. This is the most up to date information regarding a/c type and will also enable to change your seat allocations if you want to.

Slinky, this A343 config 2, is a new config that has just appeared on the VS site as mentioned here

Originally posted by Neil
Slinky, this A343 config 2, is a new config that has just appeared on the VS site as mentioned here

Neil - I think this was one of those threads that was truncated during the virus heist ... this missing bits included pictures and seat map of the Etihad configuration. The conjecture was that if VS decided that reconfiguring this aircraft with a VS cabin, then the PE section would be Etihad's old business class, which would be ace.

That said, I may have missed a further update in which case apologies for the confusion.

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by Neil
Slinky, this A343 config 2, is a new config that has just appeared on the VS site as mentioned here

Neil - I think this was one of those threads that was truncated during the virus heist ... this missing bits included pictures and seat map of the Etihad configuration. The conjecture was that if VS decided that reconfiguring this aircraft with a VS cabin, then the PE section would be Etihad's old business class, which would be ace.

That said, I may have missed a further update in which case apologies for the confusion.

No one is really sure what is going on with the EY aircraft.

I did post some pictures showing that it has an IFE similar to Odyssey.

I was under the impression that the a/c would be refitted into VS config with new PE seats and V:Port. Although I could be getting confused with the a/c on NBO at the moment.

And I believe the old business class seat on EY, which is currently in that a/c, is not that fab although I could be wrong.

[Neil]

There does seem to be some confusion, and maybe as you said Slinky some of the posts got lost when the virus hit.

As I understood it, the Eithad a/c would be in a leisure config (as now shown on the VS site) and would not be fitted with any of the VS seats/IFE. It would be mainly used to cover the new VS49/50 from June through till September (also 2 weeks in April) but also to help the LGW fleet during the refits. I can't see that it makes sense to spend a lot of money fitting it out VS style for a few months of service.

Of course, ISTBC on this.
Neil

Thanks for the info, what a relief! [:D]

I'm still not sure which aircraft type we will actually fly on, VH wont give me a locator code for accessing the seat map for another few days as our return flight isnt until May 09.

When I have access to the seat plan is it alright if I post again and tell you what I find on the seat map, will you be able to tell me which aircraft that we will be on? I think they all have telly's on the back of the seats dont they? even if its the loan 343 we will be on?

Thank you for your help, its very much appreciated! [:)]

[Neil]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
When I have access to the seat plan is it alright if I post again and tell you what I find on the seat map, will you be able to tell me which aircraft that we will be on? I think they all have telly's on the back of the seats dont they? even if its the loan 343 we will be on?

Yes, post away, as you can see we aren't sure either so any info will be much appreciated. If you look at the seat maps page either on this site or the VS site, you should be able to match what the 'manage my bookings' page says to a config and then you will know. If you struggle just shout and I am sure someone will be able to help.

I would imagine the loaned a/c would have PVT's but at the moment without any facts/anything confirmed by VS then it is difficult to say 100%.

Neil

Originally posted by Neil


As I understood it, the Eithad a/c would be in a leisure config (as now shown on the VS site) and would not be fitted with any of the VS seats/IFE. It would be mainly used to cover the new VS49/50 from June through till September (also 2 weeks in April) but also to help the LGW fleet during the refits. I can't see that it makes sense to spend a lot of money fitting it out VS style for a few months of service.

Yes of course that makes sense with regards to the refit.

I do recall reading that the a/c would operate the 49/50 when its flying but at all other times it would be deployed on HAV/MBJ/KIN routes. I am guessing these routes do not fill a 744 all the time so VS felt it was easiest to deploy them there.

Originally posted by Neil

I would imagine the loaned a/c would have PVT's but at the moment without any facts/anything confirmed by VS then it is difficult to say 100%.

It does. The pictures I found on a.net showed the a/c was ex SQ. Since it has been flying for EY it has remained with the SQ old school IFE (akin to Odyssey) and kept the same seats.

Here is the picture of the a/c interior I found on a.net: click here.

Wiild - Yes that was my concern about us ending up with the 343, because I read in another thread that it will be operating on the HAV/MJB/KIN route so I think we may end up on it, I dont think Virgin have a regular flight to MBJ we could only get flights on a Saturday. If it turns out we do get a 343 will it definatley be this loan aircraft from Eithad? If so is there any way to know if it will be re-fitted or what PE will be like if they leave it as it is?

Sorry to ask so many questions, my husband thinks Im nuts and ''forgodsake its only a flight'' Im sure we will enjoy the flight regardless, but it would be great to have a rough idea of what it might be like! [:I]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Wiild - Yes that was my concern about us ending up with the 343, because I read in another thread that it will be operating on the HAV/MJB/KIN route so I think we may end up on it, I dont think Virgin have a regular flight to MBJ we could only get flights on a Saturday. If it turns out we do get a 343 will it definatley be this loan aircraft from Eithad? If so is there any way to know if it will be re-fitted or what PE will be like if they leave it as it is?

Sorry to ask so many questions, my husband thinks Im nuts and ''forgodsake its only a flight'' Im sure we will enjoy the flight regardless, but it would be great to have a rough idea of what it might be like! [:I]

I am sure you will enjoy the flight also.

MBJ is a regular route for VS, it operates every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the year.

If you are on a 343 from LGW then it will be the ex EY aircraft. Or at least that is what we are lead to believe currently. Things could change between now and May.

As for the layout no one really knows.

I would agree with Neil that the layout is unlikely to change from its current layout with EY. I say this because the a/c is only joining the VS fleet as a stop gap measure on lease from Boeing. But then again VS will need to replace some seats as I believe the leisure config will not have a J class and the a/c is currently in a 3 cabin layout.

I have found another picture of what could be the PE seat (this is provided they dont change the interior) click here.

I think it is important to remember that at the moment we don't know where the a/c will operate to and what it will look like inside. If it does not change then it will look like the pictures above.

THis link has a large number of cabin shots of the plane as it is currently.

This was the picture of the Pearl zone on the Etihad 343 that if no refit happens will become PE on Virgin's flights ... hence my lost suggestion that if I were booked into it in W class I would not be an unhappy bunny!


[:D]

[Neil]

Originally posted by willd
But then again VS will need to replace some seats as I believe the leisure config will not have a J class and the a/c is currently in a 3 cabin layout.

It's quite interesting because it doesn't seem like you can choose PE or UC for the VS49/50 flights though VH at the moment, leading to think that VS are waiting to confirm the exact config, and that it will be more than likely without any J class offering. This would make sense as it would be so far away from UC and would more than likely cause too problems/complaints.

Originally posted by slinky09
This was the picture of the Pearl zone on the Etihad 343 that if no refit happens will become PE on Virgin's flights ... hence my lost suggestion that if I were booked into it in W class I would not be an unhappy bunny!


[:D]

Is that the same as this? I don't think it is but ISTBC.

[Neil]

Originally posted by slinky09
This was the picture of the Pearl zone on the Etihad 343 that if no refit happens will become PE on Virgin's flights ... hence my lost suggestion that if I were booked into it in W class I would not be an unhappy bunny!


[:D]

I thought someone had posted that pic before but I could not find it! Like you say, that is a very good PE offering in terms of seat, and I imagine the service/other elements would be very similar to flying on VS metal.

Originally posted by Neil

I thought someone had posted that pic before but I could not find it! Like you say, that is a very good PE offering in terms of seat, and I imagine the service/other elements would be very similar to flying on VS metal.

Yes but I don't believe that is what that aircraft offers.

I think that was pre new Pearl Class seat that was offered on the 330's that EY had. It has now been replaced.

I believe the 343 that will be joining VS never got those seats. Certainly the pictures on myaviation.net for the 343 do not look like the one Slinky provided.

Ohhhhhh that looks fab! I would take that seat Slinky over one in the bubble any day! loads of room and full leg rest etc [:D] It looked different to the seat in Wiild's picture though? I spoke to VH a moment ago and they will give me a locator code in about a week's time, when I can access the seat map on VA website I will post my findings, if we do end up on the 343 then I guess only time will tell if they re-fit it or leave it as it is.

Either way I'm a lot less stressed about it than I was before [y]

Originally posted by willd

Originally posted by Neil

I thought someone had posted that pic before but I could not find it! Like you say, that is a very good PE offering in terms of seat, and I imagine the service/other elements would be very similar to flying on VS metal.

Yes but I don't believe that is what that aircraft offers.

I think that was pre new Pearl Class seat that was offered on the 330's that EY had. It has now been replaced.

I believe the 343 that will be joining VS never got those seats. Certainly the pictures on myaviation.net for the 343 do not look like the one Slinky provided.

So if they dont re-fit the a/c do you think we will end up with the ugly camo seats? That's not good [n] Even when I get the seat map there still isnt going to be anyway to tell what the interior is going to be like is there? [:?]

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
So if they dont re-fit the a/c do you think we will end up with the ugly camo seats? That's not good [n] Even when I get the seat map there still isnt going to be anyway to tell what the interior is going to be like is there? [:?]

Forgive me for saying so, but you seem to be getting yourself worked up on the strength of a couple of poor reviews of seats, and a lot of things that may, or may not happen.

Part of the fun of V-Flyer, id to speculate on new things, like what spec the 'borrowed' 343 may have, but no one on the site knows yet, for sure. There are some wise, educated guesses; but your flight is almost a year away - an awful lot can change in that time. [:D][8D]

I accept we are all different, but I like to look forward to my future trips, rather than worry about problems and issues that might happen. YVMV [;)]

Nick

I know I am totally getting very worked up about it [:I] dont get me wrong I am looking forward to the trip and very excited, but a 10K holiday is a MASSIVE deal to me, a total once in a lifetime splurge, (although I know its probably a drop in the Ocean to all you lucky Upper flyers!) its taken almost 3 years of hard saving and I know that when all is said and done, the flight is just getting you from A to B but its still a big part of it for me personally (rightly or wrongly)

I am trying not to stress about it, and I certainly wont let it ruin my holiday, but I cant help it, I know I will be definatley dissapointed if our one and only holiday of a lifetime begins and ends in ugly camo seats that are not the real PE deal, and the speculation part of the 343 kinda isnt fun for me.

I am realistic and wont have overly high expectations, but it would be nice to know what we can expect on this flight. [:)]

You have all been great and been really helpful, I very much appreciate it [y]

Ohhh dear....in reading all this back it really sounds like Im bleating on doesnt it?

Sorry, I dont mean to come across like that, and I just want to re-assure any Virgin crew that might happen to read this that they dont need to think ''OMG we've got a right one here hope to God they are not on our flight'' - I promise you we will be the happiest, easiest passangers you have ever had to deal with [:D]

I think maybe Im just blowing the whole thing out of proportion and getting worked up over nothing. [:I]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Ohhh dear....in reading all this back it really sounds like Im bleating on doesnt it?

Sorry, I dont mean to come across like that, and I just want to re-assure any Virgin crew that might happen to read this that they dont need to think ''OMG we've got a right one here hope to God they are not on our flight'' - I promise you we will be the happiest, easiest passangers you have ever had to deal with [:D]

I think maybe Im just blowing the whole thing out of proportion and getting worked up over nothing. [:I]

Don't worry, I'm flying on the VS027 next May (in UC) as well and TBH I won't be too impressed either if I'm flying in the 'other' plane and it doesn't have the UC suite. For me, as a leisure traveller, I do place a lot of emphasis on my flight, perhaps to much, but it's a major part of my holiday [:)]

[Neil]

Don't panic. We all know how you feel, and for all of us here on V-Flyer the flight is more than just a way of getting from A to B (hence why we are all members here) but there are just some things that cannot be predicted or influenced.

Keep an open mind, we still have no confirmed config, seat/IFE type or which flights this new a/c will operate. A/c changes happen right up until the last minute, I am sure whichever a/c you are on you will have a superb flight and an even better holiday.

As always, if you have any more questions just ask and someone will do their best to help!

Neil

Have been tracking what aircraft will be flying VS9/10 LHR-JFK-LHR this summer. First it said 744/346, then 346/346, now 343/343. How come all those changes?? leaving 230608, returning 080708