LHR > LAX VS007 2006 - Aircraft Question

Hi everyone

New to this site and forum. Have read as many of the previous posts as I could find on this subject, but wondered if the change from 747/400 to 340/600 is going ahead. [?]

The reason I ask is that I have just booked a family holiday to California for next year, and wondered whether anyone has an opinion on which plane they prefer: 747 vs 340/600 and if possible the + and
- points of each (with 4 of us flying it has to be economy unfortunately)

Have flown Virgin 747 before but never the Airbus. The VS 007 flight we took back in April had the odyssey IFE onboard but if the reports of a change over to 340/600 are true then hopefully it should be the V-Port next time which will keep the kids happy!

Many thanks in advance for any help on this

JJ62

[Bazz]

Hi jj62 and welcome to v-flyer.

The VS007/VS008 route will be serviced by an A340-600 from the end of October (I think the exact date is October 29th) onwards.

If you "search" on the site you will find a lot of views expressed in terms of personal preferences when it comes down to choosing between a 747-400 or the A340-600.

If you don't want to fly the Airbus try opting for the SFO route which is still scheduled to be serviced by the 744.

Hello and welcome.
Whlst flying in economy the 343 and 346 probably offer betting seating arrangment due to their 2 seats by the window, meaning that a family of 4 can have 2 and 2 behind. In the 744 this is only available at the very back of the plane.
You have better chance of getting the VPorts on the 346 (I think this is correct but I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong).

Personally I prefer the 744 due to size which can give you a smoother ride, but there is not much in it.

What does the seat map show you as your config at the moment?

Paul

As far as I know, the changeover will have taken place well before 2006, so it'll be an A346.

The A346 has a better seat arrangement in economy (2-4-2) than the 744 (3-4-3).

The A346 also guarantees you V:Port, whereas you might, if unlucky end up with Odyssey on the 744.

It's also alleged to be quieter than the 744.

However, the A346 has to park on a remote stand at LAX T2, due to it's length, meaning shuttle buses to the terminal.

In economy, I think the 346 is the better aircraft, although in UC, the 744 is preferred.

[Bazz]

Well I'm a little confused now. I have just been onto the VS website to check my seat allocations have not been changed and now find the aircraft that we are flying on the VS007 route on the 1st November has been changed from a 340-600 to a 747, seat allocation now 8A & 9A in the nose, which is fine.

My point is does this reversal mean VS have dropped the idea of replacing the 744 on the VS007-008 route with the A340-600 or simply delayed it?

Any staffers out there in Ops throw any light on this?

Looking at numerous other active threads at the moment it appears as though VS have a seat map problem with their website on the majority of flights up until Xmas.

Paul

We have just booked to fly this route in July next year. Booking agent confirmed Airbus and allocated seats 34A & C and 35C. I have tried to amend seat requests on line for this flight and return flight from SFO but seating maps for both flights are not accessible.

[Bazz]

Must have been a glitch in the system as has been suggested. Today the seats are shown as being back on the 346 so I guess that is what it will be. ...shame I got quite excited there for a couple of days thinking we may be on the 744 [:(]