NEW A340-600 G-VWIN Lucky Lady: New Config & Seats

The new seats look really nice ! the seats around them look inferior:) well done VS.

I think if there was a pole in UC that would make all the difference....

Originally posted by sailor99
There may be scope for a pole here, but for the moment it's probably only a question to float.

LOL

PE is VS' highest earning class (per available space) so I guess they have never felt it necessary to upgrade it as it is normally pretty full.
However, I'm glad they are finally doing something about it!:D

Cheers,
VS045

Wow, these look so much better than the frabric ones. The color is more toned down so it's more pleasing to the eye. I just hope they're as comfortable as they look.

Thanks for the ic. They look really food and agree with VS-EWR.. they look much better than the fabric ones

Originally posted by manymiles
I think if there was a pole in UC that would make all the difference....

[:I][:I]

Er, I can't see any mention of seat size or pitch in PE being altered - did I miss something here? And what route is this to start on?

Originally posted by catsilversword
Er, I can't see any mention of seat size or pitch in PE being altered - did I miss something here? And what route is this to start on?

Hey CSS

Seat pitch / size in PE is not being increased - just the style of seats. It is Y that will have increased pitch.

These changes are rolled out on a a/c basis not on any particular route as VS cannot dedicate specific a/c to a single route. Of course it will be evident initially only on routes served by the 346.

Phil

When they first did UCS, it was only on SFO and then NY. I suppose if this isn't such a high-profile launch, then no one (except us) will expect it so there is no need for it to be route specific.

Cheers,
VS045

Originally posted by Richard28
I agree with slinky09 on the metal knives and forks in J. VS surely must bring them back soon?

The problems must be the weight penalty of metal over plastic and the need to clean. sterilise and repack instead of throwing away.

Originally posted by mike-smashing

Because the flight deck is almost identical, the pilots don't need seperate training to fly the A343 and the A346 - just a short conversion course, it could also work a trip instead of an A340-300, as it wouldn't involve any crew rescheduling. It's unlikely that it would turn out on a flight which is usually flown with a Boeing.

Preumably to remind them that the -600 is a wee bit longer and tail strikes (a la IAD)will affect your no claims bonus:D

The A346 has a lot more power, is a lot longer and at places like JFK can't use the normal taxiways as they cannot turn sharply enough.

Cheers,
VS045

Originally posted by VS-EWR
If only they could just put increase the size of the below deck galley, and then transform that into a lounge.

The 346 has a below deck galley? Any details on it? That's news to me, and I always consider myself familar with VS birds!

-Will

[preiffer]

Yes, the A346 has a lower deck - more information is available here (in the form of Lufhansa's setup):

The A340-600 has two decks located above each other. The main deck in the upper part of the aircraft looks much more ÓairyÓ than in conventional wide-bodied jets thanks to re-design of the cabin furnishing. Through the integration of the lower deck for kitchen and washrooms, approx. 25 further seats can be installed. In total, there is room for almost 100 additional passengers on the A340-600.

The two decks are linked by an approx. 80 centimetre-wide staircase. Through the lowering of the upper cabin floor, even below a comfortable standing height of 1.95 metres has been reached. On the lower deck there are five wash-rooms for the Economy Class and a galley for around 14 trolleys.

An additional kitchen was installed on the lower deck. In total, around 160 passenger can be served from the lower galley. The ser-vice centre on the main deck and the galley on the lower deck are connected by an elevator.

Hmm - If we're talking about lower deck galleys, you might all be interested in this presentation by Andreas Baatz, Airbus from 2004

They have some interesting ideas. I can imagine that downstairs toilets would be popular with those wishing to join the mile high club though

The headrest looks rather nice with its adjustable wings, something completely lacking in Upper Class.

The Strawb

Originally posted by Winglets747

The 346 has a below deck galley? Any details on it? That's news to me, and I always consider myself familar with VS birds!

-Will

Although some airlines use the lower deck of the A346 for washrooms and/or galley space, at VS we use it for cargo and the crew rest area.

Some of the B742s did have a lower deck galley.

I've always been curious. What's the crew rest area like. I imagine it's just a few bunks, no natural light of course, very cramped. Would this be about right? Also how do you get to it. I understand there are some steps aft on a 747. But on the 343/346's?

Originally posted by sailor99
I've always been curious. What's the crew rest area like. I imagine it's just a few bunks, no natural light of course, very cramped. Would this be about right? Also how do you get to it. I understand there are some steps aft on a 747. But on the 343/346's?

You're right - it is very cramped with no natural light. Some of the bunks have a coffin-like similarity. On the plus side, it's relatively quiet and a sanctuary for [|)] on longer flights.

Lucky Lady in action! Completing her final testing mileage around Toulouse. [y]

Originally posted by sailor99
I've always been curious. What's the crew rest area like. I imagine it's just a few bunks, no natural light of course, very cramped. Would this be about right? Also how do you get to it. I understand there are some steps aft on a 747. But on the 343/346's?

I think there's a hidden door that looks as though it's to a lav.

Originally posted by Jetstreamer
..Some of the bunks have a coffin-like similarity.

Some would argue that the converted UCS is the same:D

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
Some would argue that the converted UCS is the same:D

Paul

True, but I would swap my crew rest bunk for an UCS anytime [y]

As jetstreamer said, i would swap my bunk for a UCS anytime.... not to mention on a B744 the bunks are right in the tail you feel every little bit of turbulence. not to mention there is better airflow in a UCS