New A330's

[Noob]

Anyone know when the next A330 (VH-XFE) for virgin is due? It's already fully painted and flying around in Toulouse (Virgin Australia Airbus A330-243 cn 1319 F-WWTE // VH-XFE | Flickr - Photo Sharing!), but last I read on here it wasn't due until October.

 

[Fruitcake]

So because others do it, it's acceptable ?

I didn't say whether it's acceptable to me or not. Assume that I do find it acceptable for the short-to-medium term, on the belief that things take time to change. Clearly you don't find it acceptable - and that's fine. If you can please provide some examples of airlines that do manage to achieve your goal, then I may have to concede that my expectations for DJ are too low and that I, too, should think it's unacceptable.

 

[lovestotravel]

Clearly you don't find it acceptable - and that's fine.

Yep that's right

 

[pat25d]

Yep that's right

Can you answer his other request?

Hard to find something unacceptable if it's impossible to accept.

 

[777]

So because others do it, it's acceptable ?

Because the reality of time/ chronology/ economics demands it there it is either acceptable or you have to move your business to an alternate universe.

Good luck with that.

 

[lovestotravel]

Because the reality of time/ chronology/ economics demands it there it is either acceptable or you have to move your business to an alternate universe.

Good luck with that.

Don't need luck, but thanks for your concern, it's appreciated

 

[pat25d]

Because the reality of time/ chronology/ economics demands it there it is either acceptable or you have to move your business to an alternate universe.

Good luck with that.

Apparently he has already cancelled all his flights with VA, then rebooked them because they were good value, then threatened to cancel them all again, then claimed he is a loyal VA customer, then said he would come back when VA got their act together, then trolled the VA forums commenting on how bad/inconsistent/unacceptable VA are.

Maybe he is already in a parallel universe.

 

[lovestotravel]

Apparently he has already cancelled all his flights with VA, then rebooked them because they were good value, then threatened to cancel them all again, then claimed he is a loyal VA customer, then said he would come back when VA got their act together, then trolled the VA forums commenting on how bad/inconsistent/unacceptable VA are.

Maybe he is already in a parallel universe.

Chuckles - It's about getting value for money.... and YES I did rebook quite a few at 40% off

<REDACTED>

Chuckles again :mrgreen:

 

[777]

Chuckles - It's about getting value for money.... and YES I did rebooks quite a few at 40% off

At least you have some expertise when it comes to inconsistency

 

[lovestotravel]

At least you have some expertise when it comes to inconsistency

Well I expect a high level of service and rewards a business that does that with my $$

At the full price, I am still not happy with VA, but at the same time without them "trying" about now we'd all be stuck on JQ or TT..............

In the back of my mind I feel the need to keep supporting VA as if they give up on J, then we have nothing as QF will let it go over time!

So yes I have chopped and changed my tune in regards to flying VA, but the 40% discount was a great deal, and I am actually annoyed I didn't book more flights for the rest of the year now

 

[arraitch]

Personally I look to book the Airbus specifically - even routing from MEL through SYD to PER.

I'd be pretty annoyed if a 737 were subbed.Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

Just as well that you weren't flying on DJ560 PER-SYD on 25th May serfty! We arrived at the gate to find that our new 332 had been subbed by a 738. What was interesting was the fact that crew members apologised several times both in person and over the PA for the "downgrade".

 

[DaleS]

I was also on that flight and while it was disappointing to get the downgrade to the 747 it was handled well both at the gate and in the lounge. The said it was a power issue? It was interesting to see how it was handled by VA. From what I gather they had to bring in new pilots which caused the most delay once the decision to change planes was made. Also some of the cabin crew worked the flight and others were sent over as pax. I booked a flexi with points upgrade to Business so I still had a comfortable seat and crew chief Brendan handled the full business cabin very well. As arraitch said there were many apologies. Next day I flew back to OOL via MEL on a new 330 and had the same crew. I chatted to some of them and they all love the new plane - one said something like 'it's so nice to be on the Airbus rather than the Boeing'. I had a great flight and love the new plane and cabin although I do agree the IFE is a bit clunky. It's the same as on Etihad. I also thought the new PER lounge is pretty good too. Interestingly arraitch the crew told me that the original plane out of SYD was one of the older 330's

 

[Moopere]

Got one of these new 330's last night out of SYD going to PER. What can I say?

Nice ... really nice.

Was in 1D and enjoyed the flight thoroughly. IFE is clunky, but the large choice is great. Service excellent (and they were one FA down if an overheard conversation with the CSM is correct), food really good, beverages quite ok. Seats, excellent, I really like the shell type angled seats. Didn't take mine out to full extension but didn't need to, had a really comfortable semi nap about half way out.

In my opinion, the longer transcon flights really benefit from the 330.

The plane was packed by the way, every seat in J gone and a quick visual confirmed that Y was full ... EF seemed to be indicating not a single free seat.

 

[DJSYD81]

I flew SYD-PER morning flight on Monday on VH-XFC and thoroughly enjoyed the new aircraft and the new J seats.

Being a very new plane, the cabin feels really fresh and I actually found the J seats to be more comfortable than the identical Singapore Airlines J seat that I flew on last month. The seat is very comfortable and I tried it in all positions for a self comparison with the ex-EK seats and also other J seats I have experienced. The cushioning is great, the recline is good and very adjustable, the width is fine, in bed mode it is good and the angled-flat is not all that noticable.

The cabin is much more private feeling and I had a free seat next to me so that gave the impression of more space also.

I personally don't have much of an issue with the ex-EK seats, except for the silly remote control placement. I find them very comfortable and quite sufficient for domestic routes in J. The newer seat is that much better in every aspect though, so I do hope that XFA & XFB are refitted for fleet commonality, as it will be tough to go from the new aircraft back to one of the ex-EK ones after the experience..

I didn't have an issue with the IFE being clunky at all, I think it is the remote that at times can be clunky as I found the same on Singapore. I do have an issue with the few minutes of ads at the start of a movie though, this was annoying.

As usual, the service was impeccable. I really do enjoy the coast to coast service offering. I am a low maintenance flyer anyway and prefer to be left alone most of the time, but I did have a good chat with some of the crew and they are definitely very positive about the current direction of the business and are passionate about the service they are providing.

I had booked a flexi fare back on Friday but seeing as the newer aircraft is scheduled for this flight also, I have used one of the complimentary upgrades to J for the flight back as I think on coast to coast services these represent the best value for the upgrades.

Virgin are definitely onto a winner with the new seating configuration and the service that they are providing especially on coast to coast services.

 

[Blackswan]

I flew SYD-PER morning flight on Monday on VH-XFC and thoroughly enjoyed the new aircraft and the new J seats.

Being a very new plane, the cabin feels really fresh and I actually found the J seats to be more comfortable than the identical Singapore Airlines J seat that I flew on last month. The seat is very comfortable and I tried it in all positions for a self comparison with the ex-EK seats and also other J seats I have experienced. The cushioning is great, the recline is good and very adjustable, the width is fine, in bed mode it is good and the angled-flat is not all that noticable.

The cabin is much more private feeling and I had a free seat next to me so that gave the impression of more space also.

I personally don't have much of an issue with the ex-EK seats, except for the silly remote control placement. I find them very comfortable and quite sufficient for domestic routes in J. The newer seat is that much better in every aspect though, so I do hope that XFA & XFB are refitted for fleet commonality, as it will be tough to go from the new aircraft back to one of the ex-EK ones after the experience..

I didn't have an issue with the IFE being clunky at all, I think it is the remote that at times can be clunky as I found the same on Singapore. I do have an issue with the few minutes of ads at the start of a movie though, this was annoying.

As usual, the service was impeccable. I really do enjoy the coast to coast service offering. I am a low maintenance flyer anyway and prefer to be left alone most of the time, but I did have a good chat with some of the crew and they are definitely very positive about the current direction of the business and are passionate about the service they are providing.

I had booked a flexi fare back on Friday but seeing as the newer aircraft is scheduled for this flight also, I have used one of the complimentary upgrades to J for the flight back as I think on coast to coast services these represent the best value for the upgrades.

Virgin are definitely onto a winner with the new seating configuration and the service that they are providing especially on coast to coast services.

Were you on the 8am SYD-PER too? I was in 2A. Fantastic soft and hard product!

 

[tuapekastar]

I flew SYD-PER morning flight on Monday on VH-XFC and thoroughly enjoyed the new aircraft and the new J seats.

Being a very new plane, the cabin feels really fresh and I actually found the J seats to be more comfortable than the identical Singapore Airlines J seat that I flew on last month. The seat is very comfortable and I tried it in all positions for a self comparison with the ex-EK seats and also other J seats I have experienced. The cushioning is great, the recline is good and very adjustable, the width is fine, in bed mode it is good and the angled-flat is not all that noticable.

The cabin is much more private feeling and I had a free seat next to me so that gave the impression of more space also.

I personally don't have much of an issue with the ex-EK seats, except for the silly remote control placement. I find them very comfortable and quite sufficient for domestic routes in J. The newer seat is that much better in every aspect though, so I do hope that XFA & XFB are refitted for fleet commonality, as it will be tough to go from the new aircraft back to one of the ex-EK ones after the experience..

I didn't have an issue with the IFE being clunky at all, I think it is the remote that at times can be clunky as I found the same on Singapore. I do have an issue with the few minutes of ads at the start of a movie though, this was annoying.

As usual, the service was impeccable. I really do enjoy the coast to coast service offering. I am a low maintenance flyer anyway and prefer to be left alone most of the time, but I did have a good chat with some of the crew and they are definitely very positive about the current direction of the business and are passionate about the service they are providing.

I had booked a flexi fare back on Friday but seeing as the newer aircraft is scheduled for this flight also, I have used one of the complimentary upgrades to J for the flight back as I think on coast to coast services these represent the best value for the upgrades.

Virgin are definitely onto a winner with the new seating configuration and the service that they are providing especially on coast to coast services.

Sounds great. Booked MEL-PER-MEL soon and appear to have the old on the way over, and the new on the way back. Seat selection is the same regardless - 2D, because AFAIK the middle seat in that row is not sold on the old config planes.

 

[esquire]

Sounds great. Booked MEL-PER-MEL soon and appear to have the old on the way over, and the new on the way back. Seat selection is the same regardless - 2D, because AFAIK the middle seat in that row is not sold on the old config planes.

I don't think you need to worry about seats - I have done 6 PER-MEL or MEL-PER in the last 5 weeks, some in Y some in J - number of J pax ranged from 0 to 4, whichis really quite concerning (cabin crews words as well) - although as the only J pax on the PER-MEL on Tuesday - I had amazing service!

The crew did say PER-SYD-PER loads are much higher so maybe it is just time (although Y loads have been on the lighter side as well for PER-MEL) - maybe an adjustmentp hase to the A330 from the old sardine tin?

 

[Saab34]

MEL-PER has overcapacity, dont forget Tiger has added another 180 seats the other week to have 3 daily.

 

[Bofter]

MEL-PER on Monday evening (DJ691) had I think 25 or 26 people in the business cabin, old config. This may have been a special case due to people coming into Perth for work after the WA day holiday, but it can happen.

 

[WPHT]

Was going to mention the same flight Bofter - Old config A330 with I believe 27 seats in Business Class - all full except 1 seat - which happened to be the seat next to me (which I thought was strange given it was seat 1B) but I wasn't going to complain!