Seating on the ATR.

[JohnK]

Although i haven't been on one from this thread sounds like I don't need to. I'll stick to the Dash8s which I quite like for regional.

Same same and really not that much difference between the 2.

 

[Milboo]

Row 15 was a good pick this morning. A pretty full flight but I seemed to have attracted an elusive Gold shadow.

Can also report the very generous lengths on the seatbelt.

Was impressed with the leg room too - more than usual.

Preferred it to the Rex Saab I came back on! (Used to these from the NZ domestic route).

 

[Mattg]

They are an absolute cash cow on that route and kill the competition in the economics, anything 300nm or less they shine while the speed advantage of the Q400 is negated. In terms of fuel ATR says it is 40% more fuel efficient then the q400 on 300NM sectors and 20% overall cheaper to operate.

Not only this but a SYD-CBR flight usually costs more than other, much longer sectors - even flights to/from NZ can be cheaper at times! Massive cash cow.

 

[pythonisman]

Resurrecting an old thread here (always better than starting a new one, right?)

I'm looking at heading to ABX on the VA ATR (despite the glowing praise it gets on this forum!) and just wondering if anyone has any recent experience re: seat assignments.

Almost the entire cabin looks to be available; with row 1 attracting a fee for pre-selection. Do these aircraft still board from the rear? Is it still best to go as far back as possible?
I saw from this other thread (also very old) that opinion seems to be pretty split on front or back - but the seatmap here looks to be different.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....locity/first-time-atr-front-back-37859-3.html

Thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Mattg]

Resurrecting an old thread here (always better than starting a new one, right?)

I'm looking at heading to ABX on the VA ATR (despite the glowing praise it gets on this forum!) and just wondering if anyone has any recent experience re: seat assignments.

Almost the entire cabin looks to be available; with row 1 attracting a fee for pre-selection. Do these aircraft still board from the rear? Is it still best to go as far back as possible?
I saw from this other thread (also very old) that opinion seems to be pretty split on front or back - but the seatmap here looks to be different.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....locity/first-time-atr-front-back-37859-3.html

Thoughts are appreciated!

It depends how much of a hurry you'll be in to get off (either because you're a busy person or you're sick of the ATR by the time you get to Albury, lol). If you want a quick getaway, choose a seat near the rear of the aircraft as they still board from the back. Otherwise, row 1 has decent legroom and is a bulkhead, and all the other seats are pretty much identical except I believe for a couple of rows in the middle with 1 inch less legroom.

 

[TomVexille]

Resurrecting an old thread here (always better than starting a new one, right?)

I'm looking at heading to ABX on the VA ATR (despite the glowing praise it gets on this forum!) and just wondering if anyone has any recent experience re: seat assignments.

Almost the entire cabin looks to be available; with row 1 attracting a fee for pre-selection. Do these aircraft still board from the rear? Is it still best to go as far back as possible?
I saw from this other thread (also very old) that opinion seems to be pretty split on front or back - but the seatmap here looks to be different.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....locity/first-time-atr-front-back-37859-3.html

Thoughts are appreciated!

They will definitely board from the rear. The ATR doesn't have a forward pax entry.

 

[markis10]

They will definitely board from the rear. The ATR doesn't have a forward pax entry.

That depends on the model and whether the option is used/taken, I believe the 600s do have the option if they are not the ex Kingfisher ones. VARA are loading from the rear while they have 500s in the fleet, dont want to confuse the pax.

 

[TomVexille]

That depends on the model and whether the option is used/taken, I believe the 600s do have the option if they are not the ex Kingfisher ones. VARA are loading from the rear while they have 500s in the fleet, dont want to confuse the pax.

Never seen that one before. Learn something new everyday.

 

[Justinf]

I always try to get row 1. That way I can't see the doom of human sardines in front of me...just a nice white wall.

 

[JohnK]

Go for row 1 if you can get it.

One of the only times I do not care about getting out first.

 

[serfty]

I always try to get row 1. That way I can't see the doom of human sardines in front of me...just a nice white wall.

Go for row 1 if you can get it.

One of the only times I do not care about getting out first.

How much leg room in row 1? Is the window seat better than the aisle?

 

[vantage03]

I fly SYD-ABX regularly on the VA ATR and I can assure you there's never boarding from the front.

I have always taken Row 1, however ironically have booked the back row for a flight this week as I'll be in a rush once I get to ABX. Being a regional town there's no rush for some of the people getting off, believe me! ;-)

 

[JohnK]

How much leg room in row 1? Is the window seat better than the aisle?

Row 1 is an exit row. I was in the aisle seat.

And I managed to have 2 beers on the short CNS-TSV flight. Offered the second beer by the FA.

 

[straitman]

I fly SYD-ABX regularly on the VA ATR and I can assure you there's never boarding from the front.

A friend of mine currently flies ATRs and has also stated that they always board from the rear for reasons of standardisation.

 

[vantage03]

Jaunted just posted this article on the 27th

On a Virgin Australia Turboprop, the Last Row is First || Jaunted

 

[Deleted member 29185]

A friend of mine currently flies ATRs and has also stated that they always board from the rear for reasons of standardisation.

The two that I flew aboard (reluctantly), boarded through the rear basically because they don't have a forward door (except the emergency exit hatch).

Are there other configs that VA operate? I do know there is an ATR config with forward door, but I didn't think VA had them.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

And I managed to have 2 beers on the short CNS-TSV flight. Offered the second beer by the FA.

Is this new? I was under the impression there was no alcohol service on the ATRs.

It makes sense though, of all the aircraft that one might need a drink to survive, the ATR must be right up there!

 

[JohnK]

Is this new? I was under the impression there was no alcohol service on the ATRs.

It makes sense though, of all the aircraft that one might need a drink to survive, the ATR must be right up there!

This was a couple of years ago when Virgin appeared to be trying to provide service.