VA A330 Coast to Coast reliability

[Leroy87]

Hi everyone.

Apologies if this has been asked and answered - I searched through the last few pages of posts and couldn't find anything specific, though there's probably a topic on it somewhere. I'm aware things may have changed since the HKG service started.

I'm looking at MEL-PER redemptions in J for 3 and obviously prefer A330 over a 737. Plenty of availability when I'm looking (November) for flights listed in the booking engine as 330. However, looking at flight aware for VA677 or VA679 for example (https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VOZ679) shows that at least once or twice a week a 737 runs the route. There are some days when the booking engine shows a 737 so my question is:

How reliable (and how far out) is the booking engine and how likely is it to get a last-minute equipment change to a 737 vs. a planned operating of that aircraft?

Any data points appreciated, or any tips to landing the flight I'm after

 

[serfty]

There are likely to be less and less 330's on Transcon as VA introduce more Asia services as is anticipated.

I have two coming up early next month and I am watching very closely.

 

[Leroy87]

Perhaps a follow up question as well (in case it's happened to anybody)...
If 3 J rewards are sold and there are 5+ paying J pax and then there is an equipment change, I'm assuming you get bumped down to Y. Would you expect any compensation in this case and has anybody seen it happen?

 

[Bagpuss]

Perhaps a follow up question as well (in case it's happened to anybody)...
If 3 J rewards are sold and there are 5+ paying J pax and then there is an equipment change, I'm assuming you get bumped down to Y. Would you expect any compensation in this case and has anybody seen it happen?

I once upgraded from economy and this happened. They rescheduled me onto the next a330 service and I didnt want to take that flight. So I reverted back to economy.

Outside of weekends, I dont think downgrades happen to much, though the reliability of the Mel - Per is better than Sydney. A downgrade will really come in the form of low passenger numbers or an aircraft going tech, they haven't announced any more routes yet so until then I wouldn't be overly concerned. If they announced something now they would try and start just before Christmas, though normally you announce new international destinations 9ish months out.

NOTE: When looking at the flight numbers and aircraft, look if they is actually a pattern using dummy bookings you may notice it's always a a332 on selected days.

 

[Jurahn]

There are likely to be less and less 330's on Transcon as VA introduce more Asia services as is anticipated.

I have two coming up early next month and I am watching very closely.

I was mightily relieved when my PER-SYD flight this morning was still the A330 - hello The Business . Mind you, it was a bit of a come down going from that to the connecting ATR-72 flight to CBR LOL.

Now to keep fingers crossed for my return MEL-PER flight in 11 days' time ...

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

My feeling is if there is a distinct qua;lity difference between product then the carriers should set a surcharge on the better product that can be refunded if they do the dirty on passengers and give them an inferior product over what they had booked.

Airlines seem to be a protected class in terms of bait and switch

 

[Marty_]

I've done SYD <> PER and MEL <> PER quite a few times lately and have never had an A330 switched out on me? If an A330 has been scheduled, it has been an A330 every time.

And the downturn in Perth has meant I can upgrade to The Business every trip - so much availability

 

[fewings85]

I've done SYD <> PER and MEL <> PER quite a few times lately and have never had an A330 switched out on me? If an A330 has been scheduled, it has been an A330 every time.

And the downturn in Perth has meant I can upgrade to The Business every trip - so much availability

its happened to me twice this year already.

once at the very last minute on PER - MELB and once in advance on PER - SYD