VA new J SYD-LAX by mid-April?

[Homer]

I'm thinking about a couple of weeks in LA with Marge and the kids in the April school holidays. The last time I did this trip was on NZ and I decided I couldn't go back to VA. But my TA tells me VA should have its new J on this route by then. Has VA confirmed timings on this?

 

[cxthomps]

I haven't seen anything official on planes / dates but we are flying on Sunday 10th April on the old configuration, leaving LAX Friday 29th April on the new. Only way to be sure on your dates is to try a dummy booking and look at the seat selection map, unless someone knows a better way ?

C.

 

[Homer]

My TA just confirmed that she can see new seat config on VA1 on 11 April. That sounds pretty good to me!

 

[TomVexille]

Just be aware that it won't be available every day as there will only be one aircraft configured at that stage.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Homer: yes, we've been told mid-April as a general timeframe, expect first of the refurb'd birds in the skies a little earlier in fact – but as Tom has said above, only one 777 will have received its make-over by then, so it's gonna be a little bit 'luck of the draw', especially if that one plane is shared between SYD-LAX and BNE-LAX.

 

[clipped_wings]

Homer: yes, we've been told mid-April as a general timeframe, expect first of the refurb'd birds in the skies a little earlier in fact – but as Tom has said above, only one 777 will have received its make-over by then, so it's gonna be a little bit 'luck of the draw', especially if that one plane is shared between SYD-LAX and BNE-LAX.

David, are you who I think you are? If so, I love your trip reports!

 

[DavidFlynn]

Yep, and thanks.

 

[pythonisman]

In addition to that, the normal caveats would apply -- any last minute aircraft change/sub due to delays/equipment issues would have an impact on which flights get the refurbished bird until all of them are complete.

I think from memory they were all scheduled to be finished by ~mid July?

 

[drpil]

Seems like it will be pretty quick refurb.
Traveling in May SYD-LAX return and seatmap has new layout both ways
Hopefully won't change before then...

 

[HeavyElectricity]

The layout on my A330 flight back in October showed the new layout until online check-in opened, and the old layout appeared. So just be wary about making assumptions based on the seat layouts - set you expectations low and hope that you get a surprise .

 

[SimonD]

I went through the seat maps for the LAX routes a while ago.

Below are dates with the updated seat maps


VA1 SYDLAX APR 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 01 03 05 07. From the 9th May onwards, everyday.
VA2 LAXSYD APR 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 01 03 05. From the 7th May onwards, everyday.

VA7 BNELAX JUN 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 From the 30th June onwards, everyday.
VA8 LAXBNE JUN 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26. From the 28th June onwards, everyday.

Days in between still have the original seat map.

From Sydney, 09 April seems to be the very first service expected by VA, but given the delays so far it wouldn't be too surprising for another delay.

 

[TomVexille]

Seems like it will be pretty quick refurb.
Traveling in May SYD-LAX return and seatmap has new layout both ways
Hopefully won't change before then...

There's only 5 to do so it should be relatively quick

 

[smit0847]

There's only 5 to do so it should be relatively quick

They're redoing the whole plane though aren't they?

 

[TomVexille]

They're redoing the whole plane though aren't they?

I believe so

 

[SimonD]

They're redoing the whole plane though aren't they?

New J and Y+ seats have been announced but I can't recall any mentioned of any changes to the Y seats at this stage.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

New J and Y+ seats have been announced but I can't recall any mentioned of any changes to the Y seats at this stage.

Actually i have read that there will be some adjustments to Y called economy plus.. I think approx 40 seats from memory to sell at a higher price with extra leg room

 

[pythonisman]

Actually i have read that there will be some adjustments to Y called economy plus.. I think approx 40 seats from memory to sell at a higher price with extra leg room

That's in line with what I've read as well:

Virgin Australia Boeing 777 premium economy 'economy plus' seats - Australian Business Traveller

The changes will see the Boeing 777’s total seat count will drop from 361 to 339, broken down as

37 business class (four more than the current configuration)
24 premium economy (down from today’s count of 40)
278 economy (down from 288)

They also originally stated the 5 aircraft would be done "within three months" so the April - June timeframe holds water...

(My travel's not booked until July )

 

[Deewhy]

Anyone know what the best seats will be? Or have a cabin layout?

 

[cssaus]

Anyone know what the best seats will be? Or have a cabin layout?

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....7w-business-class-seat-map-snip20160103_1.jpg

 

[Quickstatus]

It depends which door is opened at arrival. Usually its 2L (second door from front left side). So all things being equal for me the best seat would be 1A, 7A (though it might be a bit close to the bar if you need to sleep) or 8A

If 2L door is opened then 8A theoretically would be the first to alight.

I suspect 1A,K and 8A,K will have a more spacious cubicle for the feet as there is no seat in front.

The further to the front the quieter (away from the engines), but I noticed that there is a galley in front of row 1

So 8A in theory

Essentially all will be very good.