VA: Rogue aircraft (Well, a seat map at least).

[gregcuthbert]

Just checked an upcoming booking on VA MEL->SYD for four PAX in J and found the attached seat map.

Overall the Gold Desk was unhelpful simply saying "the plane may change to J at T-24H but if it didn’t they would arrange (unspecified) compensation".

A good response I suppose but I would much prefer that we received what I have booked and paid for....nor could they move us to an earlier flight (my suggestion to avoid the situation).

I thought all rouge aircraft were to be out of the system by 29/2/12...seems not to be the case!

Anyone else had this happen to them?

 

[Fruitcake]

With only one exit row, it looks suspiciously like a 737-700. Standard compensation according to most posts on here seems to be a refund of 50% of the fare, although I think most reports are that you still receive J service whilst in the PE seats? Business fares are fully flexible, so assuming you paid cash the only reason you would not be able to moved to an earlier flight is if seats aren't physically available on the flights.

 

[Shy180]

Thanks for the reply.

Was booked to connect to SYD-PER (A330) but I am reticent to cancel both bookings and then try to rebook two weeks out....simply to avoid the dreaded 737-700

 

[pat25d]

Thanks for the reply.

Was booked to connect to SYD-PER (A330) but I am reticent to cancel both bookings and then try to rebook two weeks out....simply to avoid the dreaded 737-700

You could try checking in early then asking the lounge angels to move you to an earlier flight.

 

[Jack Melon]

Most likely VH-VBU (737-700). Even before the launch of Virgin Australia, when the plane went into service around 9 years ago now, it was and still is the only plane in the entire fleet without leather seats, they are cloth. Is and was also the only 737-700 without the live2air system. People call this plane Vbspewy or something like that. But the point is this plane has and never had premium economy so it was 24 rows economy. Im 99% sure this is correct, it is still in service but hopefully not for too much longer. So you might have VH-VBU. Had this plane 2 times, all i can say its very old and spewy :evil:

If im wrong, ok but dont bite my face. K, thanks.

 

[sbcuthbert]

You could try checking in early then asking the lounge angels to move you to an earlier flight.

I think this is the action plan...only problem with it is the (perhaps minimal) chances of getting another plane that has four unused seats!

 

[pat25d]

I think this is the action plan...only problem with it is the (perhaps minimal) chances of getting another plane that has four unused seats!

Who are you flying with?

If it is your inlaws (or kids?) then just send them on their own 30mins before you!

 

[Shy180]

Thanks Jack - you just discribed my worst (flying) nightmare!

Will try our luck with the lounge angels but it's stinks that if you book and pay for J you could still get an all economy plane - especially as I have been repeatedly told all rouge aircraft will be replaced long before these flights!

 

[Shy180]

Who are you flying with?
If it is your inlaws (or kids?) then just send them on their own 30mins before you!

Or I (+1) go 30 mins earlier and send my brother and +1 on that flight....

 

[sbcuthbert]

Or I (+1) go 30 mins earlier and send my brother and +1 on that flight....

..or more likely stick the +1's on the Y only flight together

 

[737NG]

Most likely VH-VBU (737-700). Even before the launch of Virgin Australia, when the plane went into service around 9 years ago now, it was and still is the only plane in the entire fleet without leather seats, they are cloth. Is and was also the only 737-700 without the live2air system. People call this plane Vbspewy or something like that. But the point is this plane has and never had premium economy so it was 24 rows economy. Im 99% sure this is correct, it is still in service but hopefully not for too much longer. So you might have VH-VBU. Had this plane 2 times, all i can say its very old and spewy

If im wrong, ok but dont bite my face. K, thanks.

Incorrect Jack, VBU did have 3 rows of PE seats installed and the economy seats have recently been replaced with leather covered seats, its one of the 4 737-700s that VA plan to hang onto for a while.

 

[LiamR]

I'm on DJ803 Sunday morning, and I've just noticed my aircraft change from a 800 to a 700 with the following seat map.



Interesting that mine looks like a refitted aircraft, if I'm correct there are 1 or 2 aircraft with J seats? I'll report back on Sunday.

 

[Jack Melon]

Incorrect Jack, VBU did have 3 rows of PE seats installed and the economy seats have recently been replaced with leather covered seats, its one of the 4 737-700s that VA plan to hang onto for a while.

Oh ok, i diddnt notice them the last few times, but thanks for that anyway. Keep them? It is like 12 years old, really old, but no where near as old as some of those... well half of the Qantas fleet . But thank you for letting me know in not a dragon way

 

[straitman]

Oh ok, i diddnt notice them the last few times, but thanks for that anyway. Keep them? It is like 12 years old, really old, but no where near as old as some of those... well half of the Qantas fleet . But thank you for letting me know in not a dragon way

In terms of real aircraft age you will find that 12 years is not really old. IF they did internal refurbishments you would not, as a passenger, know the difference between a new aircraft and an older one of the same series.

 

[Jack Melon]

In terms of real aircraft age you will find that 12 years is not really old. IF they did internal refurbishments you would not, as a passenger, know the difference between a new aircraft and an older one of the same series.

True, lets just hope they do she is really outdated inside.

 

[LiamR]

In terms of real aircraft age you will find that 12 years is not really old. IF they did internal refurbishments you would not, as a passenger, know the difference between a new aircraft and an older one of the same series.

A great example of this is what Qantas is currently doing with their 747 aircraft.

 

[Shy180]

Just wanted to say I have had a PM from a Virgin rep who has asked if someone can call me to help change our flight to one that has the J product (there appears plenty of availability on the two proceeding flights) so fingers crossed!

 

[Shy180]

And its all sorted.....Virgin Rep was able to liaise with their ticketing people to have us moved to an earlier flight...I wouldn't have thought it was that hard but I appreciate the phone call to fix things up