Virgin 737 split scimitar winglets

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moa999

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Reports over on airliners.net that Virgin is going to get the split scimitar winglets on 20-25% of its 737 fleet (so 16-20 aircraft).

First aircraft VH-YIV currently in CHC getting the refit, and believed the other YI* aircraft will also get it (these are mostly 2011-13 deliveries and equipped with slide rafts so mostly used on the longer international routes).
 
Interesting that Virgin are going with the split scimitars. In my understanding, these mods are very specific in their value - ie it is only on certain flight profiles that they have economic benefits. I wonder why QF would not be doing the same thing given their massive 737 fleet?
 
In my understanding, these mods are very specific in their value - ie it is only on certain flight profiles that they have economic benefits.
As I understand they give benefit in cruise, but are worse for takeoff and landing - so you need to be flying 3+ hour segments to make it work.
They also aren't cheap with a list price of around US$500k plus install costs.

Been stated that VA has only a small set of aircraft with life rafts (needed for overwater flights) - so they effectively already have a subfleet dedicated to longer routes.

QF did the same a few years ago.
 
Cool, I like the look of these things.

They'd make sense for the 737 that do short-haul international, TT, or transcon.
 
Good pics in the #3 post in this airliners.net thread showing how different the retrofit on the NG is compared to the MAX.

And more background info on cost and savings here

Didn't realise that there was a subtle difference between the 737-NG vs the 737-Max versions. Now I know what to look for!
 
So looks like anything that goes to Hong Kong for a C check will come back with these new wingtips.
 
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So looks like anything that goes to Hong Kong for a C check will come back with these new wingtips.
Not necessarily. If I recall correctly there were others that went to Hong Kong after YIT and returned without scimitars. Although I think they were in the YF rego block which can only operate domestic flights. Not sure if there were ever plans for them to get scimitars like some planes in the YI block.
 
Why can’t YF machines operate international? I guess all the Sikair machines will be able to.
 
Why can’t YF machines operate international? I guess all the Sikair machines will be able to.
They don’t have life rafts, so only do domestic flights. When I flew on IWQ (ex Silk), it had the centreline stowages for them but they must have been empty as life rafts weren’t mentioned during the safety demo like on the international YI machines. So I’d say the ex Silk aircraft will be staying on domestic for the time being.
 
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