Virgin Australia B737 Max 8

[Silvia]

These were the safety cards on the max this morning.

Some airlines have done this instead of correctly saying 737-8M. I have flown Aeromexico and they specifically distinguish it.

 

[AIRwin]

The captain asked us if we noticed anything different from a passenger experience.

Personally or over the PA?

 

[AviatorInsight]

These were the safety cards on the max this morning.

Some airlines have done this instead of correctly saying 737-8M. I have flown Aeromexico and they specifically distinguish it.

737-8M is not the standard. 737-8 is. The ICAO and IATA codes are B38M and 7M8.

 

[AIRwin]

Some airlines have done this

Same as Bonza

 

[Silvia]

737-8M is not the standard. 737-8 is. The ICAO and IATA codes are B38M and 7M8.

Apologies, you are indeed correct.

Captain asked us personally in the business cabin whilst we were waiting for stairs to be adjusted and then commented on his own experience on deck

 

[pauly7]

These were the safety cards on the max this morning.

Some airlines have done this instead of correctly saying 737-8M.

Why would you if you don’t have to I guess!

 

[bullerdude]

737-8M is not the standard. 737-8 is. The ICAO and IATA codes are B38M and 7M8.

Yep 738-8 is the correct short name from Boeing. Personally I would have like to have seen it cleared called the Max but I’m sure they very purposefully selected 737-8.

 

[TY24]

Some airlines have done this instead of correctly saying 737-8M. I have flown Aeromexico and they specifically distinguish it.

It's due to the checkered history of the MAX. Some punters see 737 MAX and freak out.

 

[Saab34]

A bit of noise this week with all the delays, this -9 issue has certainly pushed the whole program back further. They are confident they can get -10 certified within the next year.

Doubt Virgin will see a -10 until 2026. What’s another two years.

Why don’t VA upgrade the -8 to the -9? Door plug issues aside, is there a range hit or something? They should have opted for the -900ER last decade regardless.

 

[twinaisle]

We'd rather them convert the -10 to a 787-9 to be honest

 

[Digicola]

VA would have been smart to go down the A320neo path with A321LR having legs for a lower risk foray into Asia.

 

[Sarfaraz]

Sound Good!

 

[Saab34]

Interesting point as many operators are actually now going dual MAX and NEO. Been a few surprising announcements from some carriers who are going for both.

Sadly the Airbus orders books are pretty full for this decade, and it’s another layer of cost Bain probably doesn’t want to deal with a new type.

It’s the 2040s when VA would need to either move to the 737 replacement or the A320 Family replacement. Both expected late next decade. They could be an all Airbus operator mid this century. Just need to wait and see what the evolution of both narrow bodies are set to become.

 

[andrewpf]

VA would have been smart to go down the A320neo path with A321LR having legs for a lower risk foray into Asia.

Their entire existing fleet is 737s. They are trying to minimise costs. There is no chance they were going down the Airbus path.

 

[Digicola]

Their entire existing fleet is 737s. They are trying to minimise costs. There is no chance they were going down the Airbus path.

I’m talking about a full on switch like QF. Part availability and pricing for 737 will go up down under because the region’s biggest airline is moving away from the type.

It was just a thought experiment, obviously considering NZ’s current woes not overly relying on the NEOs and 787s is a bullet VA must be happy they dodged.

 

[AIRwin]

Virgin Australia 1Q24 737 MAX International Network Addition Update – 19JAN24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1900GMT 19JAN24 Virgin Australia in the past few weeks gradually filed changes to its planned Boeing 737 MAX 8 international network expansion. As of 19JAN24, latest 737 MAX 8 international service entry date are as follows. Adelaide – Denpasar eff 19MAR24 Brisbane – Apia eff 13M

www.aeroroutes.com

Virgin Australia Revises Planned 737 MAX Network Expansion in 2024 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0300GMT 26FEB24 Virgin Australia in recent schedule update revised planned Boeing 737 MAX 8 international service expansion. As of 25FEB24, latest adjustments to 737 MAX service entry on following South Pacific and Indonesia routes are as follows. Brisbane – Apia eff 13MAR24 Brisb

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[Harrison_133]

MAX #4 has been handed over to VA. Heads to Florida today for wifi installation before coming to Australia.

They've also begun using the MAX on more international sectors out of Brisbane, with DPS/NAN/APW all scheduled over the next few days.

 

[Saab34]

Significant delays for the MAX program appears like it will continue for a while yet.

The issue for Virgin is MAX 10. The Delta Boss has come out saying he isn’t planning it until 2027. Now we all know VA won’t be getting the initial deliveries, important customers first. Qatar, Delta, United will get first dibs. Might get drop fed one every now and then. That is assuming it doesn’t have entry into service delays with unexpected issues once in service

Not sure if they can wait 4 more years for it, Western Sydney will be open. Why are they not interested in MAX 9? Even just a small sub fleet before the MAX10s actually arrive. Would be great if they just cancelled it and went 20 A321Ns, I wouldn’t rule anything out.

 

[MooTime]

Significant delays for the MAX program appears like it will continue for a while yet.

The issue for Virgin is MAX 10. The Delta Boss has come out saying he isn’t planning it until 2027. Now we all know VA won’t be getting the initial deliveries, important customers first. Qatar, Delta, United will get first dibs. Might get drop fed one every now and then. That is assuming it doesn’t have entry into service delays with unexpected issues once in service

Not sure if they can wait 4 more years for it, Western Sydney will be open. Why are they not interested in MAX 9? Even just a small sub fleet before the MAX10s actually arrive. Would be great if they just cancelled it and went 20 A321Ns, I wouldn’t rule anything out.

I'd doubt the max 9s would come any earlier anyway.
Simplified fleet, just 8's n 10's.
If they got 8's n 9's you could say why not get 10's, always a catch 22 with opinions.

 

[Harrison_133]

Now we all know VA won’t be getting the initial deliveries, important customers first. Qatar, Delta, United will get first dibs. Might get drop fed one every now and then.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. VA were one of the first few airlines to order the MAX 10 back in 2018 – and well before Delta & Qatar even looked at the plane – so they'd hold early delivery slots for the type.