Virgin Australia Boeing 737 Max 8

[Scarlett]

I take it they worked out the 150th B737 by counting every 737 ever flown by DJ and VA? I wonder if it’s accurate?

I reckon that special livery would look even better if the ‘virgin australia’ was in blue, or of it said ‘blue’ in place of australia.

 

[Ryan Bingham]

I reckon that special livery would look even better if the ‘virgin australia’ was in blue, or of it said ‘blue’ in place of australia.

I'm British. Imagine my surprise when I landed in Aus for the first time on Virgin Atlantic to connect to Virgin Blue with the plane painted red. It took me a couple of years to understand the Aussie humour behind that

 

[Saab34]

Actually here is a better shot just uploaded to Jetphotos.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I take it they worked out the 150th B737 by counting every 737 ever flown by DJ and VA? I wonder if it’s accurate?

I reckon that special livery would look even better if the ‘virgin australia’ was in blue, or of it said ‘blue’ in place of australia.

According to Airfleets.net, VH-8VI would be their 152nd 737.

 

[Harrison_133]

Press release unveiling the "retro-livery" on VH-8VI:

• Pays homage to the airline's Virgin Blue days
• 150th Boeing 737 aircraft since Virgin Blue's launch
• 100th Boeing 737 in Virgin Australia's current fleet
• Due for delivery to Brisbane in April

Close up of the Virgin Blue inspired tail:

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/newsroom/2026/3/virgin-australia-unveils-milestone-150th-boeing-737-in-special-r/

 

[Saab34]

Looks a little weird but better than no special livery I guess.

 

[PERLHR]

Looks a little weird but better than no special livery I guess.

I kinda like it....but that is typical of me...

 

[markis10]

According to Airfleets.net, VH-8VI would be their 152nd 737.

Nope, 150th. Airfleets tracks via rego their numbers, so aircraft that have had two regos with different operators get counted as two, example being VH-REX which shows as current and also in history columns that add up to 151! The other one is Brett’s Jet, BZG, which also came back as VH-RQP, making the real total 149. If they counted by MSN those two would not appear under history.

 

[liam1098]

Is VA likely to convert its remaining MAX-10 orders to the MAX-8?

 

[Lucass]

Is VA likely to convert its remaining MAX-10 orders to the MAX-8?

I don’t get what the appeal is for the MAX-10 - I thought virgin would much rather get more MAX-8s quicker rather than waiting for certification

 

[Saab34]

Is VA likely to convert its remaining MAX-10 orders to the MAX-8?

At the FY Analyst briefing the CFO confirmed they have the ability to do that, they also have the ability to convert options for more -10 if they wish to add more for further deliveries down the track.

The Appeal for the MAX10 is in its efficiency, a high volume, short to medium haul aircraft that provides significant efficiencies over current and competitor aircraft in this segment. It loses its competitiveness over longer segments.

It will be a great volume machine for the triangle. Virgin can also move it to those domestic routes that have last minute surges in demand, often seen on the triangle at times. It will be the shuttle aircraft during peak periods no doubt.

 

[HS-TQE]

The MAX10. Is a very flexible short/medium haul high capacity machine for hybrid/budget carriers.

The -10s for example can be used on the core triangle routes throughout the business year and seasonally rotated on NSW/Vic to Qld/Tasmania leisure routes during the holdiay periods, carrying approx 200 holiday/leisure/VFR passengers per aircraft.

 

[ben95]

Is VA likely to convert its remaining MAX-10 orders to the MAX-8?

VA’s order book as they’ve disclosed in the financials are pretty flexible between MAX8 and 10, so if the MAX 10 delay continues to drag on in order to replace older -800s then yes at some point I can see more MAX10 being converted into MAX 8 deliveries sometime in 27. They can also activate more options to replenish the converted MAX 10 order at a later date.

I don’t get what the appeal is for the MAX-10

Per seat mile its cheaper if you can fill it up so very useful in the golden triangle and places like Bali/Queenstown during holiday seasons.

 

[Lucass]

At the FY Analyst briefing the CFO confirmed they have the ability to do that, they also have the ability to convert options for more -10 if they wish to add more for further deliveries down the track.

The Appeal for the MAX10 is in its efficiency, a high volume, short to medium haul aircraft that provides significant efficiencies over current and competitor aircraft in this segment. It loses its competitiveness over longer segments.

It will be a great volume machine for the triangle. Virgin can also move it to those domestic routes that have last minute surges in demand, often seen on the triangle at times. It will be the shuttle aircraft during peak periods no doubt.

The thing I don’t get is if the MAX-10 uses roughly the same amount of fuel as the -800NG, and carries more PAX, won’t there be more empty seats as their load factors are like 85%, so the efficiency will be lost? That’s why I thought the MAX-8 would be better.

 

[Saab34]

It will likely be scheduled differently and flown for revenue/yield gains, so would be hard to compare it to a normally scheduled -8.

I would expect a higher LF for -10 ops. Definitely going to be a weapon triangle peak, especially Mon/Fri/Sun.

Just look at tonight SYD/BNE. VA has next to no seats available. Gives them the ability to also swing an aircraft close to departure on flights that are going for a premium. Huge premium revenue opportunities with this aircraft, something the US carriers pointed out when ordering.

 

[ben95]

The thing I don’t get is if the MAX-10 uses roughly the same amount of fuel as the -800NG, and carries more PAX, won’t there be more empty seats as their load factors are like 85%, so the efficiency will be lost? That’s why I thought the MAX-8 would be better.

That’s load factor on average across the network through the year. If you can fly the MAX 10 to where currently an -800 or MAX8 routinely fills up or when you know there’s strong demand to a location then you are also likely to fill up that MAX10 so more profit.

 

[liam1098]

VA’s order book as they’ve disclosed in the financials are pretty flexible between MAX8 and 10, so if the MAX 10 delay continues to drag on in order to replace older -800s then yes at some point I can see more MAX10 being converted into MAX 8 deliveries sometime in 27. They can also activate more options to replenish the converted MAX 10 order at a later date.

Per seat mile its cheaper if you can fill it up so very useful in the golden triangle and places like Bali/Queenstown during holiday seasons.

do you know how many options VA has for the MAX-10?

 

[Lucass]

It will likely be scheduled differently and flown for revenue/yield gains, so would be hard to compare it to a normally scheduled -8.

I would expect a higher LF for -10 ops. Definitely going to be a weapon triangle peak, especially Mon/Fri/Sun.

Just look at tonight SYD/BNE. VA has next to no seats available. Gives them the ability to also swing an aircraft close to departure on flights that are going for a premium. Huge premium revenue opportunities with this aircraft, something the US carriers pointed out when ordering.

I wonder if they will add more business seats to the MAX-10, so that they stay below the 200 PAX number so a 5th FA isn' t needed. Seems like the business on MEL/SYD/BNE routes are generally fully booked most of the time.

 

[jrfsp]

JQ and QF are / will in the process of sizing to the A321NEO as their main short haul aircraft and will have a lower cost per seat than the max 8, the max 10 is needed to be able to compete in efficiency.

 

[liam1098]

I wonder if they will add more business seats to the MAX-10, so that they stay below the 200 PAX number so a 5th FA isn' t needed. Seems like the business on MEL/SYD/BNE routes are generally fully booked most of the time.

If the number of seats is above 189 won't they need to activate the additional door, so a 5th crew member would be needed anyway? - that is what I thought but I might be wrong?