Virgin Australia Boeing 737 Max 8

[Saab34]

Not sure they will go too heavy on J seats, perhaps 12, however I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept the 8.

 

[HS-TQE]

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.

VA won't go above the standardised 8 recliner J seats regardless of aircraft.

If anything it'll be more EconomyX rows, as there would need to be at least 5 rows of EconomyX by default due to the design of the MAX10 (the rear door requiring at least the 5th row of EconomyX). My tip would be VA going with at least 6 rows if not 7 rows of EconomyX on the -10s.

 

[HS-TQE]

Not sure they will go too heavy on J seats, perhaps 12, however I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept the 8.

Don't see Bain going above 8 J on the -10s. 8 recliner J seats are the standard on narrowbodies, regardless of aircraft.

The -10s will likely be a Y heavy machine, i would not be suprised if VA applies to keep it 4 FAs across almost 200 passengers (i.e 8J 189Y)

 

[Saab34]

United appears to have a configuration listed on Wikipedia, unknown how accurate it is.

United- 20 J, 64 Plus, 105 Y = 189 seats

8J/189Y sounds about right. Or add an extra row at the back and tweak the galley/loo space to get 192Y/8J.

Needless to say it will be a full on shift for those crew working the flight, with most flights only being an hour. 3 FAs for the back while the CM looks after J.

 

[Lucass]

Don't see Bain going above 8 J on the -10s. 8 recliner J seats are the standard on narrowbodies, regardless of aircraft.

The -10s will likely be a Y heavy machine, i would not be suprised if VA applies to keep it 4 FAs across almost 200 passengers (i.e 8J 189Y)

at what PAX number does the additional door need to be activated - and doesn't that automatically require a 5th crew member?

 

[liam1098]

I think another important thing to consider is that even if VA only adds more economy seating to the MAX-10s, they open up significantly more ancillary revenue opportunities. On the MAX-10 VA could add 2-3 extra rows of its "preferred seating," which costs them nothing, and earns an extra $15-20 per seat, per sector, as well as more economy X seats, which again, costs VA nothing, but helps them earn more profit.

 

[PERLHR]

United appears to have a configuration listed on Wikipedia, unknown how accurate it is.

United- 20 J, 64 Plus, 105 Y = 189 seats

8J/189Y sounds about right. Or add an extra row at the back and tweak the galley/loo space to get 192Y/8J.

Needless to say it will be a full on shift for those crew working the flight, with most flights only being an hour. 3 FAs for the back while the CM looks after J.

I always wonder about the "full shift" comment. One or two trolley services and not everyone buys....so what else are they doing especially on the "longer sector" flights?

 

[Lucass]

Don't see Bain going above 8 J on the -10s. 8 recliner J seats are the standard on narrowbodies, regardless of aircraft.

The -10s will likely be a Y heavy machine, i would not be suprised if VA applies to keep it 4 FAs across almost 200 passengers (i.e 8J 189Y)

They can’t do that. A 5th FA is needed if the extra doors are activated. They can’t just “apply” for an exemption

 

[liam1098]

Don't see Bain going above 8 J on the -10s. 8 recliner J seats are the standard on narrowbodies, regardless of aircraft.

The -10s will likely be a Y heavy machine, i would not be suprised if VA applies to keep it 4 FAs across almost 200 passengers (i.e 8J 189Y)

If they did 8J and 189Y there will be a lot of empty space. That would just be a dumb configuration

 

[Saab34]

Not really.
The highest they can really go is 210~ seats in total if they wish to install J at 8 seats.

From what I can see a Y only cabin will max out at 228 seats

 

[Luke B]

From my understanding the talk was 12J, not sure of the Y count.

 

[Saab34]

From my understanding the talk was 12J, not sure of the Y count.

Not sure if from VA directly, but anything attributable to the Borgehtti era can probably be disregarded, completely different management running the show today.

I’d imagine they will have plans already worked out (or seats stored) as the lead time for seats is long, and delivery from certification won’t be that long. Not sure how they intend to run the seats near the exits, is assume to will be like the MAX9

 

[Lucass]

Not really.
The highest they can really go is 210~ seats in total if they wish to install J at 8 seats.

From what I can see a Y only cabin will max out at 228 seats

Yeah my point is it will probably be a 8J, 196-202Y config. Why would they only do 189Y if they keep J at 8?

From my understanding the talk was 12J, not sure of the Y count.

No??? Where did you hear this from, absolutely not

 

[liam1098]

From my understanding the talk was 12J, not sure of the Y count.

Maybe when VA was full service - the plan was for 12. But now they are a "hybrid" carrier it will most likely be the standard 8.

 

[Luke B]

Righto then, the two posters that are experts in VAs fleet utilisation and expansion are now experts in their upcoming fleet too.

I heard this from a few people in VA last year who were involved in the preplanning for the future deliveries (who knows how long that could be), but sure, let's go shoot it down without any facts or strong basis.

Reality is anything could happen. Realistically the config could be changed at any time.

They can’t do that. A 5th FA is needed if the extra doors are activated. They can’t just “apply” for an exemption

FYI an extract of crewing requirements from Civil Aviation Order 20.16.3 - Air service operations - Carriage of persons (02/12/2004)

(b) aircraft carrying more than 36 but not more than 216 passengers shall carry at least 1 cabin attendant for each unit of 36 passengers or part thereof;

(c) aircraft carrying more than 216 passengers shall carry the number of cabin attendants as prescribed by CASA which shall not be less than 1 cabin attendant for each floor level exit in any cabin with 2 aisles;

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Although there are exemptions, most narrow body's like JQ A320's operate with 4 crew AFAIK

 

[Luke B]

Although there are exemptions, most narrow body's like JQ A320's operate with 4 crew AFAIK

Yep. Exemptions do happen but are generally based on the 1:50 ratio. Bit on an older one but this REPCON report has some comments from the regulator. https://www.atsb.gov.au/repcon/2015/ar201500077