Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M

[Harrison_133]

What’s their total 737 fleet count at the moment? (I’m too lazy to look it up sorry)

Currently 97. Will be 99 by the end of the year with 4 MAX arrivals very soon, and 2 -800 retirements.

 

[kevrosmith]

Currently 97. Will be 99 by the end of the year with 4 MAX arrivals very soon, and 2 -800 retirements.

Thanks, so just over a quarter with the divider still. But I assume slowly diminishing…? I think it’s still a bit misleading to present that image as their standard offering these days.

 

[clifford]

I think it’s still a bit misleading to present that image as their standard offering these days.

I recently flew in row 3 on an undivided aircraft. Looking into J (as you have little choice with no divider), it was a bit like watching a punch and judy show. I felt sorry fo the J pax who paid good money for this.

 

[ben95]

felt sorry fo the J pax who paid good money for this.

Meanwhile on the premium end of town QF never had a divider since the 737 fleet entered service some 20 years ago so I’m genuinely curious - do premium Qantas flyer on the other forum here complain as much as we do on this side of the pond? I’d expect they complain at least 2x as loud based on price lol.

Perhaps the objection is more about a good thing being taken away over the lack thereof?

 

[alexczarn]

Meanwhile on the premium end of town QF never had a divider since the 737 fleet entered service some 20 years ago so I’m genuinely curious - do premium Qantas flyer on the other forum here complain as much as we do on this side of the pond? I’d expect they complain at least 2x as loud based on price lol.

Perhaps the objection is more about a good thing being taken away over the lack thereof?

Maybe because the hanging eye level "divider" gives the illusion??

 

[kallinch]

A few updates today from internal VA group wide comms:

Curtain rollout by March 2026 most fleet
Divider rollout starting June 2026
USB A & C April 2026
Internet 80% by Christmas, 96% by Dec 2026
Carry on allowance reducing this December to mitigate overhead bins issue

 

[alexczarn]

A few updates today from internal VA group wide comms:

Curtain rollout by March 2026 most fleet
Divider rollout starting June 2026
USB A & C April 2026
Internet 80% by Christmas, 96% by Dec 2026
Carry on allowance reducing this December to mitigate overhead bins issue

I guess an elite members' reduction?

 

[kallinch]

I guess an elite members' reduction?

No mention of elite member changes. From what I’ve heard they’re pretty stable despite program changes.

 

[alexczarn]

No mention of elite member changes. From what I’ve heard they’re pretty stable despite program changes.

Interesting about carryon reduction then.

 

[Saab34]

Is wifi installs done locally also?

 

[Harrison_133]

Is wifi installs done locally also?

No. The NG fleet is being done in XSP or AUH during heavy MX.

 

[SeaWolf]

Carry on allowance reducing this December to mitigate overhead bins issue

That's probably going to be received about as well as a wasp at a picnic. Especially given that QF already has a more generous carry on allowance for domestic flights.

Wasn't part of the fleet refit intended to include the more spacious overhead bins that would allow each passenger a full size carry on?

 

[Harrison_133]

Wasn't part of the fleet refit intended to include the more spacious overhead bins that would allow each passenger a full size carry on?

No, the refit never included installing larger overhead bins. Those are only found on the MAX fleet.

Carry on allowance reducing this December to mitigate overhead bins issue

Given it's only 7kg to begin with, I can't imagine it will be a weight reduction. Crack down on the number of bags people are bringing on board maybe?

 

[SeaWolf]

No, the refit never included installing larger overhead bins. Those are only found on the MAX fleet.

Ah, that makes sense then.

Given it's only 7kg to begin with, I can't imagine it will be a weight reduction. Crack down on the number of bags people are bringing on board maybe?

Possibly a one-up-one-down type of rule? Bit difficult to enforce but would certainly encourage people to have a smaller personal item.

 

[Saab34]

Not sure targeting elite guests would go down well either.

Perhaps it’s just going to be one piece plus one personal piece. Not the two plus one. A whole bunch of carriers don’t allow the carry on to be split into two bags in the overhead bin.

Moving from 7kg to 6kg or something won’t do anything. If it’s a volume issue clearly it will be targeting how much volume one can put up there. Remains to be seen how they will police it. Perhaps time to start wheeling around the scales like Jetstar do with a dedicated team?

 

[Harrison_133]

If it’s a volume issue clearly it will be targeting how much volume one can put up there. Remains to be seen how they will police it. Perhaps time to start wheeling around the scales like Jetstar do with a dedicated team?

They have started weighing bags on some flights, particularly on ones that are very full. I'd say it is a volume issue more than anything. On the weekend in BNE, I watched as they made anyone with a wheelie bag put it on the scales before making their way down the airbridge. Any that were over 7kgs were gate checked free of charge. I've seen this happen quite a few times now, mainly in BNE and MEL. Also noticed that they didn't start weighing bags until after they started with general boarding.

 

[kallinch]

They have started weighing bags on some flights, particularly on ones that are very full. I'd say it is a volume issue more than anything. On the weekend in BNE, I watched as they made anyone with a wheelie bag put it on the scales before making their way down the airbridge. Any that were over 7kgs were gate checked free of charge. I've seen this happen quite a few times now, mainly in BNE and MEL. Also noticed that they didn't start weighing bags until after they started with general boarding.

A lot of the reason to change policy is from union. Crew are sick of dealing with brunt of disgruntled pax unable to find place for their bag.

 

[kallinch]

No, the refit never included installing larger overhead bins. Those are only found on the MAX fleet.

Given it's only 7kg to begin with, I can't imagine it will be a weight reduction. Crack down on the number of bags people are bringing on board maybe?

7kg likely change to 8kg. And yes it will be cap on bags/items. And likely more enforcement measures (weighing).

 

[Saab34]

7 to 8kg with max one item for the bin, and one personal under the seat would work for me

If they want to go higher that would be good also, The Scoot 10kg is great and we have used many times for intra Asia hops.

 

[kevrosmith]

Weight versus Item count has always miffed me… sure, I get that weight sometimes becomes a WHS issue, but the volume of a bag 7kgs v 10kgs is often the same. I guess that’s the US item model isn’t it where they are unlimited in weight ISTR.