Virgins First ATR service to GLT

[markis10]

A couple of us decided to head to GLT on the first ATR service that was for sale today, here is a short report with photos noting some unusual things for those that may be taking an ATR soon!

Our gate was a little enhanced for the day:

And we were welcomed with a cupcake:

Soon it was time for boarding our chariot which boards from the rear, the 600 series next year will board front and rear!

The priority cabin baggage trolley for bags that wont fit in the overhead, and sheltered from the elements:

The view from Row 17:

Note 17 F does not have two windows:

It was not long before we were away (after looking at the old from the new)

and soon refreshments were served, drinks including BWS are complimentary on all ATR services:

Before we knew it Gladstone was in sight and we were on descent with the aircraft slippery until late downwind before flaps etc were deployed:

 

[markis10]

And we landed!

Return home was similar but with an unusual message (at least for me) on the gate monitor

EARLY !!!!!

 

[Noob]

Fantastic trip report Markis - I love the photos! Do you know if the complimentary alcohol was just for today, or is it complimentary at all times? That's pretty dam good for a day time Y class product - especially on a regional route! :shock:

The ATR cabin is very light and airy, very nice.

 

[awilcockson]

Your comment about slippery until downwind reminded me of something from the proving flight. Heading back into Brisbane I was quite surprised when we made a very late turn off base onto final, and it appears as though the gear and flaps were coming down during the base leg! Took me back to my C152 days Nice to be in a plane that can do a circuit within the boundary of the aerodrome.

 

[markis10]

Fantastic trip report Markis - I love the photos! Do you know if the complimentary alcohol was just for today, or is it complimentary at all times? That's pretty dam good for a day time Y class product - especially on a regional route! :shock:

The ATR cabin is very light and airy, very nice.

I believe it's complimentary on all ATR services although there may be a start time, for the record our plane was fully stocked for a 10.30 departure.

A couple of other things, the ATR does not have an APU, so it was quite hot sitting in the plane, this was mentioned by the GM who told me he would ask all services to have the aircon machines hooked up on the ground.

On landing we had quite a rough one in Brisbane, which may have alarmed some, however I should pointout it was very well done as I noted at the time there would have been close to 20Knots of crosswind and a 737 had reported undershoot shear on final according to the ATIS. Generally a wind sock is rated at a certain wind speed where it will be horizontal, in case you are wondering how I worked out the wind, but I also cheated and checked the ATIS to confirm :mrgreen:.

 

[Bundy Bear]

On landing we had quite a rough one in Brisbane, which may have alarmed some, however I should pointout it was very well done as I noted at the time there would have been close to 20Knots of crosswind and a 737 had reported undershoot shear on final according to the ATIS. Generally a wind sock is rated at a certain wind speed where it will be horizontal, in case you are wondering how I worked out the wind, but I also cheated and checked the ATIS to confirm :mrgreen:.

There was quiet a bit of cross wind and I didn't think the landing was too rough, maybe I am just flying too much to notice, then again I was sitting at the front of the plane for the flight back so maybe it felt smoother.

Thanks for the trip report.

 

[thommo9]

Thanks for the report, will be flying in one of these in NZ in a few weeks time to Queenstown and was looking for some good photos, found some here!

No air-con is strange but for a 50 minute flight in chilly NZ, I think I will do just fine.

 

[awilcockson]

No air-con is strange but for a 50 minute flight in chilly NZ, I think I will do just fine.

They have aircon, they just don't have an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) so there's no aircon on the ground unless there is external power hooked up or and engine is running.

 

[markis10]

They have aircon, they just don't have an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) so there's no aircon on the ground unless there is external power hooked up or and engine is running.

They actually need the external aircon, internally it wont work until the starboard engine is turning and burning even if on ground power as they take bleed air from the engines I believe. If you look at the above photos you can see the air connection!

 

[thommo9]

I stand corrected, thanks for the correction. Looking at the photos you can see the air con on the ground, my morning eyes obviously did not read properly! :shock:

 

[markis10]

VH FVL is about to land after it's delivery flight in BNE, routing from TLS via HBE,AAN,NAG,PEN,KOE.

 

[Coathanger]

Thanks for the trip report, markis10!

I'm looking forward to trying the new plane on my first Virgin Australia flight down to Canberra later this week, along with Premium Entry at SYD.

 

[Noob]

Got to love the perfectly folded napkin with the neat purple band! They are looking more legacy than a legacy carrier

 

[docjames]

routing from TLS via HBE,AAN,NAG,PEN,KOE.

Interesting routing.

Wonder why El-Ain and not AUH/DXB (? cheaper I guess). Similarly why Alexandria and not CAI?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Reviving an old thread here so I apologise for that, but today marked my first ATR flight.

I think I may be in the minority here but IMHO the ATR has all the appeal of a tooth abscess!

If raw animal magnetism in your estimation is represented by something other than a damp, smelly Ferret, than I doubt you'll see the attraction of an ATR.

If hard seats, hot cabin and tortoise speeds are your bag, then I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy the ATR. If not, then you'll most likely be like me and do all in your power to grab an E-Jet or 737.

Even though snaking our way along the runway in crosswinds on takeoff proved a bit of fun, almost worthy of ride at Dreamworld, it didn't distract from the odour of BO at 7am (yes the A/C was working, I even held up a tissue to prove air was in fact exiting the vents), it still didn't enthuse me overwhelmingly. I did however enjoy the light (play on words) entertainment aboard, which consisted of a husband and wife duo act whereby the husband must have spilt Superglue on his seat which meant he couldn't shift when his wife wished to visit the lavatory.

Now picture, if you will, this lovely lady trying to exit her 15A seat with hubby firmly positioned in, around and over 15C. If you looked up classy in the dictionary, the definition would say "not what occurred in 15A/C". My 17C seat was perfectly positioned for this aerobatic, acrobatic spectacular (not to mention the audible extravaganza of the loo directly behind) and the noise of the flush (or was it a hand dryer....I dared not investigate) signalled intermission was over, and the second half was about to begin. Once again hubby showed the ultimate in chivalrous demeanour and left his buttocks firmly planted in 15C, but helpfully, gave his darling other half an encouraging slap on her bum! Missus was now duly experienced and skilled at such maneuvers and facing hubby, positioned her triple D's either side of his ears and with one deft movement worthy of a Russian ballerina (a BIG Russian ballerina), pirouetted and cleared the armrest, missed the overheads and landed her two-pick-handle wide cheeks firmly into her thimble sized seat with such force that the seat, seat bolts, floor and fuselage defied ALL of Newtons assumptions (until todays spectacular experiment, referred to as law). I was really, very, very impressed. More importantly, it took my mind of the dismay of the aircraft for, oh.....30 or 40 seconds or so!

Not even a complimentary nosh elevates this aircraft much above a Greyhound bus. Sorry, but I wasn't wrapped in the "experience", but if this was a "taste-tester" of stage 2 of the IFE, than I can only say.......bring it on! LIVE-2-in-seat, beats Live-2-air any day!