A350 Replacing jumbo

[ManCity]

VA now have 2 A350 in service daily on the JFK route and they have just taken delivery of the next 2. They only announced the initial flight (early Sept) in July, and the next 3 (late Sept to early Dec) in August, so lots of people had a plane change with only short notice. The A350 is still only in the JFK schedule up to end of March. They announced the next destination would be LAX, but it is not yet in their online schedule for 2020. So they are still selling seats on the 'old' planes. Lots of people will have seats changed. VA will reallocate all seats at the time the plane changes - as they do when they consolidate 2 flights into one. Specific seats are never guaranteed. I would expect something similar when they introduce them to MCO.

The 'news' about the 5 leisure aircraft in 2021 was so vague as to be virtually useless. It first appeared as the last sentence in an article on the VA Ruby blog, the rest of which was just typical VA hype about their new plane. They didn't specify whether it would be in January or December. The planes' deliveries will be staggered - they didn't say over how long a period, or in which order the flights will change over. Didn't say what the leisure configuration is. VA are probably reviewing the impact of TC's demise on their business, so their plans might change. I wouldn't be surprised if we still don't have specific details this time next year. Discussion before then is just speculation.

Today (Sunday) there are 4 VA flights to MCO - their usual maximum - LGW, MAN, a 2nd to LGW or MAN, plus one to GLA/Belfast. But sometimes there are just 2, so 5 planes are enough for the MCO route, although the 747 serves other destinations too. A few MCO flights are already A330. At the end of the day, they are all just metal tubes to get from A to B - nothing to get excited about.

[thatdavieguy]

Unfortunately when there is an equipment change the airline don't contact passengers who have already selected seats, it's in the terms & conditions that they can change equipment for operational reasons, so you need to keep an eye on your booking every so often.

The a350 leisure config planes will be drip fed into service as the 747s leave service (through late 2020 and into the end of 2021), they wont just be using a350s for orlando as they've already started subbing out 747s in the schedules during late 2020.

[Warkman58]

Looks lije the Upper class seat is a step backwards, the tray is too close to the body and needs modifications, the “door” is not a door, it just comes to the edge of the seat and the quality of the product us poor, with trim already falling off!

[Cabbie]

Originally Posted by Warkman58

Looks lije the Upper class seat is a step backwards, the tray is too close to the body and needs modifications, the “door” is not a door, it just comes to the edge of the seat and the quality of the product us poor, with trim already falling off!

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I had a look around G-VLUX at the beginning of last month before it's inaugural flight. Have to say the suite felt very plastic, there is no storage space and as you mention the tray table came right to my belly (which isn't too difficult )

On the plus side the IFE screen is good and the reclining seat means you no longer have to stand up to convert it into a bed.

VS are already modifying the tables and making a few other minor adjustments.

As for the "door" it was never meant to be a door just an extra screen for additional privacy.

-Steve

[Bertiebear]

Originally Posted by Cabbie

I had a look around G-VLUX at the beginning of last month before it's inaugural flight. Have to say the suite felt very plastic, there is no storage space and as you mention the tray table came right to my belly (which isn't too difficult )

On the plus side the IFE screen is good and the reclining seat means you no longer have to stand up to convert it into a bed.

VS are already modifying the tables and making a few other minor adjustments.

As for the "door" it was never meant to be a door just an extra screen for additional privacy.

-Steve

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Out of interest do they have extra seat opposite still if you want to have a drink and chat with a buddy? Couldn’t seem to see it on reviews?

[Cabbie]

Originally Posted by Bertiebear

Out of interest do they have extra seat opposite still if you want to have a drink and chat with a buddy? Couldn’t seem to see it on reviews?

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No, sadly not.

However, you can use the Loft which is situated between UC and PE

-Steve

[Bertiebear]

Originally Posted by Cabbie

No, sadly not.

However, you can use the Loft which is situated between UC and PE

-Steve

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Oh that’s a shame

[Welshjim22]

Originally Posted by Moorlandman

Outside of peak holidays the 747's are flying below capacity. Sometimes less than 100 people on board

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That can't be right. Easy enough to fill the seats offer better prices. VH is always a RIP off for fly drive.