Goodbye to the bubble - Virgin

[TIMCSS]

Hi all,

With virgin due to replace all its 747s by the end of this year into 2021 with the A350-1000's. Where is everyone thinking of sitting. At the moment their 4 a350s are on business routes, but the final 5 planes (out of 12) will be fitted differently(less upper class) for its leisure routes from Manchester and Gatwick.

Looks like I flew my last trip in the bubble. Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts escpially where some of the aircraft at Gatwick may go before the end of this year.

[sully301]

do you reckon that if it's showing now that you're on a 747 it will stay that way? We're going end of August.

[TIMCSS]

Originally Posted by sully301

do you reckon that if it's showing now that you're on a 747 it will stay that way? We're going end of August.

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I would think that Virgin have a pipeline and estimated delivery dates of each of the planes so I should think if your seat is up now, your on a 747 unless they deliver early.

The only thing to take into consideration is even with the leisure fit out, the a350-1000's have less seats in total than a 747. So it will be interesting to see what happens to the 2 flights out a day from Gatwick etc. I've been on the 2md flight a few times and it's dead unless it holiday times. I suspect that will change when they are replaced due to the capacities of each plane. It's also interesting to see what happens to prices, with less seats but with better fuel efficiency pp will this be passed on considering the filling up of the second flight due to seats available.

[Donz1979]

Ahhh no bubble in new planes? We have booked for October 2021 and was hoping to travel in bubble as loved it

[TIMCSS]

Yeah I'm afraid so, see below

I’m not sure if this has been mentioned before (I haven’t seen it anywhere else) but Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that the final five A350 aircraft that will be delivered in 2021 will feature what the airline is calling a “leisure” configuration

Per Virgin Atlantic:

All of the airline’s initial A350 deliveries will be based at London Heathrow. The final five planes will offer a leisure configuration and will operate routes to Florida and the Caribbean from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport. These deliveries will take place in 2021 as the airline beings to retire its 747 fleet.

travelingformiles/virgin...a350-aircraft/

[Bertiebear]

Out of interest does anyone know what the leisure config will be? Will always do four in the middle.

[Warkman58]

I will sit where I always do. In Upper Class 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[TIMCSS]

Originally Posted by Bertiebear

Out of interest does anyone know what the leisure config will be? Will always do four in the middle.

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Currently, the A350's that virgin have are 3-3-3 in economy. In prem though its 2-4-2

The "Leisure" I think refers to reducing the number of upper class seats as there is a ton on these aircraft at the moment.

Below is the virgin layout atm

seatguru/airlines/Vi...ightno=3&date=

I have heard they could go to 3-4-3 but each seat width will be reduced and they are already tight. The body isnt as wide as that on the 747

BA are doing the same on their 1000's but these wont be on the florida route.

seatguru/airlines/Br..._A350-1000.php

[itsmeGAV]

I love the 747 and always will, but it's about time they retired them... The A350 is a beautiful aircraft.

Originally Posted by TIMCSS

The "Leisure" I think refers to reducing the number of upper class seats as there is a ton on these aircraft at the moment.

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Correct, as their current A350 fleet is used for much longer routes into LA etc due to more business travellers.. plus, having that amount of upper class for the LGW/MAN-MCO doesn't make sense.

[Lostbrain]

Interesting, apart from the bubble how will they differ from the 747? Are they similar to the Dreamliner?