It’s a big day at Virgin Atlantic, as the airline will today begin operations with its brand new Airbus A330-900neo.
Continue reading: Now Flying: Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-900neo
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Like so much these days, it is an improvement for the business class travelling rich people. The middle class in premium economy sees the seats shrink from 21 inches on the old planes, to just 18.5 inches on the new, and smaller armrests without space for 2 drinks now each passenger could do so on the old product.
I've always been curious about how VS finances its aircraft purchases. The company has never really been profitable, or marginally so, yet it turns over its fleet every 8-10 years it seems.
The 787 seems to be the odd man out in VS' fleet but VS made the decision to add the 787 given the best situation at the time.
Given that the A330NEO is a lower capital cost alternative to the 787 for the medium longer haul routes that VS operates, they are undoubtedly looking at ownership costs more than a transition to fewer fleets.
They only fly the A350-1000 so there is a clear rationale for an aircraft of that size and the 787-10 wasn't an option when they jumped on the A350.
It will be interesting to see if VS still intend to begin retrofitting its B787 fleet next year as was reported in September 2019.
yes or savvy points folks which is what this site is all about. why do people not post objectively. a question, a reference to the article and something of value. you literally added nothing with your comment
Will be flying this next summer in UC - taking my parents on a trip as a surprise for their anniversary. Very excited about it as I love Virgin and fly it whenever we go to London.
I make the point that it is wrong to claim the cabin is an improvement for the majority over the previous cabin, and Ben has not mentioned once the huge downgrade of premium economy seating and space from previously class leading. This is only an improvement at the very front of the plane. Your complaint of my point is a typical attitude of many wealthy westerners today, in that you only focus on the top percentage, this is how we have had the populist backlash in the west, and if you could think more critically, you would see how much this trend of focusing on the very front only and to the detriment of the back links to wider society. So much ignorance around, and it would be nice if it could be acknowledged, when other cabins are downgraded even if the very front is being improved.
Also if nobody ever reports the downgrading of premium economy or economy, it gives airlines no incentive to keep the other cabin standards at the quality they once were.
I reject the claim it adds no value to emphasise the Point that they are downgrading the more affordable cabins people use, and many of the readers like me are using our miles and ‘savvy points’ so we can afford premium economy not necessarily business class.
I'd like to know when Virgin pland to fly the A330 Neos out of its LHR to Caribbean routes, For seem reason these always seem to be relegated eg BA seems to adopt the same stratego out of its LGW - Caribbean routes. I mention this as the A330-300 is Virgin's workhouse on these routes. Also given the multi destination structure of these routes always means aircraft full to capacity on every flight. Given there isn't the keen competition on trans-Atlantic US routes means higher prices. I imagine the fuel costs savings on A330 Neos will mean greater profit margins over other routes?
Which seats (not including the retreat)are best for a couple that wants to talk during the flight? A & D, D & G or G & K?
Thanks!
Does anyone know the reason for the 2.5 inch seat width reduction in premium-economy, of the A330-900 NEO, compared to the older A330's? 18.5 vs 21 inches.