Virgin Fleet plans

[Steve S... 2]

Why Nelson though.

[Greg Hyde]

I expect cost (its cheap)

[Jason Carruthers]

End of lease (are they leased?) mx

http://i.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/89990230/air-nz-contract-for-virgin-australia-planes-to-be-serviced-in-nelson

[MarkR]

Interestingly there appears to be no sign of any up for sale yet or lease, and there are a variety of competing aircraft including the Malaysia birds.

[Ellis Taylor]

It seems that the lessor, Avation, has them advertised for lease on its website: http://www.avation.net/aircraft_available.html.

As for the Malaysian aircraft, six are headed to Nam Air in Indonesia, so not sure if there are any more than that heading out of the Firefly/MASWings fleet. In any case, there seems to be strong demand for ATRs in India with their new regional connectivity scheme, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some of the ex-Virgin birds go there.

[Rowan McKeever]

It seems that the lessor, Avation, has them advertised for lease on its website: http://www.avation.net/aircraft_available.html.

As for the Malaysian aircraft, six are headed to Nam Air in Indonesia, so not sure if there are any more than that heading out of the Firefly/MASWings fleet. In any case, there seems to be strong demand for ATRs in India with their new regional connectivity scheme, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some of the ex-Virgin birds go there.

The very same link shows VA's A320 VH-YUD (MSN1922) as being for sale, available May 2018.

[Yusef D]

The very same link shows VA's A320 VH-YUD (MSN1922) as being for sale, available May 2018.


That's interesting. I wonder if they'd even bother trying to sell the other one, FNP. It's very old and not reliable.

VH-YFY flew first flight 15 July. Delivery about 1 month.

[Yusef D]

VH-YFY delivered, maybe there's another on the way, I met a pilot who said he's delivering one from Seattle in August.

[Greg Hyde]

Arrived in Brisbane last Wednesday (26/7).

Anyone noticed a name ?

[Yusef D]

It's called "Mungalla" according to planespotters.net

[Rob R]

Two more Ejet's will leave the fleet in August and another one in October.

[Yusef D]

last E Jet stays till January.

[Zac M]

ZPR leaves for the States tomorrow at 0800.

[Yusef D]

next (maybe last ??) 737-800 VH-YFZ slated to arrived late August.

[Jarod G]

New VA rego Boeing 737-8FE (WL) VH-YWA to join the fleet sometime this year according to planespotters.net
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Boeing/737/VH-YWA-Virgin-Australia/YwejiMeP

[Yusef D]

amendment to my last... VH-YWA is following on the heels of VH-YFZ, September 2017 I guess.

[Yusef D]

and VH-VOR transfers/returns to Tigerair in October 2017.

[MarkR]

next (maybe last ??) 737-800 VH-YFZ slated to arrived late August.

Backlog is three units still to be delivered.

[Dennis McLean]

I think you will find there are only 2 to come, reported by planespotters.net. The Boeing website says 3 in the June report, but Y has just been delivered, so that leaves Z and YWA.

Deliveries were W in July 16, X in April 17, Y July 17

[Greg Hyde]

YFZ added to register on 03/08

[Zac M]

So what is the deal with the ATR withdrawal? Only two removed so far..yet FVY hasn't moved in almost a month, there has been one (if not 2) parked at CBR at all times for weeks...seems like a pointlessly drawn out process...

[Rowan McKeever]

There have also been a couple parked at BNE since the 'withdrawal date', and Moranbah is still on ATRs (apparently because the airport operator hasn't yet allowed jet operations to commence). Agree, though, that it seems unnecessarily drawn out...

[Zac M]

VPI ferried CBR-CNS on the 16th. Into storage maybe?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[MarkR]

VPI ferried CBR-CNS on the 16th. Into storage maybe?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

VPI, VPJ and FVZ all recently changed holder (11 Aug) from a Singaporean company to one domiciled as a leasing company in the UK.

[Greg Hyde]

YWA B738 41042 added to register on 24/08

[Greg Hyde]

YFZ is on its way to Brissie

[Greg Hyde]

Has YFZ been named as yet ?

[Yusef D]

Flight ops reported YFZ delivered late after a "troubled birth" several defects found in customer acceptance testing.

[Radi K]

Has YFZ been named as yet ?

Lake St. Clair

[Greg Hyde]

thks,

It also ferried in via Kona rather than the "normal" Lihue

[Yusef D]

YWA coming this week, next YWD in November.

[MarkR]

I think you will find there are only 2 to come, reported by planespotters.net. The Boeing website says 3 in the June report, but Y has just been delivered, so that leaves Z and YWA.

Deliveries were W in July 16, X in April 17, Y July 17

I think we can say Boeing 1 Planesotters.net 0 :D

[Greg Hyde]

YFZ went into service yesterday VA986, BNE to SYD.

Lucky to land with all the wind problems in Sydney over the last two days.

[Greg Hyde]

YWA coming this week.

YWA has commenced its ferry and is currently at Kona.

[Radi K]

YWA coming this week, next YWD in November.

How many after this?

[Radi K]

YWA has commenced its ferry and is currently at Kona.

Name Cable Beach

[MarkR]

How many after this?

None, backlog empty. Just the 40 max

[Greg Hyde]

YWA has commenced its ferry and is currently at Kona.

YWA is due in BNE at 15:00 this arvo.

[Zac M]

FVM ferried to Nelson on September 11

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Zac M]

FVU positioned MEL-NSN yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Radi K]

Some of the MEL flying may soon see a fokker... according to a 'friend'.

The VARA machines are already doing some ADL-ASP-DRW & ADL-PER.

Or are you talking QQ machines?

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like ZPO has gone as well

Embraer 190 AR 190.00321 VH-ZPO Virgin Australia ferried 06-08oct17 BNE-APW-HNL-BVNY-BNA on return to lessor ex PT-TXJ

[Steve Jones]

How many E190s are now left, and when will the last one depart?

[Yusef D]

2 left now, ZPH/ZPT.

Around the end of year I hear.

[NathanJ]

As I understand it there are two more 737 NG's left to deliver from the current order.

[Greg Hyde]

From Puget Sound
28/10/2017

VH-YWD B737-800 Virgin Australia First Flight
L/N 6664 C/N 41020 B737-800 VH-YWD VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
Dep RNT 10:47 PDT Arr BFI 11:19 PDT
Call Sign BOE826 Hex Code 7C7C9B
Aircraft Name: Tiramirakura
Aircraft painted at Renton

[Greg Hyde]

Three of the ex VA E190s have ended up in South Africa with SA Airlink

SA Airlink plans Ascension Island Nov 2017 scheduled service debut

SA Airlink starting next month is launching scheduled service to Ascension Island, where the carrier plans monthly St. Helena – Ascension Island. First flight is scheduled on 18NOV17. The carrier on 14OCT17 inaugurated Johannesburg – Windhoek – St. Helena route, on board Embraer E190 aircraft.

[Greg Hyde]

From Puget Sound
28/10/2017

VH-YWD B737-800 Virgin Australia First Flight
L/N 6664 C/N 41020 B737-800 VH-YWD VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
Dep RNT 10:47 PDT Arr BFI 11:19 PDT
Call Sign BOE826 Hex Code 7C7C9B
Aircraft Name: Tiramirakura
Aircraft painted at Renton

YWD ha a second test flight yesterday but still hasn't added to Aussie Reg.

Can Boeing build them quicker than VA can register them.

[Yusef D]

...VH-VOR still in service with VAI, doing trans Tasman and South Pac Island work, despite expected "return" to Tigerair in October 2017. Don't know if this is because TT aren't ready to receive it or VA needs it more.

[Rowan McKeever]

YWD ha a second test flight yesterday but still hasn't added to Aussie Reg.



Can Boeing build them quicker than VA can register them.


Could be just that the online register database at CASA hasn’t been updated yet - still doesn’t show VZF despite it being transferred some time ago.

[Greg Hyde]

YWD is named Tiramirakura.

Does anyone know where or what Tiramirakura is ?

[Greg Hyde]

AIRLINK BECAME the first airline to operate a commercial flight into St Helena Airport on 14/10/17 when its Embraer 190 ZS-YAB (c/n 19000195) Ex. VH-ZPG touched down on the island from Johannesburg/OR Tambo. The jet, carrying 72 passengers, took six hours
to reach St Helena via a fuel stop in Windhoek, Namibia.

More info

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41620003

[Greg Hyde]

YWD has commenced its delivery flight

[Michael Mak]

YWD is named Tiramirakura.

Does anyone know where or what Tiramirakura is ?
From Virgin Australia's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/virginaustralia/photos/a.109958876989.109636.94622926989/10154961981066990/?type=3):
Meet our newest aircraft, tinamirakuna. The aircraft is named after the Macquarie River in Tasmania, which is a key project site for our partner, Greening Australia. They’re an organisation who work towards restoring and conserving Australia’s unique ecosystems. tinamirakuna is the Tasmanian Aboriginal name for the Macquarie River, for the native Palawa Kani language.

[Steve Jones]

When’s the final E190 due to leave? I saw ZPH in active service in BNE yesterday. Is that the only one left?

[Grahame Hutchison]

Steve, I think VH-ZPH and VH-ZPT are the last two VA E190s, both were flying today out of Sydney.

[Dave J]

When’s the final E190 due to leave? I saw ZPH in active service in BNE yesterday. Is that the only one left?

It’ll be all finished for the E190 next month.

[Yusef D]

VH-YWE, which is planned (at this stage) to be VA's last 737NG will be delivered around end January.

One E Jet out of service 31/12/17, the other one has a month or so.

[Ricky T]

Looks like ZPH would be the last E90 left as ZPT has finished ops for VA today (30 Dec). It operated SYD to CBR as VA642 then positioned to BNE as VA9901.

[Lukas M]

What’s the go with the Tiger 737 conversion? Appears to have stalled.

[Reece perram]

Although, VOR is in white colours, is it going to be painted back to VA colours or left in plain white for a while?

[Jarden S]

Yes the ghost plane as we call it especially when it arrives late at night in thick fog!

[Greg Hyde]

YWE which is currently in pre-flight prep is expected to be named "Dreamtime Beach"

[Rowan McKeever]

This post (http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1382367&start=450#p20090435) on airliners shows the name "Dreamtime Beach" is already on the aircraft's nose.

[Rob Fluke]

ZPT has now left our shores and is sitting at clark international airport but I hear it will return to Australia in the near future but in Airnorth colours (unsure on new rego)

[Yusef D]

Wow, that’s one way to counter Airnorth’s pilot shortage: upguage to a bigger EJet!

[Greg Hyde]

YWE had its ff on 21/1

[Alex Ch]

ZPH - the last 190 - has had a fairly quiet time lately. Only six sectors over the last two weeks. Is it just being used as an ops spare ex BNE? Either way, sweet roster for the last tech crews!

[MarkR]

ZPH - the last 190 - has had a fairly quiet time lately. Only six sectors over the last two weeks. Is it just being used as an ops spare ex BNE? Either way, sweet roster for the last tech crews!

Most of the pilots i know prefer hours in the air to those on the ground.

[Greg Hyde]

YWE had 2 Customer Acceptance flights on the 24/1

[Greg Hyde]

YWE is on the way

[Rob Fluke]

ZPT has now left our shores and is sitting at clark international airport but I hear it will return to Australia in the near future but in Airnorth colours (unsure on new rego)

Looks like there's been a change with this, Jetgo will apparently now be acquiring ZPT, coming back at end of May. Rumoured that ZPH will follow in August. The E190 would launch the Brisbane to Karratha and Singapore with the company no longer acquiring the E175.

[Greg Hyde]

Virgin Australia’s Embraer era comes to an end, accepts last 737NG delivery

Virgin Australia has flown its last commercial flight with the Embraer E-Jet, after E190 VH-ZPH operated flight VA1105 from Newcastle to Brisbane on Saturday.

Wet and sombre skies greeted the E190 in Brisbane, where it touched down at 12:51 local time following a one hour and eight minute flight from Newcastle, flight tracking website Flightaware shows.

http://australianaviation.com.au/2018/02/virgin-australias-embraer-era-comes-to-an-end/

[Yusef D]

Strange time for VA and TT to go 18 months+ without a single aircraft added. Unless VA is going to lose one or more to TT. The MAX is "late 2019" and no more NGs coming in. Fleet/capacity expansion coming to a grinding halt?

Or is all expansion in blue and yellow Fokkers?

[MarkR]

Fleet/capacity expansion coming to a grinding halt?

Or is all expansion in blue and yellow Fokkers?

Fleet capacity has been declining for a while, state of the market. Less seats, higher rpm

[MarkR]

Fleet capacity has been declining for a while, state of the market. Less seats, higher rpm

Looks like 4 x A330 will be coming from Hainan (who have their own cash issues at present) to help support international fleet expansion, which seems to be the focus now.

[Yusef D]

MarkR...

do you have any source for the new of those 4 A330s? Other than pprune? I'm really keen to know what's going on there for, well, career reasons.

I'm hoping you're right.

(VA have said the A330 fleet is deliberately overcrewed to enable more HK/PRC flying, but it's not so overcrewed it can handle 4 more airframes)

[MarkR]

MarkR...

do you have any source for the new of those 4 A330s? Other than pprune? I'm really keen to know what's going on there for, well, career reasons.

I'm hoping you're right.

(VA have said the A330 fleet is deliberately overcrewed to enable more HK/PRC flying, but it's not so overcrewed it can handle 4 more airframes)

Only what I read on Pprune I am afraid, although it has long been rumoured since Hainan got involved that VA could utilise them for fleet. I thought they might take some Hong Kong Birds but they seem to need more given they are taking a couple of EKs in addition to the A350s.

[Yusef D]

VA's experience would suggest taking ex-EK A330s is a path you don't want to take! VA has only recently stopped paying the difference between the lease price and what they could get the next operator to pay for VH-XFA and XFB!

[Greg Hyde]

VH-FVM ferried from Nelson to Cairns on 07/08-02/18 ?

Return to service ?

[lloyd fox]

VH-FVM ferried from Nelson to Cairns on 07/08-02/18 ?

Return to service ?

VIA BNE but no it will be gone to another carrier.

[Yusef D]

VA announce daily SYD-HKG in A330. Good flight timings.

[Yusef D]

... to the detriment of MEL-HKG schedule.

[James Smith]

VA89 departs SYD at 10:00 and VA 88 arrives at 7:10 from mid 2018. Gotta love the eights in the inbound flight number.

I'm not sure what bays will be available for three hours at peak times in Sydney. Maybe park at the freight apron and get bussed to the aircraft, just like China Eastern this morning!

Does anyone know the actual start date, apart from mid 2018?

[MarkR]

... to the detriment of MEL-HKG schedule.

Yep, due to slot availability, with Wednesday and Friday departures gone from the MEL-HKG schedule.

[Grahame Hutchison]

July 2nd has been mentioned.

[Lukas M]

Are the two Tigers VNQ and VNJ both exited the fleet? Been in Manila for 6 weeks.

VNQ is not that old didn’t think would warrant a D check just yet.

[NathanJ]

There was word another forum that two tiger 320's were heading to VARA. Most likely mumbo jumbo but interesting if true.

[Dennis McLean]

According to p prune VA "might" be getting 330's from Etihad?????

[Yusef D]

I’ll believe it when I see it. Also heard FJ are getting their next 332 from Etihad.

I think VARA are getting an additional A320 soon.

[Yusef D]

After the disastrous experience of used Emirates A330s VA may be reluctant to do that again.

[Lukas M]

Tiger VNJ is back in the country, ferried back to Perth.

I assume in Virgin colours.

[Dennis McLean]

VNQ is following soon.

[Yusef D]

Are they both joining VARA??

[Dennis McLean]

yes

[Greg Hyde]

VNJ was transferred to VAR on 17/04

[Greg Hyde]

Has FVP been withdrawn or is holidaying in NZ ?

Ferried Canberra to Nelson 19/3

[Robert.M]

FVP is currently on route to Melbourne. I'd say maintenance (https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/89990230/air-nz-contract-for-virgin-australia-planes-to-be-serviced-in-nelson).

[NathanJ]

VNQ is now flying for IndiGo per planespotters... https://m.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A320/VT-IHR-IndiGo/5b2yU3Ny

[Zac M]

FVP ferried from Nelson yesterday, VPJ ferried to Nelson the previous day

[Robert.M]

FVP ferried from Nelson yesterday

:confused: FVP was ferried on Friday (https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHFVP/history/20180713/0000Z/NZNS/YMML)

[Zac M]

It was originally meant to ferry Nelson to Canberra on Thursday, I'm sure I saw it FR leaving Nelson as well, maybe it turned back...

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like ZPT is finally joining her sister ships

Embraer 190 AR 190.00451 VH-ZPT Virgin Australia ferried 16-23jul18 CRK-DRW-CNS-NAN-APW-HNL-VNY for interim storage ex PT-TJX

[Robert.M]

VOR is due to depart tomorrow morning and back in Tigerair livery. Tomorrow should be the last flight under the VOZ callsign.

Unedited photo
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1797/42236175760_b3c3d77719_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27mgryU)

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like ZPT is finally joining her sister ships

Embraer 190 AR 190.00451 VH-ZPT Virgin Australia ferried 16-23jul18 CRK-DRW-CNS-NAN-APW-HNL-VNY for interim storage ex PT-TJX

The latest AA (p106) has a picture of ZPT transiting Darwin in JetGo livery.

[MarkR]

HNL rare birds caught her as well

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iV5ejjllQ0/W1qoAsH4-kI/AAAAAAAAL6Y/RgXhOzOQ3XIjmNK7elmKMrH_Sm_6UY4-gCLcBGAs/s1600/VH-ZPT.jpg

[MarkR]

Results update confirmed no new deliveries until first max in Nov19, 10 Max 8 orders converted to Max10 for delivery commencing 2022.

[Yusef D]

VA had 40 Max8s on order, I read that the Max order is now 48, anyone know the truth?

[MarkR]

Boeing still show 40 for VA on their orders page.

[Yusef D]

thanks Mark. I reckon the 73M10 or whatever it gets abbreviated to will be a Perth specialist.

[Erik H. Bakke]

Based on my recent experience, they would be sorely needed on the SYD/MEL/BNE triangle, as well.

I think a fleet of 10 is only a start, and there will be quite a few more soon enough.

[Yusef D]

I reckon the slow turn around time make them less than ideal on the 90 min sectors. At least they only take up one Code C gate, unlike 330s.

[Erik H. Bakke]

The impact of the larger size is somewhat reduced, though, by using both the forward and rear doors for boarding.

[Yusef D]

true, but a -10 will take longer than a -8 or a -800, and there goes the schedule.

[Zac M]

Is it really going to take a full 60min extra as opposed to a B73H to turn around though? I can foresee maybe 50min turns, but I doubt it would even take that long...

[Yusef D]

No, probably not an hour. The A330 takes 80 min. But anything more than 35 min would throw out the cadence of 1:25 flight, 35 min turn and another flight two hours after the first.

[Rowan McKeever]

80 minute turns on domestic as well?

[Greg Hyde]

From the latest Airliner World

THE VIRGIN Australia Group is converting ten of its commitments for the Boeing 737 MAX into firm orders for the largest member of the family, the 737 MAX 10. The Brisbane-based airline has 40 aircraft on order since signing the original contract for the
type in July 2012.

Geoff Smith, Virgin Australia Group's chief financial officer said in a statement: “We are
pleased to be welcoming the 737 MAX 10 into our expanding fleet in 2022. The introduction of this variant will provide us with additional flexibility and capability to support our network and operations. We are proud to become Australia’s first
operator of the 737 MAX and look forward to the opportunities that operating this type of aircraft will open for us.”

[Zac M]

Im currently teaching for names of the following VA aircraft;
A320-
VNJ

F100
FNC
FNN
FNT
FSW
FWI
FZH
FZI
FZO

I believe FNY is the only one in the Skywest livery now??

[Greg Hyde]

FNJ Talbot Bay
FNN Cape Naturaliste
FNR Lake Argyle
FNU Roebuck Bay
FSQ Bill's Bay
FWH Swan River (Same name used by QLink)

Subject to change/alteration or just being wrong

[Zac M]

It appears the others on my list except for FZO are nameless, FWI doesn't even have the Virgin girl on the nose

[Brenden S]

FNY is the last Skywest livery F100

[Radi K]

At least 2 more 320s heading to VARA soon.

[Dennis McLean]

Is one of them VNB which is flying with Tiger all white??

[Rowan McKeever]

Does anyone know of a list of VA aircraft which have had wifi fitted? TIA

[Yusef D]

wifi internet:
777: all
737-7: none
737-8:
BZG
VU: R, S, T, U, V, W
YF: E, G, I,J, L-W, Y, Z
YW: D, E
YI:B-G, J-Z
YV: C, D

[Yusef D]

+YIH, YFZ

[Radi K]

A320 VH-VNP - transferred from Tiger to VARA in Perth. New name Little Parakeet Bay

[Greg Hyde]

A320 VH-VNP - transferred from Tiger to VARA in Perth. New name Little Parakeet Bay

Looks like VNP had a repaint in Singapore as well

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9146961

[Zac M]

Well given it has changed airlines...

[Greg Hyde]

VNP formally changed ownership on 06/12.

Looks like a test flight last Friday.

[Shaal L]

anyone know the aircrafts with wifi domes so far?

[Yusef D]

anyone know the aircrafts with wifi domes so far?


All of the the "Y" reg aircraft except YVA,
11 of the "V" series -800s

[Shaal L]

All of the the "Y" reg aircraft except YVA,
11 of the "V" series -800s

thanks

[Shaal L]

Has yva gone to tiger?

[Zac M]

yes

[Shaal L]

thanks

[Arthur T]

May I ask which Virgin A332 now fitted with WiFi?

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 G3226 發送

[Yusef D]

May I ask which Virgin A332 now fitted with WiFi?

Yes, you may. VH-XFG is the only one thus far.

[Steve Jones]

VA have just announced a delay to their 737Max order to 2021 and a significant increase in Max10 orders (reducing Max8s by the same amount)

[Erik H. Bakke]

The announcement says 15 orders have been converted to the MAX10. Is that in addition to the 10 that were mentioned in August last year, or is this the finalisation/confirmation of that change, which has now been increased to 15?

[Steve Jones]

The ASX release shows a new total of 25 Max 10s (and 23 Max 8s).

The Max 10s now arriving first, from July 2021 with Max 8s only arriving from February 2025.

[Yusef D]

I have questions about what VA do between now and mid 2021 to continue modest domestic growth. There's not much more to squeeze out of the 738 fleet.