Virgin Australia's first 773ER breathes life....photo incl.

[Scott Lindsell]

Fasten you're seatbelts, she's on her way. :):):)

http://microvoltradio.com/kpae1064.htm

Scott.

[Shameel Kumar]

It's ALIVE!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Sorry folks for the hyper-active excitement, I'm just absolutely thrilled to finally see VA's first 77W finally on its own feet and getting ready to head Down Under!!!


Thanks a BILLION Scotty!! :D ... you've definitely made my day!! :D

If there are more photos you've taken, could you please post them up on your Flickr account, or just send them to my email please mate: m5maniac@hot(you know the rest). :)

So how long until this pretty lady's all painted up and ready for flight testing?


Please please please Scotty keep us (well if not anyone else, me at least) continually update on the progress of VA's first 77W! Please :D

[NickN]

Finally an Aussie carrier with a 77W that will regularly come to Sydney.

[Marty H]

'There's A New Way To LA':D

[Shameel Kumar]

'There's A New Way To LA':D

Hell yeah there is... and I'm gonna be experiencing it :D... can't wait!!

Eagerly awaiting to see this bird fully painted in the VA livery. From the CGI's so far the livery looks fantastic.

Forget QF's A380, VA's 77W will be the new star-attraction at SYD. :D

[Rhys Xanthis]

Forget QF's A380, VA's 77W will be the new star-attraction at SYD. :D

QF will be jumping over the moon with joy about that one!

[Shameel Kumar]

What's funny about that photo is, it's probably the first time in many years that the 772 variant has outnumbered the 773 variant on the Boeing aircraft parking lot there. Usually it's littered with 77Ws.

Also, just out of curiosity, as those aircraft sit out there on the parking lot, what exactly goes on with them?

[Shameel Kumar]

QF will be jumping over the moon with joy about that one!

Well the excitement over QF's first A380 will die down quite quickly since most of the A380-hype was exhausted for SQ's first scheduled flight. A week after QF's first scheduled A380 service all the buzz about the airline it's new big toy will fade ..... and enter V Australia with the trademark Virgin fanfare. :D

[NickN]

Maybe Branson will fly into SYD in his "mothership" to celebrate.

[Paul C.]

The registrations will be

VH-VGA
VH-VGC
VH-VGD
VH-VGE
VH-VGF
VH-VGG

[Scott Lindsell]

Also, just out of curiosity, as those aircraft sit out there on the parking lot, what exactly goes on with them?

Shameel,
All sorts of ground testing is necessary before the aircraft even has it's first smokey engine start. All computers are fired up, programmed, tested and retested. All flaps and slats are opened and closed as is pretty much every moving part that can be operated. After that comes engine start, engine testing, rejected take off tests all before first flight occurs. This may take a week or two depending on the schedules. They may throw it into paint if a spot is available or this maybe done at some other stage during the flight test period. Some widebodies are actually now sent 'green' down to PDX for paint to speed up that aspect of the delivery. A typical 737 paint takes 4-5days with an intricate special scheme (like a secret bird going in tonight at BFI) will take 7days.
Hope that helps a little,
Scott.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

...like a secret bird going in tonight at BFI...

Hey Scott

Can you share a little more???

Cheers

[Scott Lindsell]

Unfortuantely not Andrew but I'll show you the photos after a long 7 day wait ;)
It should be a good one but not ultra spectacular.
Scott.

P.S) Check your email :p

[Will H]

The registrations will be

VH-VGA
VH-VGC
VH-VGD
VH-VGE
VH-VGF
VH-VGG

No B?

[J Brown]

Fantastic Scotty!

-VGB is taken up by a Vans RV-7A

[Gerald A]

Scott

Have you heard any news of the 1st of 4 new B777-236ER for British Airways.

[Shameel Kumar]

Shameel,
All sorts of ground testing is necessary before the aircraft even has it's first smokey engine start. ...Hope that helps a little,
Scott.


Thanks for the explanation Scott. Always great to hear about what's going on at BFI and PAE.

Now the wait begins until VA's first bird comes out of the paintshop. :)

[Bob C]

Hi Scott

Pardon my ignorance, but I've been wondering what the dominant green colour is on all new Boeings before they're painted.

Do you know if it's some kind of protective coating or composite material ?

[Ben Thiele]

Mr Coppo Sir,

Scott won't mind me answering this (after all we have shared a bit of beaver together), the answer is simple - it's PRIMER

Ben

[Paul C.]

Virgin Blue's first aircraft (737-400's) used the VH-VG* regos. Then VH-VBA, VBB, VBC, etc was delivered, the 737-400's were withdrawn once the newer planes entered service.

[Paul C.]

Hi Scott

Pardon my ignorance, but I've been wondering what the dominant green colour is on all new Boeings before they're painted.

Do you know if it's some kind of protective coating or composite material ?

The 777 uses alot of composites but the fuselage is mostly Aluminium. The plastics are used in the wings, tail/vertical stabilizer, nose, rear of fuselage, and in other sections such as small doors, etc.

[Scott Lindsell]

Hi Scott

Pardon my ignorance, but I've been wondering what the dominant green colour is on all new Boeings before they're painted.

Do you know if it's some kind of protective coating or composite material ?


Ben, LOL it was a nice beaver :)


Mr. C,
No ignorance there at all. It's a pretty regular question from spotters.
In a nutshell....

Commercial airplane skin panels arrive at Boeing covered with a temporary protective coating to protect the metal from damage or corrosion during the manufacturing and assembly processes, this is where the term 'green airplane' comes from; it references the green protective coating and implies that the product is unfinished, awaiting paint.

Paint shop employees first use a hand-sander on a completed airplane's previously primed surfaces, then tackle the green skins. They then mask off areas that need protecting, such as landing gear and engines, and apply detergent to the airplane to remove the coating. Next they wash the aircraft with a fire hose spraying water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C) to remove the green color. This leaves the natural, silver-colored aluminum skins.

Once the jet is clean, painters sand or abrade the surface of the panels to ensure the primer coat adheres to the metal. They apply primer and then mask off areas of the jet and paint it in various stages, depending on the process for each customer's livery. They apply hand-detailing or decals last, prior to preparing the plane for delivery to the customer. The time needed to complete a paint job depends on the size of the airplane and the complexity of the livery. For example, while painting a typical livery on a 737 requires two to three days on a two-shift operation, the Qantas design (Yananyi)required six days on a two-shift operation.


It's basically peeled on and blasted off. Sometimes it starts to fall off in patches and exposes the bare aluminum but the main aim is to prevent scratches and nix in the body to reduce the prep time in the paint shop.
1 in about 6-8 frames are painted at RNT with the 737's, the rest are done in the shops at BFI. While it may stop scratches for the most part, a fuselage comes from Wichita on the back of a train and will quite often be riddled with bullet holes. :eek::eek::p
Hope this helps and here is a shot of a Wedgetail as a 'greenie'

http://flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2116549715/sizes/l

And a closer look:

http://flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/2236130514/

Cheers,
Scott.

[Shameel Kumar]

While it may stop scratches for the most part, a fuselage comes from Wichita on the back of a train and will quite often be riddled with bullet holes. :eek::eek::p


Thanks agan Scotty for the great post. Learning bucket-loads from you lately :D

As for those bullet holes, I've read about that quite frequently, but I've always wondered what Boeing does with those fuselage sections?
Do they simply do some patch-up work (my concern here would be that the bullet holes would affect the structural integrity of the fuselage even with the patching-up) ? .... or is there another way Boeing gets around a fuselage riddle with bullet holes?

I guess no amateur hill-billy can take a shot at the Dreamlifter..thank goodness :D

[Scott Lindsell]

Thanks agan Scotty for the great post. Learning bucket-loads from you lately :D

As for those bullet holes, I've read about that quite frequently, but I've always wondered what Boeing does with those fuselage sections?
Do they simply do some patch-up work (my concern here would be that the bullet holes would affect the structural integrity of the fuselage even with the patching-up) ? .... or is there another way Boeing gets around a fuselage riddle with bullet holes?

I guess no amateur hill-billy can take a shot at the Dreamlifter..thank goodness :D



Shameel, I'm out of knowledge now :D
The bullet holes are repaired that's all I know. The fuselages are not discarded that's for sure. I don't think it happens that often but from time to time they find them. When I see a train roll past I look for them but I've never seen one. I can just picture this Po-dunk white trash Nebraskan hill-billy sitting out on his porch with a white singlet, bud light and a gun as the 737's rolls past half a mile away.......;):rolleyes:

[Bob C]

Hi Scott

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Bob

[Shameel Kumar]

I can just picture this Po-dunk white trash Nebraskan hill-billy sitting out on his porch with a white singlet, bud light and a gun as the 737's rolls past half a mile away.......;):rolleyes:


I guess no amateur hill-billy can take a shot at the Dreamlifter..thank goodness


Looks like we've met the same bloke :D ...we're you at a Jerry Springer Show or something.. just kidding! :p

I tried doing a google search on this issue, but no luck

Snip - Not appropriate for this forum Shameel -mod

[Michael Morrison]

A typical 737 paint takes 4-5days with an intricate special scheme (like a secret bird going in tonight at BFI) will take 7days.

Scott.

A QF 737 in Oneworld colours perhaps????

Jal, LAN and now finnair all have them.... it must only be a matter of time :)


http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=761336

[Shameel Kumar]

A QF 737 in Oneworld colours perhaps????

Jal, LAN and now finnair all have them.... it must only be a matter of time :)


http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=761336


Good thinking Michael, but one quick question: why put such a livery on a 737?

I know LAN and Finnair have put the oneworld livery on narrowbody aircraft, but would it not be smarter and more beneficial to slap on the oneworld titles on an aircraft used on international routes like the 747, especially since QF's 744s are progressively receiving their New-Roo livery updates?

Nonetheless, I'll go with Michael and suspect it's probably a QF 737 in OneWorld titles,... but if this is the case, I sure hope they go for something a little more visually exciting than just what LAN and Finnair have done. Something more along the lines of JAL's creativity would be great! :)



Snip - Not appropriate for this forum Shameel -mod

10-4. My apologies :)

[Scott Lindsell]

A QF 737 in Oneworld colours perhaps????

Jal, LAN and now finnair all have them.... it must only be a matter of time :)


http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=761336


Bobby C,
No problemo.

Michael,
No but good guess - that may happen soon too!

[Scott Lindsell]

Been to busy in the past few days to notice but it would appear the VA 773ER is already in the paintshop. :mad:
There goes my chance of shooting her nude first :mad::mad:
Ah well they'll be more chances to get her in full scheme I guess. The countdown is on and some of the PAE regulars should bring it to the internet within minutes for you.:)
Scott.

[Shameel Kumar]

Been to busy in the past few days to notice but it would appear the VA 773ER is already in the paintshop. :mad:
There goes my chance of shooting her nude first :mad::mad:
Ah well they'll be more chances to get her in full scheme I guess. The countdown is on and some of the PAE regulars should bring it to the internet within minutes for you.:)
Scott.

I'll try my best to keep calm.... but heck yesssssssss!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D

[Anthony T]

The first VA 777 may arrive Sun 21 Sep just before another arrival, while everyone is watching. ;)

Anthony T

[Andrew M]

Meanwhile the DJ share price is back to $1.15, after being as low as 47 cents around 6 weeks ago :D

[Marty H]

Meanwhile the DJ share price is back to $1.15, after being as low as 47 cents around 6 weeks ago :D

And very smart cookies who got in whilst it was that low:D

[Erik H. Bakke]

Hmmm, might even be a 737 for Virgin Blue receiving a promo livery for V Australia.

[Steve S... 2]

Yeah I will take a VA 773 over a QF A380 anyday! :)

[Shameel Kumar]

Getting all anxious here... waiting and waiting for that first photo in full livery. :D :D :D :D

[Philip Argy]

And very smart cookies who got in whilst it was that low

Mmm - we'll see, given this news just in:



Virgin Blue profits slashed by 55pc

Virgin Blue will not be making a dividend payment this year. Shares in Virgin Blue have dived after the company revealed its profits have dropped by more than half.


Virgin's net profit after tax for the 2008 financial year is $98 million, about 55 per cent lower than 2007.
The company says the result is in line with its recent forecasts and has happened in an unprecedented operating environment for airlines globally.
The company has announced it will not be making a dividend payment this year.
About 11:00am AEST, Virgin shares had fallen as much as 17 per cent to 95 cents.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Indeed, down 25% today, and its still a good 50minutes until close..

http://www.asx.com.au/asx/research/CompanyInfoSearchResults.jsp?searchBy=asxCode&allinfo=on&asxCode=VBA

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Erik H. Bakke Hmmm, might even be a 737 for Virgin Blue receiving a promo livery for V Australia.

this is something i quickly put together.

Boeing 737-800 Virgin Blue 'V Australia'.jpg


joe.

[Marty H]

this is something i quickly put together.

Boeing 737-800 Virgin Blue 'V Australia'.jpg


joe.

Thats pretty cool, persoanlly I would love to see VB goto a silver livery over the red.

[Bernie P]

this is something i quickly put together.

Boeing 737-800 Virgin Blue 'V Australia'.jpg


joe.

Got to admit, thats pretty cool... Almost do-able I reckon!

[Joseph Saragozza.]

thanks Marty and Bernie, much appreciated.
yes i too agree that it would look stunning on a 737 prompting its new international airline.

a little bit off topic... but dose anyone think VB will ever paint one of their e-jets in the blue paint scheme like what they did with their 50th aircraft, VH-VBY?

joe.

[Josh F]

Indeed, down 25% today, and its still a good 50minutes until close..

And Qantas up by 44%...

[Jamie D]

Bobby C,
No problemo.

Michael,
No but good guess - that may happen soon too!

An Alaskan airlines "dreamliner" livery has appeared on ANET is this the special we have been waiting for?

oh what abouts a qantas "dreamliner" livery on the next 738 - that'd be cool

[Scott Lindsell]

HERE SHE IS........


http://www.microvoltradio.com/kpae1120.htm


Brought to you by my friend Matt who I'm sure will get a million hits with this beauty :D

[Lukas M]

HERE SHE IS........


http://www.microvoltradio.com/kpae1120.htm

Stunning:D

The "V Australia" would look better bigger though...

[Kieran Wells]

Stunning:D

The "V Australia" would look better bigger though...

definately agree on that one...from what was on their website, i thought the words would go from the wing down to almost the cockpit..

[Sarmad Al-Khozaie]

nice..... looks great can't wait to see her in flesh.:D

[Shameel Kumar]

Scotty Scotty Scotty ..!!!! :D :D :D :D

You made my day mate!! Been waiting days, weeks and months to finally see V Australia's first 77W...and now it's truely alive and looking beautiful!!! (Although yeah I agree with others than that titles should have been a lot bigger) ...but the smaller titles only make the aircraft look even longer and larger. :D

Now the wait for delivery into SYD.

Beautiful looking piece of machinery!! :D

[Greg McDonald]

Nice

:) :) :)

[Jamie D]

That looks awsome, interesting the way the squeezed the titles between doors 1 and 2

Thanks for the link Scott

[Marty H]

HERE SHE IS........


http://www.microvoltradio.com/kpae1120.htm


Brought to you by my friend Matt who I'm sure will get a million hits with this beauty :D

BEAUTIFUL:D

[Bernie P]

HERE SHE IS........


http://www.microvoltradio.com/kpae1120.htm


Brought to you by my friend Matt who I'm sure will get a million hits with this beauty :D

Stunning... I can't wait to see her in the metal!

[Tony G]

http://http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/?action=view&current=IMG_3587.jpg

I hope this works. I just added an Airvan with a tail very similar
to V Australia.

[Adam P.]

http://www.dmjwilliams.co.uk/images/forumpics/smilies/redex.gif

[Nigel C]

I am so stealing that emoticon!

Nice one!

[Clarke P]

http://http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/?action=view&current=IMG_3587.jpg

I hope this works. I just added an Airvan with a tail very similar
to V Australia.

As you'd notice, that didn't work. ;)

However, to repair:

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/IMG_3587.jpg

[John Thoroughgood]

Cheers everyone.
Re the new bird, what an interesting ghost image of the Union Jack on the rear of the fuselage. Had me looking for stars similarly treated, until I realised those on the tailfin and logo were it! Will be good to see her, in the flesh, so to speak!

[Josh F]

To be honest, I think V Australia could have been a little more creative on the colour scheme.

I am not a fan of the red ring around the engine nacelle.

[Shameel Kumar]

I did a quick edit of that photo which Scott L. posted (the one taken by Matt Cawby) of VA's 77W fully painted. Just tweaked the size of the titles to what I feel would have been absolutely perfect. :)

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7316/vaustraliaedit1yu8.jpg

[Shameel Kumar]

And now a goofy Photoshop edit of it in flight :D:p

(..and yes I know the lighting direction is all off.. hence 'goofy')

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/3598/vaustraliaedit2te8.jpg

[Lukas M]

A photo from Paine-Field:

http://microvoltradio.com/images/kpae3972.jpg

Amazing...

[Shameel Kumar]

A photo from Paine-Field:

http://microvoltradio.com/images/kpae3972.jpg

Amazing...


Amazing indeed!! Just look at the different aircraft there:

747-400, 747LCF, a section of the 787, that one-off 767-300"LR", 767,300ER, 777-200ER, 777-200LR and the 777-300ER... talk about a Boeing widebody spotter's dream!!

Then you've got the Dreamlifter representing North America, the TAM 77Ws for South America, ...EK and QR for the Middle East, ...JAL, CX, Asiana and JAL for Asia, and of course VA's new baby representing Australia/Oceania.

What a place!! :eek:

[John C]

there is a B52 in the background there as well

[Torin Wilson]

that one-off 767-300"LR"

767-400ER, which was to be the E-10A.

[Montague S]

just caught a glimpse of the V Australia ad on CH7...

[Shameel Kumar]

there is a B52 in the background there as well

767-400ER, which was to be the E-10A.

My bad x 2.


Sitting alongside those other liveries, in all honesty that VA livery looks great. The long light-silver color looks great on Virgin Atlantic's A340's, and it also looks great on the 77W. The lighter silver shapes like the Union Jack and stars along the rear-half of the fuselage add something extra interesting to look at. Just those titles are a bit too small...but overall that livery looks beautiful. Just imagine that silver color on a beautiful afternoon sunset with the yellow-orange-pink light reflecting of that long 77W fuselage and those massive GE90-115Bs.

Only thing that livery lacks is some sort of iconic instant-recognition. Qantas has the Kangaroo, Singapore has their bird, Virgin Atlantic has the 'Virgin' writing, BA has their waving-flag look, TG with their purple colour and symbol, AC with the maple leaf, ...and many other airlines have that instantly recognisable tail or symbol... while VA lacks that eventhough it has the Southern Cross on its tail.

Just to let everyone know.. a little birdie sent me a few photos of this plane while it was in the paintshop....and the belly of the aircraft has a big red 'V' painted on much like JQ and EK have their logo/symbol on the belly. Instantly recognisable from below. :D

[Bernie P]

Just to let everyone know.. a little birdie sent me a few photos of this plane while it was in the paintshop....and the belly of the aircraft has a big red 'V' painted on much like JQ and EK have their logo/symbol on the belly. Instantly recognisable from below. :D

Well, are you going to share??? :p :D Please share...

[Scott Lindsell]

Amazing indeed!! Just look at the different aircraft there:

747-400, 747LCF, a section of the 787, that one-off 767-300"LR", 767,300ER, 777-200ER, 777-200LR and the 777-300ER... talk about a Boeing widebody spotter's dream!!

Then you've got the Dreamlifter representing North America, the TAM 77Ws for South America, ...EK and QR for the Middle East, ...JAL, CX, Asiana and JAL for Asia, and of course VA's new baby representing Australia/Oceania.

What a place!! :eek:


Forget that, between the two EK's is Mt. Rainier with a lenticular cloud sitting atop :D:D:D

[Shameel Kumar]

Post/Images removed at the request of the copyright holder -mod

[Torin Wilson]

Is it actually silver? It looks just grey.

[Bernie P]

Now I'm only doing this coz you're the second biggest fan of V Australia on this message board :D

Here they are. These photos were taken on the 20th of this month:

There's the belly shot. Everything else we've pretty much already seen.

A BIG THANKS to the person who was generous enough to provide me with these photos. VERY much appreciated!! :)

OH MY GOD.... They are FANTASTIC!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

How lucky are you? Now I wonder how long it will take for these to get further around the globe... It would be interesting to see how many hits this thread will get now!!!

Thanks for sharing, you No. ONE V. Aust fan you... I'am happy to be number two!!!

[Jamie D]

Shameel,

These are absolutely fantastic, thank you so much for sharing them, i am sure there are many people on this site that are going to think they are great!

J

[Ryan Hothersall]

The V Australia colours look good.

Can't wait to see it flying.

[Andrew M]

Great pics !

Looking forward to flying V Australia in the next 12 months

Hopefully they jump on board the American Express Platinum 2 for 1 J deals :D then I can fly AC to Canada and VA to the USA :D

[Shameel Kumar]

Forget that, between the two EK's is Mt. Rainier with a lenticular cloud sitting atop :D:D:D

Errr... Scotty, seems like you've inhaled too much jet fumes, though I have to agree Mt. Rainier is a beautiful sight. :)



Is it actually silver? It looks just grey.

I think you're right Torin. It doesn't seem to have that metallic silver paint of the VS birds. Nonetheless, it still looks great! :D


Looking forward to flying V Australia in the next 12 months

Hell yeah! I can't wait for my first flight on VA which will be within a week of their first commercial flight. I'm already itching to get onboard and get comfy in my seat! I hope they have some extra novelties/gifts/souveniers for those passengers who will be on the first week of flights. Fingers crossed :D

[Anthony T]

Post/Images removed at the request of the copyright holder -mod

I wondered how long they would survive :rolleyes:

[Andrew McLaughlin]

I wondered how long they would survive :rolleyes:


They certainly lasted longer than I thought they would! :eek:

I wonder who the copyright holder was... :confused:

[Radi K]

Is anyone booked on the first flight ex SYD on DEC 15?

[Grant Smith]

Post/Images removed at the request of the copyright holder -mod

:o

[David B.]

Released today, V Australia's new Business and Premium Economy product.

ALL IMAGES ARE © TRAVELDAILY http://www.traveldaily.com.au/

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/qantasflyer/77W.png

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/qantasflyer/J.png

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/qantasflyer/Y-1.png

Don't spill your dinner now Shameel :P

[Rhys Xanthis]

Premium Economy looks...not that nice...i reckon the green QF seats look better than those purple things:p

[Nic P]

Pretty dissapointed I must say.

Both classes appear to be inferior to the QF product IMHO.

[Shameel Kumar]

Released today, V Australia's new Business and Premium Economy product.

ALL IMAGES ARE © TRAVELDAILY
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/qantasflyer/77W.png

Don't spill your dinner now Shameel :P


Aww come on guys,... just coz I act like an absolute mental-case whenever there's something new about V Australia, it doesn't mean I'm a nutter. ..Nah, you guys are right, mental case over here!! :D:p

Ah well.. now whenever someone mentions 'V Australia' they automatically think of me... I'm touched. ;)

As for that photo..wholey cow Batman, she looks absolutely gorgeous!! Those red rings around them massive GE90-115Bs are definitely a nice touch coz it puts more emphasis on the size of those engines. :eek:
At that angle, it doesn't seem as though the 'V Australia' titles are too small, but then again, it's a deceptive angle. One benefit of the small titles is that they make the aircraft look even longer and larger.

I just wish they had someone who was a bit more professional to take this photo... either that or just move that scaffolding out of the way.


Now all I gotta figure out is how on earth to get aboard the delivery flight of this aircraft.... or somehow get a cool tour of the aircraft before it enters service. Hmmmm... any ideas guys? :confused::p


Oh right, your post was about the debut of VA's new Business and Premium Economy classes.
Eh... As nice as they look, I'm not all that interested since it'll be many years before I have the money to fly up the pointy end of the plane.. unless of course there's some awesome miracle and I get a free upgrade to Business Class as a result of the story of 'Shameel the V Australia fanatic' becoming a part of Australian folklore. :D:p


Maybe one day.. :o

[Marty H]

Eh... As nice as they look, I'm not all that interested since it'll be many years before I have the money to fly up the pointy end of the plane.. unless of course there's some awesome miracle and I get a free upgrade to Business Class as a result of the story of 'Shameel the V Australia fanatic' becoming a part of Australian folklore. :D:p


Maybe one day.. :o

Shameel Blue perhaps could adorn an aircraft one day:) Sounds more like a type of Shampoo or body wash but Im sure we can make it work;)

[Shameel Kumar]

Premium Economy looks...not that nice...i reckon the green QF seats look better than those purple things:p

I agree with you there Rhys. The color is just a bit too dull and boring. But who knows, it might look a little nicer with those variable mood-lighting colours.

I think it would have looked a lot better and more 'dynamic and striking' if the seats were black leather with red stitching on the outline of the seat. But then again, who really places a great level of importance on the colour of their seat.

Any new information or images on their Economy class cabin yet.. or are they saving the best for last? :D

[Daniel W]

Why would they choose a red tail and effectively a white fuselage for their c/s?? :rolleyes: Could have done a lot more....still its the first Australian B777 so no other complaints :D

[BradR]

Bit hard to comment on the seating until you see it in situ. Sitting by themselves they never look that special as you see the underside etc which is never fantastic. Once we see them installed, we can all be more critical as we shall be able to assess access, legroom etc.

Brad

[Montague S]

two words about the premium economy seat and one of them I can't say on here, but the other word is house.

I'd expect something considerably better than what's pictured, if indeed, that is the final product offering. I'd say its not much better than the Y+ offering on UA 777's.

[Jon Harris]

Have to agree about the Y+ seats - nowhere near as good as Virgin Atlantic or QF - but the personal reading light looks good. They look very similar to Air NZ Y+ seats.

The business product looks nice - it should do well. Overall probably a better product offering than QF's J class.

[Shameel Kumar]

They look very similar to Air NZ Y+ seats.

Ever since we found out that V Australia would not be an international LCC, I've had that image and impression that VA's offerings would be similar - if not identical - to NZ's. And now we can see that VA's Y and Y+ offerings are nearly identical to NZ's, with their J-class seating being the big suprise by not having the herringbone layout featured on VS, NZ, AC, CX and others.

Does anyone know the seat count for VA's 77Ws, and how it compares with QF's 744ER seat count?
I ask this because I'm wondering whether VA decided to offer fairly 'standard' Y+ seats and deciding against the higher-density herringbone layout for Business as a means of saving some weight. Eventhough the 77W has a greater payload over the 744ER, maybe VA really does want to cash in on the lucrative cargo-hauling market, and considering that the trip to the US westcoast is fairly close to the 77Ws max-range, every bit of extra cargo that can be hauled would be beneficial and profitable.

And another reason why I think VA's keenly focusing on saving weight for additional cargo capacity is because their check-in baggage limit is 25kg per bag, whereas QF and other airlines flying to USA allow 32kg per bag (this limit refers to Economy passengers). So with a 7kg per bag decrease, and guess-timating around 250 Y-class passengers, that's a weight saving of ~3,500kg. No additional revenue carrying 3,500kg in baggage, but definitely extra revenue carrying 3,500kg worth of cargo.:D


I dunno, ...just a thought. :)

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Ever since we found out that V Australia would not be an international LCC, I've had that image and impression that VA's offerings would be similar - if not identical - to NZ's. And now we can see that VA's Y and Y+ offerings are nearly identical to NZ's, with their J-class seating being the big suprise by not having the herringbone layout featured on VS, NZ, AC, CX and others.

Does anyone know the seat count for VA's 77Ws, and how it compares with QF's 744ER seat count?
I ask this because I'm wondering whether VA decided to offer fairly 'standard' Y+ seats and deciding against the higher-density herringbone layout for Business as a means of saving some weight. Eventhough the 77W has a greater payload over the 744ER, maybe VA really does want to cash in on the lucrative cargo-hauling market, and considering that the trip to the US westcoast is fairly close to the 77Ws max-range, every bit of extra cargo that can be hauled would be beneficial and profitable.

And another reason why I think VA's keenly focusing on saving weight for additional cargo capacity is because their check-in baggage limit is 25kg per bag, whereas QF and other airlines flying to USA allow 32kg per bag (this limit refers to Economy passengers). So with a 7kg per bag decrease, and guess-timating around 250 Y-class passengers, that's a weight saving of ~3,500kg. No additional revenue carrying 3,500kg in baggage, but definitely extra revenue carrying 3,500kg worth of cargo.:D


I dunno, ...just a thought. :)

I think you'll find Shameel that there won't be much room for cargo after they get 300 odd pax and luggage in - they'll be cramming every litre of fuel into the things to make the Pacific non stop, especially on the west-bound leg!

[Shameel Kumar]

I think you'll find Shameel that there won't be much room for cargo after they get 300 odd pax and luggage in - they'll be cramming every litre of fuel into the things to make the Pacific non stop, especially on the west-bound leg!


Hmm.. good point Andrew. :)

But what's interesting is the fact that the 77W, when compared to a 744 (non -ER) has a higher max. structural payload, and when focusing specifically on the 6,500nm LAX-SYD route, the 77W maintains its payload advantage.
Then factor in the likely lower seat-count of VAs 77W in comparison to QFs 744s and there's even more weight saved for VA.

In fact, this topic really got me thinking, so I decided to do some research and a few calculations to get a rough idea of how VAs 77W will stack up against QFs 744. Below is a summary of my calculations:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7204/va77wvsqf744picsm0.jpg

N.B: The negative red figure for the QF 744 at 7,200nm means that 15,134 lbs. would have to be sacrificed from the Total Pax Weight (so about 55 passengers using my weight average of 275lbs.).


First time I've ever tried to do these sort of calculations about aircraft weights and payload and so forth, so I'm bound to have made an error or two. Also, these are very simplified calculations based purely on information from the Boeing and QF websites, no complicated algorithm, so don't crucify me if I'm a bit off.:) I just decided to do this so as to gain a general idea of the relationship between different weight factors of an aircraft and the route it operates, and to see how the 77W stacks up against the 744.

On the whole though, it seems as though you're right Andrew, VA's 77Ws won't get much cargo in their belly for the long-trip across the Pacific, though it's still clear that the 77W is the more capable aircraft in nearly every aspect - only being beaten by the 744 in seat count of course. Any advantage the QF 744s have in terms of higher yields (due to higher seat count) would be negated by the 77Ws ability to haul more freight...and then where the 77W really pulls ahead of its older sister is in terms of much better fuel-burn, especially on a 13+ hour flight.

No suprise really that VA chose the 777-300ER (not to mention the gazillion other airlines who have put in an order for this gorgeous aircraft!) :D

[Andrew M]

The Y+ product looks very much like NZ which is OK but NZ's Y+ will be changing in 2010 to be similar to QF

Y+ now needs to be like QF domestic J or like JQ's star class.

Sorry VA but you have missed the mark on the Y+ product and the skybed doesn't do it for me

As for the range of the bird. I am sure VA have done the maths and have a little bit more knowledge than most of us on here :cool:

When AC flew the 777-300ER YVR-SYD they blocked around 40 seats or so, in order for the plane to make the distance without a fuel stop. Now they fly the 777-200LR exclusively on this route they can fill her right up. No idea about the cargo loads on these flights though

YVR-SYD 7757 mi
LAX-SYD 7488 mi

[Shameel Kumar]

The Y+ product looks very much like NZ which is OK but NZ's Y+ will be changing in 2010 to be similar to QF

Y+ now needs to be like QF domestic J or like JQ's star class.

Eventhough I'm not a Y+ flyer, simply adding an extra few inches to legroom, and providing a little extra service here and there is a good concept (as shown by the flying success of NZ's Y+), things do progress, and I agre that with this Y+ offering VA will be left with an inferior premium economy product compared to QF and NZ. Nonetheless, it's slowly becoming apparent that VA will cater more to leisure travels..and also, the fact that at the moment they're only going after established routes where there is more than enough demand, eventhough their Y+ product would be older, they'll still get more than enough passengers in their Y+ cabin.


As for the range of the bird. I am sure VA have done the maths and have a little bit more knowledge than most of us on here :cool:

Only a little bit more knowledge.. hmm..:cool:;)

I just did those calculations for my own curiosity.. of course I'm not questioning VA's decisions or anything in that regard.. just an aviation enthusiasts comparison of VAs 77W and QFs 744. :)


When AC flew the 777-300ER YVR-SYD they blocked around 40 seats or so, in order for the plane to make the distance without a fuel stop. Now they fly the 777-200LR exclusively on this route they can fill her right up. No idea about the cargo loads on these flights though

YVR-SYD 7757 mi
LAX-SYD 7488 mi

It's hard to use that AC 77W flight as a yardstick for evaluating how the 773ER would handle a SYD-USA/Canada westcoast routing.
The thing is though, the 77W has a stated maximum range of 7,930nm miles, while the 747-400 has a stated range of 7,260nm. The thinking I have is, if QF are able to operate to SYD-LAX/SFO with 747-400s which have a lower range than the 777-300ER, then it stands to reason that VA should be able to operate to LAX with even more cargo than the QF 744s do because they can trade that extra range advantage of the 77W into extra cargo. Also, considering the fact that the 777-300ER is 22 percent more fuel-efficient than a 747-400 per payload tonne (as stated in a Boeing press release), VAs 77Ws will be able to carry less fuel, which again means more cargo potential.

But as I said, I'm not trying to create an argument... I was just curious about how the 77W stacks up against a 744 in terms of payload/range (stemming from Andrew McLaughlin's assertion that VA won't have much room for cargo), so I did some research and calculations...and I just thought I'd share it with everyone here. That's all. :)

Just quickly on that AC 77W exmaple. It's important to know that, AC's 77Ls have a total seatcount of 270, while their 77Ws carry 349 seats (so AC's 77Ws have 30% increase in seatcount). The 77L's length is 63.7m, while the 77Ws is 73.9m (so the 77Ws floor area is 16% greater than the 77L). So it's clear that ACs 77W have an unproportional increase in seatcount and hence weight (of course due to additional economy seats). This unproportional increase is multiplied due more economy passengers leading even more baggage weight, the weight means even more fuel need and so on and so on.... so it's difficult to compare the 772LR and 773ER. The longer distance of YVR-SYD makes it even more difficult to judge how VA's 77W will operate to LAX and back.

Nonetheless, very fascinating delving into all these numbers and comparing aircraft! :)

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Just quickly on that AC 77W exmaple. It's important to know that, AC's 77Ls have a total seatcount of 270, while their 77Ws carry 349 seats (so AC's 77Ws have 30% increase in seatcount). The 77L's length is 63.7m, while the 77Ws is 73.9m (so the 77Ws floor area is 16% greater than the 77L). So it's clear that ACs 77W have an unproportional increase in seatcount and hence weight (of course due to additional economy seats). This unproportional increase is multiplied due more economy passengers leading even more baggage weight, the weight means even more fuel need and so on and so on.... so it's difficult to compare the 772LR and 773ER. The longer distance of YVR-SYD makes it even more difficult to judge how VA's 77W will operate to LAX and back.

Not quite right on the floor space calculation there Shameel - while the W is only 16% longer than the L, ALL of that extra length is in the cabin, so I think you'll find it's probably closer to 25%-30%.

The other consideration is that, while not all -200LRs are created equal, the general tendency is for them to sacrifice some pax/cargo for the aux fuel tanks in order to get the extra range and to provide extra pax space for the long 17+ hour flights. There are few -200LRs with seating for more than 270 pax, while most -200/-200ERs seat around 300ish.

Cheers

[Shameel Kumar]

Not quite right on the floor space calculation there Shameel - while the W is only 16% longer than the L, ALL of that extra length is in the cabin, so I think you'll find it's probably closer to 25%-30%.

I'm a little confused Andrew...:confused:
As you correctly stated, the entire difference in length between the 77W and the L is that of a fuselage stretch...and that length difference is what I quoted in my post (73.9m vs 63.7m). So in terms of floor space, all factors are the same except for that additional length... so if the length is increased by 16%, then shouldn't the floor space also increase by that same percentage?
All I was really trying to get at with the AC 77L and 77W comparison is that the 77W is an unproportional increase in capactiy and therefore an unproportional increase in weight..and when it comes to aircraft, any increase in weight has a multiplier effect in terms of reducing range. So Andrew M's direct comparison between AC's 77L and 77W is fairly misleading due to this weight-multiplier effect.


The other consideration is that, while not all -200LRs are created equal, the general tendency is for them to sacrifice some pax/cargo for the aux fuel tanks in order to get the extra range and to provide extra pax space for the long 17+ hour flights. There are few -200LRs with seating for more than 270 pax, while most -200/-200ERs seat around 300ish.

Good point, and I agree that there are barely (if any) 772LRs which have a similar seatcount to a 772ER for that sole reason of giving the aircraft some extra legs.
But the point you bring up about the 772LRs auxiliary fuel tanks doesn't really apply because no airline has actually opted for the 3 optional auxiliary tanks (strange but suprisingly true). In terms of fuel capacity, the L has the same standard capacity as the W. In terms of MTOW, the L is only 9,000lbs shy of the W. So the only key factors which make the 772LR a more capable aircraft than the 77W are, firstly it's OEW is obviously lower than the W (due it being a smaller aircraft) which then has a positive multiplier effect on its range, also because airlines realise that demand for these 17+ hour flights isn't very high, so they can outfit their aircraft with lesser seats..and hence be able to haul more cargo in the belly.

What an aircraft the 772LR...but the 77W's still my favourite by just a whisker! :D


What'll be really interesting is payload/range comparison between the VA 77W and the QF A388. :)

[Andrew McLaughlin]

I'm a little confused Andrew...:confused:
As you correctly stated, the entire difference in length between the 77W and the L is that of a fuselage stretch...and that length difference is what I quoted in my post (73.9m vs 63.7m). So in terms of floor space, all factors are the same except for that additional length... so if the length is increased by 16%, then shouldn't the floor space also increase by that same percentage?

I said all the extra length is in the cabin, not just the fuselage. I don't know the exact figures, but lets say the W is 10m longer than the L, just about all of that 10m is devoted to pax space and amenities, as it all goes into the cabin. So, if the cabin is, say 35m long on the L, it'll be 45m long on the W, or about 28% longer. The rest is radome, flight deck, and tail cone which are more or less common to both aircraft.

Good point, and I agree that there are barely (if any) 772LRs which have a similar seatcount to a 772ER for that sole reason of giving the aircraft some extra legs.
But the point you bring up about the 772LRs auxiliary fuel tanks doesn't really apply because no airline has actually opted for the 3 optional auxiliary tanks (strange but suprisingly true).

I think you'll find EK has on some of theirs.

[Nick W.]

I heard somewhere that these aux tanks are relatively easily fitted and de-fitted, and hence quite a few airlines have them on hand if need arises, but that's just what I heard...

[Andrew McLaughlin]

I heard somewhere that these aux tanks are relatively easily fitted and de-fitted, and hence quite a few airlines have them on hand if need arises, but that's just what I heard...

It's a little more major than that for the 777 Nick - it has to be done at a major service as it requires quite alot of fabrication inside the hold, plumbing and testing.

[Tony P]

Does anyone know when the first (test) flight will be?
Thanks

[Scott Lindsell]

Should have already happened but hasn't. I did see a photo yesterday where it looked like the engines were sealed in plastic (not a good sign) but it is Labor Day long weekend here so don't expect anything before Tuesday Aussie time at the absolute earliest.
S.

[Shameel Kumar]

Should have already happened but hasn't. I did see a photo yesterday where it looked like the engines were sealed in plastic (not a good sign) but it is Labor Day long weekend here so don't expect anything before Tuesday Aussie time at the absolute earliest.
S.

Yeah I saw that photo too on Matt's website. Why do you say it's not a good sign Scott? :(

[Scott Lindsell]

Yeah I saw that photo too on Matt's website. Why do you say it's not a good sign Scott? :(

They never wrap them in plastic unless longer term storage. I'm assuming it's nothing and the thing will probably fly tomorrow having said that but it's just weird. The time delay from roll out to first flight is already too long even if they are awaiting parts for the cabin fit-out. Having said that PAE is like the desert storage area of the PNW right now with the E-10, 767 tanker, and a couple of others lying around not doing much.
S.

[Radi K]

At this stage, I have been told, VGA won't be flying to AUS until late Oct.

[Shameel Kumar]

At this stage, I have been told, VGA won't be flying to AUS until late Oct.

As strange (and sad) as that sounds, it kind of makes sense, because it struck me as odd that if VA were to receive their first 77W by the end of September, they would still have to kill two and a half months before their Dec. 15 first flight to LAX. Of course you have to factor in training time and flights and so on, but an October delivery would probably make more sense (not to mention that a late October delivery would really steal the thunder from QF's A380 inaugural flight to LAX).

I wonder what the DJ/VA marketing folks are doing. They have to be planning some fantastic attention-grabbing extravaganza for -VGA's delivery. :D


Hmmmm.... I guess the waiting game continues. :(

[Michael Morrison]

At this stage, I have been told, VGA won't be flying to AUS until late Oct.

That is correct - Gofrey was on the Sky Business channel about a month ago and mentioned it would be arriving at the end of October.

[Shameel Kumar]

That is correct - Gofrey was on the Sky Business channel about a month ago and mentioned it would be arriving at the end of October.

Thanks for confirming this information Michael. :)

Anyone have any idea when VA's second 77W will be ready for delivery. I read somewhere that VA expect a total of three aircraft to be delivered by year's end. Any truth to this?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

That is correct - Gofrey was on the Sky Business channel about a month ago and mentioned it would be arriving at the end of October.

More like mid-November...sorry guys!

Cabin furnishing suppliers are struggling to fill aircraft manufacturers' backlogs at present, and VGA has been caught up in the delivery delays caused by this.

[Shameel Kumar]

Eventhough there are delays in the supply of cabin furnishing, is there any reason why Boeing hasn't yet tested -VGA?

You'd think that with the aircraft's current lack of progress, it'd be an ideal time to do test flights on the ever-increasing number of 777s sitting in the parking lot.

Is there some rule or technical reason that final flight tests can only be done once the aircraft is completely ready for delivery, or can test flights be done prior to tasks such as cabin furnishing or being painted?


As for that new mid-November delivery timeframe.... oh man, what a temporary anti-climax. Ba-humm-bug! :(

[Shameel Kumar]

I just recieved an email from V Australia in regards to a slight time change for my flights.

VA 1: SYD-LAX now departs at 9:30pm instead of 9:45pm.
VA 2: LAX-SYD now departs at 11:00pm instead of 11:30pm. Arrival into SYD is now 5 minutes earlier at 9:15am.

VA 1's arrival time of 4:30pm into LAX remains unchanged.

:)

[Radi K]

Is there some rule or technical reason that final flight tests can only be done once the aircraft is completely ready for delivery, or can test flights be done prior to tasks such as cabin furnishing or being painted?

The test flying occurs on a delivery ready plane (minus the paint sometimes). All fittings etc are tested prior to delivery on the B1 and C1 flights.

[Andrew M]

So any updates to the new delivery timeframe for this bird ?

I have heard just before Xmas but that was 5th hand info

[Michael Morrison]

It was due to arrive at the end of OCT. The strike went for about 50 days? So my guess would be to add the 50 days to the end fo OCT to get a rought ETA.... so end of DEC/early Jan perhaps?

Would be great news for VA if it did arrive then as they may be able to get OPS going by 16JAN. Currently they have only rebooked pax upto 16 JAN, hpwver new sales are only open from 28FEB.

[lloyd fox]

50 DAYS would actually make it 20 dec so that is prior to Xmas.

[Brian Wilkes]

Word has it, and we will need VB PPL confirm this but once the 77w is on line it will do a training period like the Qantas A380 has done around oz and do some summer domestic flights? As I said to be confirmed, maybe some knows more or if is fact or fiction!!!

[Shameel Kumar]

It was due to arrive at the end of OCT. The strike went for about 50 days? So my guess would be to add the 50 days to the end fo OCT to get a rought ETA.... so end of DEC/early Jan perhaps?

Would be great news for VA if it did arrive then as they may be able to get OPS going by 16JAN. Currently they have only rebooked pax upto 16 JAN, hpwver new sales are only open from 28FEB.


Wow wow wow... hold up... so VA's first flight to LAX will be operated on 16 JAN? (but only for existing customers, and assuming no further delivery delays)... :eek:


My chances of flying VA may just have come back to life!

[Alex Lui]

Wow wow wow... hold up... so VA's first flight to LAX will be operated on 16 JAN? (but only for existing customers, and assuming no further delivery delays)... :eek:


My chances of flying VA may just have come back to life!

Not likely... Assuming no further delays, launch date is 17th January as I have been told that V Australia have already booked all pax travelling on December - January 16th on other flights.

I have bee told quietly VA want to launch Jan 17th hence not touching those bookings. I have asked to have my flight transferred, but VA have said they will launch by then. :)

Alex

[Bernie P]

Wow wow wow... hold up... so VA's first flight to LAX will be operated on 16 JAN? (but only for existing customers, and assuming no further delivery delays)... :eek:


My chances of flying VA may just have come back to life!

So. Who's a happy little camper now??? :D :D :D

[Shameel Kumar]

Not likely... Assuming no further delays, launch date is 17th January as I have been told that V Australia have already booked all pax travelling on December - January 16th on other flights.

I have bee told quietly VA want to launch Jan 17th hence not touching those bookings. I have asked to have my flight transferred, but VA have said they will launch by then. :)

Alex


Hmm, interesting. Thanks for the info' Alex.


Most likely I will now be flying out on JAN 18, but I took up the offer to be transferred to QF flights since my initial travel dates were prior to VA's new launch date. So now I'm wondering if it's possible to change my second flight (SYD-LAX) on JAN 18 to the VA flight instead of QF (assuming seats are available)?

If that is possible, then it could be a real toss-up between flying VA and their 77W, or QF and their A380...:confused:

[Greg McDonald]

VIRGIN Blue finally has a concrete delivery date for its first V Australia jet, ensuring the new international airline flies before the end of summer.
Relieved V Australia officials will take delivery of the first seven Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on January 26.

The confirmation has allowed Australia's newest international carrier to bring forward its first commercial flight between Sydney and LA to February 26.

Protracted strikes by Boeing machinists in Seattle had forced V Australia to abandon its initial launch date of December 15, costing the firm at least $3 million.

A Virgin Blue spokeswoman said the confirmation was welcome news for the Brisbane-based company.

"Finally the news we've been waiting for. It is all systems go," she said.

The carrier is due to receive its second aircraft before the end of February and has expressed a desire to delay the delivery of the next two aircraft to give it more time to bed down its operations.
.

[Mike W]

will take delivery of the first seven Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on January 26.


That would be a 777-300ER I believe.

Australia Day for first delivery of V Australia's new fleet. Nice!

[Greg McDonald]

That would be a 777-300ER I believe.

Just noticed that myself..all I did was quote the news article. Fixed now.

[Shameel Kumar]

You gotta be kiddin' me!!! :( :(

All this waiting, all this excitement, all this anticipation...and the damn plane will get here just 8 days after I migrate to the States. :(

Ah well, good to finally hear that we have a delivery date. So now we have VH-VOZ arriving on Australia Day... gee whizz, VA/DJ's marketing department has been working overtime. :D

Bittersweet news for me.. :(

[Mike W]

Just noticed that myself..all I did was quote the news article. Fixed now.

I could see it wasn't you who wrote it so please don't take it to be a smarta#se comment, just a slight correction to your quote :)

[Greg McDonald]

No worries Mike. I never took it that way :D

[Bernie P]

V AUSTRALIA has fired the first shot in a new ticket war with Qantas by offering an ultra-low Melbourne-Los Angeles return fare of just $1199.
The bargain offer, which ends on December 29, undercuts by $810 the cheapest fare Qantas charged on the high-profit LA route, reports the Herald Sun.

The tickets are for economy class travel between March 1 and October 24 next year and include the cost of travel on the domestic leg between Melbourne and Sydney.

V Australia, an offshoot of domestic carrier Virgin Blue, had planned to launch this week but was forced to delay because of a long strike by airline workers in the US who were assembling its new Boeing 777 jets.

The maiden Sydney-LA flight will take off on February 27.

V Australia will begin with three direct flights a week, with a daily service from March 21 once its second 361-seat aircraft arrives from Boeing.

V Australia has ordered seven extended-range Boeing 777s, the same aircraft that Emirates uses on its Australia-Dubai route.

The V Australia planes will be configured into three classes.

Scott Swift, executive general manager of V Australia, said international business class would include flat beds and full bar service; premium economy would have wider seats with a self-service bar and food; and the economy section would have wider than normal leather seats and the latest in onboard entertainment.

A third aircraft, to be delivered in March, will operate three LA flights a week, starting on April 1 from Brisbane.

Mr Swift said V Australia would celebrate Australia Day by taking delivery on January 26 of its first aircraft.

Its silver-painted jetliners will feature a Southern Cross logo on a distinctive red tail.

Read the full report in the Herald Sun.
News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24812796-5014090,00.html)

[Bernie P]

Email I received from Matt (Paineairport.com)...

Hi Bernard,

The V Australia 777 might fly early next week and I will have some pictures on the website. I was in the factory about two weeks ago and there was another V Australia in assembly, it was the third on the line so it might be outside in a week or so.

Thanks,

Matt

So Shameel, you had better keep an eye or two out looking!!!

[Bernie P]

Look whats out on the flightline now... Not long NOW until we see one of these birds in the air!!

V-Australia VH-VPD (http://paineairport.com/kpae1553.htm)

[Sarah C]

Look whats out on the flightline now... Not long NOW until we see one of these birds in the air!!

V-Australia VH-VPD (http://paineairport.com/kpae1553.htm)


Thanks for the link Bernie. Nice shot........love seeing the snow at Paine Field like that!

Off topic but the Air Canada service has been cancelled. Don't know if the snow storms in the region they are having has anything to do with it.

[Jamie D]

have a look in the background on this photo too!!

http://paineairport.com/kpae1557.htm

[Bernie P]

have a look in the background on this photo too!!

http://paineairport.com/kpae1557.htm

OMG.... TWO tails!!!! :eek:

[Joseph Saragozza.]

i am sure V-Australia will be doing training flights, but saying that is there any chance one of there 777 will be visiting MEL for some training?


thanks

[Radi K]

i am sure V-Australia will be doing training flights, but saying that is there any chance one of there 777 will be visiting MEL for some training?


thanks

yes, very good chance to see it @ MEL and AVV in FEB.

[Joseph Saragozza.]

AVV?
really?
can not wait! :D

thanks Radi

[Adam Stone]

Courtesy of Airline Route Updates

20081231
V Australia kicks off LA service from 27FEB09

V Australia from 27FEB09 launches 3 weekly Sydney - Los Angeles service.

Service gradually increases to 4 weekly from 15MAR09 and Daily from 20MAR09

Brisbane - Los Angeles 3 weekly flight begins 08APR09.

[Dan Collins]

Another pic posted on A.net. Looking good...

http://www.airliners.net/photo/V-Australia/Boeing-777-3ZG-ER/1461672/L/

Dan

[NickN]

Absolutely awesome scheme, can't wait to see them into YSSY.

[matthew mcdonald]

Are we still looking at an Australia day arrival. If so does anybody have any arrival times.

I realize it is still miles too early so I dont expect any replies to that last bit.

[Marty H]

Another pic posted on A.net. Looking good...

http://www.airliners.net/photo/V-Australia/Boeing-777-3ZG-ER/1461672/L/

Dan

Awesome cannot wait to fly on one of these:D

[lloyd fox]

9TH february arrival in Sydney from another board.

Lloyd

[Anthony T]

Taking delivery at Boeing on the 26th, arriving 1st week in Feb is the latest.

[NickN]

An Australia day arrival would have been very fitting.

[Scott Lindsell]

Nice shot........love seeing the snow at Paine Field like that!

Hey Sarah,
Seeing it is one thing, driving on half a foot of compacted ice is another. At my work we had eight foot snow drifts in December :eek::eek: VERY unusual for Seattle and it makes racing for a photo of this 773 impossible unless you leave a week prior :D
Scott.

[NickN]

VERY unusual for Seattle and it makes racing for a photo of this 773 impossible unless you leave a week prior


I bet your fitness levels are pretty good though! :D

[Nigel C]

Shameel's been very quiet lately..............







ducks...runs....hides....

[Radi K]

As Scott suggests, the B1 flight keeps getting delayed due to the wx. Maybe tomo.

[Shameel Kumar]

Shameel's been very quiet lately..............







ducks...runs....hides....

Hahaha, yes I have been very quiet of late about VA. :)

I've been pretty busy as I am preparing to migrate to USA. I'll be flying off on Jan. 25th now, and I guess a bit of a consolation is that I've managed to get a seat on an A380 (QF11). :)
I've been so busy that I haven't even had to time to do a quick photo-trip-report of my trip to USA and back that I did a few weeks ago. Weather was poor in LAX, but I got a few shots of WN's Shamu..and also only a week after it was re-painted I saw Delta's 744! I'll endeavour to at least post some of those for everyone's viewing pleasure. :)

Finally seeing some new photos of VA's aircraft, I can still say the livery looks great!! Great to finally see things are getting a move along again at PAE (bar the weather up there), but unfortunately I won't be in Australia to see VA's first aircraft be delivered... and believe me, that sucks after all my hype and anticipation (or fanaticism as some of you may call it :D ).

Okay okay, I doesn't just look 'great'... it looks freakin' awesome!!...and that's with all that dull, gloomy weather putting a damper on the colours and tones of the paintjob. In nice sunlight this thing looks perfect (refering to the first ever photo we saw of this aircraft when it had -VGA as its registration). I know you guys will get some great shots of her when she touches down in Sydney (whenever the hell it'll be now... I've given up trying to pick a date!).

[Gerald A]

First flight 8th Jan

Photo link http://paineairport.com/kpae1587.htm

[Greg McDonald]

Nice....

[Radi K]

testing as BOE966
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE966

[Gerald A]

Scott

Is that the 2nd V Australia B777 in the background of this picture http://paineairport.com/kpae1587.htm

[Marty H]

Scott

Is that the 2nd V Australia B777 in the background of this picture http://paineairport.com/kpae1587.htm


Yes that is either number two or three, Im fairly sure when the Boeing strike started there were three at various stages of production.

[Nick W]

Hey guys any update on the arrival date? Would love to get down there and get some pic's
Cheers Nick

[Sarmad Al-Khozaie]

Aus day isn't it ?

[Marty H]

Hey guys any update on the arrival date? Would love to get down there and get some pic's
Cheers Nick

Due to take delivery on the 6th of Feb and arrive into SYD on the 9th of Feb, 26th of Jan it is heading to Victorville for galley fit out.

[Nick W]

Thanks alot Marty :D
I definately try and make it down for this one

[Andrew M]

All of us have been guessing about the date when it has been on their website for about a month :p

http://www.vaustralia.com.au/about-us/media-releases/view-media-releases/P_006976.html

V AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES “NOT DEER CHRISTMAS CHEER” SALE AND GEARS UP FOR 27 FEBRUARY 2009 TAKE OFF
Wednesday 17 December 2008: V Australia Airlines is bringing Australian travellers an early Christmas treat, offering return airfares to the United States of America for up to 45% off the normal economy fare.

V Australia goes on sale today with thousands of $1199* fares up for grabs from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles.

The sale follows confirmation of V Australia’s new launch date of 27 February 2008. The airline’s original launch date of 15 December 2008 was delayed due to industrial action at the Boeing factory in Seattle, which slowed down the delivery of V Australia’s launch aircraft.

V Australia has announced it will take delivery of its first brand new 777-300ER on Australia Day (26 January) with the aircraft due to touch down on Australian soil for the first time on Monday 9 February, following the fit-out of special cabin features post Boeing handover.

The delivery date has paved the way for V Australia to confirm the launch date of Friday 27 February 2009 for its historic trans-Pacific inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. The airline will initially operate three weekly direct services before ramping up to daily flights from 20 March 2009 following the delivery of additional 777-300ER aircraft.

V Australia Executive General Manager, Scott Swift, said, “While we never took our foot off the pedal, the team is now in full flight preparing for the delivery of our first aircraft, subsequent approval processes and of course the actual launch of Australia’s newest long haul airline.”

He continued, “From the outset, we committed to launching an airline that offered an outstanding and innovative three class option across the trans-Pacific. We also committed to offering value for money fares and the $1199* return all-inclusive fare currently on offer is almost half the normal fare and is very much in the spirit of V Australia and the festive season.”

The $1199* sale is for flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles and is on sale now until 29 December 2008 with a travel period 1 March 2009 – 24 October 2009.

V Australia has also confirmed Wednesday 8 April 2009 as the revised launch date for direct Brisbane-Los Angeles flights, with three weekly direct flights to LA, the gateway to the USA.

[Nick W]

I am guessing there will be big turnout for this one :D

[Anthony T]

The 1st two B777's are now on the Australian register as of 05/01/09

VH-VOZ & VH-VPD

Anthony T

[Grahame Hutchison]

VH-VOZ (http://www.16right.com/GetRego.php?Mark=voz&Rhname=&Type=&submit=Search)
VH-VPD (http://www.16right.com/GetRego.php?Mark=vpd&Rhname=&Type=&submit=Search)

[Marty H]

VH-VOZ (http://www.16right.com/GetRego.php?Mark=voz&Rhname=&Type=&submit=Search)
VH-VPD (http://www.16right.com/GetRego.php?Mark=vpd&Rhname=&Type=&submit=Search)

Im reading it correct that VOZ is leased and VPD is owned???

[Anthony T]

Aircraft 1 is leased and the others will be owned by Virgin Blue

Anthony T

[Bob C]

Both are shown as model -3ZGERs and numbers 3 and 4 are also believed to be -3ZGERs.

So does that mean that the designator 3Z has been allocated by Boeing to V Australia or to a leasing company ? I can't find 3Z listed in several of the sites I've visited.

Whatever, I thought that if one was leased and one was owned there would be different designators - ie VH-VUK a B737-8FE is owned by Virgin Blue whereas VH-VUM a B737-8BK is leased from CIT Leasing by Virgin Blue.

[Jason Carruthers]

So does that mean that the designator 3Z has been allocated by Boeing to V Australia or to a leasing company ? I can't find 3Z listed in several of the sites I've visited.

Various websites suggest that ZG is the customer code assigned to V Australia. seem really weird that they skipped several possible codes with the last code KZ. I assume Boeing wil one day go back and reassign codes in between the current range.

http://www.seattle-deliveries.com/boeing-customer-codes.htm
http://www.avcodes.co.uk/boeing.asp
http://www.777fleetpage.com/777fleetpage3.htm




Jason

[Bob C]

Thanks Jason - stupid me - I had ZG in mind but somehow started looking for 3Z instead. Even so, three of the sites I visited don't have ZG listed either so I won't bother referring to them in future.

Interestingly, one of the sites you have, http://www.avcodes.co.uk/boeing.asp , shows ZG allocated to "Virgin Australia" not "V Australia".

Cheers and thanks once again.

[Scott Lindsell]

Not sure if this has been reported before but the belly of the 773ER displays a huge red 'V' simliar to the Emirates and Qatar 777's. Nice touch!

Scott.

[Ray P.]

Absolutely awesome scheme, can't wait to see them into YSSY.


I think the scheme looks a little unassuming. The biggest issue is the size of the V Australia title. I suggest this minor correction:

Before:
442

After:
443

[Tim C]

I think the scheme looks a little unassuming. The biggest issue is the size of the V Australia title. I suggest this minor correction:

Before:
442

After:
443

I agree with your correction looks a lot better. Quite a dull scheme although the dull weather wouldnt be doing it any favours either.

[Shameel Kumar]

Not sure if this has been reported before but the belly of the 773ER displays a huge red 'V' simliar to the Emirates and Qatar 777's. Nice touch!

Scott.

G'day from USA Scott. :)

Just a little correction, it's not just a huge red 'V' that's on the belly, it's the entire 'V Australia' logo. I guess they are following in the footsteps of Emirates and Jetstar.

Just to add a little something new to this thread, during my move to the States, I came across this little suprise at LAX as I went to check-in to my VX (Virgin America) flight. :)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6501/adsc03989mg9.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5359/adsc03993go8.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7449/adsc03992jb5.jpg

Looks like they're all ready to go!!

[Bernie P]

G'day from USA Scott. :)

Just a little correction, it's not just a huge red 'V' that's on the belly, it's the entire 'V Australia' logo. I guess they are following in the footsteps of Emirates and Jetstar.

Just to add a little something new to this thread, during my move to the States, I came across this little suprise at LAX as I went to check-in to my VX (Virgin America) flight. :)

Looks like they're all ready to go!!

Great spotting Shameel... Hope that you are ok in the land of the U S of A!!!

[Jason A]

So what happened to the Australia day launch and arrival of the first aircraft ?

[Nigel C]

Have a browse through the previous 17 pages of this thread, and you'll probably find what you're looking for.

EDIT: I've done the search for you...skip to page 11 and the story begins there. Happy reading!

[lloyd fox]

10AM on 9 feb will be ETA.

Cheers Lloyd

[Scott Lindsell]

Just a little correction, it's not just a huge red 'V' that's on the belly, it's the entire 'V Australia' logo. I guess they are following in the footsteps of Emirates and Jetstar.



Hey Shameel. Yes the 'logo' is there but no 'Australia' wording. Here is a photo from a fellow BFI spotter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65483667@N00/3221085249/sizes/o/

Scott.

[Shameel Kumar]

Hey Shameel. Yes the 'logo' is there but no 'Australia' wording. Here is a photo from a fellow BFI spotter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65483667@N00/3221085249/sizes/o/

Scott.

Woops, my bad Scott... wishful thinking on my part. I looked through older photos and yup it's just the big red 'V' with the Southern Cross white stars.

It looks great in that photo you linked above!! Beautiful bird!

[Shameel Kumar]

Great spotting Shameel... Hope that you are ok in the land of the U S of A!!!

Thanks for the well-wishes Bernie. :)

I'm doing okay for now, feeling sick due to the sudden weather change, so that's why I haven't had the energy to create another trip report, but rest assured it's coming soon. :)

I look forward to lots of photo's of VH-VOZ on her arrival into SYD in a few weeks. Do it for me guys!! :D

[Michael Morrison]

Some pics from the interior of V Aus from PPRUNE

Premium Economy

http://file048b.bebo.com/21/large/2009/01/28/03/4525920200a9970409952l.jpg

Economy

http://file048b.bebo.com/21/large/2009/01/28/03/4525920200a9970409941l.jpg

http://file048b.bebo.com/21/large/2009/01/28/03/4525920200a9970409930l.jpg

[Bernie P]

Some pics from the interior of V Aus from PPRUNE

Economy

http://file048b.bebo.com/21/large/2009/01/28/03/4525920200a9970409941l.jpg

Great pics, great find... Do those outer seats look kind QF A380 to anyone else, or is it just me...???

[Rhys Xanthis]

Seat colours in y make me vomit

[Dan Hammond]

Excellent pics, thanks for sharing

[Bob C]

Did V Australia actually take delivery of VH-VOZ on 26 January, ie Australia Day, as previously suggested ?

If so, I haven't seen it reported anywhere.

And does anyone know when the second frame, VH-VPD, is due for delivery ?

[Shameel Kumar]

Did V Australia actually take delivery of VH-VOZ on 26 January, ie Australia Day, as previously suggested ?

If so, I haven't seen it reported anywhere.

I think the plan was for -VOZ to be 'delivered' to V Australia on Jan. 26, but after that some interior enhancements needed to be completed before the actual delivery date of Feb. 9... so I'm guessing VA/DJ haven't made much of a fuss about getting 'delivery' of the aircraft because it hasn't yet touched down on Australian soil.

But I do understand why you're perplexed Bobby because a quick browse through the Boeing website gives no indication of the handover of -VOZ. :confused::confused:

-

Thanks to Michael M. for posting those interior shots. Although it's not vomit-inducing to me, I can't say I'm overly impressed with the fabric pattern they have chosen. That 'coffee bean' pattern on the seats aren't all that flattering, but I will commend them on mixing it up in terms of seat colours. Economy seats themselves look fairly similar to the current industry standard (mainly just comparing those seats to QF's A380 Y-seats), though I have to admit Qantas did a MUCH better job of the seat-backs. That white plastic contrasting against the black screen and plastic doesn't look all that appealing after you've experienced QF's 'carbon-fibre'-like black plastic seat-backs. Premium Economy looks nice and cosy for a 13-14hr flight across the Pacific!

[Bernie P]

Lucky fella (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4297034/)... Shameel, looks like you JUST missed the opportunity!!!

So does this mean that they WILL have taken delivery prior to the 9th Feb???

[Radi K]

Official delivery occurs in a few hours. Then VH-VOZ flies to Victorville. Back to BFI 5 Feb. 6 Feb is the PR delivery ceremony and then onwards to LAX and eventually SYD as Lloyd has indicated.

[Shameel Kumar]

Lucky fella (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4297034/)... Shameel, looks like you JUST missed the opportunity!!!

How unlucky am I when it comes to seeing VA's first aircraft!! :mad:

I just flew into LAX on Jan. 25th, and I will be heading back down to L.A on Feb. 22nd (driving down there to go see a NASCAR race!)...but VA's delivery flight via LAX just has to be smack-bang in the middle of the dates. Just can't win I say. :mad::(:(

Thanks for the heads-up though. I'll keep an eye out on the local news here to see if anything pops-up..and if by some miracle I can arrange to drive 5hrs down to LAX just to see VH-VOZ then who knows, I -- Shameel Kumar -- may just have the first photos of -VOZ in LAX on this board... haha... I can hear Bernie and Nigel C saying 'wake up Shameel!!' ..:p:D

[Mike W]

Great pics, great find... Do those outer seats look kind QF A380 to anyone else, or is it just me...???

Funny you should say that Bernie. I was thinking the same thing just before I read your post.

Rhys, if those seats make you vomit, go and check out some of the seat combos from the 80's.... you'll be in a coma. Especially when they mixed them up, say orange sets next to blue, etc.

[Michael Morrison]

Thanks to Michael M. for posting those interior shots. !


Don't thank me, I found them on another site (pprune), so they aren't mine!



I dont mind the Y colours - Premium Y looks good.

I saw the bar at the DJ lounge in Sydney and that too did look good.

[Bernie P]

How unlucky am I when it comes to seeing VA's first aircraft!! :mad:

I just flew into LAX on Jan. 25th, and I will be heading back down to L.A on Feb. 22nd (driving down there to go see a NASCAR race!)...but VA's delivery flight via LAX just has to be smack-bang in the middle of the dates. Just can't win I say. :mad::(:(

Thanks for the heads-up though. I'll keep an eye out on the local news here to see if anything pops-up..and if by some miracle I can arrange to drive 5hrs down to LAX just to see VH-VOZ then who knows, I -- Shameel Kumar -- may just have the first photos of -VOZ in LAX on this board... haha... I can hear Bernie and Nigel C saying 'wake up Shameel!!' ..:p:D

Wake Up Shameel... Its only a plane...

Sorry, I just HAD to day it... :D 5 hour drive, where's your loyalty? Now that you're the boards (un)official US reporter for this story, you will have to show some sort of commitment!!!! lol lol lol

[Brad Myer]

The interiors are gross!

I think the new QF B744 interiors are much much better!

QF Y+ also looks better! The V Aust Y+ looks too dark

[Andrew P]

http://file048b.bebo.com/21/large/2009/01/28/03/4525920200a9970409941l.jpg

what's the tags hanging from the roof?

[John C]

The tags are PSU lock outs to stop the oxy masks deploying.

They usually lock out most PSU's and just leave a small number enabled to test the system during "C" flights.

[Mark Howarth]

VH-VOZ has departed for VCV

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/VAU9090

Regards,
Mark

[Scott Lindsell]

Wake Up Shameel... Its only a plane...

Sorry, I just HAD to day it... :D 5 hour drive, where's your loyalty? Now that you're the boards (un)official US reporter for this story, you will have to show some sort of commitment!!!! lol lol lol

Maybe not. Who started this thread anyways? :p

[Bernie P]

Maybe not. Who started this thread anyways? :p

hmmmm... Let me see...

Oh, thats right, that would be YOU!!! :D (although, I suspect that had it NOT been you, the it may very well have been Shameel... ;) )

[Shameel Kumar]

Wake Up Shameel... Its only a plane...

Sorry, I just HAD to day it... :D 5 hour drive, where's your loyalty? Now that you're the boards (un)official US reporter for this story, you will have to show some sort of commitment!!!! lol lol lol

Hahaha.... ease up on me Bernie.. sheeesh...:D:p

I don't think anyone here as any doubts about my loyalty and commitment to the V Australia cause!! :D (trumpets play in the background)

In all honesty though. If it weren't for the fact that I'll be driving down to L.A. for a NASCAR race just a few weeks after the VA delivery tour of LAX, I actually would have made the trek down to LAX to catch a glimpse of -VOZ and get some photos for you guys before she touched down in SYD. But doing the 5 hour drive down to LA and then back (that's 5 hours each way) twice in a matter of weeks is bordering on psychotic even for the looney V Australia nutter that I am. Who knows, maybe in a few months I might head down to LA just a weekend vacation and end up seeing a VA bird then... or fly up to SEA and check out a VA bird during the Boeing Factory Tour (if there are any employees left to operate the tour).

[Michael Mak]

http://paineairport.com/images/kpae4613.jpg

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd VA 77W can be seen in the photo.

[Sarmad Al-Khozaie]

ignore lol.... got carried away

[Michael Morrison]

And here is a 3D walkthrough from their site

http://www.vaustralia.com.au/apps/vaustralia/777-3d-walkthrough/index.html

Looks good!

Also it seems Alaskan will be a V partner

http://www.vaustralia.com/about-us/our-partners/index.htm
& IFE is the RED system which looks pretty similar to Virgin America's

[Oliver Gigacz]

When will the 1st, 2nd and 3rd be delivered.

[Bob C]

Hi Oliver

Refer earlier discussions in this thread.

I believe that the original intention was for the first aircraft, VH-VOZ, to be handed over to V Australia on 26 January then it would be flown to Victorville for installation of special cabin features post Boeing handover. The aircraft is due to arrive in Australia on Monday, 9 February and the revised launch date for services to Los Angeles is 27 February - refer V Australia's website.

Initial services will be three per week, increasing to daily services from 20 March following the delivery of additional aircraft.

And according to Skyliner, -VOZ was flown to Victorville on 28 January and -VPD the following day for installation of the special cabin equipment. So the third aircraft won't be too far behind.

V Australia has also confirmed Wednesday 8 April 2009 as the revised launch date for direct Brisbane-Los Angeles flights, with three weekly direct flights to Los Angeles.

[Scott Lindsell]

Hi Oliver

Refer earlier discussions in this thread.

I believe that the original intention was for the first aircraft, VH-VOZ, to be handed over to V Australia on 26 January then it would be flown to Victorville for installation of special cabin features post Boeing handover. The aircraft is due to arrive in Australia on Monday, 9 February and the revised launch date for services to Los Angeles is 27 February - refer V Australia's website.

Initial services will be three per week, increasing to daily services from 20 March following the delivery of additional aircraft.

And according to Skyliner, -VOZ was flown to Victorville on 28 January and -VPD the following day for installation of the special cabin equipment. So the third aircraft won't be too far behind.

V Australia has also confirmed Wednesday 8 April 2009 as the revised launch date for direct Brisbane-Los Angeles flights, with three weekly direct flights to Los Angeles.

Not to burst a bubble but the third frame hasn't flown yet so if it is anything like the first two, it could be a while although I anticipate only a few weeks.

[Bob C]

Hi Scott

My bubble is fine thanks !!

It's no big deal as there's still nearly 11 weeks before services start from Brisbane to Los Angeles so I guess the third aircraft will be used on that route.

And when I was reading the V Australia website, I noticed Seattle as the second destination after Los Angeles. Have I missed something ?

Cheers

Bob

[Anthony T]

And when I was reading the V Australia website, I noticed Seattle as the second destination after Los Angeles. Have I missed something ?


Connection in LAX with Alaskan

[Bob C]

Thanks Anthony.

Makes me wonder now whether all airlines and airports, for that matter, should differentiate codeshare flights by highlighting them with different colours as it can lead to confusion sometimes.

[Scott Lindsell]

Hi Scott

My bubble is fine thanks !!

It's no big deal as there's still nearly 11 weeks before services start from Brisbane to Los Angeles so I guess the third aircraft will be used on that route.

And when I was reading the V Australia website, I noticed Seattle as the second destination after Los Angeles. Have I missed something ?

Cheers

Bob

Bobby,
Glad to hear that :)
Seattle huh? Would be nice but as Anthony mentioned ..... connection only I imagine still. I think you will see a 787 SYD-SEA in the future with a 787 and only once the economy is stable.
Take care,
Scott.

[Anthony T]

I think you will see a 787 SYD-SEA in the future with a 787 and only once the economy is stable.


If the 787 ever flies :D

[Shameel Kumar]

If the 787 ever flies :D

Ouch!

:p

One day..... someday.

[Erik H. Bakke]

Yeah, the flight and delivery schedule has been up in the air far more than the aircraft itself.

[Shameel Kumar]

Connection in LAX with Alaskan

A tad off-topic, but any reason why VA would codeshare with Alaskan? I know Alaskan has a codeshare agreement with American Airlines, who in-turn have a codeshare with Qantas. I'd imagine a more fitting codeshare for SEA would be Virgin America (being part of the 'Virgin' family and also being located side-by-side at LAX).

Off-topic even further... would it be possible for VA to codeshare with more than one American domestic carrier, or much wiser to go with one large partner only?
(eg: having Virgin America codeshare to SEA, SFO and LAS, but then also having DL/NW codeshare for the rest of the US continent)

[Andrew McLaughlin]

I'd imagine a more fitting codeshare for SEA would be Virgin America (being part of the 'Virgin' family and also being located side-by-side at LAX). Virgin America just don't have the route network, frequencies and therefore the reach yet. VA pax will want more on-travel options than those currently offered by VX.

Off-topic even further... would it be possible for VA to codeshare with more than one American domestic carrier, or much wiser to go with one large partner only?

They can codeshare with multiple partners as long as those partners don't overlap too much or aren't direct competitiors. Most codeshares are agreed to on a route-by-route basis, rather than on a whole-of-airline approach.

Cheers

[Shameel Kumar]

Virgin America just don't have the route network, frequencies and therefore the reach yet. VA pax will want more on-travel options than those currently offered by VX.

Yeah, that's the key drawback with codesharing with VX, but if it is done on a route-by-route basis, then there are a few compelling reasons for VA to be open to the idea of codesharing with VX on certain routes.



They can codeshare with multiple partners as long as those partners don't overlap too much or aren't direct competitiors. Most codeshares are agreed to on a route-by-route basis, rather than on a whole-of-airline approach.

Thanks for explaining that Andrew. :)

[Anthony T]

V Australia are not codesharing with Alaska to Seattle, it is available as a connecting flight with the AS code.