VA 5th Aircraft

[Michael Morrison]

Just looking at the V Aus website and it looks like some of the new frequencies are loaded for Aircraft #5

No new routes - just increases in frequncy on exisitng routes, which must mean they are doing OK.

MEL-JNB goes to 3 weekly TH/SA/TUE
MEL-HKT goes to 2 weekly TH/MO
MEL-LAX goes to 3 weekly SA*/SU/TUE *AM departure
SYD-LAX goes back to daily (from 6 weekly)

So with these increases am I correct in thinking there may still be another day of flying that the aircraft could do?

Perhaps we will see SYD-HKT 1 weekly? Or perhaps we'll just get an extra BNE-HKT flight.

Looks like the other routes remain unchanged.
BNE-LAX stays 3 weekly, BNE-HKT 2 weekly and SYD-NAN 6 weekly.

[Andrew M]

When do they get #5 or do they already have it ?

[Daniel M]

When do these start? I'm doing MEL-LAX in June on a Wednesday, doesn't seem to be a Tuesday or Saturday departure...I'm guessing they start a bit later in the year?

[Michael Morrison]

Looking at their site they all seem to start in mid December.

[Michael Morrison]

Seems this may be their last 777 delivery. The Boeing orders website has a note

Changes since last update: 40 new orders: Virgin Blue Airlines (40 737s). In the Changes category, reduced 777 orders by two.

So they had 7 x 777's on order so once this is delviered all orders would have been fulfilled. I wonder if they will place an order for a smaller aircraft type (330/787) to fly some thiner routes closer to home.... or even to swap the 777 on HKT and use the 777 elsewhere.

Regardless, looks like the no new routes for VA for a while.

[Mike W]

Seems this may be their last 777 delivery. The Boeing orders website has a note

Changes since last update: 40 new orders: Virgin Blue Airlines (40 737s). In the Changes category, reduced 777 orders by two.

Does this include Aircraft that are leased? Would they show up as V Aus? Are they leasing two more and reducing their purchases to suit? Yeah, a lot of questions

[Andrew M]

From memory V Australia has 6 777's on order and 1 lease

So a total of 7 aircraft!

The notes on the Boeing website do not have to relate to V Australia.

Anyone may have canceled a 777 order.

If it was V Australia they would have made an announcement to the ASX.

[Will H]

Does this include Aircraft that are leased? Would they show up as V Aus?

IIRC aircraft purchased by a lessor show up in orders under the lessor.