DJ's business class rollout

[Rowan McKeever]

Morning folks

I read somewhere on the weekend that Virgin were starting business class 737 services from BNE/SYD/MEL to PER yesterday.

I'm curious to know which 737s have the business class product fitted? I'm guessing the obvious ones would be YVA, YIA, YIB, YFC, YFE and YFF, are there others? And does anyone know if VUR and VUS, which are apparently in maintenance in CHC, are being resprayed and having the new product fitted?

Cheers
Rowan

[Jack B]

New product, but I'm not sure about paintjob

[Jack Melon]

Hey Rowan,

Business Class on the 737's from BNE, MEL and SYD start on Wednesday (28th).

These are the current BSI's:
VH-YFC
VH-YFE
VH-YFF
VH-YVA
VH-YIA
VH-YIB
These are the current re-fitted 738's with Business/economy:
VH-BZG
VH-VUR
VH-VUS
VH-VUT
VH-VUU
VH-VUV
VH-VUW
VH-VUU
VH-VUZ

VH-VUX & VH-VUY are next.

As for why they are not getting painted, my opinion would be that they just want them reconfigured as quickly as possible, then start painting later down the track. Don't forget they wont paint near ending leases. Painting takes a couple of days, so they need time to fit in there schedule.
Cheers,
Jack

[Steve S... 2]

Hi...

VUR & VUS are back flying. I put my money on it, that they are still wearing the old red livery as their paint was immaculate being very young aircraft. Anyone seen them?

VUT & VUW are now getting attention, presumably having the same done.

VUU, VUV & VUZ were also withdrawn from service for a week earlier this month.

The new VH-YFH will be rolled off the boeing production line shortly.

Regards,

Steve S

[Rowan McKeever]

Thanks gents. That's a much longer list than I was expecting! Is it basically a production line, so as a couple get done a couple more will go in?

Interesting they're not respraying at the same time, would've thought they'd want to 'get rid of' the old branding as quickly as they could?

Cheers
Rowan

[Andrew Coggan]

Just out of curiosity jack, where did you get that information? 2 very reliable sources have both told me that VH-BZG along with all of the 'red' aircraft you mentioned, still have the old interior.

[Jack Melon]

It's not what you know, it's who you know.

Ill leave you with that.

[Arthur T]

I just wondering is there Inflight Entertainment Available on board planes with New Interior?

[Ash W]

Arthur there is no fixed IFE on the new aircraft.

[Luke A]

Regarding IFE, I read an article yesterday that pointed out DJ is heading towards a ‘streaming’ IFE to portable devices, rather than a fixed system. They hope to have a test aircraft fitted out with the system some time early next year. I’ll post the link tonight. This could be the trend, Virgin America are playing with the idea with a new IFE system to be rolled out, and GOL is also going for the streaming option.

[Matt_L]

Luke, very good!

Now all we need is wifi enabled planes with go go or something and it will be perfect:)

[Justin L]

This article (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/blogs/travellers-check/aircraft-interiors-the-new-airline-battleground-20110926-1ksk2.html) gives some insight on the IFE plans.

[Rowan McKeever]

A bit of an aside, Qantas' facebook page has some pics of the BSI taken on their first BSI-equipped 737. Presumably that will be VZT?

[Luke A]

Good afternoon all,
Here is the article regarding DJs possible new IFE.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/virgin-chief-john-borghetti-takes-the-hi-tech-route-to-go-upmarket/story-e6frg9if-1226144910673

[Jacob P]

Hey Rowan,

i'm pretty sure all aircraft from VZL onwards have the sky interior.

[Gareth U]

Jacob, that is incorrect. There is currently no 737 in the Qantas fleet with the BSI. Deliveries after VZE have PTVs and new seats in both classes, however.

[Jacob P]

cheers mate knew they had PTV so assumed it was BSI too.

[Andrew M]

Portable solutions are for LCC's and nothing else

I don't want to hold my laptop/notebook/iPad on my lap or on the tray-table

Virgin need a proper IFE solution!

Given they have announced RED for their A330's http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-confirms-inflight-entertainment-upgrade it's going to leave yet another different product in their fleet which is already a mis-match of products/services/seating.

[Luke A]

Hi Andrew, I agree. I’m one of the slow ones who has not yet purchased an I-phone or similar device, and would much prefer a ‘fixed IFE’ system. It would be a tricky time when eating a meal during flight and trying to find room for the I-pad or something.

[Justin L]

It's not just Virgin, but many airlines are going for the portable solution, including QF and AA for many benefits including cost and fuel savings.

But could they maybe design a seat back which has a bracket where you can clip in your iPad or other tablet device - effectively making it like current PTV? The brackets would need to be flexible to allow for the major brands to click in. The device would then be out of the way when the tray table in is use.

As electric devices must be switched off on landing, the crew could check that there's no devices in the brackets when collecting the airline issued ones and doing their final seat belt checks, etc.

[Kent Broadhead]

Or install something like this - http://www.thewallee.com/

We've got it at home and the bracket is a simple and solid twist and lock once the ipad is in the case....

[Michael Dawson]

If you have a look at this link

http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-to-replace-business-and-economy-seats-in-current-domestic-aircraft

Jetstars option

http://www.ausbt.com.au/jetstar-to-install-ipad-seats-with-extra-legroom

Virgin has the same seat that Jetstar is looking at ordering but the Jetstar one's will be set up to take the bracket for the iPad. If Virgin was to look at the iPad option I am sure manufacturer BE Aerospace will have some modification that can be done to the back of the seats to allow for this to happen. As has been said in previous posts IFE for airlines is costly for the simple reason it is like any technologies it is outdated the moment you install it. I am sure something will come about eventually and they are possibly observing what QF and JQ are doing at present to make the product better. There was mention a while back that the V Australia business cabin was to be tweaked when they start going for there heavy checks soon, maybe they may make slight tweaks to the economy cabin so that everything falls in to line. Hold in there people I am sure we will find out soon enough.

Cheers

Michael

[Andrew M]

Just because airlines are doing it, doesn't mean it's a good idea!

Any portable solution is a LCC solution hence what Jetstar is doing.. They are cheap, nasty and I NEVER fly them domestically for many many reasons

QF - Only on the old 767's from memory ? Given the 737's are arriving with the Panasonic IFE I suspect all 787's will have the same system

AA - No idea but given the age of their planes it doesn't surprise me.

No-one really wants a portable device sitting on the tray table, the ones that attatch to the seat back are OK but it's just another task for the Flight attendants to do on every flight.

On every VA MEL-SYD or MEL-CBR flight the crew struggle as it is to serve food/drinks to everyone. Adding in an portable device to hand out, take a drivers licence and/or payment and they won't get to serve the whole cabin in time!

[Arthur T]

For shorter routes such as MEL - SYD is it possible to hand Portable IFE to passengers before they get on board but after their tickets are validated? In this case VA will not need to carry portable IFE devices that no one will use?