VA Trans-Con equipment changes.

[Anthony T]

Subject to confirmation from VA

Effective 28OCT12

A330-200 replaces B737-800 as follows :

Melbourne-Perth
DJ679 MEL0830-0955PER 332 D
DJ685 MEL1315-1440PER 332 D
DJ697 MEL2030-2155PER 332 D

Perth-Melbourne
DJ690 PER1210-1840MEL 332 D
DJ694 PER1700-2330MEL 332 D
DJ698 PER2350-0620+1MEL 332 D

Sydney-Perth
DJ559 SYD1220-1435PER 332 D

Perth-Sydney
DJ564 PER1530-2230SYD 332 D

Melbourne-Sydney
DJ815 MEL0730-0855SYD 332 D
DJ833 MEL1000-1125SYD 332 D

Sydney-Melbourne
DJ812 SYD0730-0915MEL 332 D
DJ830 SYD1000-1135MEL 332 D

[Jarden S]

Will this be operated with their 3rd and 4th A330s coming direct from Airbus?

[Oliver Gigacz]

Yes, at the moment the latest Airbus production lists have three new build A330s for Virgin Australia.

This will also mean there will have to be another A330 ready gate at T3.

[Alexander.L]

T3? Isn't that a Qantas Exculsive Terminal.

[Stefan Perkas]

I think Oliver was talking about T3 in Melbourne, which is the Virgin Terminal.

[Alexander.L]

Oh ok!

[Michael Mak]

When will be the #3,4,5 332 arrive?

[Radi K]

2 in April, 1 in June.

[Michael Mak]

Thanks Radi.

According to Planespotters.net, the regos for them will be VH-XFC/D/E.

http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A330/1293,VH-XFC-Virgin-Australia.php
http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A330/1306,VH-XFD-Virgin-Australia.php
http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A330/1319,VH-XFE-Virgin-Australia.php

[Oliver Gigacz]

The fuselage sections for XFC arrived in TLS last week.

[lloyd fox]

2 in April, 1 in June.

So the 2 that arrive in June could end up anywhere between June and October ???

[Mitchell S]

They need to refit vh-zfa and vh-xfb before they can enter servies

[Radi K]

They are slated to start MEL-PER services earlier then Oct.

Daily MEL-SYD-MEL as well.

But you won't see them anywhere but PER from the east coast (inc BNE) during 2012.

As mentioned, XFA and XFB are due for a heavy check/upgrade, after April so the fleet will be 1 down for a few months.

[John C]

Oliver XFC fues sections didn't arrive in TLS last week, it should be out of the paint shop by now, it was assembled without an interior or engines hung in late December.

[Rob R]

Also heard the third one was in the paint shop last week.

[Oliver Gigacz]

Sorry John, a typo. The fuselage sections were for XFE

[Rowan McKeever]

Hey guys!

Been a while since I was last in MEL... which gate/s does VA have as A330-ready??

Cheers
Rowan

[Will H]

Yes, at the moment the latest Airbus production lists have three new build A330s for Virgin Australia.

Interesting. Last word from V was that #3 and #4 were new from Airbus and #5 from EK. I wonder if V is still considering ex-EK or has concluded it's too much trouble?

Oliver XFC fues sections didn't arrive in TLS last week, it should be out of the paint shop by now, it was assembled without an interior or engines hung in late December.
What's the hold up?


As mentioned, XFA and XFB are due for a heavy check/upgrade, after April so the fleet will be 1 down for a few months.
Hard to say down - it's more like one new A330 enters service, allowing an old one to go into mx and retrofit, and then repeat. Full fleet won't be operationally ready until after April.

[Kain C]

http://blog.virginaustralia.com/news/virgin-australia-now-flying-to-emerald-plus-adds-airbus-a330-services-from-melbourne/

From May 14th 2012, the Airbus A330 will operate two daily return services including a daily peak-return morning service from Melbourne to Sydney.


Airbus A330 VH-XFB takes off
Daily Airbus A330 flights to Perth will depart at 1pm and 5.30pm local Melbourne time, arriving Perth at 3.15pm and 7.45pm respectively local Perth time.

Return flights from Perth depart at 8.30am and 5.30pm local Perth time, arriving in Melbourne at 1.45pm and 10.45pm respectively local Melbourne time.

The daily Airbus A330 service between Melbourne and Sydney will depart at 7.15am local Melbourne time, arriving Sydney at 8.40am. The return service will depart Sydney at 10.00am local Sydney time, arriving Melbourne at 11.35am.

By already having our designer Lounge at Melbourne Domestic Airport, and thanks to the wide-body Airbus, we will now be able to offer our full premium Business and Economy class service, for our guests that fly out of Melbourne as well as Sydney and Perth.

[Ben Smith]

Hey guys!

Been a while since I was last in MEL... which gate/s does VA have as A330-ready??

Cheers
Rowan
The only gate they've been using in MEL so far for the weekly A330 flights to from SYD is gate 12 which is on the southern side of pier F where there is plenty of space.

My uneducated guess is that gate 13 on the opposite side of pier F would be a candidate, but it appears there will need to be quite some work, particularly in regard to the dual taxi way set up between pier E and F.

See nearmap (http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-37.672196,144.846658&z=18&t=k&nmd=20111205) to see what I mean.