VA MAX8 Arrivals
 

Stirling D

rzjets reporting the first max to be msn 65045 ln 8604

Radi K

Can confirm VH-8IA will be sn 65045

It is showing in final assembly

Have pic of the winglets in the Renton factory waiting to be nailed to the first Max 8. Can't post.

This is obviously a big deal for Virgin, any chance of a special livery or an updated logo? Or same, same....

I think the fact the winglets are embargoed suggests a change….

8IA spotted in primer.
https://aviation.flights/boe/737/65045

Looks like the only change is the virgin branding on the inside of the winglet, be interesting to see if the latest issues delay delivery.

But Mark we haven't seen the rest of the aircraft as yet.

Closeup of Winglets

https://twitter.com/bfi_watch_ca350/...725888/photo/1

If you are starved for info.

There are major max production delays at the minute that might affect this delivery due to a defect in the stabilizer.

The 8 B737-8 aircraft for Virgin will be as follows.

VH-8IA, MSN-65045, LN-8604
VH-8IB, MSN-65047, LN-8724
VH-8IC, MSN-66635, LN-8747
VH-8ID, MSN-66638, LN-8863
VH-8IE, MSN-66644, LN-8882
VH-8IF, MSN-66647, LN-8919
VH-8IG, MSN-66648, LN-8905
VH-8IH, MSN-66650, LN-8944

The 8 for MAX-8, the I for International Config & A-Z being the sequential identification.

The aircraft will be configured as 8 Business Class, 30 Economy X, 138 Economy = 176 seats total.

8IA has rolled out in the current va liv, named 'Monkey Mia'
https://twitter.com/bfi_watch_ca350/...634816/photo/1

They've also 'tentatively' increased their MAX schedule

Adelaide – Denpasar eff 31MAR24
Brisbane – Apia eff 01APR24
Brisbane – Denpasar eff 31MAR24
Brisbane – Melbourne eff 31MAR24
Brisbane – Nadi eff 31MAR24
Melbourne – Adelaide eff 31MAR24
Melbourne – Denpasar eff 31MAR24
Melbourne – Hobart eff 31MAR24
Sydney – Apia eff 02APR24

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230508-vans247m8

Virgin acknowledging further delays to Max 8 deliveries, Haneda to launch with 737-700.

http://https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/virgin-australia-boeing-737-max-delivery-delay[/URL]

VBY is in AUH getting updates to make this possible, presumably VBZ following soon after.

The ex KLM 700s can't be upgraded to the required standard.

What update works are required to enable the two -700s to fly to HND?

Satcom (data and voice), second HF radio, ACARS, possibly CPDLC.

Thanks! :)

They would have to change AOCs as well I would think to VAI?

There are only two in the VA stable, VA and VARA that are active, with the Tiger AOC retained for future use.

8IA

Aircraft manufacturer: THE BOEING COMPANY
Aircraft model: 737-8
Registration holder:
ZF FRANCE AIRCRAFT 1
c/o 32/F Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Rd
ADMIRALTY HONG KONG Hong Kong
Registered operator:
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES PTY LTD
PO Box 1034
SPRING HILL Qld 4004
Australia
Serial: 65045
Registration type: Full Registration
Date first registered: 8 May 2023
Registration holder commencement date: 8 May 2023
Registered operator commencement date: 8 May 2023
Country of manufacture: United States of America
Year of manufacture: 2023
Maximum takeoff weight: 81374.00
Engine manufacturer: CFM INTERNATIONAL, S.A.
Engine type: Turbofan
Number of engines: 2
Engine model: LEAP-1B25
Airframe:Power Driven Aeroplane
Propellor model: NOT APPLICABLE
Propellor manufacturer: AIRCRAFT NOT FITTED WITH PROPELLER
Fuel type: Kerosene

VH-8IA had her first flight of 2:22 on 22/05/23 as BOE604

Yep https://twitter.com/thegreatplanes/s...10273270423553

I don't think that's right.
https://www.casa.gov.au/search-centr...sort_order=ASC

VBY and VBZ now on VAI AOC

VH-8IA had another flight yesterday (8/6/23) of 1:38 duration BFI-MWH, again as BOE604. It is scheduled to return to BFI in approximately 3 hours.

https://australianaviation.com.au/20...by-months-end/

AA reporting that VA will get 8IA by the EOM

VBZ departed AUH on Tuesday local time and arrived back in BNE this morning. Both two-class -700s now back in the country ready for HND to start.

I note, unless it's changed, one of the BNE-CNS rotations (arrive CNS ~1100hrs) is scheduled for VBY/Z while the -700s are on HND. Presumably to keep the 'spare' close by in case it's needed for the HND run.

8IA had another test flight yesterday.

Hi Rowan i have noticed from flight schedules that from 11 Sep the 2nd MAX 8 does BNE-CNS AT 0610 AM as VA771 and returning at 1130 am as VA776 from CNS Daily .It then does BNE-PER-BNE daily at 1225 as VA466 returning to BNE as VA471 at 2335 hrs.

The next MAX 8 does BNE-SYD-PER-SYD-BNE from 9 Oct.:)

8IA had another test flight yesterday as BOE604.

May of been a CAP prior to delivery

Due into Brisbane Thursday at 3:55pm VA9947 BFI-KOA-NAN-

Cheers Lloyd, I've been waiting to see those changes (or something similar) show up in the res system. Good to know they're there now :)

ET are reporting 8IA will arrive tomorrow (28th)
https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...7-max-delivery

Must be flying at warp speed lol.
VA's flight status has it at 3:55PM Thursday, 29 June 2023

Arg.. yeah .. normally its AA with this sort of inaccurate articles :rolleyes:

ET is no longer saying that 8IA is arriving tomorrow or 28th June. The first sentence says, Virgin Australia’s first Boeing 737 MAX is expected to arrive this week... They must have changed it after first publishing the article.

Was due to leave early hours of this morning Australia time as VA9947 but looks to keep getting pushed back

Now estimated departure from BFI at 19.14 on 27th around 12.14pm today our time

Cancelled for today, retimed for a 1555 arrival on Friday into BNE.
Departing BFI at 1000L on the 28th.

Looks like a whole bunch of expectant fathers in a maternity ward.

Based on the times in the schedule showing on Flightradar24 I've converted them to the equivalent Australian EST times with dates for the delivery flight of VH-8IA. This is to make it easier for me to follow its progress. I hope that it is of assistance to you as well.

It deps BFI 3:00 29/6; arr KOA 9:25 (6:25 stage length) and overnights. Deps KOA 3:30 30/6; arr NAN 10:10 (6:40); deps NAN 11:00; arr BNE 15:55 (4:55).

Not ideal times to watch its departure from either BFI or KOA and obviously there could be last minute changes to these times and dates etc.