First Virgin Atlantic A330-900 Arrives at Heathrow

[seebee]

Today (15 Oct) saw the arrival of the first A330-900 for Virgin Atlantic.

G-VJAZ by See Bee, on Flickr

G-VJAZ (2) by See Bee, on Flickr

A little earlier saw one of the older A330-300 that will be replaced by the 900's.

G-VKSS by See Bee, on Flickr

[Jeff]

I'm not sure they will be replacing the 300s tbh, a lot of new slots have been gained, AFL ones for a start.... VS will be going through a time of increased expansion over the next few years, something they will need airframes for.

[seebee]

To throw some light onto the subject, here is an interesting article dated 4 October reporting on an interview with the Virgin CEO about fleet plans.


The link is below but it is behind a free registration:

www.key.aero/article/virgin-atlantic-ditch-dreamliners-and-go-all-airbus


The contents are:


Virgin Atlantic’s fleet has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past two years.

Key.Aero speaks to the airline’s CEO, Shai Weiss about whether further change is on the cards, the prospect of the return of supersonic flight, and the company’s plan to get back to profitability


Currently comprising 36 aircraft, Virgin’s fleet has been radically reshaped over the past two years in response to the pandemic.


Gone are the majestic Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s, their retirement accelerated by the collapse in demand caused by travel restrictions.


The firm’s roster has become significantly simpler, reducing from six different aircraft types (including sub variants) in 2020, to just three today, but it remains a work in progress.

Virgin is soon to accept its first of 16 A330-900s – earmarked to replace its ten-strong A330-300 fleet - after which its roster will comprise of the A350-1000, the A330-900 and the 787-9.


Speaking to Key.Aero at a press conference last week, Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, said: “First of all, we've simplified our fleet dramatically.

So, we're now down to A350s, A339s and 787s. Do I see a further iteration of that? Possibly one more, but that's not in the next two to three years.”


When pressed on whether further fleet simplification was in the long-term plan, the airline boss replied: “A simple fleet is always a good idea.

It makes for an easier customer experience [as they] know that no matter where they're flying, they're always on the same familiar habitat, which is their home in the sky.

And for us operationally, it makes a huge difference. But we've come a long way.

No more 747s, no A340s, the A330s will be retired and replaced with the A339s and the pilots who fly the A339s are common type-rated with the A350 so we're moving on towards further simplification,

and I see the merits of it, but there are other considerations as well.”



The firm’s Dreamliners have an average fleet age of 6.6 years and the A330-300s its retiring are around ten years old.

This suggests that while the 787s won’t make an exit in the next three years, their future beyond that time is less certain.



Sounds like interesting times ahead for Virgin Atlantic.

[Jeff]

I stand corrected, so the extra 339s over the existing 330s are for the expansion 👍🏻

🙏🏻 Please retire the 787s 😂

[Jeff]

Oct 15, 2022 21:31:55 GMT Jeff said:

I'm not sure they will be replacing the 300s tbh, a lot of new slots have been gained, AFL ones for a start.... VS will be going through a time of increased expansion over the next few years, something they will need airframes for.

www.bnnbloomberg.ca/virgin-atlantic-seeks-new-heathrow-slots-for-expanded-schedule-1.1841056

[seebee]

Today (17 Nov) saw the 2nd A330-900 for Virgin Atlantic G-VTOM arrive as VIR839P at LHR on its delivery flight from Toulouse.

Sadly this time it was in total darkness and on 27R which meant a long range shot.

G-VTOM by See Bee, on Flickr

Hope to see it soon in service and in better conditions.

[Jeff]

Number 3 to the fleet will be cn 2025, this and number 4 plus another 350 will be delivered in the next 6 months

[747gvxlg]

Nov 19, 2022 13:35:28 GMT Jeff said:

Number 3 to the fleet will be cn 2025, this and number 4 plus another 350 will be delivered in the next 6 months

Do you know the registrations for these?

[graham]

Construction list on PlaneBase reckons the next two A339s will be G-VLDY (2025) and G-VJAX (2029). The A350 showing as c/n 605 but no reg details

[747gvxlg]

G-VLDY has now been painted.

www.flickr.com/photos/danraistrick/52540609300/

[seebee]

Here is the 2nd A330-900 G-VTOM in service and arriving on 27L in glorious winter sunshine today:

G-VTOM by See Bee, on Flickr

Now to wait for G-VLDY to be delivered. Does anyone have any schedule for this?

[747gvxlg]

Dec 16, 2022 16:49:36 GMT seebee said:

Here is the 2nd A330-900 G-VTOM in service and arriving on 27L in glorious winter sunshine today:

G-VTOM by See Bee, on Flickr

Now to wait for G-VLDY to be delivered. Does anyone have any schedule for this?

The date that the delivery is currently scheduled for is 30th December, but it has already changed once and considering how recent the first flight was, it will more likely be early 2023.

[Jeff]

With no sign yet of the 333 departing the fleet..... Could it be the problem child the 787 that is being shown the door!!

www.key.aero/article/virgin-atlantic-ditch-dreamliners-and-go-all-airbus

[seebee]

Thanks for the update on delivery schedule 747gvxlg. You were proved right as it was delivered tonight (10 Jan 2023).

Here is Virgin's latest A330-900 G-VLDY on arrival.

Typically it arrived after dark and again on 27R which meant a long range shot.

G-VLDY by See Bee, on Flickr

G-VLDY (2) by See Bee, on Flickr

[seebee]

Here she is just 3 days later in lovely early morning sunshine on her first revenue service into Heathrow as VS12 from Boston.

G-VLDY by See Bee, on Flickr

[billsamuels]

Morning Guys,

Just thought I’d check my Virgin fleet list an this is what I’ve seen in terms of the A330-9’s.

G-VJAZ
G-VTOM
G-VLDY

All now operating, hopefully successfully….

Bill

[Jeff]

Jan 14, 2023 8:16:42 GMT billsamuels said:

Morning Guys,

Just thought I’d check my Virgin fleet list an this is what I’ve seen in terms of the A330-9’s.

G-VJAZ
G-VTOM
G-VLDY

All now operating, hopefully successfully….

Bill

All operating like a Dream! Crew rest in rear hold isn't causing any issues either, which keeps the crew happy 😁

[seebee]

The latest Virgin A330-900 G-VEII arrived this afternoon as VS839P from Toulouse.

Sadly not the best light and on 27R so a long range shot.

G-VEII by See Bee, on Flickr

G-VEII (2) by See Bee, on Flickr

[lordevanelpuss]

So far a full house of A330-900s with G-VJAZ & G-VEII being seen (while enjoying a pint or two & a meal) overflying The Green Man at Bedfont on 9th April. G-VTOM & G-VLDY both being bagged at LHR itself on March 5th.

[Jeff]

G-VBOB 'Soul Rebel' an A351 has been test flying in TLS

[graham]

What's the connection between "BOB" and "Soul Rebel" Jeff?

[Jeff]

Apr 21, 2023 6:42:16 GMT graham said:

What's the connection between "BOB" and "Soul Rebel" Jeff?

Marley I believe!

[graham]

Really? Soul...he must be turning in his grave, poor old Bob...;0)

[airsicksteve]

Apr 21, 2023 11:19:12 GMT graham said:

Really? Soul...he must be turning in his grave, poor old Bob...;0)

Couldn’t resist a quick ‘Goggle’

”Soul Rebel” is a Bob Marley track released in 1970

I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer….        (Lyrics copyright ack)

Subtle name from Virgin there. Nice touch 👍

ATB

[Jeff]

G-VBOB due 24th as VS837P.....arrival window allocated between 14.00 and 15:55

[Jeff]

G-??VR , possibly DEVR has been flight testing at TLS recently

[Jeff]

Feb 16, 2024 9:03:39 GMT Jeff said:

G-??VR , possibly DEVR has been flight testing at TLS recently

G-VNVR "Darling Wendy" ....the Wendy from "Neverland"

[seebee]

Here she is arriving on 27L today on her delivery flight:

G-VNVR by See Bee, on Flickr

[Jeff]

Next delivery is "Ruby Rebel" an A339 registered G-VSRB

[Jeff]

Something I only found out the other day, the new icon on Virgin aircraft depict take off to landing !