Can anyone please advise me of the difference between Virgin Australia's 73H, 73W and 738 planes in regard to business seating.

Can anyone please advise me of the difference between Virgin Australia's 73H, 73W and 738 planes in regard to business seating. Thanks in anticipation.

I don't think there is much difference in the way of business class seating on these aircraft, I do know some have power sockets and some don't. I'm assuming the ones with inseat power are on the newer 73H aircraft but I cannot confirm that.

As far as I know, the 73H are new 737-800 aircraft with the BSI interior, 738 are the older 737-800's with refurbished interior and 73W are the old 737-700s soon to be retired by the end of 2013.

Probly not the exact answer you were looking for in regards to business class seating but hope my reply somewhat useful, if not for you than maybe others reading :) 

Power sockets? Where? I've seen the cut-out spaces on the back of the seat dividers where they *should* be, but never a socket. 

Yup thats it, there are definitely a few aircraft on the network where the cut out spaces have the power socket installed, you can also identify them by a small blue LED light on the lower side of the aisle seat indicating when power is in use :)

Huh - turns it a few BSIs have them. Thanks. 

From what I understand, they have the following meanings...

73H = 737-800 with winglets

73W = 737-700 with winglets

738 = 737-800 no winglets

Source: http://www.airlinecodes.co.uk/arctypes.asp

Oh, and VA have no 738s, all 737s are fitted with winglets.

They must have retro fitted all their older 738's with winglets as they list many aircraft on the network as 738's (eg. VA862 on the 10FEB) these are the older aircraft that have also been refurbished with new seats and business class, but still have the older overhead lockers and panels etc. Hence the 73H are the new aircraft already with winglets and already had the new seats and business class aswell as the BSI interior :)

73H is the BSI aircraft as well as the aircraft they totally refitted. They have 30 rows and no IFE.
738 are the ones with Live2Air still fitted and have 29 rows.
73W is the last 3 or 4 of the 700s they have.

As far as business class seating goes, there is no difference for the 800s. The 700s have a slightly different seat, but its not noticeable. Ive heard these were the original prototype seats they tested, and later installed on 700s. 

Thank you for the information provided so far. It is greatly appreciated.

I have been been a QF customer for many years, I guess as they didn't have a lot of competition.

I am keen to try the VA business business service but read a few of their 737 series planes are still flying with the older premium economy seats and would prefer not to get stuck with those.

Cheers:)

Check your seat map before finalising booking. 

I think all of Virgin Australia's business class on its domestic 737s have the new seats. 

Yeah I think aero-seat is right, I'm pretty sure all the 737s flying domestic have the new business class seats too. If there are any left with premium economy they would be on the trans tasman flights and routes operated by Virgin Australia NZ (formally Pacific Blue), the Embraer 190's are in the process of being refurbished with the new business class seats so there are a few of thoughs around with premium economy but not for long.