Is Virgin going through some turmoil due to changes with their fleet? Is anyone privy to their long term plans? I flew on an 'all econ' ex-Tiger A320 from Adl to Per on 15th and tonight they have bumped the A330 to a B737 on the red eye from Per to Syd which is deeply disenchanting save the fact that i was fortunate to retain one of the eight seats on the captains side of the white rope.
From what I know from a year ago the Virgin Regional A320s are used quite frequently on ADL and DRW routes due to a shortage of flight crew for their 737s. Same reason why you see F100s on PER-ADL.
With the downgrade from A330 to 737 I think you may have just been unlucky. They usually only swap aircrafts if it’s really necessary, most likely due to a tech issue with the aircraft
First, Tiger has basically failed in Australia and is nowhere close to being an effective LCC competitor with Jetstar. Hence it's sound business for VA to use ex-Tiger metal for it's mainline brand.
Second, equipment swaps from A330s to B737s on East to West coast transcons are not unusual, and, not isolated to VA. Between QF and VA there will be a handful of downgauges on that route every week. Typically for 'operational' reasons which covers a broad range of things that are entirely usual in the airline business.
While it's unfortunate you've had these 2 experiences, I wouldn't draw any conclusions about VA's fleet. There are literally hundreds of flights every day.
Yesterday's VA569/570 swap from A332 to 738 was due to operational issues, the A332 had already operated VA551/556 of which departed late from SYD resulting in upline delays. If the A332 was left on 569/570 there was a high likelihood that the flight would have been delayed 1-2 hours, such a delay would have run into today's schedule as well
Regarding PER-ADL, its quite simple the route does not sell well in business so the 738 gets assigned to routes where business does sell well. VA still operates some services with 738's along with F100's. While it has not been confirmed from VA it does appear that the A320's are going to replace the F100's in the fleet so the F100's that currently operate on PER-ADL will eventually be replaced by the A320
I just had a quick look. The only flight consistently run on 737 Adelaide to Perth is VA713(although Sunday is F100). Every other flight looks to be run by VARA on F100 or A320 in all economy. Presumably because of a lack of business demand and cheaper labour at VARA.
Actually I quite like the F100. Had a flight from Adelaide to Alice and it was very comfortable. Sure no Business but could not complain about it at all.
I just had a quick look. The only flight consistently run on 737 Adelaide to Perth is VA713(although Sunday is F100). Every other flight looks to be run by VARA on F100 or A320 in all economy. Presumably because of a lack of business demand and cheaper labour at VARA.
Cheaper labour ???
All ground handling is done by the same people, irrespective of whether it's vara or virgin mainline.
I just had a quick look. The only flight consistently run on 737 Adelaide to Perth is VA713(although Sunday is F100). Every other flight looks to be run by VARA on F100 or A320 in all economy. Presumably because of a lack of business demand and cheaper labour at VARA.
Cheaper labour ???
All ground handling is done by the same people, irrespective of whether it's vara or virgin mainline.
What makes you think Grannular was referring to ground crew?
The A320s in the Tiger fleet are very slowly getting converted for use by VARA (The 5th A320 for VARA is due to enter the fleet shortly after it got a re-fit in Singapore a week or two ago), but they don't have the same high density seating as they do on Tiger (162 on VARA vs 180 on Tiger). Despite comments above it appears that F100s aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
The reason they're using them Between ADL/PER & DRW (and also MEL-ADL on weekends) is that the A320s are used almost solely for FIFO charters ex PER Monday - Friday, and with exception to KGI-MEL / MEL-KGI (which is a weekly Friday and Sunday service respectively) and Christmas Island / Cocos Islands flights (Which operate in a triangle routing on Tuesdays and Saturdays) those A320s would otherwise sit idle on the weekend (not enough demand to use A320s instead of F100s intrastate within WA).
I sat next to a virgin tech who confirmed this was happening. First they change the livery and then progressively upgrade the interior. wifi involves redoing some electrical work to ensure no interference I believe.
Actually I quite like the F100. Had a flight from Adelaide to Alice and it was very comfortable. Sure no Business but could not complain about it at all.
Emardee
Emardee
Member since 23 Feb 2017
Total posts 5
Is Virgin going through some turmoil due to changes with their fleet? Is anyone privy to their long term plans? I flew on an 'all econ' ex-Tiger A320 from Adl to Per on 15th and tonight they have bumped the A330 to a B737 on the red eye from Per to Syd which is deeply disenchanting save the fact that i was fortunate to retain one of the eight seats on the captains side of the white rope.
cliff.bond
cliff.bond
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Mar 2019
Total posts 1
From what I know from a year ago the Virgin Regional A320s are used quite frequently on ADL and DRW routes due to a shortage of flight crew for their 737s. Same reason why you see F100s on PER-ADL.
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
I am on the A320 in Apr,
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 291
F100 instead of a 738? Now that's just an insult.
IntegralMan
IntegralMan
Member since 01 Sep 2018
Total posts 8
A couple of points to make here.
qf789
qf789
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Jan 2019
Total posts 4
devilish
devilish
Member since 06 Jan 2015
Total posts 23
If flying Y, from a passenger point of view the F100 is far better than the A320 they fly.
aussiflyer
aussiflyer
Member since 27 Jan 2016
Total posts 41
It looks like VARA now have 4 A320's. The first 2 were ex skywest and the other 2 ex Tiger.
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 283
I just had a quick look. The only flight consistently run on 737 Adelaide to Perth is VA713(although Sunday is F100). Every other flight looks to be run by VARA on F100 or A320 in all economy. Presumably because of a lack of business demand and cheaper labour at VARA.
Stephen D
Stephen D
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 12 Nov 2017
Total posts 42
Actually I quite like the F100. Had a flight from Adelaide to Alice and it was very comfortable. Sure no Business but could not complain about it at all.
Neilwoods
Neilwoods
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 01 Mar 2019
Total posts 3
Cheaper labour ???
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
What makes you think Grannular was referring to ground crew?
squeeowl
squeeowl
Member since 04 Jun 2018
Total posts 2
The A320s in the Tiger fleet are very slowly getting converted for use by VARA (The 5th A320 for VARA is due to enter the fleet shortly after it got a re-fit in Singapore a week or two ago), but they don't have the same high density seating as they do on Tiger (162 on VARA vs 180 on Tiger). Despite comments above it appears that F100s aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
The reason they're using them Between ADL/PER & DRW (and also MEL-ADL on weekends) is that the A320s are used almost solely for FIFO charters ex PER Monday - Friday, and with exception to KGI-MEL / MEL-KGI (which is a weekly Friday and Sunday service respectively) and Christmas Island / Cocos Islands flights (Which operate in a triangle routing on Tuesdays and Saturdays) those A320s would otherwise sit idle on the weekend (not enough demand to use A320s instead of F100s intrastate within WA).
Emardee
Emardee
Member since 23 Feb 2017
Total posts 5
I sat next to a virgin tech who confirmed this was happening. First they change the livery and then progressively upgrade the interior. wifi involves redoing some electrical work to ensure no interference I believe.
Emardee
Emardee
Member since 23 Feb 2017
Total posts 5
Actually I quite like the F100. Had a flight from Adelaide to Alice and it was very comfortable. Sure no Business but could not complain about it at all.
F100 are a good day traveller provided row 1