New A330 first flight

[ChipnDaleRule]

New A330 flying out of Manchester this morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po2JtTYA0po

 

[Clare D]

Wow! I didn't think it was going fast enough to get off the ground

 

[Eliza32]

Me neither!!! Anyone know what her name is??

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

According to sister in law, who works at the airport, she has no name yet.

 

[Disneymadhouse]

I paused it to try to read what the two words or names are under the "lady" but couldn't read what it said - it was too blurred!

Claire

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

Think I read somewhere she was called Beauty Queen, but not 100% sure...

I will let you know on the 27th April when I have travelled on her

 

[taylor91]

How exciting Looking forward to the new planes

 

[Elise79]

There photos on Virgin Atlantic's facebook page

 

[T16GEM]

How many new ones are there?

 

[amacspad]

Aww, wish I knew it was flying out today, I live 5 mins from the airport so cud have watched it (too busy nursing a hangover lol)

Debs x

 

[Elise79]

How many new ones are there?

One at the moment with a second entering service by May.

 

[darthtatty]

Think I read somewhere she was called Beauty Queen, but not 100% sure...

I will let you know on the 27th April when I have travelled on her

yeah shes called Beauty queen.xx

 

[T16GEM]

One at the moment with a second entering service by May.

Oh Exciting then! I showed DD the video last night, I didn't realise that it will be the actual one we are going on!

 

[skelfbsfb]

Wow! I didn't think it was going fast enough to get off the ground

Agree thought it was really slow on take off.

 

[nipperlocko]

How many new ones are there?

There will be 10 altogether going into service this year, 6 owned outright by virgin and 4 leased , I know this as I work on the A330 for airbus at its Chester plant, and have been involved in the production of all the A330`s they`ve bought this year, just for info, they also have 3 A 380 and 50 A 350 XWB on order as well.

 

[Red-Snapper]

There will be 10 altogether going into service this year, 6 owned outright by virgin and 4 leased

I'm not sure that is right ?

Whilst VA may have bought 10 only 2 are going into service with them this year. The others are leased elsewhere.

Think that is right.......

 

[nipperlocko]

There will be 10 altogether going into service this year, 6 owned outright by virgin and 4 leased

I'm not sure that is right ?

Whilst VA may have bought 10 only 2 are going into service with them this year. The others are leased elsewhere.

Think that is right.......

we built all 10 of them last year, we see all the msn`s and owners as they come through, and only 6 of them are directly owned by VA the rest I think are leased through a dutch firm, it takes a lt takes several weeks for them all to come off the final assembly line in toulouse and go through flight tests and not all of them might be used for Florida, all the 747`s they use I think are leased and will be phased out over a period of time, I believe VA might be going airbus only for the future, they did place an order for I think it was 22 boeing dreamliners which are very similar to our brand new A 350 XWB`S, but the dreamliner is struggling to get an air worthyness licence, and yes you could be right with saying only 2 will be in the air this year for florida from manchester, I don`t hold that info

 

[Red-Snapper]

No - I am saying only 2 being used by Virgin this year - fullstop not 2 Manchester and the rest gatwick....

 

[Funky_dino]

With them obv using the Airbus's are they going to be charging to same prices as their jumbos?

Because if that is the case I would rather fly PE with thompson, on the same style planes for less

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

OK, I will try and help here
First of all, the A330's servicing the B & S routes (Bucket and Spade) will be two class configurations, PE and Economy.

The situation regarding the A330's is currently this:-

G-VGEM 343X Due 2011 To be leased to China Airlines as B18392

G-VINE 343X Due 2011 To be leased to China Airlines as B?????

G-VKSS 343X Delivered 28 Feb 2011, Mademoiselle Rouge
Registered 28 Feb 11 Tolouse - Zurich 28 Feb 11 for fitting
Zurich - Gatwick 26 Mar 2011

G-VLUV 343X Due 2011 To be leased to China Airlines as B18391

G-VSXY 343X Delivered 24th Feb 2011Beauty Queen
Regd 24 Feb 2011
Tolouse - Zurich 24 Feb 2011 for fitting
Zurich - Gatwick 14 Mar 2011

G-???? (X 5 aircraft) On Order, Due from April 2012

As for the A380's

6 ordered, plus options on further 6, delivery first one due 2013 the others no set delivery date yet

There are also 15 B787's on order (thank God!) plus 8 options and 20 purchase rights delivery yet to be detailed

Hope that helps