Any idea how the A332 will be crewed? Ex Monarch drivers, AB pilots or internally?

AFAIK it will be all VS employees - probably integrated with all A330 crews as they have taken on others as well as the Monarch people- I know of one BA captain who has joined.

I see a Virgin Atlantic A346 on flight radar Manila to London. Reg G-VNAP. I presume it’s had heavy maintenance at Lufthansa Technik in Manila. Anyone know why it’s been pulled out of storage?

VS has brought various A340s back into service whilst the B787 fleet is grounded due to engine problems.

Ah cheers. Wasn’t even aware of the engine problems of the 787!

RR Trent engine fan blade issue. World dotting with down and out 789s at the moment.

The RR Trent engine flan blade issue problem has been well reported and discussed not only on Pprune but on other aviation websites and has been ongoing for the last year so it's not something that has just occurred and involves various airlines other than Virgin Atlantic.

How long is this issue likely to last?

I should imagine until all the engines on all the affected aircraft are rectified and that doesn't just include VS, I'm not sure how many aircraft are having to have the respective work done but there are some airlines that have already had all theirs replaced as I think it all started with the ANA B788's.

VS are talking about adding PE seats to the ex Air Berlin aircraft. That strikes me as pretty long term.

The engine issues are short term, the A332s are medium term resizing the MAN base. One A346 has been brought back back, G-VNAP currently at Hangar 7 at Gatters in all white scheme. Did they take out all the seats and fittings at end of lease I wonder?

SealinkBF
 

As l reported earlier they are on 4 year leases. :ok:

Looks like the 'short term' AB Airbuses will have yet another unique internal seating arrangement and a different engine type to current own A330s. Presumably the logistical issues associated with both those are outweighed by a quick sourced relatively cheap expansion. The repaint job video of one of the old AB aircraft was nice to watch.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ne...es-love-suite/

I see G-VNAP is now back in service. I watched it arrive at LHR today and I was wondering why it has "a big virgin atlantic thank you" in large letters running the length of the fuselage? Thank you for what?

Maybe it's a thank you to Rolls Royce for the 789 engine issues, which have given VNAP a temporary reprieve from the knackers yard

Logohu: Funnily enough, exactly the same thought occurred to me!

"The paint scheme salutes the work of the 9,000 people around the world who keep our operation running 24/7".

Sleeping Beauty Rejuvenated – welcoming back G-VNAP

Many thanks Dave. Much appreciated.

VS400/1 DXB moving to 787-900 from the winter schedule.

The A330-200s now in operation from MAN.