VA 777 refit woes

[juliusg]

VH-VPD went into refit for the new J class seating late February - and the 40 day job remains not completed as we approach day 60. Last week's press trip to LA for the reveal was cancelled due to problems with the seat, according to David Flynn from ABT. (http://www.pprune.org/www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/virgin-australia-velocity/va-777-new-business-class-71611-new-post.html)

So does anyone know what is going on? The cost blowout for five frames offline 50% longer than planned will be eyewatering....

[Falling Leaf]

Its business 101; sell the aircraft that make you money, spend millions tarting up the aircraft that lose millions. :D

[Higs]

They have become a true legacy carrier! How the hell did they allow such cost blowout's. Everything from the A/C choices to wages and crew hotels is similar to Qantas. All this and the Airline is less than 15 years old.. Don't think for one second that SQ etc will come riding in on a white horse and save the day, Ansett proved that....

[Goat Whisperer]

just because the first one blows out by 20 days/50% doesn't mean they all will.

[mattyj]

just because the first one blows out by 20 days/50% doesn't mean they all will.

Borghetti is all about improving his numbers so look for 25 days/60% for the second and 30/70 after that

[cavemanzk]

So the NZ credit card is maxxed out, and wont give VA anymore money to finish the project?

Bare in mind that the media was meant to fly to LAX, on the same day that NZ said they wanted out of VA. Then suddenly the media trip was candled.

[chuboy]

If Zodiac are providing the seats, let it not go unsaid that Virgin aren't the first to suffer delays in getting cabin fitouts. I doubt they'll be the last either.

A number of operators have had to deal with delays because production of either the seats or lavatories is behind schedule.

[Falling Leaf]

production of either the seats or lavatories is behind schedule.

Would you take an aircraft off the line and start dismantling the interior at great cost without confirming that the seats and/or lavatories are ready? :ugh:

Can just imagine that exchange…'oh sorry, seats not ready for another 3 months...':rolleyes:

[Freehills]

Because the aircraft almost certainly was due a hangar check anyway, so scheduling a refit at the same time makes sense.

Alternative is to send it to the hanger for 20-30 days, then send it back in for 40 days when the seats are ready

[virginexcess]

The problem isn't the time blowout with the seats installation. The problem is the stupidity of persisting with an operation that comprises 5 777's. In his fleeting time with Virgin, previous COO was heard to have said "if we still have only 5 777's in 5 years we have done something wrong"........................????????

He's long gone, but the 5 777's are still here.

Maybe the insanity of having 3 shareholders with competing interests was something that he considered limiting to the business. Just saying.

[Gate_15L]

And would this be the same COO that is now Head of Qantas International?

Talking about the a$$ you kick today is the a$$ you may have to kiss tomorrow....:rolleyes:

[Vorsicht]

As it happens, no it wasn't that same COO. It was the next one. The one you refer to was part of the circus that ordered and optioned 13 of the F*ckers without any idea where to send them!

[rexxxxxy]

It's just not delayed this time - remember the upgrade was supposed to start late 2015.

They already lost a heap of $$ selling dirt cheap Abu Dhabi flights after they got re-instated at the last minute.

[juliusg]

Today's supposedly when VPD does the VA8 to Brisbane, can't see the floorplan vioa a dummy booking. Anyone know if it has emerged with the new fittout??

[1a sound asleep]

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHVPD

[rexxxxxy]

29th apparently now. :D