Mountain Explorer

Umm, the original scheduled flight was back in 2015. Since then, it's been rescheduled several times.

serfty

Sure ... I have modified my post to be more specific.

i.e. It's running 3 weeks late from when seat maps first indicated operation.

It's not looking good for my mid June flight as it's to BNE ...

AzMtnBkr

I've reached out to VA through their Facebook page and someone there is checking to see when the aircraft currently being refitted will be returned to service. I think we know that it's at a facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana USA but that's about it for now. When (if) I get a reply from VA I will post it. As we all know the first refit is typically the hardest and they get easier and faster afterward.

serfty

Apr 29 is now showing 2x3x2 configuration.

New config now from May 1st ...

AzMtnBkr

I see you're in Melbourne. I think my wife and I think of Melbourne as the second greatest city in the world! We will be there in January on a cruise out of Sydney.

markis10

Aircraft did a test flight six hours ago so that is looking a possibility.

serfty

Now showing VA2 on May 1st as old configuration; new configuration for VA2 from May 2nd - all subsequent even numbered May dates.

All odd numbered may dates have reverted to old configuration.

BNE VA8 Flights now don't show new configuration until June 27th.

(My mid June VA8 has reverted to old configuration).

serfty

Sure did: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/V...200Z/KCWF/KCWF

robertw477

My flights end of May and early June show the new config. Hopefully I get the new config. Booked these last year at Delta low level.

Rob

cj1982au

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

Is now on its way from LAX to SYD with the first passengers to experience the refit.

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

Is now in the shop ready for refit.

Aspen

VH-VPD is flying LAX-SYD Saturday April 30

serfty

So, Apr 30 (Departed) for VA2 and May 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ,12 ... for VA1/VA2 until VPH is completed.

ynif209

A couple of months ago, our flight from LAX to SYD on May 31st was changed to the new configuration but I checked today and it is back to the old configuration. Crossing my fingers they change it to the new one again.

Mountain Explorer

Yep, as noted above, only even-numbered days in May (and odd-numbered days in June) get the new config. That is, until the 2nd plane is complete.

la_ponderer

Long time lurker, first time poster..so be kind

I took the LAX-SYD flight with the new hard product this past week and I have to say it lives up to most of the hype given. The crew was new to the configuration (as this was their 2nd time flying it, first coming from Sydney) so they were not as familiar with it and service suffered slightly as a result.

Some notes about the seats: The seatmap that Delta and Virgin show for the new configuration attempt to show a staggered configuration however the offset between the window and aisle seats are not as drastic as they make it seems.

Personally, I would recommend sitting in the first section of J (Row 1-6) as opposed to the back section (Row 8-11) as the front cabin received more attention. (Row 7 is the J Lounge with a four top bar and two lounge seats with a table in the middle.) I was traveling with a companion so we had seats 2D/2G.

I would say row 2-5 are the best companion choices as row 1 is close to the lavatory/kitchen and row 6 is against the J Lounge and the Nespresso machine in the lounge can vibrate a bit. For window seats, row 4/5/9/10 have 3 windows (2.5 if you count the IFE monitor obstruction). Rows 2/6/11 only have 1 window each due to the staggered configuration with the remaining rows having 2 windows.

More to come regarding Food, Service and IFE..