A340 retirement
Apr 15, 2019, 2:23 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oxford
Programs: Skyteam Elite+, VS Red, HHonours Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 629
I'm not sure there was ever an actual timetable for retirement and even if there was one internally, it must be in tatters with the 787-900 engine issues. Virgin leased the Air Berlin A330s and even un-retired Sleeping Beauty in early 2018 to cover for the Dreamliners so until that issue is fixed and proven to be fixed (see the newly uncovered problems with 787-1000 engines) I wouldn't expect to see any retirement announcements.
Apr 15, 2019, 11:05 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
The last Virgin Atlantic A340 scheduled service will arrive into LHR on 1st November 2019, 2 A340’s will be kept on as ‘Spares’ for a further few months, operating select routes on an adhoc basis.
Apr 15, 2019, 1:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
Virgin insider. Of course as with all things could be subject to change. They are getting 5 A350 over the summer/early autumn with another 2 early 2019. Lots of capacity incoming. Only 6 A340 left too. Last flight currently 31st October (landing 1st Nov). End of Summer season.
Apr 17, 2019, 1:13 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, Virgin Flying Club.
Posts: 124
Ive booked a surprise trip to NYC for my wife's birthday in 3 weeks, and was happy to see the A340 is our chariot for the trip to JFK. Only flown it once before (well twice if you include the return trip) from LHR - JNB in 2012.
We are flying home on the A330 from EWR.
We are flying home on the A330 from EWR.
Oct 15, 2019, 6:47 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL DM & 5MM, WN
Posts: 1,451
On Saturday evening I saw a four engine airliner landing at Tampa while driving into town, which is unusual to see there. And yesterday morning as I caught a flight, there was a Virgin A340 parked out on the ramp. Retiring?
Oct 15, 2019, 7:54 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,196
On the 14th VS operated NFL charter returning the Buccaneers home after their game in London.
thevssource.com is a good place to check on plane movements and unusual flights.
thevssource.com is a good place to check on plane movements and unusual flights.
Oct 19, 2019, 6:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Skymiles Gold
Posts: 643
I booked JFK-LHR for New Years and at booking it was an A340 and I was thrilled to try a quad. But alas it's now an A351. I guess I shouldn't complain about getting to fly a brand new bird, but I really wanted a chance at the A340. (my return is via AMS on a KLM 747 combi.)