VA MAX8 Arrivals

[Rowan McKeever]

I've just finished doing the same maths and was going to ask the same question, thanks James!

[Yusef D]

My guess would be IFC installation:

http://https://www.stsaviationgroup....ts-mod-center/

[Dennis McLean]

I have just looked at the Boeing test flights and Flight Aware, VH-8IB, flying as BOE724, did BFI/MWH/BFI on 5 Nov. That is the last flight showing.

[James Smith]

8IB looks to be flying to MLB, Florida tomorrow 9/11/23 at 11:00am local west coast US time as VA9946. This time should be plus a day and minus 6 hours or 5am Friday 10/11/23 SYD daylight saving time or 4:00am for BNE. See my post #100, Dennis. Source the Virgin website, flight status details.

[James Smith]

VH-8IB, B38M as VA9946 is nearly halfway through its five hour flight to MLB, Florida for what looks to be some technical work there.

[Stuart McCarthy]

Sorry wrong thread

[James Smith]

VH-8IB, B38M as VA9947 is currently nearly halfway between ONT-OGG (Kahului) after flying MLB-ONT earlier Wednesday, US time. She was in MLB from 9-22/11/23.

Virgin Flight Status has the flight continuing our way Thursday morning, US time to NOU which could be a planned refueling stop that may not be needed as the fuel burn is monitored on this sector. The next scheduled sector is NOU-BNE with a scheduled arrival time of 15:50 Friday afternoon. The other two Max deliveries operated nonstop from Hawaii to Brisbane which could also happen with 8IB.

[James Smith]

VH-8IB, is currently flying OGG-BNE with a scheduled arrival time of 13:12 AEST according to Flightaware. The NOU fuel stop looks as though it is not needed.

[MarkR]

Six additional fuel-efficient MAX-8 aircraft to enter the Virgin Australia fleet, bringing MAX-8 order to 14 and total planned latest generation aircraft to 39.
Third MAX-8 arrives in Brisbane from the US today, remaining 11 MAX-8s expected next year with one new aircraft delivered almost every month in 2024.
New MAX-8s to enter domestic and short-haul international routes including Fiji, Bali and Samoa.
DOWNLOAD VIDEO NEWS RELEASE

24 November 2023: Virgin Australia has increased its pipeline of new Boeing MAX family aircraft, with six more MAX-8s scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2024, bringing the airline’s total number of MAX-8s to 14 and total planned latest generation aircraft to 39.

The newest addition to the fleet, ‘Bronte Beach’ will arrive in the airline’s home city of Brisbane this afternoon from the US.

The 11 remaining MAX-8 aircraft are expected to arrive throughout 2024, equating to the delivery of one new aircraft almost every month next year. These new aircraft enable both significant growth and improved fuel efficiency.

New MAX-8 aircraft will reduce emissions by at least 15 per cent per flight compared to older generation 737’s, supporting the airline’s 2030 ambition of reducing carbon emissions intensity by 22 per cent and commitment to targeting net zero emissions by 2050. The MAX-8 aircraft also feature new generation interiors and are 40 per cent quieter than existing 737s.

The existing order of 25 x MAX-10s, with an expected delivery from late 2025, remains in place[1]. The larger MAX-10s will transport more passengers for a similar amount of fuel to current 737 aircraft, resulting in 17 per cent less emissions per seat per trip.

Virgin Australia maintains one of the youngest commercial fleets in Australia, with an average age of 11.7 years. In coming days, work will start on a $110 million interior refresh and product upgrade across the airline’s existing 737s. The first refitted aircraft is scheduled to come out of maintenance in Melbourne in early December, and the project will be completed during the next 18-24 months. The project includes:

Installation of in-seat power for all Business Class and Economy seats.
Installation of new Business Class seats, consistent with the new Boeing MAX-8 aircraft.
Installation of new or refreshed Economy seats, with seat design to be consistent with the new Boeing MAX-8 aircraft.
Introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi and complimentary in-flight entertainment (via a guest’s own personal device) to aircraft not yet upgraded for WiFi.

https://newsroom.virginaustralia.com...aircraft-order

[Radi K]

Originally Posted by Yusef D

My guess would be IFC installation:

http://https://www.stsaviationgroup.com/sts-aviation-group-launches-sts-mod-center/

Thats correct. You can see the antenna in this picture.

https://imgur.com/QWUZy06 - photo by Josh Deitz

8IA and 8IC will get WIFI at a future date.