VA MAX8 Arrivals

[Tristan S]

Delivery of 8IH has occurred, she's now on route to MLB.

[Ayden H]

8IH was meant to leave MLB tomorrow morning however VA's website is showing the flight as cancelled, I presume this is due to it being retrofitted with the high density cabin layout (8 business, 174 economy) with 4 rows of Economy X (down from 5)

[James Smith]

8IH left MLB for ONT as VA9947 two and a half hours late on 27/8/24 (US time) and has just left ONT for KOA according to FlightAware. Virgin Flight Status is estimating that 8IHs ETA into BNE will be 14:15 tomorrow Thursday 29/8/24.

[Ayden H]

Seems like I've been misinformed then. Likely didn't have any cabin work done to it then

[James Smith]

Ayden, the Max 8 delivery flights go via MLB to have the wifi antenna fitted and maybe other work to do with the entertainment system. It is performed by STS Aviation Group who do among other aviation work, aircraft inflight connectivity.

If you look at photos posted online of 8IH in BFI with no antenna fitted and then after delivery you will see the antenna installed towards the rear of the fuselage roof. 8IA and 8IC, the first two max's delivered did not visit MLB, probably as Virgin was wanting to take delivery asap to replace the 737-7s on CNS-HND. AFAIK they haven't had them fitted since delivery.

[James Smith]

8IH left KOA on time and FlightAware is showing an estimated arrival time in BNE of 13:33 this afternoon. Virgin Flight Status is showing arrival as 14:00.

[Tristan S]

Originally Posted by James Smith

8IH left KOA on time and FlightAware is showing an estimated arrival time in BNE of 13:33 this afternoon. Virgin Flight Status is showing arrival as 14:00.

FR24 showing arrival of 13:37.. take your pick

[Ayden H]

VA's website is giving me ETA 1400 STA 1415, FR is still saying 1337 though

[Tristan S]

8IH scheduled to operate its first RPT flight on Sunday, 01SEP24, VA314 BNE MEL.

[Stirling D]

8IA is operating BNE-HNL-MLB as VA9946