First two A330neo aircraft with new Business delivered to Virgin Atlantic
The first two of the 16 A330neo that Virgin Atlantic has ordered in recent months have arrived, the first in the UK [...]
Virgin Atlantic
ITA Airways
The first two of the 16 arrived A330neo which Virgin Atlantic ordered last months, the first in the UK to use the upgraded version of the Airbus A330.
In this article:
ITA Airways also has the same aircraft on order, and first deliveries are scheduled for spring 2023.
Wings have been improved and the new engines are based on the technology used on A350s and will be the 14% plus efficient of the previous A330s, allowing save much fuel thus winking both at the wallet but also at the environment.
The most interesting news, however, is that with the new A330neo we will have a new Business Class aboard with a completely redesigned and spacious seat even though it is still on a compact plane.
The A330neo will replace Virgin's entire fleet by the 2027 lets the company know, its arrival also marks the 50° Airbus aircraft that the company has added to its fleet. Its efficient Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines will allow an average fuel consumption of 25%.
The inaugural flight of the first one was on Nov. 12 while it is fresh news that the second A330neo landed in London after 6 different flight tests last Nov. 20.
Nothing beats flying a new plane to a new destination
With Florida inspired food, a band and a Patron cocktail bar onboard, our inaugural A330neo flight to Tampa last week was one to remember. pic.twitter.com/Yeo5keIi6C
- virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) November 12, 2022
The new Business Class on Virgin's new A330neo
Virgin Atlantic had launched the new class Business on its A350s only 3 years ago, so why redesign it again so soon?
Simple, matters of space. The A330 is more compact than the A350, even Qatar Airlines has raised the same issue, the Qsuite is too wide and heavy to be installed on smaller planes. So Virgin took pencil and protractor to redesign spaces without sacrificing comfort.
There will be 30 seats in the booth in Upper Class on 8 rows in staggered 1-2-1 format, subsequently there will be 46 seats Premium and finally 184 places in Economy.
The treat however is another, at the top of the plane in fact there are 2 special seats positioned in the middle, the Retreat Suites.
His "most spacious ever," Virgin said, will have a 2-foot-long bed, a 27-inch touch screen and a footrest that will then be part of the bed:
In this way Virgin will be able to offer a "Business Plus" by going into the countertrend with the market increasingly offering Premium Economy, the hybrid of Economy and Business.
Finally, between the Upper Class and the Premium Class there is a common space, the "The Loft, or an area lounge of 4 seats with a self-service refrigerator available and a beverage dispenser.
There are two 27-inch touchscreens and bathrooms next door that allow you to cool off and relax in flight.
A330neo also on the way for ITA Airways
The new Airbus home model will also arrive in Italy, ITA Airways has indeed signed fleet increase commitments for 2023, and as many as nine Airbus A330neo aircraft will be part of the ITA family.
"We look forward to welcoming the A330neo, powered by the Trent 7000, into our fleet. The engine is an important part of our business plan and our goal of operating a new environmentally friendly fleet."
Francesco Presicce, ITA Airways, Chief Technology Officer
With the A330neo, ITA Airways will mark new routes and new developments for the Italian company, who knows if ITA will also introduce a new Business optimized for the A330neo.
