You see, even after two years, here I am ready to reply....
As it happens, I am flying back to blighty from LAX with VS this afternoon. Some of your points about the seat are very valid. Unkindly, I've often thought they look like a bunch (or whatever the collective noun is) of urinals. The product was interesting when it was launched but perhaps now is a little tired. However, by far the greatest change since my post of two years ago is the reduction in service level around the dreaded washbags, in-flight beauty therapists, menus and wine-lists. Everything, in fact, that goes towards making a premium cabin premium. I fly them because we get a very good coporate deal, otherwise I might be tempted to look around.
As VS do not fly to Brazil, I am going with BA next week who have a little promo on where you fly out J and back F. Actually, I think you can still get a normal J return but what the heck, it's a good excuse to see how BA are getting on with First after a few years since last experiencing it.