Virgin Upper Class

[atco-matic]

Hi guys, recently had the good fortune to be upgraded from Premium to Upper coming back from JNB.

This in itself was very nice- crew were good and I liked the service (apart from the awful picnic cutlery- might as well just throw the carrots from the salad on the floor!).

However, I found the seat in Upper Class very uncomfortable to sleep on. The padding on the seat was very hard, and this coupled with the smooth material it was covered with meant I kept slipping down the seat when it was reclined. I am only average height(5'11) but I found that the seat was not long enough for me, and my feet were jammed up against the underside of the seat in front, when my seat was reclined. In actual fact, I found the seat in Premium Economy was more comfortable (but only just!).

Certainly didn't think you could compare it to either of BA's premium class seats- in fact it makes me quite annoyed when Branson makes out he's competing against BA, when the two airlines premium products are so different.

[Tomb Raider]

Atco,. .Couldn't agree more.Have also just flown in Upper,and although impressive looking,it was like jumping into an XK8 and finding a Moggie Minor engine under the bonnet.Very dissapointing.

I found the seats uncomfortable even to sit on(I have never encountered "numb bum" syndrome so often...even in economy!Sleeping was a no-go.Not sure I could have slept even if they were horizontal!

I thought service "mediocre".Thought I'd be able to eat when "I" wanted(Freedom menu),instead,served when crew decided I wanted to eat...as in economy.

Crew,although pleasant,unprofessional in their grasp of what is advertised as "First Class at a Business fare"I consider opening a bottle on vino correctly as elementary.It was poured through what I can only describe as "foreskin" (the cork pulled straight out of bottle without removing top)resulting in me getting it all over the tray and an apologetic steward.Stewardess later came to remove tablecloths and just picked it up,leaving me with all the crumbs and whatever else was on the tray,nicely in my lap!!. .Began to think I had pissed someone off!!Mind you, I had been upgraded,so shouldn't complain too much,however,would not have been best pleased overall had I paid full fare!

I'm afraid Mr Branson,in my opinion,has wasted a large amount of cash on those seats.I far prefered the old ones for comfort.I agree,BA's more comfy!!

[atco-matic]

Well yes, now you come to mention it, the service was a bit hurried! ''yes you can eat anytime, but can we take your order NOW!!! come on come on!!!and what wine would you like and what breakfast in the morning...'' and we hadn't even left the gate yet!!

I think this eat anytime thing is not popular (with crew or passengers) from what I hear, cos it often means that at 3am you want to sleep when the stranger next to you wants to eat!

I know on night flights the crew like to get everything done quickly so that we(or is it they?) can sleep, but I remember being on Virgin once in Premium and having the after dinner drinks served 2 minutes after coffee and before I had even finished my main course!

[Pax101]

Having had the good fortune to work for a company that flies me Upper Class for long-haul business (blanket policy that over 9 hours we fly 'J' <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> ), I've had a rather different take on VS Upper.

I do agree with you about the new seats atco - definitely not up to BA standards. I've also found that when flat there is an uncomfortable ridge in my back - not conducive to sleeping well or waking up in comfort.

However I'm afraid I have to dispute your point about service <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> . I've always been very impressed - courteous and helpful crew (from clubhouse all they way through to arrivals) - and certainly haven't had the food service problems described. That said, I never tried the "any time" concept - I'd rather eat at the sensible time then (try to) sleep. (I bet the FAs would be a bit stressed if every single pax decided to eat at a different time)

But what I really REALLY do like are the trimmings. Being able to get up and walk around, go sit at the bar, is great. I can certainly never sleep for 11 hours straight in any airliner, and I really hate feeling I can't get up and go anywhere else 'coz all the other pax are asleep and in the way! And the massage... Stephen Fry has it in a nutshell :)

I know "other airlines" are changing, but I'm afraid I (and a lot of others I frequently travel with) still have a rather negative view of the service levels. It's saying something when even the cabin crew prefer to fly with a different airline for their own leisure...

Seats - waste of money.. .Quality of service - top notch.. .Concept and trimmings - best in the world, and I include my one experience with "traditional" first class.

2 out of 3 ain't that bad in my book, but I reckon they should have thought about the feedback from those seats before the refit progressed too far.