Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Gatwick
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 213
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From: Belfast
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Gatwick
Mrs. FF and I today booked a holiday in Barbados to mark our 25th wedding anniversary next May. We will depart LGW on April 26 and return from BGI on May 7.
We have reserved Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy seats which has added almost £1000 to the bill.
Frankly, is it worth this? There appears to be two versions - one on Heathrow aircraft and the other on the rest of the fleet.
Obviously, we want something a little bit special for a special holiday but the reviews are not quite what I would have expected.
Can anyone offer advice?
We have reserved Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy seats which has added almost £1000 to the bill.
Frankly, is it worth this? There appears to be two versions - one on Heathrow aircraft and the other on the rest of the fleet.
Obviously, we want something a little bit special for a special holiday but the reviews are not quite what I would have expected.
Can anyone offer advice?
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 116
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From: UK
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Before I give my view, let me state that I have NEVER worked for any airline and do not expect to either!
My preferred choice of long haul is VS (VAA) and, since I have to pay my own way, PE is what I choose. In March/April I used them again for LHR/JNB on 744 and CPT/LHR on 346. No complaints. I have used BA WT+ on the same route, which was OK but VS PE had the edge.
You don't say which reviews you read. Personally, I don't take any notice of reviews by people I do not know. That is because I do not know what their idea of 'normal' and 'good' is. I don't know what their cultural history and expectations are etc. Also, some appear to have an axe to grind.
My preferred choice of long haul is VS (VAA) and, since I have to pay my own way, PE is what I choose. In March/April I used them again for LHR/JNB on 744 and CPT/LHR on 346. No complaints. I have used BA WT+ on the same route, which was OK but VS PE had the edge.
You don't say which reviews you read. Personally, I don't take any notice of reviews by people I do not know. That is because I do not know what their idea of 'normal' and 'good' is. I don't know what their cultural history and expectations are etc. Also, some appear to have an axe to grind.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: Greater Aldergrove
ff2,
The 'old' PE on the LGW 744s is still pretty good. I haven't sampled the 'new' PE yet, but in the older version you do get the benefit of larger than normal seating; it's not full recline, but not far from it. We travelled on the upper deck, which was great; very peaceful, and you felt like you were on a different flight from everyone else. If you can select your seat, I would recommend the upper deck, although I think some of the seats are reserved for Virgin Holidays.
Also, the cabin crew seemed more attentive to PE passengers. We had a Glasgow based crew on our PE flight, so maybe it was just Scottish charm, but we certainly felt well looked after. The champagne and brandy nightcaps were also a nice touch.
IFE will be exactly as per the rest of the aircraft.
All in all, it's a price you're never going to be happy paying, but once onboard, I thought it was worth every penny, if only to have the peace and quiet of the PE cabin...enjoy!
The 'old' PE on the LGW 744s is still pretty good. I haven't sampled the 'new' PE yet, but in the older version you do get the benefit of larger than normal seating; it's not full recline, but not far from it. We travelled on the upper deck, which was great; very peaceful, and you felt like you were on a different flight from everyone else. If you can select your seat, I would recommend the upper deck, although I think some of the seats are reserved for Virgin Holidays.
Also, the cabin crew seemed more attentive to PE passengers. We had a Glasgow based crew on our PE flight, so maybe it was just Scottish charm, but we certainly felt well looked after. The champagne and brandy nightcaps were also a nice touch.
IFE will be exactly as per the rest of the aircraft.
All in all, it's a price you're never going to be happy paying, but once onboard, I thought it was worth every penny, if only to have the peace and quiet of the PE cabin...enjoy!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 312
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From: South Warwickshire
If you are a tall person, then without a doubt its better than Econ.
Comments coming back from people who have flown the new A330 PE is that its seems tighter and a bit more claustrophobic than the 747. Plus you have the upper deck PE cabin on the 747 ewhich gives the feeling of exclusivity.
Comments coming back from people who have flown the new A330 PE is that its seems tighter and a bit more claustrophobic than the 747. Plus you have the upper deck PE cabin on the 747 ewhich gives the feeling of exclusivity.
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 158
From: Cornwall
Flew LGW/BGI with Virgin in premium economy a couple of months back, I am Mr Fussy and would say the following. Aircraft, Crew absolutely fine, IFE excellent, On time, everything really good except I found the catering poor out of Gatwick, much better on the inbound strangely.
Worth every penny.
Worth every penny.
Joined: Dec 1998
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From: .
Frankly, is it worth this?
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Fow what it's worth - I'd say that the IFE on most modern carriers is poor. They have all tried to do too much, cram in more features, make it more whizzy and bangy, out do the competition. In this, it was an open goal.
The salesmen of the IFR companies are selling to the marketing people of the carriers - also salesmen. They just swallowed all the glitzy promos and forgot about to investigate the techhy bits too much. But you try asking the carrier for a more basic IFE - but that does it's thing reliably? They wouldn't even finish listening to the question.
Perhaps in 8 or 10 years, it will have stabilised, the technology will have caught up with what it is being asked to do.
Back to the thread after my view biased by having been in IT for 27 odd years and a pax for 45.
The salesmen of the IFR companies are selling to the marketing people of the carriers - also salesmen. They just swallowed all the glitzy promos and forgot about to investigate the techhy bits too much. But you try asking the carrier for a more basic IFE - but that does it's thing reliably? They wouldn't even finish listening to the question.
Perhaps in 8 or 10 years, it will have stabilised, the technology will have caught up with what it is being asked to do.
Back to the thread after my view biased by having been in IT for 27 odd years and a pax for 45.
Person Of Interest
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 842
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From: Keystone Heights, Florida
PaxBoy said it all...I usually travel U/C, but then that's because I use miles...
However, if I were paying, then P/E would be the way to go...Money well spent and do call and find out the A/C type and ammenties before hand...
Doesn't P/E rate the Lounge entry and "Fast Track"??? That alone is worth the extra, in my opinion...
However, if I were paying, then P/E would be the way to go...Money well spent and do call and find out the A/C type and ammenties before hand...
Doesn't P/E rate the Lounge entry and "Fast Track"??? That alone is worth the extra, in my opinion...
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 98
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From: Southern UK
VS consider LGW "leisure" routes, while LHR are "business" - which basically means that they care more about LHR pax than they do LGW ones.
This translates to LGW having older aircraft, with older interiors etc - I regularly get feedback from clients about IFE not working, the interior looking tired etc...
Then again, regular economy out of LGW is supposed to be a total nightmare...
This translates to LGW having older aircraft, with older interiors etc - I regularly get feedback from clients about IFE not working, the interior looking tired etc...
Then again, regular economy out of LGW is supposed to be a total nightmare...
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 43
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From: England
Hi
I'm Crew for VA and i'll try and give you an unbiased view.
I would say it's worth the money but If i were you I would get to check in early in order to get a seat on the upper deck as it's very comfortable out there.
It's fair to say the IFE is a tad ropey but the Gatwick fleet is due to be refurbished from April onwards next year so there is a chance that the aircraft you fly on will have the new cabin interior, updated seats and the new IFE that is currently on the A330's.
Either way I hope you enjoy your flights, as whatever you may read, the crew do try their best to provide a good service and are genuinley interested in doign so.
A340_rulez.
I'm Crew for VA and i'll try and give you an unbiased view.
I would say it's worth the money but If i were you I would get to check in early in order to get a seat on the upper deck as it's very comfortable out there.
It's fair to say the IFE is a tad ropey but the Gatwick fleet is due to be refurbished from April onwards next year so there is a chance that the aircraft you fly on will have the new cabin interior, updated seats and the new IFE that is currently on the A330's.
Either way I hope you enjoy your flights, as whatever you may read, the crew do try their best to provide a good service and are genuinley interested in doign so.
A340_rulez.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 53
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From: Scotland
VS PE v BA WTP+
I have travelled on both VA PE and BA WTP+ transatlanic and I dont think there is much between them. Both are fairly comfortable and the IFE is good but seems a little more unreliable on VS. I find VS crew a little friendlier than BA but both do a good job.
Except....if you can get the top deck PE on a VS 747 then I think that it worth paying £500 each for. Plenty of space, quiet, side pods for storage and comfortable seat. It is as good as an onboard experience needs to be for me.
Except....if you can get the top deck PE on a VS 747 then I think that it worth paying £500 each for. Plenty of space, quiet, side pods for storage and comfortable seat. It is as good as an onboard experience needs to be for me.
