How Much Would YOU Pay to Fly Premium ?

[TraceyL]

How much extra do you think the service in Virgin's PE is ?

 

[BevS97]

Are you trying to see if I am really cheap! I am, no need for a poll

 

[UKDEB]

I haven't voted because I don't think I fit into any of the categories. The first time we flew PE we paid £1100 each, but then it was not available at £395 on top of the brochure price, and that was (comparitively) a bargain at the time. Last time, we paid £750, but again, that seemed good at the time - it was only subsequent to our booking that Virgin started offering the £395 supplement.

This time we're paying £630, so maybe if we go often enough it'll be free eventually!

 

[Disney owl]

it would also depend who was travelling.

If one day, one day please, in the future, when it's just Dh & I travelling would be willing to pay more per person than at the minute & all 5 of us travell.


lat time we went DH offered to upgrade the 2 of us & leave the kidsin economy , but for some reason they said no.

Sue

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've flown in all three Virgin cabins. I don't think the extra benefits you get in PE are that great, so I guess I'd pay about £100 per person extra and think I was getting value for money. Much more than that and I'd rather spend it on an upgraded hotel or Disney/Universal tickets.

Regards

Rob

 

[Enright78]

I'm with Bev here. Even tho it is often just DH and myself, we'd rather spend the money once we've got there!

 

[UKDEB]

Oh, I should also mention that we have paid £700+ for Virgin Economy in peak periods, so I guess it's all relative.

 

[TraceyL]

Sorry Bev, just wanted to post a poll

 

[SidB]

I'd rather travel economy and take a day at Discovery Cove with the cash. Sadly can't really afford either.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I went for brochure price - but hten it would depend on what I'd already paid for the original ticket - and that really depends on whether I'm booking through Virgin Holidays, Virgin Atlantic or a consolidator.

The only problem is that once I had done it I can't go back - I will never fly Economy again across to Florida unless I am connecting so that I can really stretch my legs and have a good old walk around again before I have to get in that seat again - but that's more to do with the tight fit I have in the seat - it would be cheaper for me to go on a diet I know - but that's just madness

 

[neo's white rabbit]

I've only done it once coming back from LA - the flight was v.busy and I didn't fancy a spending the night on a long flight with other people's fractious children. Sympathies and all that, but mine were at home so I was 'child free'!

Curiously I've had Virgin cabin crew tell me it's not worth the extra.

Although, on the flight above, on take-off and landing I had a very nice young man literally between my legs due to the seat configuration for cabin crew in PE on take-off and landing. Highly amusing and the DH wasn't with me either

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by neo's white rabbit
Curiously I've had Virgin cabin crew tell me it's not worth the extra.

Although, on the flight above, on take-off and landing I had a very nice young man literally between my legs due to the seat configuration for cabin crew in PE on take-off and landing. Highly amusing and the DH wasn't with me either

Snap! I also had a very nice Virgin hostess get up close and (almost) personal. The first row of PE seats face a crew jumpseat. When the crew member folds their seat down their legs get very close to the passenger in Row 1. Also like you, Jane was not with me, but on this occasion I was part of a Parliamentary Delegation visiting the US so I didn't think that small talk with the nice young lady from Virgin was a sensible option!

I tend to agree with the Virgin cabin crew who told you PE is not worth the extra money. Its an awful lot of £££ for not much extra IMHO.

Regards

Rob

 

[TraceyL]

I'd rather do DC as well but my DDs are too young

VA economy ticket at the moment are £1900 for the 4 of us (on Expedia). WIth Bon Voyage they have flights into MIA (if there's any available - and they haven't has anything available that I've requested yet ) for £1500 or PE seats into MCO for £2270. Virgin want £3000 for the 4 seats in PE.

Thats' why I'm asking - it may only be £100 extra per seat.

 

[BevS97]

Is that £100 each way, or £100 total, for a total of £400 both ways for PE and direct to MCO rather than the 4 hour drive from Miami, I might consider it (but I know cheapness would win out in the end....)

Bev

 

[neo's white rabbit]

For £50 each way per person it might be worth considering.

Basically what you get is a 2- 2 seat config either side of the aisle with a bigger seat up in the 'bubble' just behind 1st class (or at least you do from LA, not sure about in and out of MCO)

So it's quieter as it's a small cabin.

You get a glass of fizz before take-off but the same meal as Economy.

There's a dedicated desk at check-in which cuts down the queueing and your luggage should come off with 1st class - so hopefully you'll be out of the airport quicker.

Can't think of any other benefits other than those Rob and I experienced if you're in row A

Now if I was going to be brutally honest I think it's a way of Virgin giving us people who are usually back in 'goat class' a feeling of exclusivity while raking it in for themselves!

 

[richard3330]

On all of our visits to Florida we have never paid much more than the brochure price.

The only problem is that once I had done it I can't go back - I will never fly Economy again across to Florida unless I am connecting so that I can really stretch my legs and have a good old walk around again before I have to get in that seat again - but that's more to do with the tight fit I have in the seat - it would be cheaper for me to go on a diet I know - but that's just madness

I totally agree, we will never try Economy now that we have been in PE. We are not the best of fliers by any means, especially DW who HATES flying. We like the quietness and spacious feeling of the PE cabin and the extra cabin crew attention. It makes the flight a lot quicker.

Richard.

 

[UKDEB]

The set-up on the LGW to MCO route is different from other routes, which makes it better IMHO. Premium Economy on the Orlando route occupies the whole of the upstairs cabin (32 seats or thereabouts) with Upper Class downstairs. I have often likened it to being in your own private function room.

Upper Class is downstairs on this route. We have been upgraded to 'proper' Upper Class, i.e. the space right at the front ahead of the doors, <i>and</i> to the 'B' cabin - Upper Class seats, but to the rear of the doors. The two were not comparable and I would be outraged if I paid UC prices and found myself in the 'B' cabin. After boarding the plane first, we then had to endure the rest of the passengers trampling all over us (literally) to get to their seats - not their fault, just a design fault. In the 'proper' Upper Class section, the cabin is laid out as it is in PE, i.e. two seats either side of a wide aisle. In the 'B' cabin, the space is identical to Economy, but with a 2-2-2 confirguration and therefore two narrow aisles. The only bonus was that the upgrade to the 'B' cabin happened on the homeward flight, when all you really want is a nice big comfortable seat. Well, and a large drink . If we were upgraded to the 'B' cabin again we would have to think long and hard before accepting.

On the Orlando route, the PE cabin is divided by an exit with 12 seats in front and 20 behind. We have always managed to get the exit seats and the cabin crew seats fold out in front of those. Sorry to disappoint you Rob and nwr, but far too much space for any knee rubbing!

Here is a link to some photos I posted after our last trip.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=316958

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by UKDEB
Sorry to disappoint you Rob and nwr, but far too much space for any knee rubbing!

Definitely can't see the point in upgrading to PE then

My PE flights have been to JFK and Boston, both had different configuations to the Orlando route. Some of the charter flights to Sanford offered an upgrade for a more modest price than Virgin. Although I've not done this it did look better value for money than the Virgin PE option.

Regards

Rob

 

[TraceyL]

Thanks guys If it was left to me I'd book it now - but I suppose I should consult hubby first Wish he'd hurry up and email me back - its not as if he has anything else to worry about