New VA Refurb 747 Layout

[Elise79]

Seen this posted elsewhere:
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp?type=16&affId=1503186

Not thrilled but knew it was coming. Can see why they have done it - they have gained 8 PE seats at the loss of only 7 E seats.

Will really miss the bubble however it may save me some £££ once we have tried the downstairs PE as it may not be worth the upgrade costs anymore. We never use the luggage allowance and I can live with a longer immigration wait if I am paying less than half the amount to fly.

 

[london75]

I think they've shot themselves in the foot there. No offence but you don't pay that massive premium to be in the bubble with 33 economy passengers.

So 42 pax in the bubble becomes 53, crazy.

 

[Netty]

and economy upstairs get off the plane before PE!
that used to be one of the perks of PE, upstairs off first then the rest of PE and upper then economy.

 

[crabbie1]

I bet they will charge more for those economy seats in the bubble as well. You watch or keep them for check in anyone know when this bright idea begins?

 

[UKDEB]

There's going to be a real scrabble to get those upstairs economy seats.

ETA: Now that they've released the configuration are they allowing seat bookings?

 

[UKDEB]

Well, I've answered my own question. I've just gone into Manage My Booking and it's still saying "seat map unavailable".

 

[Elise79]

The first plane re-enters service mid-may with completion of all 7 by the end of the year.

No PE seat requests now until at least November however they are upgrading the system so who knows when really.

Need to make sure I check in at 24 hour mark for our June flight to hopefully grab some good seats - as if it is the new config I do not want to be in the middle as we are a party of 3.

 

[queendisney]

must admit the downstairs PE cabin looks more appealing now as it will feel more spacious! I think the bubble will feel a bit enclosed with all the extra passengers as its not that big. I certainly wouldn't want to be up there anymore. The extra money I paid was for the peace and quiet and the feeling of space (although you can't be certain of peace and quiet but obviously with less people its generally a lot quieter). On another note what on earth are they gonna do with all the extra hand luggage as we normally had to put our at the back of the cabin because it wouldn't fit in the side storage bins...?

 

[Ciorsdah]

Its all really confusing. I am still able to go in a footer around with my seat choices, but I am on the Airbus A330-300. Not sure which is the new aircraft and which ones they are refurbing!!

I do like sitting "upstairs" on an aeroplane though, all psychological because its always been economy I've done it on (other carriers). I can imagine the rush on those few upstairs seats now!!

 

[marcgiu]

I wonder if anyone can help - me, DW and our 2 DS have PE seats for Dec. When is the earliest that I can request seats?

Also I have only ever sat downstairs with PE - Is there a better place to sit?

 

[Elise79]

I wonder if anyone can help - me, DW and our 2 DS have PE seats for Dec. When is the earliest that I can request seats?

Also I have only ever sat downstairs with PE - Is there a better place to sit?

Its not known at the moment.

From VA site:

We are making some improvements to our seat assignment process. In order to minimise the impact of these changes on our passengers, we need to restrict the number of seats allocated within the system, throughout the period of development. From 9th January 2012 we will only be able to offer advanced seat selection for flights departing before 01 November 2012. This policy applies in every cabin. We will add any updates on progress to our website and when the system changes have been completed, we will once again open up seat assignment to 336 days before each flight.

Please don’t forget that all seats, on every flight will be available to select when check-in opens (this is at -24 hours for mobile and on-line check in). In exceptional circumstances some seat allocations may be moved due to operational requirements.

 

[marcgiu]

Its not known at the moment.

From VA site:

Thanks for the reply - I suppose the best thing is keep checking!!

 

[orangetiggs]

Im hoping for those y seats in bubble! Never had money to flew pe or upper before so would loe the bubble

 

[fairytale]

and economy upstairs get off the plane before PE!
that used to be one of the perks of PE, upstairs off first then the rest of PE and upper then economy.

That was my first thought.

 

[flortlebap]

Gah, no PE on our route from Manchester

 

[wickesy]

Sad to see 'our' seats - 80H and K - become economy seats. All the seats on the plane go to Orlando though so I'm sure I'll get over it next time we fly Virgin.

 

[zippy99]

All the seats on the plane go to Orlando though so I'm sure I'll get over it next, time we fly Virgin.

Very true, I must admit this whole thread has made me chuckle - its like going back a 100 years to the Titanic when first class passengers were mortified at steerage travellers being seen in their presence let alone the fact they even have the means to be on board.

If money was no object we would fly upper class ( but then wouldn't anyone ) for us we are all small so economy gives us the sufficient space and we would prefer to spend more on a better hotel when away. The idea that having economy passengers in the bubble devalues PE, whilst true to a degree does not mean that PE passengers would have a more unpleasant trip - after all money does not buy true class and you could equally be seated next to the family from hell wherever you sit!

But you never know - maybe virgin will vett economy passengers sitting in the bubble to ensure the can be trusted to behave an mix well with those in a higher class!!


(disclaimer: I am a huge fan of irony and study class differences and people's attitudes - do not wish to offend anyone but just wanted to share what I found an amusing outlook on this thread)

 

[Shazzie B]

But you never know - maybe virgin will vett economy passengers sitting in the bubble to ensure the can be trusted to behave an mix well with those in a higher class!! QUOTE]

Well I hope they share their criteria as we're travelling as a party of 12 and I need to work out who sits downstairs on their own

 

[JintyB]

I think they've shot themselves in the foot there. No offence but you don't pay that massive premium to be in the bubble with 33 economy passengers.

So 42 pax in the bubble becomes 53, crazy.

I feel really snobby but that's exactly what I thought! It was a first when we flew in the bubble last year and I'm gutted it can never be like that again.

To be honest, they did stick a couple of people from economy up with us because they got involved in a big argument with people downstairs, so maybe that's the way to get a free upgrade in future?

 

[Netty]

But you never know - maybe virgin will vett economy passengers sitting in the bubble to ensure the can be trusted to behave an mix well with those in a higher class!!

your post made me laugh!!
we have done both economy and pe and the last few years have been pe as dh couldnt face going to economy after being in pe! he was forced back into pe last year though as i wasn't prepared to find the extra money for it and also we had loads of family on the same plane who were in economy! no way will I pay for pe in the bubble now knowing that the riff raff will be there too and get to get off the plane before us!!!
by the way crabbie1 introduced us to pe