New VA Refurb 747 Layout

[queendisney]

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?

That is exactly how to do it!! We had a couple having a right go at each other and they decided to move the women into 1st class as that was the only space free!!

 

[tinkerpea]

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)

I totally agree
this was my 1st thought aswell,I must admit I was pretty excited to think that I would now be able to afford to fly in the BUBBLE and not have to spend that amount(quite alot when 3 kids and 3 adults go)
I do promise though to try very hard to behave myself whilst sitting up there!!

 

[Claire L]

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.

I am sad to see them go too

 

[dogus12]

We have just been to California flying with Virgin to San Francisco for 5 nights then an internal flight to Los Angeles for Disneyland.

We could book the return seats but unable to book the ones going out to SFO. Tried everyday for two months but just before the 24 hour window we could book the seats.

First booked normal economy class then realised there was an upstairs!
Soon changed our seats to 76JK & 77JK.

I have not enjoyed a flight so much as this one. It felt like personal service with only 33 economy seats, no queues for the toilets, food was excellent and actually had what we ordered from the menu card including a cream tea! There was plenty of leg room and extra space by the window due to the curvature of the plane and no noise really quiet flight. Last on the plane but first off which is idea when you need to get through US boarder control.
If you can’t afford PE then I recommend booking upper deck.

 

[Red-Snapper]

,I must admit I was pretty excited to think that I would now be able to afford to fly in the BUBBLE and not have to spend that amount(quite alot when 3 kids and 3 adults go)
:

I can understand your reaction - you are getting abetter experience for no increase in cost.

The flip side is people paying for the PE experience - are now losing out. There are more people upsstairs - so more crowded and more noise. Only one set of toilits at the front of the bubble - so no separate cabin for PE or a lot of traffic thru the curtain to use the loo - and to finish it off the people paying less at the back of the cabin get off before the PE passengers now....

So we may now have a total reversal of the current position where PE passengers are fighting to reserve seats downstairs in teh separate PE cabin rather than being put up in the bubble.

Really cant understand why VA have made this decision - it certainly doesnt favour their passengers that are paying more for PE on these flights.

 

[dogus12]

Red-Snapper
I could not quite understand what you meant about PE and toilets but it has just dawned on me I was on a different seat layout when flying to SFO Boeing 747-400 (Seating configuration LGW-4)
This has 10 Upperclass and 33 E each class has their own toilet.
I can see Virgin selling these seats at an extra cost, more than E but not as much as PE.

 

[queendisney]

I can see Virgin selling these seats at an extra cost, more than E but not as much as PE.

Yes I think this is going to happen as well. They already charge £30 per person to sit in a 4 of the seats in the back of the 747 (the two seats conf) where there is an extra 1 inch of leg room. Not all the two seats have this but 4 of them do! So I think they are def going to add a premium for the seats in the bubble..

 

[Disneymad]

Well...that was an unexpected development, I assumed they were going to stick Upper up there which made way more sense.

I'm wondering now if Virgin are going to go the way of BA and start charging for pre-booking seats - with the changes to both Economy and PE that would likely get them a good few £££.

 

[tinkerpea]

I can understand your reaction - you are getting abetter experience for no increase in cost.

The flip side is people paying for the PE experience - are now losing out. There are more people upsstairs - so more crowded and more noise. Only one set of toilits at the front of the bubble - so no separate cabin for PE or a lot of traffic thru the curtain to use the loo - and to finish it off the people paying less at the back of the cabin get off before the PE passengers now....

So we may now have a total reversal of the current position where PE passengers are fighting to reserve seats downstairs in teh separate PE cabin rather than being put up in the bubble.

Really cant understand why VA have made this decision - it certainly doesnt favour their passengers that are paying more for PE on these flights.

I suppose you can always save money buy not going PE now!!!

We have flown PE with a number of Airlines, there just happens to be times when we dont as we would rather stay longer at Disney at a Deluxe then upgrade on a 9 hour flight, when we have flown though we must have different expectations from others because aslong as i get the bigger seat, extra leg space and the better food im happy
We generally dont mind if we are off the plane last as when we our with the kids we go through customs pretty quickly by being escorted but i suppose those few extra minutes can make a difference for some.

 

[Red-Snapper]

I suppose you can always save money buy not going PE now!!!

.

Glad you find it funny

 

[Disneymad]

Glad you find it funny

Speaking as someone who only flies PE and will be affected just as much as you...she was just trying to find the light side of the situation.

Personally I find Tinkerpea's response much better than any 'sky is falling' alternative.