New Virgin PE site

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

New web site showing the new Premium Economy of Virgin Atlantic

those of you considering going PE its worth a look
(Better put together than the actual VA site in my opinion!)

http://www.alotmorespace.com/

 

[Claire L]

Oh thats much better than the main VA website, good to see they are doing something a little extra to show the new PE

Claire

 

[carolfoy]

thanks Obi

 

[poggs]

As much as its a pretty site and all, I just cant agree with their "a little more" belief. PE cost a fortune more! My flight's in economy on November 26 returning 7th dec. Manchester to Orlando. Cost £809 for 2 adults and one child. (booked in December 06 admittedly). If I elected to go Premium economy its a staggering £2664.80!

I dont think so.......

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

As much as its a pretty site and all, I just cant agree with their "a little more" belief. PE cost a fortune more! My flight's in economy on November 26 returning 7th dec. Manchester to Orlando. Cost £809 for 2 adults and one child. (booked in December 06 admittedly). If I elected to go Premium economy its a staggering £2664.80!

I dont think so.......

On that particular flight maybe, perhaps it full.
However I know of people who have upgraded each way for £199

 

[UKDEB]

Is it just me, or does the site seems to be aimed at the US business market?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Is it just me, or does the site seems to be aimed at the US business market?

That was my take on it.

 

[carolfoy]

Is it just me, or does the site seems to be aimed at the US business market?

I reckon its because they've got the go ahead for a US domestic route so they're going to try and build an American base

 

[MorningGlory]

I have to say, the 'a little more' makes me laugh as well. It was £600pp to upgrade to PE when I was booking my flights. To do this for me and my son would have cost 1.5 times the cost of the original holiday!

£1200 to upgrade 2 people for a holiday that only cost £830 - bizarre.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I have to say, the 'a little more' makes me laugh as well. It was £600pp to upgrade to PE when I was booking my flights. To do this for me and my son would have cost 1.5 times the cost of the original holiday!

£1200 to upgrade 2 people for a holiday that only cost £830 - bizarre.

That is actually quite cheap.
Not everyone wants the cheapest, "bus seat" version of flights to orlando, which is why PE and Upper Class, WT+ and Club World are so popular.
Virgin are actually increasing the amount of PE and UCS in the gatwick/Manchester aircraft due to the demand.
There is a place for both in the market.
£300 each way for extra leg room, wider seats, priority luggage, pre take off champagne, dedicated individual check in desks, food served in proper china, premium travel bag, small seperate cabin. Thats not bad.

Mind you, I pay a minimum of £1,500 per seat for us to go UC/Club World.....

 

[carolfoy]

it is true that the market for UC, WTP, Club etc is increasing but I do think Virgins grasp of plain english is a little off. 'a little more' is not actually right at all. the average price of any upgrade (virgins premium or BAs world traveller plus) is around £250 per sector, Virgins job is to sell the difference and it really does appeal to the business class market when they end up paying their own fares rather than off set it against their expenses

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

it is true that the market for UC, WTP, Club etc is increasing but I do think Virgins grasp of plain english is a little off. 'a little more' is not actually right at all. the average price of any upgrade (virgins premium or BAs world traveller plus) is around £250 per sector, Virgins job is to sell the difference and it really does appeal to the business class market when they end up paying their own fares rather than off set it against their expenses

I think we are agreeing on that one Carol.............

£250 per sector is very cheap. I have paid way over that to fly to Gothenburg.

 

[Claire L]

That is actually quite cheap.
Not everyone wants the cheapest, "bus seat" version of flights to orlando, which is why PE and Upper Class, WT+ and Club World are so popular.
Virgin are actually increasing the amount of PE and UCS in the gatwick/Manchester aircraft due to the demand.
There is a place for both in the market.
£300 each way for extra leg room, wider seats, priority luggage, pre take off champagne, dedicated individual check in desks, food served in proper china, premium travel bag, small seperate cabin. Thats not bad.

Mind you, I pay a minimum of £1,500 per seat for us to go UC/Club World.....

Obi don't forget the extra luggage allowance for PE passengers

Claire

 

[carolfoy]

I think we are agreeing on that one Carol.............

£250 per sector is very cheap. I have paid way over that to fly to Gothenburg.

yes but that's £500 return on a flight, which to most people is basically another economy fare I don't think they can get away with saying 'a little more'. I do agree their product is good though and a compromise on full business class

 

[MorningGlory]

yes but that's £500 return on a flight, which to most people is basically another economy fare I don't think they can get away with saying 'a little more'. I do agree their product is good though and a compromise on full business class

This is exactly what I was thinking.

I have never experienced flying with virgin in any class, so cannot comment on how much PE is worth the extra. But, that extra amount is in no way 'a little more' - it increases the cost of an economy flight to 250% of the original price.

As you said, their grasp of English is just a little off

 

[Revtel]

Our next trip is planned for 28th. November from Manchester.

Economy is £496, Premium Economy is £936

"A lot more for a little more"

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think if anyone regards the prices as too much or not value for money then don't pay it, save your money for better things.

We are flying PE outbound and return next Easter and are paying a significant amount for it, but we are happy to because we know our son will be more comfortable and hopefully able to sleep better.
So for us in Joshua's interest it is worth it.

The thing that dissapoints me is yet again the Manchester planes will be last to get the new re-fit, it wasn't too long ago when they still used the old style jumbo's on the route.

So I agree with Deb that the 'business market' appears the main aim of all this.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Johnny,
the planes of course are the Manchester/Gatwick/Glasgow planes

Whilst it may look like the Man/LGW/GLA planes are the last to be refitted, Virgin atlantic are a scheduled airline and the B & S routes are only a small part of their itinerary. They have to start with the high buisness routes as these are the biggest revenue earners.
the 747's were the l;ast to be refitted with the UCS and that will have an effect.
the Manchester planes are not that old, they are younger than the similar Heathrow 747's.
However and it is a personal preferance I prefer the 747 to the horrible A300, a rattly european piece of kit. the airbus is a smaller tube inside, does seem to shake and rattle a lot more and just overall a horrible plane.
I hope the rumours are ture that VS are going to replace the 747's with the 787 and not the A380!

 

[UKDEB]

Oh, don't say that, Obi. I'm flying LHR to MIA this summer and I'm a nervous flyer. Tell me something good about the Airbus fleet. And, yes, I know they have a better entertainment system.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Oh, don't say that, Obi. I'm flying LHR to MIA this summer and I'm a nervous flyer. Tell me something good about the Airbus fleet. And, yes, I know they have a better entertainment system.

Oh no, they are very safe aircraft!
they will get you there in one piece, I just don't like them.
they have the better seat fitted and better IFE.
I am just an old sod who preferes an aircraft designed in the 1970's