Not liking the refitted VA planes

[Disneynutinlondon]

Oh my goodness just took a look at the seat config of the new refitted 747s on the LGW - MCO flight and I have to say I do not like it at all

We usually fly PE as DH is a little large and likes to be comfortable and we've previously always sat in the bubble. Now it seems they've replaced half the PE seats in the bubble with economy seats with the 2 toilets in the front so there will be lots of people constantly walking up and down the aisle

I guess we'll be sitting downstairs from now on

 

[Red-Snapper]

Interstingly on "another forum" I have seen economy passengers very excited at the chance to sit in the bubble - you cant please everyone I guess.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Very true doesn't the saying go "you can't please all of the people all of the time, just half of the people half of the time"

I guess we've been spoilt by having the bubble to ourselves up till now and I can understand economy passengers happiness at being able to go up there doesn't help how I feel though

 

[Elise79]

We feel the same however after sulking I have decided to look the positive - sitting downstairs we will be off the plane evn quicker and further forward in the immigration line. The purple seats are a bit better for sleeping for me as they have adjustable wings on the headrest.

Will miss the bubble though

 

[darthtatty]

I thought they looked really nice.
Loved the colours of them, cant wait to see more pictures

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Yes my lot will think we've been down graded not sitting in the bubble

Not sure about getting off the plane quicker as they let Upper Class off first, then people seated in the bubble, then downstairs so if you're sitting PE downstairs it may well take longer to get through immigration

Looking at the plan it seems they have squeezed LOADS more economy seats in

 

[ALBA]

I must admit I think the decision to put economy in the bubble is a big mistake on virgins part.

What about the pre departure drinks, are they going to serve the front half of the bubble and ignore the back part? There was always better service in the bubble as there was two dedicated cabin crew for that cabin and slightly different meals, are they going to have two sets of meals? Very odd decision indeed. I usually travel in the bubble but the new set up would perhaps put me off. Is there going to be a curtain dividing the two areas like there sometimes is between classes?

I don't think it will be a problem with disembarking the aircraft if you are in the bubble as they tend to disembark upper and PE downstairs and the bubble at the same time, it depends how long people take in the bubble to get downstairs.



Alba

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I must admit I think the decision to put economy in the bubble is a big mistake on virgins part.

What about the pre departure drinks, are they going to serve the front half of the bubble and ignore the back part? There was always better service in the bubble as there was two dedicated cabin crew for that cabin and slightly different meals, are they going to have two sets of meals? Very odd decision indeed. I usually travel in the bubble but the new set up would perhaps put me off. Is there going to be a curtain dividing the two areas like there sometimes is between classes?

I don't think it will be a problem with disembarking the aircraft if you are in the bubble as they tend to disembark upper and PE downstairs and the bubble at the same time, it depends how long people take in the bubble to get downstairs.



Alba

My eldest totally agrees with you.

Can't see how they can put a curtain across to separate PE and Econ in the bubble as the only toilets are in the front so are they going to send the Econ passengers downstairs to go to the loo ???

Yes I think they Virgin have made a mistake in terms of PR for the PE passengers but on a purely financial aspect I guess they will make more money by getting in more Econ passengers

 

[ALBA]

I looked at the refitted aircraft video and towards the end of the video it shows the economy & pe seats in the bubble. Interestingly enough it looks like there is a curtain behind the last row of PE seats in front of the emergency exit.....very odd.

Alba

 

[RDP]

Well, I for one can't wait to sample the new economy cabins, bubble or no bubble. New Straw and all the hay we can eat

 

[crabbie1]

When are they using the new 747 from Manchester out of interest as both our flights in August are on the 747.

 

[Elise79]

Yes my lot will think we've been down graded not sitting in the bubble

Not sure about getting off the plane quicker as they let Upper Class off first, then people seated in the bubble, then downstairs so if you're sitting PE downstairs it may well take longer to get through immigration

Looking at the plan it seems they have squeezed LOADS more economy seats in

When disembarking the let the front of first - which used to be the small E cabin, downstairs PE and Upper followed by upstairs then finally the main E cabin.

As PE has now taken the place of the small E cabin they will be first off followed by upper then bubble then main E.

Will be trying for downstairs if we get a refitted plane but hoping for one last trip in the bubble

 

[UKDEB]

Let's face it, Premium Economy is really only supposed to be an upgraded version of economy with bigger seats and a few other perks. That (on just a couple of routes) you happen to get your own private cabin is a huge bonus that we've all got used to. It's what always made it bang-for-your-buck. For me, the two factors that most made PE worth the extra money were the private cabin and getting off the plane first. Having economy seats in the same cabin doesn't bother me per se, but I would rather they were at the front. Every time we've flown PE, the upstairs cabin has been first off and, because we usually opt for seats right at the back of the cabin, we've often been first into the immigration hall. In 2008, the immigration officers weren't ready for us - they were all standing around chatting and we had a nice bit of banter with them. Admittedly, that was the last time we flew Virgin to Orlando, so things could have changed in terms of the order of disembarkation, or maybe it's simply down to the cabin supervisor on any particular day.

ETA: I meant to add that we're flying economy in November, so I shall be trying to get those seats at the back of the bubble!

 

[XAVIER]

I'm really dissapointed with this new layout.

We are flying PE for the first time in July and were really hoping to get seats in the bubble - but there are now only 20 seats up there and there are five of us. Not much chance unless we get in there really early.

I presume if we do get an ugraded 747 it will have the new entertainment system on it?

 

[XAVIER]

Where are the videos?

 

[chunkster20uk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1sfeX99_rc&list=UU1YEEe6J4xvf9Ar1HNGQEBQ&index=1&feature=plcp

Here is the video.

 

[chunkster20uk]

ETA: I meant to add that we're flying economy in November, so I shall be trying to get those seats at the back of the bubble!

I know what you mean Deb, we used to like getting one the banks of 2 seats at the back of the aircraft, rather than have a bank of 3 and possible share (greedy I know). I had hoped that they would banks of 2 up in the bubble but alas it does not look like it, dilema.

 

[XAVIER]

This may be a silly question, but how will the PE people in the bubble get off first with all those Economy pasengers sitting behind them?

As soon as the seatbelt signs go of they will all be up blocking the aisles.

 

[UKDEB]

Exactly - that's the problem. They won't be able to.

 

[london75]

I'm just too annoyed at this to come up with a coherent argument! In one profit grabbing move by Virgin, they've lost more than a few premium customers including us.

I always had a bee in my bonnet when Champagne became cava, with the logic being that did that £2 glass of Champagne really eat into the profits on my £1000 flight. That £1.50 saved for them meant my last drink before remaining sober so I could drive without worrying the family when we get there was a grotty cava. Now if that hacked me off, you can only begin to imagine how annoying it is that one or more much larger benefits are getting eroded!

Don't get me started on bidding for PE either, the thought that I've saved every penny to get nice seats to start my holiday in a slightly more stress free way only to find that the PE cabin is packed and every seat taken with many having paid a lot less than me!

And then I get to Florida and don't care any more but still, July is our last Virgin flight. October we're trying extra legroom on Continental/United and if that goes well, we'll be spending 500 or less from now on.