Pictures from new A330 - PE and Economy *Updated Sunday 3/4

[london75]

Don't get me wrong, it has always been worth it for us, priority boarding, luggage first off and out to the car before some people have even finished queing is great.

Dedicated cabin crew (in the 747 bump) meant service was exceptional.

Space in the bump was out of this world, massive seats, loads of legroom and a double width aisle and with no through traffic, the kids can sit and colour in the aisle, loads of space.

Bigger allowance was good, used to be 2x32kg each which was great although obviously never used it.

As with everything Virgin, service and standards have eroded while prices just go up and up and up. I'm really disgusted to be honest. Sir B needs to travel on his own planes a bit more and see what it's been like in recent years. Aer Lingus for us next year, if they can offer us beds for the same price as Virgin offer a tiny seat something is very wrong.

 

[alibeau]

Hmmmm, I am feeling a tiny bit glum looking at these photo's. I thought they were economy until I scrolled down. We are flying on the new plane from Man on the 13th in PE and our last three trips have been in UC so I am feeling doubly

Anyway, it is what it is, it is all bought and paid for and we are hopefully in the bubble on the way home.... Just hope we are not too disappointed though as we are also booked into PE on the new plane for August

I'll report back in a week or two if anyone would like any info on the PE seats and I will be able to compare the new seats with the bubble (hopefully).

And I must not get too glum as in just over a weeks time we will be in FLORIDA

Ali

 

[fairytale]

We are flying out PE on the new A330 this coming October from Manchester.

Having already booked our trip for next August I am slightly excited of been able to save the cost of the PE seats and opt for Economy for our next trip judging by these photographs. It took me long enough to decide on PE this year and I was only swayed due to the new planes.

I'm looking forward to reading peoples reviews of the new seats etc..

 

[kevin harrison]

There is a lot of negativity and no one here has flown on the thing yet !

My take is this, I flew on another carrier to Orlando once on an A330 in their premium offering and it was fine, there was enough space, it wasn't cramped and I am not a small person. The IFE they provided was not a patch on what this is meant to be like either.

 

[london75]

The negativity from my point of view is that we used to pay less for more. This latest coat of polish doesn't reverse that decline for me, nothing about those seats looks like they've tried to increase passenger comfort in any way.

 

[fairytale]

The negativity from my point of view is that we used to pay less for more. This latest coat of polish doesn't reverse that decline for me, nothing about those seats looks like they've tried to increase passenger comfort in any way.

Totally agree

 

[kazdav]

I don't think I want to read this thread anymore, I opted to take the earlier plane back so as to get the Airbus, I am now wishing I had stuck to my original plan and got the later plane so that we could have tried for the bubble.

I keep telling myself that we are lucky to be flying PE instead of economy and move on!

 

[Red-Snapper]

Maybe its just a false impression we are getting from teh angle of the photos - not aware that they have altered the legroom in PE.

However it does look smaller - and as someone above said - the video of economy looks appalling. People racked and stacked like battery hens.

 

[DCLMan]

However it does look smaller - and as someone above said - the video of economy looks appalling. People racked and stacked like battery hens.

That is what economy is like. It's a means to an end.

 

[Elise79]

The purple seats are the same as on the LHR 747's and they are fine. Pitch is the same as is the width - it is just that there are more seats across with a narrower aisle than the bubble.

I am sure the service will be the same as PE still has a dedicated crew.

I am wondering what the toilet situation is though

 

[crabbie1]

That is what economy is like. It's a means to an end.

To be honest I am just grateful to be going and would sit in the luggage department as long as it got me there. I would rather spend my money on something else than waste it on upgrades.To me it is a lot of money to spend when that money could be used to pay for another set of flights IMO. I have flown PE in the past and didnt think it was worth the extra at all.They even ran out of meals and I had to have a kiddies meal. It looks fine to me and im quite happy to sit in the squashed(At 5ft 9" have never been uncomfortable) cattle class. As Kevin said noone has flown on them yet and we all know how deceptive photos can be. This thread is getting silly.
KAZDAZ-You will be fine and everybody has there own opinions as you can tell from mine. You dont want to change your flights again or you will end up with more costs. You will still get there no matter where you sit.

 

[kevin harrison]

 

[kevin harrison]

Deleted. Duplicate image.

 

[kevin harrison]

 

[2Tiggies]

I keep telling myself that we are lucky to be flying PE instead of economy and move on!

Stick with that attitude. Realistically, pictures can be misleading and although we are all being very enthusiastic discussing what we do and don't like, none of us on this thread so far have had the experience and been able to report back. Ideally it would be interesting to have someone who has flown PE before not in the bubble, giving a review of PE. I mean looking at the economy pics, it looks no different to what they have on the old planes anyway, except that everything looks nice and new and clean.

The bonus is that you will be enjoying the perks of PE and also will be able to enjoy the IFE without having to view through a murky old, scratched screen. I just wasn't willing to pay the silly price they quoted me for an upgrade last year, but had the prices been more like in previous years I can't say I ever regretted the upgrade. It is one of those things where you do it and then wonder if it's worth it. Well I did that last year and suddenly being in economy made me appreciate PE for what it really is.

Enjoy your flight. Either way you look at it, if you are booked PE you are gong to have a better experience.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

The purple seats are the same as on the LHR 747's and they are fine. Pitch is the same as is the width - it is just that there are more seats across with a narrower aisle than the bubble.

I am sure the service will be the same as PE still has a dedicated crew.

I am wondering what the toilet situation is though

From what I hear the toilet seats are purple leather too

CRABBIE1, I too would sit with the luggage I have two children who swim 5 times a week at their local swimming club where they provide bottom numbing, leg cramping plastic seats, go through that on a regular basis plus 8 hour galas and "Cattle Class" seats are bliss

 

[london75]

To be honest I am just grateful to be going and would sit in the luggage department as long as it got me there. I would rather spend my money on something else than waste it on upgrades.To me it is a lot of money to spend when that money could be used to pay for another set of flights IMO. I have flown PE in the past and didnt think it was worth the extra at all.They even ran out of meals and I had to have a kiddies meal. It looks fine to me and im quite happy to sit in the squashed(At 5ft 9" have never been uncomfortable) cattle class. As Kevin said noone has flown on them yet and we all know how deceptive photos can be. This thread is getting silly.
KAZDAZ-You will be fine and everybody has there own opinions as you can tell from mine. You dont want to change your flights again or you will end up with more costs. You will still get there no matter where you sit.

Me too...IF I'd paid a lo cost airline price. It doesn't change that for 600 I used to get a PE flight with more crew, nicer planes, more space and importantly, champagne pre takeoff.

This year my flight is 1100, I get a smaller seat, a significantly smaller luggage allowance, fewer crew, worse meal, longer flight time, poor food and, wait for it ... Cava.

All fine if I'd paid 400 but not 1100. I sound a bit of a git about the champagne but to me it's a sticking point I've mentioned before. It must cost them £1 per glass yet they cut it on an £1100 ticket. By all means charge me £1101 and give me the champagne, it's just not the way you should treat customers. In fact, a glass of champers for every passenger regardless of cabin would cost so little compared to flight price that it would be a nice touch but no, they continue to cut and cut services. The staff I've spoken to hate the cuts in crew as well and feel bad that they are unable to give the service they used to enjoy giving.

Unfortunately I live in Manchester and can only face direct flights while the kids are still young so we're held to ransom somewhat.

 

[kazdav]

From what I hear the toilet seats are purple leather too

CRABBIE1, I too would sit with the luggage I have two children who swim 5 times a week at their local swimming club where they provide bottom numbing, leg cramping plastic seats, go through that on a regular basis plus 8 hour galas and "Cattle Class" seats are bliss

Been there done that and got the tee shirt, I feel your pain. Nowadays though swimming has taken a back seat to TaeKwondo - last tournament we were there at 8 in the morning and left at 6 at night!!!!

 

[janiebubble]

We're in Orlando, we flew economy on Monday on the new plane, it was great, so much more space. Leg room great, even the man on the other side of the aisle commented. On demand entertainment was fab. Best thing was no 'plane smell'. Have taken pics of cabin but can't post them till I'm home next week. For an economy passenger it was streets ahead of the old plane

 

[disney_princess_85]

We're in Orlando, we flew economy on Monday on the new plane, it was great, so much more space. Leg room great, even the man on the other side of the aisle commented. On demand entertainment was fab. Best thing was no 'plane smell'. Have taken pics of cabin but can't post them till I'm home next week. For an economy passenger it was streets ahead of the old plane

Thanks for the info! Have a great trip.