Premium economy

[WaT05]

Ok so although my next WDW trip is not until Dec 2007 I am already thinking about who I could go with. Last month I went on my first ever WDW trip and it was fabulous the only bit I disliked was the flight, we went with Virgin and they were really good, its just I hated the lack of room in economy. I know some people say its just a flight but to me its important. So next time I intend to go premium economy and I was wondering what you guys think is the best airline for this and why. I have looked at Virgin and I have also just checked out flywho. Has anyone been with them?? Their premium class has a 45 inch seat. So any opinions gratefully received. Also who do you normally book your WDW hotel accomodation through if you don't book a package? With disney direct?

Thanks soz about all the questions
Hazel

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have flown Virgin Premium Economy but generally just do so on the return flight , mainly so Joshua can have some decent sleep.

We do not necessarily get too much more leg room as we always get bulkhead seats in ecomomy (Josh is autistic), but the seats in PE are more comfortable and more importantly wider with nice footrests, so he can sleep ok.
Hence we have upgraded for our return flight in August, £295 each for adult £197 (I think) for Josh.
To be honest if the fly-drive price wasn't so steep , £849 adult price , we would probably pay the extra both ways.

The only thing I would say is that I believe depending on which plane you are on, some Virgin PEs are on the upper deck, where I understand the service and privacy is much better.

Always fly with Virgin and book the whole fly-drive package with them, villa booked seperate, sorry no experience of other airlines.

 

[gilld]

We fly VA PE and choose to fly on the upper deck which is much nicer. Trying UC in September. Apart from our first visit back in 1992, when we flew charter (never again) we have always gone with VA.

We used to book the whole package with VH but now we own at DVC we book the F/D with VH which suits us. We may/may not take the car next time.

 

[Madjock]

Never heard of Flywho. Have flown VA Premium Economy and First Choice Star Class Premier. Virgin, although far more expensive, would come out slightly top for me as the upper deck is nicer and quieter. FC where good, very comfortable but the layout is 2-3-2 which I didn't like.

 

[Funniebunny]

I have flown Virgin Premium Econony, we got the bulkhead seats at the front of the plane so the leg room was great.
If you didn't want to spend that much on flights try Amercian Airlines Via somewhere or into Miami as they have taken rows of seats out in Economy so you get more leg room.

 

[Goofyish]

FlyWho are a new airline flying out of Birmingham. They were previously called FlyBlue (I think), but had to change their name due to legal reasons (clashed with the name of a US airline).

They have had numerous 'false starts' while trying to get off the ground (so to speak LOL).

Looks like they are taking books for flights from July this year.

http://www.flywho.com/default.asp

 

[Lisa1976]

I would love to fly PE but I can't justify the extra costs, when i check using Miles plus Money, its was 700 for both of us to fly economy and £1,400 to fly PE, thats a lot extra

 

[jockey]

We use virgin PE and have flown in the upper deck - it is excellent, we love the extra leg room and the privacy of the cabin. To be honest I don't mind if I fly economy or premium as long as I am getting there!!!

 

[Frances999]

We always fly PE to Orlando and the upper deck service and ambience is excellent. Just make sure you pre-request upper deck seats. BA's world traveller plus doesn't even compare.

As regards to the WDW resort, we always book it separately. We have booked directly with Disney before (via the USA central reservations) and have also used Dreams Unlimited who provide a great service.

 

[Kazze]

I used to work with Virgin Atlantic. I have flown all three classes quite a bit. At the time of my employed (pre 9/11) British Airways did not have a compatable cabin to Virgins P.E. In fact, PE is ecomony with a bit more leg room. I wont go so far as to say it would greatly improve your flight but it is a bit roomier. Obviously is money is not so much an issue the real difference is in Upper Class.
Sometimes Vs. does some great deals in the class during slower seasons.

As someone mentioned , should you go pe on vs. then request the bulkhead seats at time of reservation. If there are two of you traveling you would want the window/aisle seat as opposed to getting stuck in the middle. If you do this than apply for a freq. flyer program. Check the flight status as many times the pe/economy is overbooked and they will look for upgrades. They choose who to upgrade on the following: How you dress / are you ff ? and what color is your card. By having a ff card and dressing decent you will up your chances of an upgrade should they need to do that.

 

[Lisa1976]

Is frequent flyer the same thing as having a virgin flying club card and collecting points?

 

[Frances999]

Is frequent flyer the same thing as having a virgin flying club card and collecting points?

Yes.

 

[UKDEB]

I know this has been mentioned before, but it's worth re-iterating: if you choose to fly PE, make sure you request seats in the upstairs cabin. This is what makes PE that little bit more special than just an upgraded economy option. It's a small cabin (38 seats, I think) with just two seats either side of the wide aisle. The PE seats downstairs are between the UC and Economy cabins (with just curtains separating them) and it really is just like being in bigger seats in the Economy cabin. The set-up is 2-2-2.

By flying PE, you also get the advantage of a dedicated check-in desk, so no queuing, and you and your bags are first off the plane. At least they are out the outward leg - along with the UC luggage, they go on a separate palate and there is a dedicated UC/PE carousel at Orlando International airport. Flying back in to Gatwick is another matter - the baggage handlers there don't observe this 'perk'. Really annoying when this is partly what you pay extra for (and as someone has mentioned, it isn't cheap - usually around double the economy fare).

My understanding is that 'Frequent Flyer' pertains to Virgin Holidays customers. The Flying Club (Red, Silver, Gold) is Virgin Atlantic's loyalty programme. We have been upgraded several times, but not at all recently. We are Silver Flying Club members, but we weren't the first time we got upgraded and, in my experience, the way we were dressed wasn't a factor either. In fact, I wouldn't want to look as if I was trying too hard. Remember that upgrades are only likely to be handed out if they need to do so for operational reasons. My advice is to expect nothing and just see it as a bonus if you get it. The whole topic is discussed in-depth and with intelligence at the V-Flyer site.

 

[Red-Snapper]

For me the very big plus of Virgin PE is the upper cabin - if they chage that I think I would think twice before booking PE again.

BA WT+ downstairs just does not compare and I dont think is worth the money for many people whereas the upper cabin for PE makes it a measurably better service.

 

[TraceyL]

By flying PE, you also get the advantage of a dedicated check-in desk, so no queuing, and you and your bags are first off the plane. At least they are out the outward leg - along with the UC luggage, they go on a separate palate and there is a dedicated UC/PE carousel at Orlando International airport. Flying back in to Gatwick is another matter - the baggage handlers there don't observe this 'perk'. Really annoying when this is partly what you pay extra for (and as someone has mentioned, it isn't cheap - usually around double the economy fare).

Is there a seperate check in desk at DTD ? We've just upgraded in the May sale ( ) for our return flight only and we hoping we'd still get some of the extra perks (apart from the sleep on the way home). Mind you at that price who really cares

I've requested upper deck seating and am unnaturally excited already - even DH smiled when I told him

 

[Pootle]

I have flown Virgin Premium Econony, we got the bulkhead seats at the front of the plane so the leg room was great.
If you didn't want to spend that much on flights try Amercian Airlines Via somewhere or into Miami as they have taken rows of seats out in Economy so you get more leg room.

They put them back last year. AA are now no different to most of the other American carriers in economy (coach).

 

[misskrystal]

Can anyone tell me the major differences between Premium Economy and Upper Class? I'm considering Virgin for our trip to Toyko Disney this year and I'm having trouble finding UC seats, so I'm hoping PE will be OK.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Can anyone tell me the major differences between Premium Economy and Upper Class? I'm considering Virgin for our trip to Toyko Disney this year and I'm having trouble finding UC seats, so I'm hoping PE will be OK.

I think you will find it hard to get UC to Tokyo with Virgin as I am sure they use Airbus aircraft on that route that do not have an upper deck.

At PE you would be at the front of the plane and I am sure that will be fine.

 

[Frances999]

Can anyone tell me the major differences between Premium Economy and Upper Class? I'm considering Virgin for our trip to Toyko Disney this year and I'm having trouble finding UC seats, so I'm hoping PE will be OK.

When are you travelling to Tokyo? You should not have too much trouble finding UCS tickets if you book early enough. The LHR - NRT is very popular for Upper Class, but a couple of months notice is usually enough time to secure tickets. I can usually get them for DH just 2/3 months in advance.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I think you will find it hard to get UC to Tokyo with Virgin as I am sure they use Airbus aircraft on that route that do not have an upper deck.

At PE you would be at the front of the plane and I am sure that will be fine.

VS 900 LHR-NRT A340-600 Suite version, 45 Upper Class suit seats.

VS901 NRT-LHR A340-600 Suite version, 45 UCS,

These aircraft only have 28 PE seats on board, sandwiched between the UCS at the front and CC at the back.