Premium Economy

[Rain]

Just booked our Florida trip for November 2004.
I could not beleive they had already sold out on economy class tickets!!! However it was a good excuse to try Virgin's premium economy.
We have not flown with Virgin for many years and have never flown Virgin Premium Economy , what can we expect for the extra money???????????

Can anyone confirm if they have toilets up on the top deck, a work collegue was saying that she thought you had to take a trip downstairs! I must confess I did look at a seating plan (maybe old) and could not see any.


Lynda

 

[GO2209]

Isn't it on the new Airbus A3xx that have the downstairs toilets?

Parents have just returned from Florida with Virgin - they think the standards have really slipped. The entertainment system wasn't working on their seats on either flight. This was the Manchester flight. Drink service was also very poor.

I am sure this will all be fixed by November 2004!

 

[Grumpy John]

We are flying premium economy with Virgin in September. Premium Economy is not upstairs. It is in the front of aircraft. I think there are 30 seats - not sure. You get a 38inch seat pitch which is good for sleeping. You have a dedicated check-in at Gatwick, get on first and off first which is great for a quick get away. We pre-booked our seats both going and coming back.

 

[Rain]

Now I am confused, wonder if they use the same plane from Manchester!! It asked on the booking form if you was ok with stairs, I assumed it was therefore on the upper deck????????


Lynda

 

[Grumpy John]

Hope I have not confused you Lynda but I was speaking re: flying from Gatwick, did not realise you were out of Manchester. Maybe Virgin use different aircraft from Manchester. Once again sorry for any confusion.

 

[GO2209]

I think virgin only operate 747s out of Manchester - actually, I think they are owned by another operator, but in Virgin livery...

The Airbuses are on the London routes - although I am probably wrong!

 

[peewakio]

Dont want to worry you in any way, but the Virgin Plane that flies from Manchester isn't Virgins at all. It is run by a company called Air Atlanta Icelandic. They run everything to Virgins specifications from Livery to Uniforms, Entertainment etc. I have been on the Manchester flight 3 times and Gatwick twice during a previous life so to speak and there is no difference whatsoever. However it should be worth letting Virgin know that their suppliers could be letting their standards slip. We are flying from Manchester in October in Club Orlando class (Premium Economy only in the big seats) and to be honest I am slightly concerned about a few reports concerning the so-called Virgin service from Manchester lately. Lets hope they get their act together sooner rather than later.

 

[Grumpy John]

747 400 Series flying out of Gatwick. Maybe the Airbus goes from Manchester. Or maybe they use 747s out of both?

 

[GO2209]

Virgin used to be excellent - especially with the Downtown Disney checkin. Alas, that is not the case now.

I find it amazing that they are the only scheduled operator flying direct to Orlando from Manchester. I do not want to fly a charter operator again (had some real bad flights with Airtours), so I am stuck with Virgin or going via a hub in the US. I didn't mind paying a premium to fly Virgin, but now the difference is over £200!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Virgin's Premium Economy service on the 747-400 series flying out of Gatwick is UPSTAIRS, in it's own cabin. At the front of the aircraft downstairs is Upper Class, with only a few limited seats for Premium Economy if overflowing.

We've flown PE both to Orlando, Miami and this year into St Lucia and service was fine for all (apart from return from St Lucia . . . but that was only cos we were so lucky to have been upgraded to Upper Class on the journey out).

In PE there are toilets upstairs, you have a choice of newspapers/magazines to read and a glass of either champagne, bucks fizz or orange juice upon boarding. On the last few flights they gave us a bottle of water plus brought around OJ and water every half hour or so (not so frequently during the night flights, mind you ).

The seat pitch is larger, it's a much smaller cabin and you have LOADS of room to store hand luggage.

Foods all the same though (airline food, pretty yukky).

Forgot to add: one of the pluses of travelling PE is that your luggage goes on with Upper Class and in Orlando they have their own conveyor belt, so you make a really good start on all the other crowds heading for the hire car desk/exit

 

[UKDEB]

Here is the link to Virgin Atlantic's site showing the seat configurations of their planes. Hover your mouse over the aircraft numbers to change the view. They run the 747-400 (1) on the Gatwick - Orlando route, i.e. with PE in the upstairs cabin.

 

[WDWfan uk]

... sorry to interrupt your thread but I just noticed the Birthday Girl posting ............ hey Debbie, it's very late now but in case you are still around, there's a thread on the UK CB for you

 

[Martin S]

<< Just booked our Florida trip for November 2004.
I could not beleive they had already sold out on economy class tickets!!! However it was a good excuse to try Virgin's premium economy. >>

Sorry, did you say they had sold out of tickets for Nov 2004 ?????

We're planning for October 2004 and thought we had loads of time !!

 

[Rain]

Martin,

We have booked for 4th November we tried the 3rd and 4th and they just had the PE seating left!!!!!!!!! Not that I am complaining but it is very expensive for a family!

Anyone travelled on the upper deck??? does it feel any different?
(Not to keen on flying LOL)

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I really enjoy travelling on the upper deck. It's quieter, and feels more intimate than sitting at the back of a big jumbo jet. Sadly there's a hefty price premium for this privilege, but it does make the flight more enjoyable.

Regards

Rob

 

[kazzie]

Hi

It does make a difference being on the upper deck It is light ,airy and spacious as there are so few seats.And with the storage that runs by the side of the seats you won't have any bags at all by your feet

 

[marlouwrig]

Tried Virgin Holiday availability for 14th Oct 2004 and the only flights available for that date are Upper Class - not even premium economy.