Hi Gill
We've flown PE with Virgin for our last two trips to Florida and to St Lucia and am not looking forward to the thought of having to fly economy class again, but that is a distinct possibility next August when we go to the US (and a given flying to the Maldives with Sri Lankan Air).
Whilst for the three of us it's quite a bit more money (c £1500), we've never felt it wasn't worth it. Not only for the seat pitch, but you're on the upper floor with only about 30 seats in it, it's quieter engine wise (but not neessarily with children because they are allowed - my DD's travelled PE since she was 9). Food and entertainment are the same as economy. BUT - as well as larger seats and bigger seat pitch, there are only two seats on each side of the row, each has a pull-out foot stool and the chair next to the window has a HUGE cupboard to stash everything plus the kitchen sink in - as well as the overhead lockers.
Then there's separate queues for PE check-in and in Orlando you get off the plane along with Upper Class and use their carousel where your luggage comes off first, which gives you an immediate headstart
Having said all the above, we were lucky enough to be upgraded to full Upper Class status on our flight out to St Lucia and that really was something very special. The flat out chairs are huge, the service incredible - even the food was fantastic - there was a massage on board if you wanted, chocolates and drinkies when and wherever, I just had to take a sip out of my crystal glass
of iced water and it was refilled. And there were proper pillows and duvets!
The food was however much you wanted whenever you wanted it (think it was called their Freedom menu or something like that).
I'm trying to rack up my Virgin Frequent Flyer points at the moment to upgrade to Upper Class at some point in the future - both ways this time
