Virgin Atlantic, Economy in the Bubble.

[Just-Pete]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone flown with Virgin in Economy since they refurbed the LGW 747's to have Economy up there?

Me and my friends are doing that at the end of the month, and I've read some comments somewhere online about it being cramped up there headroom wise!?

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Elise79]

I haven't sat in Economy in the bubble but PE.

The headroom is less but shouldn't cause a problem however the overhead lockers are a lot smaller and will only bags up to about 6" deep. The crew will store larger bags in the cupboard at the rear of the cabin for you but you have to fetch them in flight and they need to store them again for landing.

 

[Just-Pete]

Lovely stuff! Thanks!!!

It just works well, as there's 3 of us, and the side rows are 3's upstairs I think? I may try and take a smaller bag for hand baggage then, as I like being able to get it out. I'll only need my iPad and some emergency treats in there!

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone flown with Virgin in Economy since they refurbed the LGW 747's to have Economy up there?

Me and my friends are doing that at the end of the month, and I've read some comments somewhere online about it being cramped up there headroom wise!?

Cheers,
Pete

Not flown upstairs on VA but flew back from Miami last year with BA in business class on the upper deck & there was no issue with headroom, it's not as roomy as downstairs but you'd have to be fairly tall to be bothered by it.
There is no difference in headroom (I assume you mean height) on the 747's whichever airline you fly with.
If you are flying economy they will cram you in up there so maybe it just feels smaller.
Hope this helps.

 

[scoobydooby]

Not flown upstairs on VA but flew back from Miami last year with BA in business class on the upper deck & there was no issue with headroom, it's not as roomy as downstairs but you'd have to be fairly tall to be bothered by it.
There is no difference in headroom (I assume you mean height) on the 747's whichever airline you fly with.
If you are flying economy they will cram you in up there so maybe it just feels smaller.
Hope this helps.

Flew in the bubble both ways last month. There are metal boxes under some seats which restrict leg room and the overhead lockers are indeed small. I would not go up there again with a metal box seat but besides that we loved it. It's much quieter and you can get off with the PE people from upstairs. Indeed before them in our case both ways. We were through immigration in 20 minutes. I know others on the same flight who sat in downstairs economy waited up to 90.

 

[rosh]

We came home in the bubble in November. I'm 6'2 and had the window seat and I didn't find the headroom an issue whatsoever. It's correct the overhead lockers will not take most hand luggage and you'll have to store them in the cupboards at the rear, however there is a storage area that runs alongside the window seats that serves as a handy shelf and has space to store anything you might need during the flight.

We found it so much more peaceful and relaxing and would heartily recommend anyone who is able to book these seats to do so. We loved it so much that we've already prebooked the bubble for both journeys this year!

 

[crabbie1]

We came home in the bubble in November. I'm 6'2 and had the window seat and I didn't find the headroom an issue whatsoever. It's correct the overhead lockers will not take most hand luggage and you'll have to store them in the cupboards at the rear, however there is a storage area that runs alongside the window seats that serves as a handy shelf and has space to store anything you might need during the flight.

We found it so much more peaceful and relaxing and would heartily recommend anyone who is able to book these seats to do so. We loved it so much that we've already prebooked the bubble for both journeys this year!

We found this. Very quiet up in the bubble. I did have a bit of a tiff with the guy in front who decided to fill 4 of the over head lockers with his kids soft toys and alcohol including our allocated storage and the families the other side. He said its tough and so I took all his kids soft toys out and said yes it is isnt it you selfish man!!!! Could not believe his attitude. Anyway if you can get seats up there I would especially on the return.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DISWolves]

We did ECO last month Heathrow to Miami in the bubble and found the seat spacing terrible!!!!
The plane was Tinker Bell. Not sure if this has had refurb yet
With the seat in front, fully reclined the TV screen was 9" away from the tip of my nose, making it totally unviewable and a strain on your eyes. Reclining your seat, will give a bit extra space, but then gives the person behind, the same problem!
You will get a quick exit from the plane and cabin service can be slightly quicker, although Virgin seem to be running permanently with undermanned cabin crew.

 

[irenep]

We had a great experience upstairs in economy when we flew over in July.

Two of our party are over 6 feet tall and had no problems with ceiling height etc. Plus the crew were brilliant and it seemed like we had 2 CC dedicated just to that section for the whole flight - and it was a completely packed flight going out- not a spare seat anywhere on the plane.

It also meant we were first off the plane and first into the empty immigration hall - unfortunately our bags were last off the plane

Problems with lack of seat space/reclining are the same for all economy seats but I would definitely book the bubble again

 

[Cinderella]

I didn't realise you can get economy in the bubble now. That is fab. I've done PE in the bubble before and loved it, because it is so much quieter.

 

[queendisney]

I didn't realise you can get economy in the bubble now. That is fab. I've done PE in the bubble before and loved it, because it is so much quieter.

We're PE this year and have decided against the bubble from now on and gone for the dedicated PE cabin downstairs now. I think there are way too many people squashed into that small space, it feels a bit claustrophobic to me up there now.

 

[Just-Pete]

I think since the change around of the 747's its generally said that the PE area downstairs is the better option than the upstairs one now.

However as we're traveling in a three and in economy this time, and the side rows are threes. Then the bubble seems like a good choice for us. I've already looked at the seat map and our flight map seems to be filling up fast, so I think this is best for us.

If we don't like it (cramped, headroom etc), I may change our seats for the flight back to move back to the main cabin.

Or see if I can use some of my miles and upgrade myself and leave the other two behind!!!

 

[queendisney]

Or see if I can use some of my miles and upgrade myself and leave the other two behind!!!

yeah that'll go down really well

 

[Toryn]

Has everyone that requested the bubble always got it or has it been changed at OLCI or even at twilight check in Keep hearing people asking at the 90 day count down and having changed at the last minute