Virgin PE

[dmd]

Can anybody help. we are flying out Sat 27th Sept on the 12.30 virgin flight and have booked PE. When I phoned to pre-book the seats I was told that they only had seats downstairs and not in the "bubble". We have been allocated row 77 H&K and 78 H&K, A&C. When I looked on virgin's layout the only ones with all the same numbers are upstairs. I have phoned virgin a couple of times and have been told conflicting advice i.e they are definetly upstairs and no they are definetly downstairs. I don't want to be a pain but half the fun would have been "going up them stairs"

Thanks
Debbie

 

[kazzie]

Hi Debbie,

If you are on a 747-400 from Gatwick to Orlando,those seats are definitely upstairs in 'the bubble'!

Downstairs at the front of the aircraft are two upper class cabins.If PE is overbooked you can be 'upgraded' to sit in the second of the UC cabins,this is in UC seats but with (allegedly) PE service.We were put in these seats last October and iff offered the 'upgrade' again would refuse it.

So there is no official PE seating downstairs.Isn't it annoying when different people tell you differnet information Try calling one more time and maybe ask to speak to a supervisor if you're still not satisfied you've been given the correct info

 

[marlouwrig]

We just flew back this Monday (Economy - which was jam packed).

However when they put the call out to board UC and PE there was some disagreement over seating and PE passengers who were expecting to be 'upstairs' were complaining because ALL UC & PE passengers were being seated in the forward sections downstairs.

Bubble was not being utilised. Saw more than one unhappy face walking down the ramp

 

[dmd]

Thanks for your help. I may try phoning again,
I suppose all that really matters is that we are going in
16 Days Can't wait - strange how 2 weeks can seem so long...then so short!

Debbie

 

[Red-Snapper]

We have just come back and after flying PE in the bubble to Orlando got the UC "upgrade" on the way back.

Sat in row 12. The UC seat is better than the PE seat i.e it has full electric recline, footrest and lumbar support controls and for the night flight we could lay very close to flat. Also more room all around.

The "PE service" however was slower I think because the cabin crew had to serve both the bubble (where they were positioned) and then come downstairs to serve us. e.g we didnt get our pre takeoff drink until someone asked for it just before we left the stand.

It was also slightly less private than upstairs as we had a number of passengers, particularly children from economy that kept coming through the curtains to use the UC loos ! Not that it bothered me but the couple in the seats where they started queing asked the crew to sort it out and I heard them muttering that they preferred it in the bubble.

 

[cheryl.UK]

However, if they ever offer you the upgrade to actual UC...bite their hand off.

We were upgraded on our return trip in July and it was FANTASTIC

We had champagne all the way home (well 4 glasses) amazing food on real plates, sleep suits, choccies and snacks that we helped ourselves to, Virgin Vie toiletries 3 stewardesses to 16 passengers!!! Amazing. All this and great seats.

 

[Claire L]

Debbie,
As far as I am aware the Orlando route uses the 747-400 configuration with the bubble being all PE seating and none elsewhere. Try this link and zoom into the first diagram as it will show seat numbers.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/our_story_our_fleet.view.do

Claire

 

[Red-Snapper]

Claire.. see above.

They seat up to 24 PE passengers in UC seats downstairs as well on the Gatwick flights.