Virgin Planes

[RDP]

What are the new planes like? are they more comfortable? Are they a bit quicker to get off as they carry less passengers? Do they make any difference?

 

[v-1]

Hi

I have not been on one myself yet (should be on one at the end of may) However after reading reports on another forum people seem to like them alot, the inflight entertaiment is excellent with over 300 hours of on demand movies and tv and the cabins are light and airy. I have not heard about it being any quicker to board or disembark but i suppose it must be with less passengers. The fight times are slightly longer i believe because of only having 2 engines and the ETOPS rules. The only slight niggle i have heard is the the seats can be a little less comfortable than the old ones but that may be because they are new.

I hope that helps a little until someone comes along who has been on one.

 

[RDP]

Thanks Steve, see you are a Beech Club lover, can’t wait to go there in October!

 

[flortlebap]

They look smaller which worries me, lol!

I don't think they're running the new planes on all routes though, unless they've upgraded them all now?

 

[v-1]

Thanks Steve, see you are a Beech Club lover, can’t wait to go there in October!

Oh you will love the Beach club We were so lucky to be upgraded to concierge level free of charge for our wedding anniversary and it was fab.

They look smaller which worries me, lol!

I don't think they're running the new planes on all routes though, unless they've upgraded them all now?

Yes they are smaller but not that much, whereas the 747 has 3seats aisle 4 seats aisle 3 seats the A330 300 has 2 seats aisle 4 seats aisle 2 seats and no up stairs.

 

[queendisney]

They look smaller which worries me, lol!

I don't think they're running the new planes on all routes though, unless they've upgraded them all now?

They still have our flight down as the 747 from Gatwick at the moment. I keep on checking to make sure that they haven't changed. So far we have always been lucky and got our seat request and have never had a different plane to what they say. But obviously this year is a bit different with all the upgrades. Personally I don't really care how I get there as long as I do

 

[flortlebap]

Our Machester flight is an Airbus A330 - I think that's smaller than a 747, but I'm not sure if that means our route is old or new? I was shocked to see the flight time as over 9 hours now though - last time it was 7.5!

 

[tinkerpea]

Me too Me too i want to know this

I actually changed flight times so i would be on the A3300 both ways as i was on the new one over and old one on the way bk and since it was only around an hours extra time in the hotel/park i thought id change it,I was worried that the new one would be so fab that the boys and I wouldnt like the old one and they would be dissapointed(Ok i would be)Hubby couldnt care less, he says being RAF means he has come back on planes with no seats lol just a nice engine hub to sleep against!! Me on the other hand FUSSY
I really hope i havent made a huge mistake some are saying they love the new planes other....Hmmmm not so much i just hope they are comfy not and the entertainment is good!! ill keep an eye on this thread for peeps that have travelled and can give us idea!!

 

[smileyk8]

Hi. I flew out on Sunday on the smaller plane in economy and thought it was fine. Yep I'm in wdw right now, wide awake and waiting to go for a run before my parents wake up (they've been here a week longer than me!).

Boarded at Manchester and they did PE, then rows 35-back, before the last couple of rows at end. It seemed much quicker to board and we did seem to push back a little early. Getting off was quicker as less people and we were the only flight at immigration (same for my parents even tho they flew on a different day). Single queue there is much better in my opinion. Seat back entertainment is great, I love playing tetris as a distraction during landing! Lots of films and tv options. I laughed that the 'ice-cream' these days is a skinny cow mini milk alternative! Sign of the times- healthy eating wise! Oh I didn't find the seats massively comfy but if you wedge a pillow in your lower back it REALLY helps!

That's all I can think of! Sorry for the length! Time for trainers to go on

 

[chmurf]

The fight times are slightly longer i believe because of only having 2 engines and the ETOPS rules.

actually the A330 has a higher max speed than the B747, even though the cruising speed is roughly 30mph slower on the Airbus.
In recent aircraft, it's often preferred to fit 2 more powerful engines rather than 4 engines (for security and fuel efficiency reasons)

The only slight niggle i have heard is the the seats can be a little less comfortable than the old ones but that may be because they are new.

the seats are wider on 747s
for standard economy (world traveler) the 747 offers a 17.6" width
the A330 only offers 17" wide seats.

 

[alibeau]

We have flown on the new A330 MAN to MCO a few times in PE.

We tend to go on the A330 and return on the 747 as the flight times suit us best. A lot of people feel that the PE cabin on the new plane is cramped and I suppose it does feel that way compared to the bubble on the 747 but I have to say that on our recent return flight on the 747 the seats are absolutely hammered. If it wasn't for the flight times I would choose the new plane as the IFE is fabulous, kept the girls occupied for the whole flight and we found the seats very comfy

We are travelling again in August and I am hoping that our return flight *might* be on one of the refurb'ed 747's

I would always choose the A330 outbound and tbh it doesn't matter too much which plane we return on as it tends to be a shorter flight and we are busy trying to get a few hours sleep..... If the IFE doesn't interest you then I guess it doesn't matter too much which plane you end up on

Ali

 

[queendisney]

Our Machester flight is an Airbus A330 - I think that's smaller than a 747, but I'm not sure if that means our route is old or new? I was shocked to see the flight time as over 9 hours now though - last time it was 7.5!

It's normally 9 hours (sometimes 8 1/2) out and 7 1/2 or so back...
We have never gone out in less then 8 1/2 hours give or take a little, but never in 7 1/2 hours..If only

We find it normally takes longer flying down the east coast of USA then straight across over the bahama's..

 

[crabbie1]

Well i am a big fan of the 747 but loved the airbus. Was in economy and flight out was 8hrs 15 going out. Never had longer than 8.40 that was the jumbo. Coming back the time just flew as the touch screen on demand screens are great. I dnt sleep so it was great. It took 7 hrs 10 coming back. I think when the jumbos have the refurb my heart lues with her

 

[gibbo01]

We have just come back on the MAN-MCO route and had the new plane on both legs,
the seats are ok and quite comfy we didnt like the neck rest at all we just couldnt seem to get comfy with it.
The IFE is awesome and kept our kids occupied the whole flight both times, the ammount of choice is amazing, to keep the kids occupied is number one priority for us, so anything else we dont care about, or can put up with
Oh
8.25 out and 7.50 return

 

[Disneymad]

Well I'm going to buck the trend here I guess but aside from the IFE system (which will be identical to the 747's once it's refurbed) then I was un-impressed when flying out on the new plane last October in PE.

It felt a little cosier than on the 747's and there was a distinct lack of storage space for luggage though I heard this is because the current PE cabin is designed to be the Upper Class section in future (therefore less people in that section) once the 747's are back in action - how true this is though I'm not sure.

 

[tinkerpea]

We have just come back on the MAN-MCO route and had the new plane on both legs,
the seats are ok and quite comfy we didnt like the neck rest at all we just couldnt seem to get comfy with it.
The IFE is awesome and kept our kids occupied the whole flight both times, the ammount of choice is amazing, to keep the kids occupied is number one priority for us, so anything else we dont care about, or can put up with
Oh
8.25 out and 7.50 return

This is totally why we wanted to choose this plane " TO KEEP THE KIDS HAPPY" Happy kids equal happy parents! and means i wont be sat pulling my hair out!

Im only 5ft and so have never actually reached the head rests on any plane but hubby who is 6,1 may not enjoy them Im really pleased the over all comfort was Ok i always worry about stuff like this and if i could upgrade i would but its just not always possible! even less so on a Virgin plane so did you go Economy
before i get too happy with your view on comfort

 

[RDP]

Might be a bit hit or miss as to whether we get one of the new planes, we fly from Gatwick late October, anything that keeps the children happy for the 9 hour flight is good in my books. We fly cattle class so looking forward to seeing if they have mucked out and put down fresh straw!!

 

[smileyk8]

Just popped over with a word of caution!

We came back PE on the newer planes MCO-MAN and sat in the middle as there were 3 of us. We were HOT! There are no air vents in the middle of the PE section and despite numerous requests to turn the temp down, apparently those with air vents were cold so we boiled our way home. If you lean off the leather type material it keeps you a little cooler!

I've been told that the PE section of the plane was originally meant for 1st class with no passengers in the middle, but the seats did not fit properly and as such they fit PE. This is supposed to be why there are no air vents in the middle. There is also no where near enough overhead cabin baggage space- again it makes sense if there had only been 4 passengers per row, but not for 7. The mid section does not have it's own overhead locker space and as such you have to share with the sides.

If you have the choice, pick seats at the side

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

We're still showing 747 for our Gatwick - MCO flights late September. We're flying PE and normally go for seats in the bubble but can't pick seats until check in 24 hours before our flight. As it's still almost 5 months till our trip I guess anything could happen but I do hope we end up on a 747 as we went on the new planes for our Xmas trip to New York and I have to say I did think that the PE was "more cosy"