Virgin Premium economy worth it?

[Cinderella]

For my may trip, I could only get premium economy on a virgin flight - 3k for two adults and two children. My partner is moaning a bit, as this was supposed to be a budget trip, and i could have got a much cheaper flight elsewhere - but with no back seat tv's - and my eyesight can't cope with those ones that come out of the ceiling.

Is premium economy worth it? Is it easier to sleep? Is it quiter, better service etc? Just want to convince him that it's worth it - over BA economy, which I was going to book originally for £2100!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We used Premium Economy for the first time last August.

Normally we get allocated a bulkhead , our son is Autistic , and that's great for the extra leg room.
However, the seats in PE are a few inches wider and much more comfortable, so I would recommend it, especially as they are not as expensive as they used to be.

We tend to fly out Economy (bulkhead) and return PE - mainly because Joshua has that extra room for a sleep on the flight home.
To be honest if we didn't have to go in August when the fly-drive prices are just so expensive we would probably use PE both ways.

 

[gilld]

It is if you're in the upstairs cabin - there are only 42 seats so it is much quieter, service is better and it is more spacious. I don't think the PE cabin downstairs is as good. It isn't anywhere as nice as the UCS though - not that I've been in that cabin yet - roll on September!

 

[carolfoy]

I think once you've actually flown he'll begrudgingly admit it was worth it. It'll spoil you for standard economy though so be warned. The seats are much better, wider etc and you do get a very quick bags off service, make sure he notices that you've got your bags and get through immigration quicker and I'm sure the return flight will be even more welcoming.

 

[Claire L]

Don't forget you also get a seperate line for checkin and board before Economy and they hold Economy back til UCS and PE have left. The flight service is much nicer upstairs and much more spacious than Economy. Luggage comes off quicker with the UCS on a seperate belt. Plus you earn more FC miles

Claire

 

[Soprano]

For my may trip, I could only get premium economy on a virgin flight - 3k for two adults and two children. My partner is moaning a bit, as this was supposed to be a budget trip, and i could have got a much cheaper flight elsewhere - but with no back seat tv's - and my eyesight can't cope with those ones that come out of the ceiling.

Is premium economy worth it? Is it easier to sleep? Is it quiter, better service etc? Just want to convince him that it's worth it - over BA economy, which I was going to book originally for £2100!

How much more do you have to pay for Premium Economy rather than Economy with Virgin? Anywhere near £1k would bee too much for me personally. I am a terrible traveller and cannot sleep or get comfortable no matter how good the seats are. I could not justify an extra £1k and money slips through my fingers like water when I go on holiday.

As for backseat TVs, regular Economy with Virgin has them.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

PE looks nice as we pass through, but since our first time turning left, we could not fly any other way than eithetr UCS or Club World

 

[JohnnySharp2]

How much more do you have to pay for Premium Economy rather than Economy with Virgin? Anywhere near £1k would bee too much for me personally. I am a terrible traveller and cannot sleep or get comfortable no matter how good the seats are. I could not justify an extra £1k and money slips through my fingers like water when I go on holiday.

As for backseat TVs, regular Economy with Virgin has them.

Ours cost us £295 each for 2 adults and one for Joshua at £197.65 - that's one-way though (return flight).

 

[Halo]

If your rationale was because you wanted seat back TVs, BA economy has seat back TVs.

 

[Frances999]

It is definitely worth the extra money in my opinion. We always fly at least PE for the extra space, better service and quieter cabin. As has been mentioned, be sure to pre-request your seats on the upper deck. The upper deck has its own toilet, dedicated cabin crew and is generally much quieter and a nice haven away from the downstairs hustle. We once had downstairs PE seats and I didn't think they were worth the extra. The cabin crew are shared with economy and were very rushed, plus there were the typical long lines for the toilets! Being on the upper deck also gives the advantage of being one of the first off of the plane upon arrival in Orlando.

If your rationale was because you wanted seat back TVs, BA economy has seat back TVs.

So does Virgin economy!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

If your rationale was because you wanted seat back TVs, BA economy has seat back TVs.

i think what Cinderella was saying that there are cheaper seats out there on airlines without tv's in the seat backs.
the advantages of Premium economy are greater leg room, wider seats, dedicated check in, first off the plane (actually they get off before UC pax, due to the door used) Champagne and OJ before take off, your choice of the three meal options (not whats left) dedicated carrousel for your luggage collection and first boarding onto the flights. I don't think you have to pay for Downtown disney check in? Plus newspapers on board.

BA do give you the leg room and seat back TV's in WT+ but not priority check in, not priority luggage collection, no champagne before the flight, and I do not know if you get priority boarding.
VA Pe is 38inches of leg room, what is WT+?

 

[Pootle]

VA Pe is 38inches of leg room, what is WT+?

The same.

 

[jockey]

Another vote for PE it is well worth the money! The upstairs cabin is so queit too!!! Personally I would travel in the baggage hold if it meant a trip to see the mouse!!!

 

[Red-Snapper]

Virgin PE = worth it.

BA WT+ = not worth it

imho of course.

 

[Frances999]

Virgin PE = worth it.

BA WT+ = not worth it

imho of course.

I totally agree.

Regarding sleeping, I find it quite easy to have a sleep in the PE upper deck. Not only is it very quiet, but the seats recline quite far back and the foot rest is really useful too. I also love the side holdalls, they make it even more spacious and are great for popping bags etc. into when you need a bit more space.

 

[Cinderella]

Thanks everyone - am glad i've booked it and sorry - i didn't quite explain it properly.

We prefer flying with virgin but all the economy seats were totally booked. We could have flown with another airline, but the ones i found didn't have seat back tvs except ba - which was about 900 quid cheaper, but for economy. So I thought for the extra legroom it was worth the 900. I suspect he would have moaned more if he didn't have a seat back tv! But, seriously, we could use the extra legroom, and the ability to sleep. We have booked upstairs in the bubble.

Anyway, two days later, I booked virgin UC - my way of justifying that to him was that it was the same price as the premium economy trip (ok, so it is for two of us instead of 4, but i thought it a good price - and it will be our last honeymoon!)

 

[Scottish-Helen]

So are you going on 2 trips then one in PE and one in UC or just the one in UC ?
(sorry I'm probably being dim)

Great news anyway

 

[Cinderella]

Sorry Helen. We are going a week in may in PE with kids and in October for our honeymoon in UC!

 

[fizz13]

To Cinderella,
Just wanted to say how jealous I am and to have 2 wonderful trips,

Claire xx

 

[Merylj]

We are going a week in may in PE with kids and in October for our honeymoon in UC!

You do right! Have a fabulous time