Virgin Premium economy worth it?

[disneyholic family]

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

that's really a big difference for a flight just across the atlantic and only one way....


i wonder how expensive upper class is...it must be a fortune if that's the upcharge for premium economy....

 

[Cinderella]

MerylJ - I am only about 40 minutes away from you - in Low Hesket.

Disneyholic family - I can't remember the costs per person - but PE was £3,000 for a family of four - it will no doubt be cheaper at times other than school holidays though. Upper Class was just under £3000 for two. When i searched under flexible fares tho it was £8500 for two! I can't imagine paying that - all you get extra is a flexible fare and a limo transfer.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

that's really a big difference for a flight just across the atlantic and only one way....


i wonder how expensive upper class is...it must be a fortune if that's the upcharge for premium economy....

I agree Beth, it's just that extra comfort so that Joshua can sleep well on the return flight.
If we were not paying £849 fly drive, we may have considered it both ways, but don't get me started on summer holiday flight prices

 

[disneyholic family]

I agree Beth, it's just that extra comfort so that Joshua can sleep well on the return flight.
If we were not paying £849 fly drive, we may have considered it both ways, but don't get me started on summer holiday flight prices

i totally understand paying it....we switched to business class about 5 years ago for a very similar reason....we'd always flown economy (even though it was a difficult flight for my 6'7" husband), and 5 years ago we again flew economy even though my son had begun wearing a full body brace......i had a friend working for the airline, so she got DH and DS exit row seats with lots of leg room, but DS was in agonizing pain within an hour after take off (and our flight is 12 hours non-stop just to get to JFK)....

so on the way back i upgraded all 4 of us to business at the most incredible upcharge i've ever had to pay (since it was only one way and done at the last minute, it was super full fare....for that amount we could have gone round trip first class)..

anyway, it was the only way he could make the flight...so since then we've flown business class on those 12 hours flights....no way could i torture him in an economy seat.....

 

[JohnnySharp2]

i totally understand paying it....we switched to business class about 5 years ago for a very similar reason....we'd always flown economy (even though it was a difficult flight for my 6'7" husband), and 5 years ago we again flew economy even though my son had begun wearing a full body brace......i had a friend working for the airline, so she got DH and DS exit row seats with lots of leg room, but DS was in agonizing pain within an hour after take off (and our flight is 12 hours non-stop just to get to JFK)....

so on the way back i upgraded all 4 of us to business at the most incredible upcharge i've ever had to pay (since it was only one way and done at the last minute, it was super full fare....for that amount we could have gone round trip first class)..

anyway, it was the only way he could make the flight...so since then we've flown business class on those 12 hours flights....no way could i torture him in an economy seat.....

We are a bit fortunate that we are guaranteed bulkhead seats on the flight to Orlando with Virgin. If we were not and as I said the prices being so crazy we would do PE both ways.

 

[Ju]

To add my pennies worth ... I travelled PE for 1st time to Barbados 4 yrs ago and thought it was wonderful!! We were in the "bubble" and only 7 - 10 rows or something. Seats were wider and larger, with decent armrest between you, and 2 seats then aisle and 2 more seats.

We upgraded to similar version on My Travel 3 yrs ago, although alot cheaper than Virgin it wasn't as comfy/spacious etc.

So next month we've paid to go both ways with Virgin PE even though it actually works out a bit more than our tickets but we've agreed that our hols will start when we get to the airport - and you know when you think you've left really early and then turn the corner and there are LOADS of people in a queue and your heart sinks?!! well with PE there is a separate check-in where there's prob only a few people there.

Your luggage also comes off earlier than economy - meaning you can get to the queue for hire car quicker!

So I'd definately say "go for it"

Ju

 

[Scottish-Helen]

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

Congratulations to you

Might bump into you as we will be in the world in May and October also

 

[kev kendall]

Do all the planes have an upstaird cabbin. I'msure the one from Manchester doesn't have one.... at least we weren't able to book it? Did I also read somewhere about no children up stairs either????

 

[Claire L]

Do all the planes have an upstaird cabbin. I'msure the one from Manchester doesn't have one.... at least we weren't able to book it? Did I also read somewhere about no children up stairs either????

Manchester planes are now the same config as Gatwick, so all of the bubble is PE and children are allowed up there.

Claire

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have just upgraded my flight from economy to premium economy. I did think of upgrading my hotel didn't want to mess with that due to the free disney dining. The only problem now is that I don't think I will be wanting to fly economy again.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I have just upgraded my flight from economy to premium economy. I did think of upgrading my hotel didn't want to mess with that due to the free disney dining. The only problem now is that I don't think I will be wanting to fly economy again.

It's just the price that stops us doing PE both ways, so we just upgrade for the flight home so Josh can get some sleep in comfort - summer prices mean it's expensive enough I am afraid.

 

[saratogagirl]

Hi All

Who do I phone to enquire about the cost of upgrade to PE - daft question I know, we have booked with Virgin holidays do I contact them or Virgin Atlantic ??

Thanks for your help

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi All

Who do I phone to enquire about the cost of upgrade to PE - daft question I know, we have booked with Virgin holidays do I contact them or Virgin Atlantic ??

Thanks for your help

Call Virgin Holidays on 0870 220 0088

 

[saratogagirl]

Thanks Johnny

Knew I could rely on you

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks Johnny

Knew I could rely on you

Good luck

 

[alisonbestford]

Like Johnny we are allocated bulkhead seats for medical reasons

This year we were directly behind the PE curtain and have to say that I'd have been pretty disappointed had I paid extra to sit in that particular PE section.
There were two toilets at the front of PE and the aisles were almost constantly full of folk queueing for them!

I've heard that the upper section is much nicer but, personally, would rather go along the 'cheap and cheerful' route so's I could squeeze in an extra holiday..........

 

[saratogagirl]

Hi Johnny

Just phoned they want 250 pounds each to upgrade, going to have a think about it !

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Johnny

Just phoned they want 250 pounds each to upgrade, going to have a think about it !

Hmm, that's the dilemma, and why many don't bother - to be honest if Joshua slept well in Economy seats on the return flight I don't think we would pay the extra.

If your fly-drive or flight prices are cheap(er) then it's not so much of an issue but if like us you go in the summer it's a more difficult choice.

Given the fact that Florida holidays aren't generally cheap anyway it all comes down to whether you want to pay the extra really.
That extra comfort is nice , we paid £295 each for 2 adults and £197.50 for Josh for this August but that is just one way - there is no chance I am going to do that both ways.

 

[mushumadness]

that's really a big difference for a flight just across the atlantic and only one way....


i wonder how expensive upper class is...it must be a fortune if that's the upcharge for premium economy....

its costing chris and me £560 each, each way for upper class seats, so £2280 in all just for the upgrades, its pricey and I hope worth it

 

[PaulaSB12]

Hi Johnny

Just phoned they want 250 pounds each to upgrade, going to have a think about it !

It cost me 429 to upgrade my tickets. I am flying with Virgin but have booked my holiday with DU.