Virgin Premium Economy to Orlando

hushpuppy

Hi all,

A bit of advice please from those of you that know anything about this service? I am looking to travel to Orlando and was thinking of treating myself to an upgrade as I can get discounted economy tickets through work.

I know that the plane is a 747 and the premium cabins are situated on the upper deck and another area to the front of the plane.

I suppose the simplest question is it worth it?
How do I make the most out of it?
Is there a best seat(s) in Premium Economy

Cheers

ajdj

This link to seat guru will help you- http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_Atlantic_Airways/Virgin_Atlantic_Airways_Boeing_747-400_2.php

It shows rows 70 and 75 on the upper deck to be the best seats, however they can't be pre-booked (unless possibly you are a flying club gold member?).

Virgins Upper Class is the equivalent to other airlines Business Class, premium economy just gets you a bit more leg room, a slightly better menu and a priority check in desk. Not worth it for me, but may be worth it for you?

ferf1223

if they are the same sort of 747s they fly on the LGW->LAS route, they really aren't worth it for PE...though I suppose that depends on what the additional cost is to you. They are worth a bit extra, but not the nearly double the price we paid on the Vegas route...upgrading on a route that they use an Airbus for is much more worth it...

If you do go for it sitting upstairs in the 'bubble' is much better than sitting downstairs.

ruffwood

As people have stated worth it but not to the extent of the premium. For the return leg when you maybe flying through the night then i think it represents better value as the extra leg room should allow for more chance of a sleep.

parcival

No I wouldn't bother myself. However if you do book it you can go into Virgins interweb site and choose the exact seat you want.

Natbag

I got upgraded to premium economy on my flight out with an almost two-year-old on my knee, and it made a huge difference. It was roomy and really quiet, we were well looked after and my little one could toddle around without a problem. It was lovely and relaxing!
I only wish it had happened on the way back though as trying to sleep with a heavy infant on your lap in such a tiny seat space and no room to move around was a nightmare (or maybe the fact I was travelling alone on the way out and with my nightmare family on the way back that did it!)

chrissy21_2

Did this trip recently with work and managed to blag them to send me prem econ. You can check in online and select your seat and I would definatley say that the upstairs is miles better than the downstairs.
The seats are wider upstairs for a start and with it being the old business/first class you feel like its a whole lot calmer and quieter.
Coming back their online check in was down so I had to check in at the airport and disappointingly was put down stairs. There were four row and there were only 6 people in the whole area and as you cant lift the arm seats it is difficult to get to sleep mind you I can't sleep on a plane full stop!
The good thing about downstairs is that they first class cabin is just next door so the people who look after them look after you The girls were really nice and really treated me very well as they didn't have so many people to look after.

It all depends how you like to spend your money - for me its worth that bit extra.

ferf1223

chrissy21 wrote: »

Did this trip recently with work and managed to blag them to send me prem econ. You can check in online and select your seat

you can select your seat anytime after you book - no need to wait until online check in opens. The seats you pre-select will not be guaranteed, but at least you may give yourself the best chance to get the seat you want if you pre-select.

Colcoops

Ive just come back but was disapointed with Virgin. Their planes are really getting tired. Service in economy was poor and the in flight entertainment screens were barely watchable. Downstairs premium econ looks just as bad.

samuela66

Hi I am going in a couple of weeks with Virgin, wondering how much it costs to upgrade....


thanks

ferf1223

it depends on availability and the route. You call Virgin to ask what the upgrade cost will be in advance, or wait until you get to the airport and see what they are selling upgrades for at check-in. Sometimes Virgin will call YOU and ask if you want to upgrade...last time we flew with them they called us and we declined as the cost was just too much more than the upgrade was worth on their old planes.

Personally, on the 747 routes, I think it's better value to pay £30 each way for the extra legroom seats where they exist (or possibly a bit more for the exit row seats) in economy than to pay £200+ each way for the upgrade to PE...but that's just me. On Airbus routes I do think the upgrade is worth it...but not on the 747s.