Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy

Beast

Hi All,

Has anybody flown Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy to the US from Gatwick recently? I understand these aircraft haven't been upgraded to the newer, more swanky premium economy cabin like the Heathrow ones but having never flown Virgin before wondered if anyone could offer some thoughts or reviews?

Beast

stoneman

Beast wrote: »

Hi All,

Has anybody flown Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy to the US from Gatwick recently? I understand these aircraft haven't been upgraded to the newer, more swanky premium economy cabin like the Heathrow ones but having never flown Virgin before wondered if anyone could offer some thoughts or reviews?

Beast

It is a pretty good product from LGW as long as you are up in the bubble. Seats are fine, nice legroom, quite atmosphere, dedicated crew and plenty of drinks(even when they inform the rif-raf that they have run out) Plus if you get to check-in early enough and can blag a couple of the exit row seats all the better. You do not have to pay extra for them like you do in Y.

HouseHuntr

But the aircraft still haven't been updated and are very tatty in some areas with loose fixtures and fittings being a common issue, poor IFE if serviceable as well.
Don't expect too much with Premium economy, yes you'll have more legroom, but exactly the same seat as down the back, the same food and the same style service though the PE cabin is likely to be emptier meaning you might get served a little quicker.
Still, the tarts with the carts are more appealing than some other airlines!

johnnyroper

HouseHuntr wrote: »

But the aircraft still haven't been updated and are very tatty in some areas with loose fixtures and fittings being a common issue, poor IFE if serviceable as well.
Don't expect too much with Premium economy, yes you'll have more legroom, but exactly the same seat as down the back, the same food and the same style service though the PE cabin is likely to be emptier meaning you might get served a little quicker.
Still, the tarts with the carts are more appealing than some other airlines!

the 747 i went orlando on in march had different premium seats to rest of plane,larger leather covered and better leg room.although the ife was the crap nova system so ran on a loop.
they do have some of the better stuff at gatwick as going to vegas 4 years ago ang returning from barbados 2 years ago the plane had the on demand v-port ife system.

ferf1223

It's been awhile but we flew on one of the 747s from Gatwick...we thought that while PE was loads better than economy, it wasn't 2x as good (while the price was).

We did not have standard economy seats in the bubble - they were definately nicer seats with more room (leg and rear) though they were pretty worn. Getting on and off the plane quickly was a benefit.

We haven't flown PE with them since - it didn't seem worth it. We did fly with them PE to Sydney on an Airbus and THAT was worth the money...having that comparison perhaps coloured our opinion.

johnnyroper

ferf1223 wrote: »

It's been awhile but we flew on one of the 747s from Gatwick...we thought that while PE was loads better than economy, it wasn't 2x as good (while the price was).

We did not have standard economy seats in the bubble - they were definately nicer seats with more room (leg and rear) though they were pretty worn. Getting on and off the plane quickly was a benefit.

We haven't flown PE with them since - it didn't seem worth it. We did fly with them PE to Sydney on an Airbus and THAT was worth the money...having that comparison perhaps coloured our opinion.

no matter what cabin you are in from LHR it will be better quality than LGW fleet,especially the a340 fleet as it is newer.

ferf1223

I totally agree...which is why if we ever wanted to splash out with Virgin again we would be darn sure to fly from LHR (unless they ever get around to upgrading the fleet out of LGW).

stoneman

HouseHuntr wrote: »

But the aircraft still haven't been updated and are very tatty in some areas with loose fixtures and fittings being a common issue, poor IFE if serviceable as well.
Don't expect too much with Premium economy, yes you'll have more legroom, but exactly the same seat as down the back, the same food and the same style service though the PE cabin is likely to be emptier meaning you might get served a little quicker.
Still, the tarts with the carts are more appealing than some other airlines!

Wrong. The seats are different than standard Y, food is the same but you get china plates and proper glass for your drinks, there is more frequent drinks runs, fruit bowl and chocolates, so that makes the style of service different as well. also how do you know that Prem. is likely to be emptier? Always had trouble getting a last minute upgraded seat on day of departure because it is constantly sold out.
I actually prefer the prem. from LGW to the Heathrow version, OK the seats are better and the IFE is AVOD, but because it is all downstairs on the 747 routes, it still seems crowded compared to the luxory of the bubble.

ferf1223

stoneman wrote: »

I actually prefer the prem. from LGW to the Heathrow version, OK the seats are better and the IFE is AVOD, but because it is all downstairs on the 747 routes, it still seems crowded compared to the luxory of the bubble.

That is true - it is nicer in the bubble for that reason thinking about it - it does seem more calm and relaxed and special...but the more comfy seats and the AVOD were preferrable to us...plus we got bulkhead seats and when it was time to go to sleep they brought out these wedge-sort of footrests for us...which was nice.