3 broken seats in one flight :(

If the UCS table was reliable, the design would not have changed. Every UCS flight I have been on bar one (ex-LGW with 14 seats) has had UCS difficulties ranging from suites needing manual conversion through to recalcitrant tables.

Totally agree - I've had tables that need to opened with credit cards, broken IFE, non-working laptop power, broken armrests and recalcitrant seats. When a flight is not full you can move (though what's then the point of preferred seating) and generally the crew have been incredibly helpful where there has been a problem. Howeve, I'm not that green to believe that none of these things are known before boarding, but I hope Virgin don't abuse that like some airlines I know ...

Lots of people leave sleep suits behind. The Engineers do check every UCS after the A/C lands. They do not check every Y and W chair there is no time. FYI each A/C on a turnaround at LHR/LGW/MAN only have 2-3 engineers to fix any problems in the cabin. Sometimes on a single flight there can be up to 30 things to fix ranging from a blocked sink in the galley, a broken safety latch, a broken tray table, broken IFE, broken chairs. The list is endless. Not trying to make excuses as I think its really bad that a customer does not get full use of the chair they paid for just trying to let people see the bigger picture.

Ok then but I know they knowingly put you in seats with problems. It has happenned to me. I got to my seta which was smothered in chewing gum, told the crew member who said yeah I know. I think she actually expected me to sit there! But after some persuading she gave me a U/C duvey to sit on (which was fine). We were then op upped but after some considerable time.

To be very selfish and to play devils advocate. >Just wanted to add that as a traveller it is not my problem what is broken and needs fixing. All passengers know is how much they have paid to travel and what service they expect.

You are right its not your problem whats broken etc all I was doing was painting a bigger picture. Its as much a problem for me as crew as it you as we are the ones that get shouted at. The check in staff do not knowingly put you in defective seats. They don't know what is broken unless they are told. The CCM may have known because she had seen it. So the problem is now that she should have informed the cleaners to change the seat cover. If you ever have a problem like this onboard and the CCM does not solve it ask to see the CSS for that cabin. If the CSS cant solve it ask to see the FSM.

Originally posted by BlackCat
Even with relatively short turnaround times I think it would be possible to do a basic check of 45 suites to make sure that the table works and that the seat converts. And given the continuing reliability issues with the UCS it would seem like a prudent thing to do...

BC

Blimey I go away for a day and a half and all hell kicks off! I have dropped a note to VS via email the morning I arrived. Nothing back. In my note I have said 'please don't give me miles or forward this to 'Sir Richard Branson's office' - I just want to know how cabin maintenance can be so poor. It was extremely frustrating - coupled with a resigned approach from the FSM (who's name I put in my note). Came across as 'nothing much I can do about it'.

I don't think that's good enough. One seat had a complete power failure - that should be checked. One seat had an armrest with a broken button - which would be visible after all of 5 seconds and the final seat, as ever, had a broken NEW format table.

That's not good enough in my opinion. So I've done something about it (to be completed in next post)

J

Originally posted by declansmith
continuing reliability issues with the UCS it would seem like a prudent thing to do...

I am flying 3 - 4 times a week and 99% of the time the UCS is very reliable, thats why its winning awards and is so popular if there were that many reliability issues then people would not fly it!

Delighted for you Declan.... I am not, I'm in the one percent. One percent of 60k J pax a month is 600. That's a lot of issues...

And to prove your point - I've just cancelled the return leg of the full £3800 J fare and am returning F in BA, which was less expensive when booked from Del.

So, as far as I'm concerned - this part of the one percent isn't flying it.

I don't mean to be grumpy, but I can't bear this 'the majority like it' nonsense when it comes to service and standards. It should work for all.

[mitchja]

One of the biggest problems I'm seeing with UCS is the IFE screen arm been very loose. I've encountered this on a number of occasions now - Airbuses do seem to be worse for some reason. The screen wont stay in any one position, the only way round this is to jam your menu either under the screen or between the screen and the UCS wall.

Regards

At the risk of continuing to sound rather negative, I've had the following happen to me:

+ Loose IFE screen arms
+ Damaged UCS surrounds (the wall panel coming away)
+ No power at all to the seat
+ Bed conversion inoperable (a variety of reasons)
+ Table completely inoperable
+ Table hinge faulty/damaged so that the table hangs at an angle
+ Armrest refuses to stow
+ Armrest refuses to unstow
+ Ottoman seatbelt refuses to retract

I'd freely admit that I travel quite frequently, but the reliability issues are starting to get me down and really do detract from the experience. At the moment I am considering a move to BA for much of my business travel, so these issues may well have an effect on my travel pattern.

BC

Originally posted by BlackCat
At the risk of continuing to sound rather negative, I've had the following happen to me:

+ Loose IFE screen arms
+ Damaged UCS surrounds (the wall panel coming away)
+ No power at all to the seat
+ Bed conversion inoperable (a variety of reasons)
+ Table completely inoperable
+ Table hinge faulty/damaged so that the table hangs at an angle
+ Armrest refuses to stow
+ Armrest refuses to unstow
+ Ottoman seatbelt refuses to retract

I'd freely admit that I travel quite frequently, but the reliability issues are starting to get me down and really do detract from the experience. At the moment I am considering a move to BA for much of my business travel, so these issues may well have an effect on my travel pattern.

BC

For me, it all goes back to the often told story of 'consistency'. Sony used to say 'consistency = quality' and I'm inclined to agree.

When those flights in UCS are good - they're great, I recently did Shanghai on a 346 and it was brilliant.

BA are upping their game, the new lounge at terminal one is incredibly good - anyone else seen it?, with mood lighting, velvets, all new seats, areas and a to-order kitchen, T4 lounge is getting better with proper food. The seats aren't as shocking as people go on about, did Zanzibar via Dar on the 767 in CW and it was brilliant too.

However (before I'm booted off the board) I still have a passionate loyalty to VS. I just hate it slipping, and I'm one of those travellers who really notices things like this - as I seem to spend half my life in the air... I like innovation, but I don't want to be a beta-test customer for a product which I feel is letting the airline down.

Anyway I'm off for my First First... god help BA if they screw this up.

/end 2 cents worth

Jonathan, I agree the BA lounge at T1 is very good but I don't think it is a patch on the Clubhouse. The best flight I have ever had was on BA First - I hope your experience is as good.