UCS Gatwick

I'm sure that you must be sick of this question by now, but I would really like to know what the chances are of VS051 on the 10 Jan to Grenada returning VS052 on the 24 Jan of having had the UCS fitted.
I have already paid for an upgrade on the outbound leg, as yet I haven’t upgraded from PE on the return flight. Could you tell me about the old style seats and cabin, what are your thoughts here, do you still feel that it is worth the £500 odd pounds to upgrade from PE to UC? .
Having never flown UC before I really don’t know what to think I only found out about the UCS after I had upgraded.
I’m really worried because I have paid for the upgrade for my partners Xmas present, not that he would say anything but if it has the old seats would it be a real disappointment? I will feel really upset if it is because for me it is a lot of money to spend. It also worries me is that I called reservations and was told that there are 5 (or maybe she said 7) 747s at Gatwick and 4 planes should have been refitted by the time I fly. She did put my mind at ease when she said the Caribbean would be done first because they had more UC bookings on this route, however, I read on this forum that the planes to MCO would be the first to have the UCS. And now I am even more confused because I have noted that all of the Gatwick 747s fly to the Caribbean & the USA so I don’t understand her point. I really do appreciate you time, thank you so much.

Alan,

First of all, welcome to V-Flyer.

Secondly, I hope I don't disappoint you too much when I tell you that your flights are currently scheduled as the current 744 rather than the Suite configuration. This could change nearer the time, although MCO and BGI are likely to be the routes done first, so don't get your hopes up.

The old style seats were made by Recaro; the planes were originally kitted out to go to Alitalia before the order was cancelled and VS bought them. They are reasonably comfortable, plenty of legroom and of course 2-2 configuration rather than the 1-1 of the Suites. Some people have no trouble sleeping in them, although I find a vat or two of wine helps!

BC

BC

Many thanks for your advice BC. Would you say then, that I am better off waiting until nearer the time before I make a decision on upgrading for the return leg? At least not being able to sleep on the outbound leg wonÕt be too much of a problem. IÕll be too excited to sleep! [:p] By the way my partner worked in Saudi for 2 years, the company that he worked for always paid for business or first class tickets. From what he has told me I donÕt think anything could be as grand as Saudi Air. I can always cross my fingers for the suites, having had a quick look at VirginÕs schedule I can see that 4 planes fly from Gatwick on a Monday presumably the 5th would be out of service having itÕs refit?
I canÕt for the life of me see why it is in VirginÕs best interests to refit the MCO route first, to me it doesnÕt make any sense [}:)] Firstly, on the Orlando route it costs a lot less to upgrade, and at certain times of the year it doesnÕt cost very much. The Caribbean UC & PE upgrades are always far more expensive, presumably VirginÕs marketing dept is aware that passengers on these routes can afford to and are willing to pay for luxury travel. Without meaning to sound like a complete snob, could the Orlando & Caribbean market really be compared ?. To me they are to completely different types of holiday and attract to completely different types of cliental. I can completely understand Barbados being on of the first to have the UCS after all it does have Sandy Lanes (we stayed at Silver Sands, if I was a snob I would have kept that to myself!)

FWIW I agree with your point on the Caribbean vs. MCO. However, I believe that VS does sometimes run positioning flights between MCO and BGI, so this may be what they are intending to do so that the first couple of LGW UCS planes cover both destinations. Even if VS were to prioritise the Caribbean routes they would be most likely to start with BGI, ANU and UVF as the more established routes.

If it were me, I would pay for the upgrade now, but YMMV.

BC

Interesting, MCO v Caribbean. We are regular ANU flyers as have a time share there, however we are going to MCO in december so....am i in for a shock!!! We do have a friend who knows an air crew member who does turn her eyes skyward when given the MCO flight. Whatever we should be fine tucked in to the nose and with the UCS showing should be fab. I think the LGW UCS should be fabby with only 14 in the cabin.
Alan if you can afford it always turn left when you get on the plane, i do and i cant afford it !!!:D

Hi Steven,
I havenÕt been to MCO, but I have been to Miami in PE on the Upper Deck. It was very pleasant and the cabin crew were excellent. One of the cabin crew remarked that "it looks like Beirut downstairs" not very PC but funny all the same! I think the MCO route would be similar to the Miami route (but with even more kids!). I'm o.k with kids as we were all young once, but my partner just canÕt tolerate them (sorry Mums & Dads). I think he gets a bit agitated as he gets a bit scared when flying and the screaming excited kids off to see Mickey Mouse don't help. After our first time in PE 3 years ago we went again this year, we have never seen any kids on the Upper Deck so will always book PE I just hope that UC is worth the cost. Will just have to wait and see about booking UC on the way back if itÕs a night flight I canÕt really see the point in pay another £500 quid each if it doesnÕt have the UCS. Virgin really are onto a winner, but to be honest if it wasnÕt for the 10% discount through Virgin Holidays I would have gone with BA Club World and saved myself a lot of stress !

I must be psychic, I have just check my previously confirmed seats on VirginÕs web site and noticed that my seats on the Upper Deck in PE for the return were still reserved but there wasnÕt any details on the Upper Class outbound leg. Have just spoken to Emma in reservations who confirmed that the UCS has just been confirmed for the outbound journey on the 10th Jan and was able to reserve my seats it changed within second on the web!!! Emma said that the USC hasnÕt been confirmed for the inbound on the 24th Jan but the chances are it will be confirmed UCS in the near future.

Alan