Main VS 787 Thread

I'm in 5A which is great, 11A is very close to the bar.

Ok thanks ,think I'll change it then

What's the load like chaps ?

[honey lamb]

I am having a few problems with pictures! (@getinjonathan is currently on a video conference).

The new amenity kit is definitely better. Improved pen (just), added lip balm. Same rubbish socks toothpaste etc. Better but not much better!

Btw really good FSM (****) and cabin crew *** is also excellent.

In 7A – no window! This should be added to the seat map!

@Blacky1 full in J and W but lots of space in Y

I've uploaded a few picture of the seat and amenities kit to Photos in the Community section. Not sure how to link them to here though.

I've uploaded a few picture of the seat and amenities kit to Photos in the Community section. Not sure how to link them to here though.

Cheers for posting those

I had no idea the amenity kit was getting a refresh as well.... fleet wide or just on the 787s?

PS - photos are linked here. People need to log in to see them though.

Wow how exciting, is the Wifi connection really good?

34 minutes to landing - had a few drinks - so hope this make sense:

Initial thoughts:

The 787-9 is an amazing aircraft – really impressive
The lighting, layout, space etc all really good
The IFE is an improvement, particularly the improved touch screen, but nothing major
The new flight map is really cool
The new amenity kit is also an improvement, but also nothing amazing
The J seat is the best VS product yet, but don’t expect a wow
In sleeping position the bed is much more comfortable than the UCS or the UCDS
The washrooms are great – loads of space
Bin space is Upper is much improved
The bar is larger – 4 seats – but very open – so stay away to avoid the noise
The larger window size is really impressive – makes a big difference
As ever, the staff are the real strength of VS

And finally

V-Flyers defiantly like a drink!

Apparently part of the ceiling fell apart on the climb out of lhr? Can't wait to get on it though!

Good morning from the Acela Express out of Boston...back to NYC.

The VS11, first 787/9 flight was probably one of my best flights ever - in part due to hooking up with three V-flyers on board...all sat next to each other actually.

I'll start with the biggest negative which CBRLondon has touched upon - J seats are no game changer that's for sure. Definitely an improvement on UC suites v1 v2, but a far cry from being a statement or 'wow' factor. Virgin are innovators, they are not with this seat, no way. It is very comfortable, it is brand new, and when in sleep mode - I managed 2 hours uninterrupted, that'a big plus if sleep is what you need. I was really hoping for some 'wow' but it didn't happen.

I agree with everything CBR has said, wifi was quite incredible once the initial traffic (everyone trying at once) wore off and I was indeed able to FaceTime with my New York office without issues. At £14.99 it's quite the bargain if you're needing to do work, which on this flight probably rounded off to around £2 per hour.

J toilets are a serious 'wow' - so much room - us V-flyers could have held a party in there. Very spacious, and totally exclusive for J flyers. There is a curtain that basically separates the two - one for W and one for J.

The bar - this really works, very spacious, great for hanging out, or hanging off as was the case for some close to end of flight. ;-)

Champagne - this English sparkling wine VS are trying to push was not to my liking. As soon as it hit my palette I knew it was not champagne, but some cheap imitation. A bad version of what is served in W - YUK!

Food was great, tried the chicken, really good, fresh, tasted good, washed down with some red!

Cockpit - serious wow! It's small, but seriously like something out of Star Trek... captain kindly showed me their rest area which is super spacious, very quiet and somewhere I wouldn't mind bunking down with the right person.... ;-)

Wandered back to Y a few times, very nice! Plonked myself into a seat for 5 mins and was genuinely impressed with the recline and comfort, same applies to the enhanced W seats. The Wander Wall was not stocked when I checked, and is basically in the W galley.... which for the most part is curtained off from PAX - not sure it'll be a winner.

Lighting was seriously impressive, though could've done dimming earlier.. Crew explained the temperature of the aircraft is automated and a problem to self manage.

So in a nutshell - A new product I will absolutely fly when possible, certainly for the overnights back from NYC to LHR (sleep) and for morning NYC flights to LHR.

Massive shouts the V-Flyers I met onboard... Very cool!

Virgin going to exercise four more options on 789 and considering 7810 for LGW 747 replacement
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... 0s-405245/

Some great feedback guys , thanks for posting

[Darren Wheeler]

Isn't the champagne Lanson?

Isn't the champagne Lanson?

Not anymore! No Lanson on board. Meon Hill Grand Reserve is the new sparking wine, and it's far from..

Isn't the champagne Lanson?

I was surprised as well. In the menu, it literally listed the following under Champagne:

Lanson Black Label
Available on all aircraft except our 787s
Lanson Champanges remain pure, crsip, fresh and fruity beacuse they avoid malolactic fermentation. So they're perfect for air travel.

Sparkling Wine
Meonhill NV, Hambledon Vineyards, Hampshire, England
Available exclusively on our 787 aircraft
A Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend that even at altitude, is beautifully balanced with a refreshing lime and biscuit finish. Specially selected to taste perfect onboard our 787s, which have a totally new cabin environment.

The lack of Lanson/proper champagne probably explains my hangover.....

What a load of tosh! Specially selected to cut costs more like! I wonder if this "enhancement" will be rolled out across the fleet in due course "due to popular demand"?

Out of interest were any of the other new UC service enhancements available on the VS11 yesterday? Eg the shared charcuterie plate?

I agree with the other v-flyers onboard. I just wish I had gone to the Clubhouse earlier to meet you guys at the bar but sadly I was running late after seeing the red poppies at Tower of London in the afternoon.

In addition to what has been said, some thoughts:
-At the bar area, after sipping a few drinks, the triangles decor started reminding us of the Delta logo. Odd and subtle, but definitely there.
-I sat in seat 10A and found that seat 11A is more private. Behind 11A is a newspaper table area with a high wall that gives the person sitting in 11A more privacy (you can't see his head from the bar.)
-On night flights, I wouldn't sit past row 8 since the noise from the bar may be too loud. Though we had a great time at the bar after dinner service, the cabin crew did whisper to us to quiet it down a bit. I'll admit I think background music would have made the bar area perfect.
-If sitting on row 5A to 11A, you get double overhead cabin space (you get both sides.) There is no overhead space in the middle for the first 4 rows due to the crew resting area on top.
-Loved the bar area, especially how the large flatscreen TV there was touchscreen and you can change the images/maps, etc.
-The wander wall was quite high (perhaps so kids won't play around with the chips/marshmallow/chocolates on display?) The refrigerator does not have a glass wall yet so it looks like an oven.
-The galley at the back of economy is huge. I mean h-u-g-e! It is 3-3-3 in economy but I sat in it for 2-3 mins and found it comfortable.

I had a great time and am glad to have flown Birthday Girl! I hope to fly it again but I'll admit given how VS is most likely to retire its A340s and B747s, I may opt to fly those more for the time being, especially the 747.

What a load of tosh! Specially selected to cut costs more like! I wonder if this "enhancement" will be rolled out across the fleet in due course "due to popular demand"?

Out of interest were any of the other new UC service enhancements available on the VS11 yesterday? Eg the shared charcuterie plate?

Yes the shared charcuterie plate was available to share. I didn't order any since I was full but I did see it on the menu:

Extra bites to share
Enjoy in your seat or at the bar.

Cold charcuterie
Prosciutto ham and salami with olives and stuffed peppers

Warm vegetable pakora and samosa
With refreshing cucumber and mint raita.

What a load of tosh! Specially selected to cut costs more like! I wonder if this "enhancement" will be rolled out across the fleet in due course "due to popular demand"?

Out of interest were any of the other new UC service enhancements available on the VS11 yesterday? Eg the shared charcuterie plate?

This muck they call Champagne retails for around £25 a bottle.

This muck they call Champagne retails for around £25 a bottle.

Odd that it's just on the 787. Hopefully they'll quietly drop it.

Thanks all for the TRs. Does it have a "new aircraft" smell - like cars have a "new car" smell?

There is no overhead space in the middle for the first 4 rows due to the crew resting area on top.

What, like bunk beds?

No champagne! This better not roll out in the manner gumshoe describes...but they need to pay for that lip balm some way!
Thanks for all the pics and the reviews...I'm still excited to be flying one in March!!!
Darren

Loving all the feedback and photos, thanks everybody. I'm really chuffed all is well, apart from the champagne saga. Can't be doing with that, if they say not on our 787s and they're planning on replacing half the fleet in the next couple of years.

Let's start a petition and send an email to SRB and David Cameron!

Really disappointed at the lack of Lanson ;o(

I've got 1A early December, anyone got comments / experience of that seat?

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but does anyone know what flight numbers the 787 will take on for the JFK flights?