New LHR 744 config

[Neil]

Originally posted by 747340
[:(!]No PE downstairs it cant happen

It suddenly makes BA the better product[^] at great prices[:0]
Keep PE upstairs[:w]

How? BA is currently a 2-4-2 config in WT+ and doesn't have a lot of the extras that VS had (Seperate check in/glass of champers/Prority baggage), so IF VS do go 2-4-2 it would still mean they offer more than BA with the same seating config, and with the new meal and service starting in December it is only going to push VS even further infront.

Oh and prices between the 2 are 9 times out of 10 identical, so not even cheaper to fly BA

Neil:)

Do we have a timetable to when all this is happening?

What routes will these take ? Is there anychance for Lon to Orlando next June?

PE no thanks[:(] 2-4-2 and on the main deck [V] Just like on the old Classics in the 90's or on BA. But at least they had legrests. With 7(?) rows of 2-4-2 seats (and the "galley" seats) it won't have a very Premium feel about it apart from the fare[:(!] Perhaps VS should have copied the 1980s BA Club World product which had 2-3-2 seating, 40-inch pitch and legrests. With the likes of discount J-class carriers like Maxjet, or even DL and sometimes BA to consider, why bother going PE? Unless you're upgrading from Y or have a PE only company rule. Although with extra seats in UC there might be more scope for discounts! With less seats in Y there might be more upgrades all round, just like on BA with their small Y cabin, smallish WTP, and large CW cabin:D

Originally posted by porsche911
What routes will these take ? Is there anychance for Lon to Orlando next June?

Hi Keith - These changes are to the LHR 744 aircraft only. MCO is served from LGW and by MAN/LGW config aircraft.

The 5 LHR 744's are currently deployed to SFO, JFK x2, and MIA. As of 01/12/2006 JNB will pick up a 744 also....

Thanks for the info Ben [y]

Sounds like the perfect excuse to book a reward flight to SFO. All UC upstairs sounds fab. Just need to wait for the rollout now... [|)]

Originally posted by p17blo


LGW/MAN will be following when????

Paul

I cannot see why they would need to make any changes to the LGW/MAN fleet - the demand/supply ratios for UC and PE on the b&s routes seems to be about right for VS - ISTBC but this is the reason why there is a smaller number of UC seats and more PE.

Looks like the business routes are going to be generating more profit providing they can sell the seats at the right price!!!

[fozzyo]

I know how wonderful PE is upstairs compared to downstairs. But part of this is that downstairs is tiny and horrible. With the new enlarged PE cabin it will be much better - not as private as upstairs. But still a lot nicer then we have now - it won't be a bunch of seats either side of the stairs / galley. It will be a full cabin.

Really hope this all comes through - nice to see VS getting back to the front and leading again. Just got to sort out the scrooge pack and food and they will be onto some real winners!

Are they still planning on introducing the same mood/theme lighting system into PE that they have in Upper? I remember this being mentioned a while ago, and then nothing has been said of late.
One of the best things about travelling on BA is that you can upgrade from just about any WTP fare to Jcl for 25,000 miles, afaik.

Originally posted by MarkJ

Originally posted by p17blo


LGW/MAN will be following when????

Paul

I cannot see why they would need to make any changes to the LGW/MAN fleet - the demand/supply ratios for UC and PE on the b&s routes seems to be about right for VS - ISTBC but this is the reason why there is a smaller number of UC seats and more PE.

Looks like the business routes are going to be generating more profit providing they can sell the seats at the right price!!!

But UCS and PE are FULL whenever I fly the LGW-MCO route and I tend to fly off-peak. I can't get any availability apart from mid-week on G so my guess is that demand is there.

Paul

Thats quite a big leap in seats for UC and PE.
Sure if the seats take the full width of the cabin downstairs that will be better, but lets hope some PE seats remain upstairs. I for one mostly book 747's when flying to JFK simply because I like the feel of the upstairs cabin (never heard it called the bubble before).

Will await the seat plans with interest...

Dean

[Scrooge]

I do like the idea of the turn left for UC right for W and Y, with a little luck and the FA's keeping an eye out maybe the J cabin will be for J pax only.

I do wonder how this will effect G bookings though, will rev mis management actually release a couple of extra G seats ? Anyways I like the general idea, just have to see how VS figures out the new seating and of course will they part with the $$$ to staff the J cabin at the right levels.

I would have thought that an all-UC bubble is the most likely result of the updated configuration. Going by my experience when flying Raffles Class with SQ earlier this year, turning left got you into main deck Raffles and First, with upstairs also assigned to Raffles Class. Turning right was your route to PE and then, of course, Economy.

ISTBC, but if you kept upstairs "half n' half", you'd have the stairs smack bang in the middle of an extended UC cabin? That just doesn't sound reasonable to have an "island" of Wcl passengers upstairs with UC all around. At the very least, thinking about the "mendacious activity" thread, it would make policing the UC/PE crossover areas much harder, surely? Taking for example the bar, it's currently pretty obvious if an PE passenger has passed through "from back" and is now trying for an UC drink. An element of uncertaintly would now exist if that PE passenger came from upstairs and sat down at an UC bar that no longer had that "barrier". What do you do? Ask every passenger at the bar to produce their boarding card?

Additionally, I would have thought it makes sense operationally to have upstairs as a single-class. I imagine the galley at the back of the bubble currently has to accomodate two sets of food and drink, etc. An all-UC product upstairs would be easier to manage?

None of this is good news for those in Wcl who like travelling upstairs, but conversely it's good news for the J/Zcl crowd and that's where, ultimately, the biggest margins of profit lie for VA.

Darryl

Can we expect to see mood lighting in W soon? I think it would add a nice touch to the cabin.

[honey lamb]

One of the things that I found annoying when I was in the UC section of the bubble was that you lost priority when leaving as you came downstairs after the PE passengers (it also annoys me on the LGW routes) With an all UC bubble it will be easier to ensure UC pax got off first [y]

How is this new config going to work within the fleet? If, at first, there is one aircraft with the new config, how are VS going to know what to book to in the classes?[:?]

VS.

interesting Question there will certianly be a few annoyed people if an a/c is on that route with a different config. some will have to be downgraded or even better upgraded[y]

How is this new config going to work within the fleet? If, at first, there is one aircraft with the new config, how are VS going to know what to book to in the classes?

Excellent point VS, They are either going to have to be very clever and work out which aircraft fly which route way in advance and hope nothing goes tech. Alternatively play it safe by booking as if it's the old configuration and if it's a new configuration on the day do operational upgrades if Econ & PE become full.

[mcmbenjamin]

Or you could play the opup game and book a lower class.

Also consider the alternative many play out if they must sub a LGW 747 in when the LHR 747 is getting refitted. Or maybe they have planned this to be time with an arrival of an A346 that could have a lessor effect.

Congrats HL! 9 days to go!

Thanks for the helpful responses. I now understand why maybe I'm getting the wrong info. I was surprised, as usually the folks at Virgin are really helpful (in my experience anyway)

I've flown premium economy on the upper deck before, and really liked it. No other seats are available for pre-allocation, but maybe I'll have a bit of luck at check in, as I guess more seats are released at that time. I'm sure the seats I've got will be ok, as it's a daytime flight, so I'm not looking to sleep the whole way. As the seats are just ahead of the wing, I should get a good view on approach to SFO.

I've got a few flights lined up with Virgin, so I'm hoping to maybe have a chance to sample the new Premium in February. I was fortunate to fly in an aircraft in early 2006, which had the new seats on trial, in the central section. They really are extremely comfy. The video on demand was good too, though I'm guessing that won't be on the 744 to SFO.

Just a quick question, as I'm flying on 9th Dec, I'm just wondering if the premium cabin will have the new enhanced meal service, even though the new seats are not installed?

[mitchja]

Originally posted by zippy
The video on demand was good too, though I'm guessing that won't be on the 744 to SFO.

Just a quick question, as I'm flying on 9th Dec, I'm just wondering if the premium cabin will have the new enhanced meal service, even though the new seats are not installed?

Hi zippy

All VS LHR B744's do have V:Port (the AVOD IFE system) and the new Premium Economy meal service was rolled out across the entire VS network last week so you will get this as well [y]. My Parents got the new PE meal/on-board service on Saturday on their VS74 MCO>MAN flight and they said it was fantastic [y]

Regards

Originally posted by zippy
Just a quick question, as I'm flying on 9th Dec,

You'll have the new catering service and the LHR B744 do have V-port, so you should have a great flight.

Originally posted by mitchja
the new PE meal/on-board service on Saturday on their VS74 MCO>MAN flight and they said it was fantastic [y]

Hi James

Any further details you can share (at one remove?) - or have you already posted them elsewhere ?

Edit....James - don't worry about the minutiae of menu content as it has been posted here by VITB but I think many would be interested in hearing opinions about the service.

Thanks

Paul

This is great news. Really looking forward to the new food service. The VOD vport system is just excellent. This will be a great way to get to SFO. Thanks for all the replies, and help.

Looks like the seatmap for the new config has appeared on Virgin's website :-http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp?type=12