V-Flyer

Hi, new to the forum and finding it a mine of brilliant, useful info! First time we've flown with Virgin for many years and for our son's 21st we're going in PE from LHR to LAX on VS007 beginning of August. We're booked upstairs in row 72. Is it more than likely that we will get one of the up-to-date entertainment systems on this route? And anyone who's been on this route in PE is it good? The other thing I was wondering was, is it possible to pre-order a bottle of champagne as a surprise for our Son?Lots of questions I know, just really excited!
Thank you all, great forums!!

Using http://www.v-flyer.com/chance.asp suggests you'll get Odyssey or V:Port.

Hi
Flew VS7 in late April, this flight had V:Port which was excelelnt. I flew Y class so only walked through PE but seats looked great.

If you try calling Virgin Atlantic, you should be able to order the bottle you want.

Was on VS7 earlier this month with VPORT (our aircraft was Tinker Belle -- VBIG). VPORT is a great system, no matter where you're seated.

I checked out the upstairs PE section and it definitely looks like the place to be for a good night's rest, or for a quieter journey during the day. I have heard others say that flying Westbound during the day means many people would rather walk around, be surrounded with activity, thus "downstairs by day, upstairs by night". I am by no means a veteran VS flyer, however (unless 2 flights qualifies me for that lofty title), just curious as to why you picked upstairs versus downstairs.

Have a great flight.

Regards,
Chuck-

Hi Chuck,

On the upper deck eastbound PE tends to be quieter so if you want to catch some zzz it's the best place to be - hell it's the best place to be if your flying PE no matter what, you wouldn't get me on the airbus on the LAX-LHR route if you paid me!

Hi Chuck,

Just advised by friends that "upstairs" on the 747-400 was quiet and had better service. Let you know...going beginning of August...

Done economy for years and decided to have a bit more leg room!!!!
Annemarg

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
...hell it's the best place to be if your flying PE no matter what, you wouldn't get me on the airbus on the LAX-LHR route if you paid me!

If I was being paid to travel PE on that route AND I earnt flying club miles...yeah i'd think i'd have to agree to that

Did the VS7 in PE last month in row 74. Upstairs is definitely better, and the last row means you can recline without pi$$ing anyone off. You get great personal service upstairs and we were able to be the first two off the plane, which can be vital at LAX if 2 jumbos land together, which they did! [8D]

VPORT was fantastic, except the buttons are way too sensitive - everytime I moved my film either paused or stopped! [}:)]

The only downside was that the new PE seats are not as comfy as the old ones. Having the footrest on the seat in front is really crap if you are 6'2". [}:)][xx(][}:)]

Tinkerbelle is scheduled for VS5 on 7th June so we will have v.port but as we're in coach I won't get to try the seats (or suites) out Prof, not unless we are lucky

Thanx to all who've replied re: VS7 in PE.

To Prof though a question: You say you were in Row 74 - is there as much room as the other seats? The seat map gives the impression that further forward is better or could just be the way I'm reading it. Is the recline the same? Sometimes the back row doesn't get as much recline does it, or am I thinking of economy?? If 74 is better might change it now from where we're sitting.

It's also my son's Birthday, was thinking of ordering a bottle of champagne, do other people do that or not, don't want to appear naff!!! I know that we won't get champagne like UC and would like to surprise him.

74 definitely has as much recline as the other rows - it goes all the way back and there is still a gap to the wall behind.

If I had to pick a seat again, it would definitely by row 74. [8D]

Hi annemarg

Do you have any VS mileage? If you're on a Suite equipped flight, I can honestly say the best birthday present ever would be a move to a Suite for 20,000 miles per person! Trouble is, once you've tried them, it's the only way to travel!

Cheers

Buffers

Hi Buffers,

Unfortunately no VS mileage!!! The more I read about the UC the better it sounds, but hey at least we're in PE!!!:)

quote:Originally posted by annemarg
Unfortunately no VS mileage!!! The more I read about the UC the better it sounds, but hey at least we're in PE!!!:)

Well, PE is a very popular choice these days, and often seems to be full!

You could live in hope of hitting the Holy Grail - an operational upgrade to Upper if PE is overbooked on your flight (or even if Economy is full, they will bump-up through the cabins to get everyone onboard if possible).

But, remember that this sort of thing just tends to be the luck of the draw. Don't hold your breath...

The other thing you can do is enquire about the possibility of a cash upgrade at the airport. This is where VS sells off any remaining unticketed J-class inventory on the flight. It may be worth it on the way back, on the overnight sector.

That costs something like £600 per person, per sector, from a discounted PE ticket, as I recall, and is dependent on availability. I'm not sure what the cost is from a fully-flex PE ticket. There's a page on V-Flyer somewhere about this.

But, assuming you don't get lucky, you have the next best thing - PE is comfortable, especially upstairs on the 747.

Word of warning - do get something to eat from the airport before you leave, just in case. I'm not a fan of the inflight economy catering from the UK (the options just don't suit my tastebuds). It seems slightly better (for me anyway) from the US end, but I haven't flown VS since the menus were changed (which was about a month ago?)

Enjoy your flight!

Cheers,
Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanx for all your comments, sounds very tempting to upgrade, but will probably have to stay in PE this time! Got to save our money for our holiday in both Hawaii and Vegas!!!!

Bye for now