V-Flyer

does anyone have any pics of the PE amenity kit. is it the same as economy? also any pics of UCS kit plz.

thanks

The PE kits are exactly the same as economy kits.

If you do a search on EBay, you will see lots of picture of the kits.

Nick

Another reason why PE sucks! At such a premium price, you'd think that VS might give a little something extra onboard rather than the same amenity kits and meals as Y. [xx(]

Originally posted by bostonbrit
Another reason why PE sucks! At such a premium price, you'd think that VS might give a little something extra onboard rather than the same amenity kits and meals as Y. [xx(]

Agreed, but this is unlikely bearing in mind VS are paring down the UC amenity kit and food...[V]

Originally posted by bostonbrit
Another reason why PE sucks! At such a premium price, you'd think that VS might give a little something extra onboard rather than the same amenity kits and meals as Y. [xx(]

As the name suggests, Premium ECONOMY is based on the service provided in the main cabin. There are onboard extras:-

- priority boarding and disembarkation
- larger seat with extra legroom
- boarding drinks
- newspapers
- first choice of meal

as well as

- dedicated Premium Economy check in desk(s)
- priority baggage handling

- priority baggage handling

I think priority baggage tagging would be a more appropriate name...

I could forgive all other necessities, kits, food, etc. for priority baggage handling ... come on Virgin, find one good thing to boost the difference and enhance the service. We pay for the space but heck a glass of fizzy wine and a newspaper do not premium make.

Having said that I'm a huge fan of PE. But like UC, you gotta move to stay ahead of the rest.

The economy kits are far worse than last time I had one......little more than a notepad and couple of other useless bits - but they do come in 3 colours, blue, yellow/green and pink I think. You don't even get those headphones anymore in them to keep - they hand them out later and then collect them before the flight lands!
Had a look at PE when I was exiting and didn't seem much better than economy.....two seats instead of two isn't bad, but the legroom didn't seem much more.

They really seem to be cutting back on little things.

... and I think they are getting rid of the notebook now, so that really doesn't leave much!

I am taking my amenity kits I got in Upper last time and refilling them with christian dior and cartier stuff for my mum and dad:D

at the end of the day whatever gripes we have about PE, we all would rather be upstairs in the bubble than downstairs and turning right.

I have to say that I don't really care too much whats in the amenity kit. Its the extra space (and as egg says the bubble) that I feel I am paying for.

99

Thats really what you are paying for in PE - the space and comfort. The extras - newspaper, priority boarding / baggage, checkin etc are just little extras. You don't get many of those with BA for a similar price.

Is it overpriced? Probably, but then I still pay it and so do plenty of other people. According to the availability tool our flight to SFO next week is pretty much full for PE. So while we may moan and gripe about the price VS what motivation do VS have to reduce it - its a very popular class and one I suspect that is very profitable.

Saying that I would like to see some extra's included, and it is rumoured that this is happening - the re-introduction of the Baileys / Brandy service for example.

I do like the old amenity kit, the toothbrush with a little duck on was priceless!! I usually resisted the temptation to name him. As long as it keeps the eye wossnames and ear-plugs I'm pretty happy.

Foz xxx

Originally posted by Jetstreamer

Originally posted by bostonbrit
Another reason why PE sucks! At such a premium price, you'd think that VS might give a little something extra onboard rather than the same amenity kits and meals as Y. [xx(]

As the name suggests, Premium ECONOMY is based on the service provided in the main cabin. There are onboard extras:-

- priority boarding and disembarkation
- larger seat with extra legroom
- boarding drinks
- newspapers
- first choice of meal

as well as

- dedicated Premium Economy check in desk(s)
- priority baggage handling

All for 2.5-3 times the Y fare! [xx(]

I think 250%-300% of the Y fare is a little steep - in my experience, for tickets with similar flexibility, its more like 50%-60% more.

At the end of the day, if PE is full, then I would say that the market is telling VS they have the price pegged about right.

99

Originally posted by sailor99
At the end of the day, if PE is full, then I would say that the market is telling VS they have the price pegged about right.

... or that Y is viewed as such a bad product, more people are willing to be overcharged for the opportunity of gaining another 6"...

sailor99 said "I think 250%-300% of the Y fare is a little steep - in my experience, for tickets with similar flexibility, its more like 50%-60% more. "

I've paid about FIVE times what some of the folk in Y paid!! And that in a A343 !!!
[:(!][V]
I remember my first flight in "Mid Class" as it then was back in '94 on a Classic had leg-rests, etc. There was a letter from RB (no "Sir" then) pointing out improvements such as leg-rests, etc. (which most A343s never got!) In those days Mid Class pax got letters from RB with their boarding cards, just as UC pax still do. Then the name changed to PE. After that improvements stopped, but fares rose!
Baileys disappeared to return again on some flights recently.
Hot towels never reinstated I believe.
Legrests not installed on most A343s.
No toilets on A343s.
No dedicated FAs on some flights I've been on.
Mediocre economy food.
No cooked breakfasts.
No newspapers on some flights.
No more CH access for Amex Platinum members.
There is now a lot more opposition, especially from BA, whose WTP seats are much better, and often much cheaper.
There are also deep discounted J class fares on other airlines. Why fly PE when for the same or a bit more you can get a proper biz-class, with lounge access. (we're not all gold members).
So now I only fly VS when UC is deeply discounted. No more £1.2k PE fares for me.
I wonder how many of those in PE are still paying that kind of money. How many are op-upped from Y, or on cheap £199 UG's, or are staff or friends of staff?
Once a good product, and still not bad on upper deck of B744s, but in need of a radical upgrade.
UC is a great product. Y is Y. The name "PE" says a lot. How can you have a "premium" economy product?

My girlfriend and I flew yesterday to LAX in PE upstairs on a 747. It struck me that it had improved since my last PE flight on a 747 several years ago. Seats seemed better, screens bigger and yes Brandy/Bailey's was definately offered.

This was my girlfriend's first flight on VS PE and she very much a VS convert now from BA.

P.S. who do I write/email to praise the excellent, efficient and friendly cabin staff? We were sat in row 70 and able to see the UCS area, and appart from the food we had exactly the same standard of service which really impressed both of us.

Simon - do contact Virgin they will appreciate it. You can do it on the VA web site in the contact us section


{preiffer - tidied link & removed need for login}

I love PE upstairs on the 744. I love it even more when I get it for £150 each way (MAN - BGI this Nov)!!

Regards

John

Jonh, that's one hell of a fare, where in earth did you get that??? If that was PE what was UC? I'll take at that rate:D!!!

Ah, sorry... I mean £150 each way to UPGRADE to PE with VH!

[:I][:I][:I]

Apologies for the confusion

John

And another thing Simon....

Use the "post flight feedback" bit in the FC site. I wrote feedback for the excellent crew and flight we had to NAS recently and got a nice email back from customer relations thanking me for my "lovely" comments!

John

Hi John, I'll do that on the FC site.

I still think VS could differenciate W from Y without paying out much

I've flown PE loads and its beeter than Y sure..the main reason I do though is in the hope of an op up (which being gold happens more frequently)
Bear in mind though I generally fly on routes where PE is oversold!

Recently though I flew on a charter[:0] They offered a round trip upgrade for £85 more and the food was better than Y as was booze selection etc

Whilst I Appriciate PE is an enhanced Y product VS need to do more especially on B&S routes where charters are operating, to stay on thread the amenity kit was better (it included a shoe horn!!)

Originally posted by SimonEdwards
My girlfriend and I flew yesterday to LAX in PE upstairs on a 747. It struck me that it had improved since my last PE flight on a 747 several years ago. Seats seemed better, screens bigger and yes Brandy/Bailey's was definately offered.

This was my girlfriend's first flight on VS PE and she very much a VS convert now from BA.

P.S. who do I write/email to praise the excellent, efficient and friendly cabin staff? We were sat in row 70 and able to see the UCS area, and appart from the food we had exactly the same standard of service which really impressed both of us.

Just wondering which seats did you have? 70AK or HK????