Virgin Economy - needs improvement

[Scrooge]

and thats just what you get [y]

Of course now that this subject comes up I can't find the darn VS pic's on their site that I want to show [:(!] but well,it's BS...this is what it is like.

it sounds like this is what you are expecting,so you wont be amazed when you dont get the room of J.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by VS-EWR

But it's not fair for people who only have enough money to spend on economy tickets to be forced to pay more for an upgrade or an exit seat in order to fit in the seat properly. And this isn't the same argument with obesity either, because you really cannot help it if your genes make it so that your are tall.

Who said life was fair?

How could you make it work practically? Say that no one under 6' 2" can have an exit row seat? Find out who the tallest people on the flight are and allocate the exit rows to them?

I am afraid that in the real world, you just have to accept that that are some disadvantages to being tall, and sitting in airline economy is certainly one of them.

Having said that, that are also a lot of advantages in being tall, and IMHO the advantages outweight the downsides. [}:)];):D

I also agree that this is one of the better debates we have had on here for a while.:)


Nick

KS - the entertainment is great. IMHO the food is fine. The staff are great. However the big let down is space, which is way behind some of the other carriers with 34" and arguably even behind BA with 32". If space is not an issue for you, I am sure you will enjoy the flight.

Don't read too much into this thread. Nearly everyone here is a VS fan. And you know how it is; the fans are normally the most difficult to please. I think what most people here are saying is that VS used to be near the top as the best and most innovative airline, but that in the Y cabin they have now slipped down the league somewhat.

I agree and after flying AA last month to Vegas via Chicago I have to tell you it was a tight fit , the food was bloody awful. Coming back I flew Business class with AA and its a real laugh. Plenty of room but so not great to be honest. Anyway we are not here to chat about AA. What can VS do to truly improve Y class. I spoke to a friend recently who flew Thai and said their Y class was really good. He loved the flight for 11/12 hrs to BKK - What does their product or SIA econmy product have that VS does not that makes a huge difference (apart from the great looking faS)

Keith

Originally posted by VS-EWR

Originally posted by milehigh
You have to remember the overall product that make W what it is.... yes its not just the bigger seat but a more flexable ticket,Dedicated check in, priority boarding, dedicated cabin crew (and ratio) boarding drinks, newspapers and of course more FF miles than Y.

People forget the product is only Economy and not Business Wanabe. And Travel agents dont help by selling it as business class when clearly the booking class on many airlines would still be coach.

I am 6"2 and i appreciate the comments on Y seats but the problem comes, what extent are you prepared to pay for legroom... first Choice get it back through stealth charges in the bookings. and I know that we get complaints from people being asked to pay £75 for exit seats.... so why will they pay more for more leg room? you would probably be required to remove 2 rows to give just 1" of legroom thats 16 seats of revenue to split between every other seat. The new A346 config does a good job...re design the seat and put a few more W seats to help pay for it.

Well its a start I think we would all agree

But it's not fair for people who only have enough money to spend on economy tickets to be forced to pay more for an upgrade or an exit seat in order to fit in the seat properly. And this isn't the same argument with obesity either, because you really cannot help it if your genes make it so that your are tall.

Agree Nick.

This is true - but not everybody can afford PE or UC Class but they should be able to get a nice comfortable flight as well. As I stated look at Cathy and SIA AND tHAI - All seem to have great Y class ..

Jetwet, thanks for posting that link with the picture of Y passengers eating.

Really brings home how close things will be. Oh well, there is an upside to this, my OH is partially sighted and was worried the screen would be too small/far away to see. No problem lol!

I'm still optimistic, you'll have to wait for the trip report!

TTFN

Paul

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

Who said life was fair?

Having said that, that are also a lot of advantages in being tall, and IMHO the advantages outweight the downsides. [}:)];):D

Nick

Absolutely, I can't reach the overhead lockers but can lay down in just 2 seats!

Jilly

Originally posted by porsche911
What does their product (Thai) or SIA econmy product have that VS does not that makes a huge difference

34" and red curry

Originally posted by karnsculpture
The impression I'm getting from this thread is that my experience in Y is going to be a nightmare, no matter what I have been told by people I know. I hope it is not.

In what way are the images on the Virgin Atlantic site a misrepresentation of what you get in Y? It looks as cramped as any other Y class carrier.

All I expect from Y is for me to get from A to B safely and in comfort, with decent entertainment options and a basic meal on long haul. If I want luxury I will pay extra. Most Y customers need a good price and are perfectly aware that the compromise is space. I am tall and I don't mind having the seat in front hitting my knees if the person pushes their seat back. The material is soft and padded - what's not to like? I feel quite cosy in a Y seat and find it hard to stay awake!

TTFN

Paul

Paul i fear the sleep that you fall in to on the flight may be as a result of your body slowing down to compensate for the lack of blood flow to your lower half especially with the seat in front resting acrosss your knees.

BRINGING SMILES ACROSS THE MILES [:o)]
WAYNE

Originally posted by sailor99

Originally posted by porsche911
What does their product (Thai) or SIA econmy product have that VS does not that makes a huge difference

34" and red curry

Satay!

Mike

Originally posted by karnsculpture
Jetwet, thanks for posting that link with the picture of Y passengers eating.

Really brings home how close things will be. Oh well, there is an upside to this, my OH is partially sighted and was worried the screen would be too small/far away to see. No problem lol!

I'm still optimistic, you'll have to wait for the trip report!

TTFN

Paul

Paul, there are a lot worse carriers in Y than VS. Try MAN to JFK on Continental[:$] Apart from anything else, the FAs average age must be around the 60 mark - not a pretty sight[n] Enjoy your trip, I'm sure you will, and let's have a great TR.

Thanks Treelo, I will try my best.

I don't mind older FA's, it's a bit like being given tea by your mate's good looking mum

TTFN

Paul

I'm presuming this must be a man-thing, but what difference does it make how old the FAs are?

Having flown several times with both VS and AA, I'd sooner have the AA FAs any time. I have much more confidence in their ability to deal with any situation that arises than some of the silly giggly VS girls I've seen. Each to their own, but I'd soon have an older FA who does their job well than a younger one who believes they are only onboard "primarily for your safety" and spends the flight checking their nails and make-up.

Then again, perhaps if Ewan McGregor was an FA I'd be happy for him to simply be decorative!

Speaking as one of the 'larger' passengers... (I generally fly economy, as I mainly fly LHR-JFK which isn't that long):

I don't find Virgin Economy particularly cramped, and don't remember BA WT being any better. In fact I had an absolutely awful experience all round on BA, mainly due to them cramming in far too many flights. 2 flights in same gate at JFK, 1h10 queue to check in at LHR.

The armrests come up in Economy, which helps. I do sometimes miss the 747 3-4-3 arrangement: my husband and I would book 2 of the 3, and the last seat would be one of the last to be picked so we had an excellent chance of getting it to ourselves.

I suppose I don't have high expectations of economy class flights: I'm used to US internal flights. I'm impressed enough by the fact they feed you. Twice!

On the other hand, my last flight in PE was distinctly unpleasant. You can have those new seats with the bigger tray tables: if you're larger, or pregnant, you can't use the table at all. It rests on an angle on your stomach. Because the armrests are unmoveable, I felt nearly as cramped as I do in Economy.

I'm willing to pay for extras, but add me to the list of people who don't think PE is sufficient to warrant double the price.

[Scrooge]

Thank you Wraf,I agree with you on this one.

Originally posted by sailor99
...and arguably even behind BA with 32".

BA actually have 31"

Originally posted by wraf137
I'm presuming this must be a man-thing, but what difference does it make how old the FAs are?

Having flown several times with both VS and AA, I'd sooner have the AA FAs any time. I have much more confidence in their ability to deal with any situation that arises than some of the silly giggly VS girls I've seen. Each to their own, but I'd soon have an older FA who does their job well than a younger one who believes they are only onboard "primarily for your safety" and spends the flight checking their nails and make-up.

Then again, perhaps if Ewan McGregor was an FA I'd be happy for him to simply be decorative!

wraf137

Sorry, wasn't trying to be ageist, sexist, or any other kind of ist for that matter. In fact, being very old and extremely wrinkly myself, I have no problem with age - I was merely trying to make the point that Y in VS isn't as black as has been painted previously on this thread. However, you should stand by for a bit of flack for your '.......nails and make-up' comment:D

Incidentally, what's the significance of 137 - your last 3:D

[Scrooge]

Alexis,just as an FYI you can book two seats in your name,one in hubbys so you get the 3 seats..you also get double the mileage and TP's.

Right this is my second time of posting this as my internet connection is poor today...here goes!

Basically it boils down to the fact that VS was a carrier which had a Y class that was at the fore front 10-15 years ago. Today, VS may well have a Y product that is amongst the best in Europe but compared to our Asian friends its very very substandard. For a carrier that prides itself on being world leading- Y is clearly letting it down. Get to the standards of the Asian carriers and we are on the way- its not going to require much either (IFE is there currently). This need to raise the standard is even more worrying with the good old Charter carriers raising their standards.

Its such a shame but lets hope its about to change. Virgin needs to be a world leader at everything it does not just with regards to its more expensive services....after all the young men and women who travel Y today will be the UCS flyers of tomorrow and a poor experience in Y today could put them, god forbid, off VS for life!!

In several years of working in the Economy Cabin I can honestly say that not many people complain to the crew or I about the 'poor' product.

In fact the GAP results and X planes have quite positive feedback from customers!

Bit uncertain what this "fetish" seems to be about older flight attendants. Your there to fly- not flirt. As long as they do there job who cares anything about the age (and infact wouldnt a older FA infact have more experience and maturity). The defining facotr on any crew performance should be merit- not age.

I wonder if in fact some of these comments are from "older" men with dreams in their own minds[:o)]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by badlynx
Bit uncertain what this "fetish" seems to be about older flight attendants. Your there to fly- not flirt. As long as they do there job who cares anything about the age (and infact wouldnt a older FA infact have more experience and maturity). The defining facotr on any crew performance should be merit- not age.

I wonder if in fact some of these comments are from "older" men with dreams in their own minds[:o)]

Well youth goes with the Virgin brand IMHO.

Some people think that younger FAs would be more able to perform in more satisfying manner than older FAs; especially in emergencies. I feel that VS FAs maybe more experienced than some think.

It is not correct I know BUT I did felt better getting on SQ in SYD with younger looking pilots that looked healthy than I would have getting on UA when I saw a UA pilot with the four bars, gut covering his belt buckle buying a sandwich at that surf-style cafŽ in the terminal.

Just arrived in HK last week with girlfriend, her first time on VS, she usually goes on CX,BA or even LH, her first impression was lack of space in Y, the big black box under seat and the thin seating fabric. Now that is a comment from a first timer, definitely not good for a product such as VS Y.

But then it is in all probability that that pilot with a gut will have had a lot more flying time under his belt (along with a few dozen pies):D and in all likely hood experienced a wider vaiety of possible incidents giving him a better ability to respond.
I am saying this and I dont consider myself old - being only in my 30's.
But unfort today we have a society in which we tend to dismiss the older for the younger trimmer version often forgetting that the company that sacks their older employees often ends up not having the depth or experience to survive.
I dont disgaree - younger does often look more attractive but I would dispute whether a 25 y/o or a 50 y/o could not move at the same pace in an emergency. And a smile from either lightens up anyones day. And at the end of the day it is the ability - not the age that should be the definng factor- whether a airline is trying to project a youthful image or not (are all its passengers really under 30?).