Virgin First - Would it ever happen?

Iam unsure if this has ever been asked before but does anybody think VS would ever have a F even on the new A380. If so what could they possibly do to make theirs better than others. Maybe a silly question as VS have never has a F but could they create the ultimate experience in first class travel?

This is where I find BA (and others) have the upper hand.... Travel in Club but you can still aspire to or hope for an OpUp to first.
With VS, once you've made to Upper, that's it. All you can hope for is a better amenity pack

lol - what amenity pack - hey pvg - what date do you fly back from shanghai?

[fozzyo]

Can you imagine it, flowers, little red cushions, hot water bottles, pencil case ameniety kits, excellent food. [}:)]

While I think VS would do an amazing F that would get them back at the top of their game. And truly something to aspire to travelling in. And as you say in the 380's it may be possible.

Or maybe they do to Business travel what they did to Economy all those years ago - Premium J. Avoiding the need for a seperate lounge facility etc and having a premium cabin that is somewhere between J and F.

I tend to associate First with 'fat cats' and stuffy service. Even with a typical 'Virgin Twist", I'm not really sure it's a Virgin thing. Keep enhancing Upper Class - and stop destroying it with silly things like the late night 'no food' service and shabby snooze packs... Then we'll have something to be proud of.

Just out of interest whats the F experience like on the plane.

I wouldn't want to get bumped any further forward on VA from UCS, being I am in 6a/k that would put me outside.[:o)]

[Neil]

Is this not just the same as the question posted at the bottom on this thread that was asked by KenJohn??

Guess its a different subject to that main post so ok for a new thread, regarding the actual question, I guess this answer is no, but as with anything,never say never.

Neil:)

I don't think its been asked before. I would say that the UC product was on par with many F products and as such I doubt it is in VS plans. And then there is the in investment required.......

I dont think "first" has to be stuffy at all - all you have to do is stay in the likes of a Ritz Carlton , 5* deluxe hotel that is so laid back with perfect service and luxury - never making you feel like you have to have a smoking jacket and pipe in your gob.

Jeremy - I tend to agree but if VS on the A380 put in a big number of uc seats it will take away from the exclusive feel and maybe its an ideal time for uc to maybe step forward with some bog improvements and mak VS again the the cpmpany setting the new standards - I would think SIA have big plans for their First and Raffles class

[mcmbenjamin]

I have always found it funny how questions that pop up on FT find there way to VF. Maybe the VS forum at FT could link to VF. More effective I assume.

[Darren Wheeler]

I've never seen inside a proper FC cabin. I did try to sneak-a-peek on a BA flight to SEA but was quickly rebuffed by the CC.

The A380 has such a huge potential that when it enters service (if it ever does) with VS the management have scope to do a real UC experience. Proper beds and a dining room so passengers can mingle and network would be good rather than the open-ended coffin in UCS.

[Darren Wheeler]

They were designed for 4-foot stick insects. Normal people don't fit properly. At least on 747's IME!

[preiffer]

Maybe VS should get their finger out of their a*** and sort out the trimmings on UCS first, THEN maybe they wouldn't even have to consider it as an option... [n]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
They were designed for 4-foot stick insects. Normal people don't fit properly. At least on 747's IME!

Can't say I have every had a problem, and I'm 6'4". Mind you, if you wanted more than one person in there, then sure they would have to be 4' stick insects, as well as being quite flexible[}:)]

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by sailor99

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
They were designed for 4-foot stick insects. Normal people don't fit properly. At least on 747's IME!

Can't say I have every had a problem, and I'm 6'4". Mind you, if you wanted more than one person in there, then sure they would have to be 4' stick insects, as well as being quite flexible[}:)]

No commnet!!! [:I][:I][:I]

Originally posted by fozzyo
Can you imagine it, flowers, little red cushions, hot water bottles, pencil case ameniety kits, excellent food. [}:)]

While I think VS would do an amazing F that would get them back at the top of their game. And truly something to aspire to travelling in. And as you say in the 380's it may be possible.

Or maybe they do to Business travel what they did to Economy all those years ago - Premium J. Avoiding the need for a seperate lounge facility etc and having a premium cabin that is somewhere between J and F.

US Air do that with regards premium J on their 330 routes where they use to have F but scrapped it and so you can pay extra for a fully flat bed and more room in the use to be F cabin.

From the TR I've read I'm determined the other half and me are going to get enough BA miles to try their first one day if only for a better bubbly!!!

Although I don't think this will ever become a reality, it would be nice I think. However, many airlines in the western half of the world are cutting back on F on some routes and often altogether - so maybe it would be an ideal market to tap into, albeit in a limited capacity as there must be some reason for a dying F.

Having said that, the middle-eastern/oriental airlines' F is really successful with constant innovation. It would be great to see a seat akin to EK A345 F or Etihad's new diamond zone seat.

VS.

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
They were designed for 4-foot stick insects. Normal people don't fit properly. At least on 747's IME!

The 747 WC (even in Y) are/were spacious compared to cramped ones on Concorde. How fast they forget .........

Originally posted by ade99
From the TR I've read I'm determined the other half and me are going to get enough BA miles to try their first one day if only for a better bubbly!!!

If you read the relevant threads on the BA Flyertalk forum, you will see complaints about the BA bubbly in F for the discerning. SQ (which offer VS and miles and great TPs) are probably the best around as they offer F pax a choice of both Dom Perrignon and Krug on board long haul flights and in the SIN F lounge. FAs do remember which one you first selected and top it up with the same bottle.

Unless you are like me and ask to switch which really throws them off their mark. Oh - what childish fun.

Originally posted by sailor99
I don't think its been asked before. I would say that the UC product was on par with many F products and as such I doubt it is in VS plans. And then there is the in investment required.......

Although I know some may disagree with me, the comfort of the seat, privacy, the IFE and the bar contribute to making UC as good as it gets. Here are the things lacking in UC compared to my recent experiences of intercontinental F on QF, BA, UA, AA and EK:

o Personal attention and service is far, far ahead in F;

o Food and beverage (apart from AA) is much better - for example VS probably spends about £6 or £7 on a bottle of wine in UC whereas it's more likely around £25 in F;

o More personal space;

o The flowers!

o The cushions!

o The amenity kit!

Cheers, Howard

[mcmbenjamin]

Ok, we have stated what would make a fly VS First cabin. Be the question remains, Would companies pay for it? What benefits would First have to the company over UCS? Would First be just another way to spend miles; not gathering any outright bling for VS?

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Ok, we have stated what would make a fly VS First cabin. Be the question remains, Would companies pay for it? What benefits would First have to the company over UCS? Would First be just another way to spend miles; not gathering any outright bling for VS?

I don't believe many companies would have policies that allow for F travel, but it depends on the company policy. Some companies are sensible and far sighted enough to give their employees a budget and let them deal with their travel as they see fit, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

As my company is a one man band, I can decide exactly how I want to fly. I pay for intercontinental F almost always on a discounted ticket: I can only remember once paying full fare for an F fare. Usually the price I pay is a lot less than full fare F (perhaps around half price) because of an overnight Saturday stay, advance purchase, companion ticket, restricted ticket, or a travel agent deal that includes accommodation.

Almost always I pay less than a full fare Business Class ticket, so if I am in a position to recharge my customer they get to see a standard J fare.

Occasionally it backfires when plans change unexpectedly and the restrictions on the ticket can become cumbersome, but overall it works well for me. Sadly the flexibility I can adopt as a one man band does not usually fit into the mind numbingly depressing travel policies adopted by most corporates.

Cheers, Howard

Originally posted by Howard Long
[br
I don't believe many companies would have policies that allow for F travel, but it depends on the company policy.

I think its one rule for the decision makers (F allowed) and another rule for the decision followers (F is not allowed)as in all large corporates

[Neil]

Originally posted by KenJohn

Originally posted by Howard Long
[br
I don't believe many companies would have policies that allow for F travel, but it depends on the company policy.

I think its one rule for the decision makers (F allowed) and another rule for the decision followers (F is not allowed)as in all large corporates

Well put - pretty much the way it is at my company, top brass do whatever they choose (F or J), the rest get told what we are doing (W or Y)

Neil:)

Originally posted by KenJohn


I think its one rule for the decision makers (F allowed) and another rule for the decision followers (F is not allowed)as in all large corporates

Sorry, but do you see this as a problem? I am not sure I see a problem with people being paid more, getting more perks, etc as they become more senior.