Does Virgin need another class?

I know that some people will think that the Virgin set up is ok as it is but I believe that virgin needs another class on the plane. I believe that it needs to bring back something along the lines of the J2000 seats as business seats which are comfortable seats but people can also sleep in them as well.
Just wondering what everyone else feels about this idea?

Isn't this what the new PE seat is supposed to be like?!? After all its a large leather seat, with foot rest etc that can be reclined. I guess your coming at this along the lines of BMI putting their old business seats into PE.

IMHO they do not need another class at all. The current UCS is a business class seat, the new PE seat has raised the game for PE classes at other airlines. To add another class would add extra confusion to the pax. The current system is fine and I do not see the demand at all- after all the class would be between PE and UCS and would just create overlap between products IMHO.

I don't think there is a need to add a class between PE and Upper Class. When I first read the title I thought you were going to make a pitch for an F product.

[Neil]

I am 100% with Will on this one. Apart from a 'lie flight seat' PE covers everything you could want in an in between cabin from Y to J. I very much doubt people would pay extra for a seat that was lie flight and no other extras on top of what PE get (I can't really think of anything they could offer anyway).

Neil

For VS to add a fourth class, it would mean having to downgrade the level of service currently received in PE, and other things like the seat and the leg room, which I can't see happening. And the UCS product would probably have to go through a few tweaks as well in order to make it more of an exclusive product than what it currently is. The current fare system would have to come under review as well which could see the elimination of the cheapest level of fares for PE and UCS

Seating configs in planes would have to change as well, and also LHR 747-400s are currently in the process of being reconfigured to include more UCS and PE seats to meet demand.

I'm not saying VS will go for a four-class config and it could be something to introduce when the A380 joins the fleet (at some point), but at this moment in time the current set up is fine as it is.

I would like UCS to be as good as UC used to be!

I agree with manymiles - maybe improving the consistency of what is currently offered in each class would be better than thinking of introducing a 'new' class. I also think that at the moment, there isn't the space on the configs of the planes for a 4th class, although the A380 when it arrives may allow this to be considered.

The only way another class could be added would be to change the level of service in the existing classes i.e. downgrade PE to just a bigger seat/more legroom and/or improve UC to be more in line with an F product.

45.

Whilst I usually fly PE, I do think it's overpriced. I want extra legroom & wider seats but the other stuff is just not really necessary. Yes, it's nice to have dedicated check in, but if there was a choice, I'd go with the cheaper service.

Of course, I pay the extra, so no incentive to lower prices, and whilst Y is so cramped I won't fly down the back.

I agree with many others that I feel that VS do not need another class, as there wouldn't be much difference between the different classes. As UC is a Business First product! They would really need to up their game to make it a FIRST product, they have the seat/bed but its the service, amenity kit (where's GJ when you need him!) and of course the food, they would need to seriously overhaul.

That is just MHO!

DMB

Originally posted by VS075
but at this moment in time the current set up is fine as it is.

The setup may be fine but the service is not .... very hit and miss IMHO of course.

Whilst it would be totally impractical to introduce a 4th class because of the physical changes to a/c, but why should a 4th class detract from the service offered in other classes ?

BA manages to serve 4 classes extremely well [:)]

Just my 2c worth

Mark [:D]

Originally posted by mas66

Originally posted by VS075
but at this moment in time the current set up is fine as it is.

The setup may be fine but the service is not .... very hit and miss IMHO of course.

Whilst it would be totally impractical to introduce a 4th class because of the physical changes to a/c, but why should a 4th class detract from the service offered in other classes ?

BA manages to serve 4 classes extremely well [:)]

Just my 2c worth

Mark [:D]

I think it would detract, as VS offer a far better W class than BA, on VS you get a lot of the J class benefits in W class that other airlines give to business class, priority luggage (when it works) welcome drink, better food. BA just offer slightly better Y product with extra leg room.

A fourth class wouldn't detract from the service in the other classes but it would detract from the demand for other classes and so the service in the other classes would need to be adjusted accordingly.

45.

Originally posted by mas66
The setup may be fine but the service is not .... very hit and miss IMHO of course.

Whilst it would be totally impractical to introduce a 4th class because of the physical changes to a/c, but why should a 4th class detract from the service offered in other classes ?

BA manages to serve 4 classes extremely well [:)]

Just my 2c worth

Mark [:D]

I'm fully aware of the problems current service set up and agree with the others that this will have to change if a 4th class ever came along (and to be honest I did overlook this by accident in my first post on this thread [:I]).

Having said that I think the main priority for VS right now is to sort out the pay deal for the cabin crew and see what comes out of that, whether it's a resolution or strike action because I personally think that this will have a bearing on future directions for VS when it comes to service.

[HighFlyer]

I'm with the others who'd rather see VS improve their existing offerings than attempt another class. Besides which, I quite like the three classes they have now. I cant see how a fourth would work, unless F was introduced on the A380, and then it would have to go up against SQ.

Thanks,
Sarah

The only way a four class config could work and compete would be in the same way as BA, with a First Class above UC.

And I often feel that is missing from VS, but only because if you are in UC, you have nothing more to aspire to, where as on BA there's always a hope you'll get an op-up to first! [:o)]

How about a special class for all the stag and hen parties on the LAS route. Maybe call it the cargo hold. [:p]

I am going to be honest and say having recently flown F with Cathay - All VS nned to do is improve the service and the 'scrooge pack' and they are not a million miles away from F in general. Ok the Cathay F seat is something else but now a 1000 miles from VS UC. Lets face it trhat on a 13 hr flight , VS seats go flat and you can get up and go to the bar. You cannot do that on many other airlines. Also all they need to do I feel to bring them to a 4*+++ airline (I dont think they can get to 5* as they do not have an F class) is --

1 - all aircraft to be fitted with V port
2 - new scrooge pack
3 - improve the inflight food please
4 - better overall maintance on the aircraft interior - if its worn change it.

Overall then VS would be up the and therefore no need to add another class at all.

4 classes would be overly excessive, IMO. BA does it by downgrading their WT+ section to more of an economy plus, whereas Virgin has a much higher product that's less reminiscent of EC despite the name. I'll also echo several others by suggesting that VS improve service (now that the seat part is fairly okay) in each of the three classes.

I think that Virgin should have spiced up the new Premium Economy a bit more. Legroom is key. I was surprised that they kept 38'. If they had say 42'[8D] it would have really set themselves apart from BA. Also, they need to add to the soft product in Upper Class just to distance it from PE, make it a bit more special & value for money.[|:)]

BAs 4 classes aren't really 4 classes of service. Only differences are a different 'hard product' (eg. seat) although maintains the same service or soft product as World Traveller.

Maybe Virgin produce a 4th class below economy? For all those real cheap skates.[}:)][:0]