OK, so there's been a few moans about VS (and others!) on here recently. So I wondered if we could make something positive out of this, maybe get some good ideas that our resident VS-staff lurkers might take back to the powers that be in Crawley?
I think VS is generally a very good airline, and there isn't really that much to change, but I wonder if a few things can make it even better...
Here's some starters for 10 (I know these have been mentioned before - I'm trying to sum up general sentiment, as well as my own):
1) Get rid of the annoying "welcome" video, and the Sky News, or at least allow pax to switch it off or select something else. (Pet hate.)
2) Pension off the more decrepit members of the A330 fleet (G-VBUS springs to mind). Replace with 747-400s - crews like them, we like them. Maybe the 747-400ER to open up some new routes?
3) Standardise the cabin features (seating types, IFE, etc.) across the aircraft fleet as much as possible. I know this is happening slowly, but it needs to be more of a priority, and should be considered when ordering new aircraft too.
4) Laptop power in all seats (or at least one socket in every bay of seats in Economy). All the brand new BA A319/A320s (G-EUxx) have this, as do the US Airways A330s, so it can be done!
5) Offer an "economy plus" for FC Silver/Gold members - regular economy seats, regular economy service, but with 3-4 inches extra seat pitch. This would be available to Silver/Gold members on regular economy fares, rewarding them for their loyalty even when they can't stretch to PE/UC or qualify for upgrade. Economy pax without FC status may "get lucky" and get allocated these seats at check-in, but can't prebook them.
6) Tweak the design of the new PE seat (Kash), it's nowhere near as comfy as the older seat. You need to be able to sit in the seat, rather than on it. Changing the cushion shape/design will do this, maybe? Also, increase the seat-back storage in this seat - replace the plastic pocket thing with an elastic one. Make the cocktail table in the armrest bigger, or have a pull out one. You can't get two drinks on there at the same time. Relocate the EmPower socket so it doesn't dig in your leg when you use it.
7) Upgrade the Premium Economy service - improve the meal selection (extra main choice?), maybe move away from Economy meal packaging/presentation for PE - switch to re-useable oven-to-tableware, and not throwaway plastic/microwave tubs. Separate lavs for PE (on all aircraft) and at least one dedicated crew member. "Mingling area" with snacks and drinks laid out (like the SQ A340-500)? Incresed need to do this if an "economy plus" happens, as the gap between Econ and PE would become somewhat narrower than it is already.
8) Less potatoes in the food generally. There's damn potatoes everywhere in VS food (except maybe dessert). More variety with rice/pasta, etc. (Not a potato fan, if you hadn't guessed.)
9) Replace the instant coffee in economy with filter coffee.
10) Do something to further reduce the huge VS check-in lines at Heathrow. They have seemed slightly better of late, but they are still pretty bad.
11) Root out all the miserable and prima-donna VS staff - I think we have agreed elsewhere that one rotten apple can spoil the whole cart. V-Flyers to round them all up and be nice to them until their stony expressions crack
.
12) Let op-ups use The Clubhouse. BA let their op-ups use their lounges!
13) Bacon sandwiches any time of the day or night in Upper.
14) Increase the number of UC awards available for pre-booking (maybe 5-10 on quieter flights, rather than the more usual 2 or 4, which seems a bit mean).
15) An IFE channel where passengers can hear the air-ground radio comms between the plane and ATC. United do it. It's quite cool.
Hm. That's all I can think of now...
Cheers!
Mike
I think VS is generally a very good airline, and there isn't really that much to change, but I wonder if a few things can make it even better...
Here's some starters for 10 (I know these have been mentioned before - I'm trying to sum up general sentiment, as well as my own):
1) Get rid of the annoying "welcome" video, and the Sky News, or at least allow pax to switch it off or select something else. (Pet hate.)
2) Pension off the more decrepit members of the A330 fleet (G-VBUS springs to mind). Replace with 747-400s - crews like them, we like them. Maybe the 747-400ER to open up some new routes?
3) Standardise the cabin features (seating types, IFE, etc.) across the aircraft fleet as much as possible. I know this is happening slowly, but it needs to be more of a priority, and should be considered when ordering new aircraft too.
4) Laptop power in all seats (or at least one socket in every bay of seats in Economy). All the brand new BA A319/A320s (G-EUxx) have this, as do the US Airways A330s, so it can be done!
5) Offer an "economy plus" for FC Silver/Gold members - regular economy seats, regular economy service, but with 3-4 inches extra seat pitch. This would be available to Silver/Gold members on regular economy fares, rewarding them for their loyalty even when they can't stretch to PE/UC or qualify for upgrade. Economy pax without FC status may "get lucky" and get allocated these seats at check-in, but can't prebook them.
6) Tweak the design of the new PE seat (Kash), it's nowhere near as comfy as the older seat. You need to be able to sit in the seat, rather than on it. Changing the cushion shape/design will do this, maybe? Also, increase the seat-back storage in this seat - replace the plastic pocket thing with an elastic one. Make the cocktail table in the armrest bigger, or have a pull out one. You can't get two drinks on there at the same time. Relocate the EmPower socket so it doesn't dig in your leg when you use it.
7) Upgrade the Premium Economy service - improve the meal selection (extra main choice?), maybe move away from Economy meal packaging/presentation for PE - switch to re-useable oven-to-tableware, and not throwaway plastic/microwave tubs. Separate lavs for PE (on all aircraft) and at least one dedicated crew member. "Mingling area" with snacks and drinks laid out (like the SQ A340-500)? Incresed need to do this if an "economy plus" happens, as the gap between Econ and PE would become somewhat narrower than it is already.
8) Less potatoes in the food generally. There's damn potatoes everywhere in VS food (except maybe dessert). More variety with rice/pasta, etc. (Not a potato fan, if you hadn't guessed.)
9) Replace the instant coffee in economy with filter coffee.
10) Do something to further reduce the huge VS check-in lines at Heathrow. They have seemed slightly better of late, but they are still pretty bad.
11) Root out all the miserable and prima-donna VS staff - I think we have agreed elsewhere that one rotten apple can spoil the whole cart. V-Flyers to round them all up and be nice to them until their stony expressions crack
.12) Let op-ups use The Clubhouse. BA let their op-ups use their lounges!
13) Bacon sandwiches any time of the day or night in Upper
.14) Increase the number of UC awards available for pre-booking (maybe 5-10 on quieter flights, rather than the more usual 2 or 4, which seems a bit mean).
15) An IFE channel where passengers can hear the air-ground radio comms between the plane and ATC. United do it. It's quite cool.
Hm. That's all I can think of now...
Cheers!
Mike
Bring back the little rubber duckie on the tooth brush, i was collecting them!!
Overall not that dissapointed as if it were not for the cancelled Alitalia order Virgin may still be using 742's from LGW.
