UC - do you do it for the extras or the seat?

I've been reading the trip reports here for over a year now, very valuable and entertaining.

My question is, if you could access the perks of UC, such as the bar, the clubhouse and better menu choices, could you handle life without the UC suite?

My main reason for asking is that a lot of people filing trip reports tend to talk more about the added extras that you get with UC rather than the seat itself. Is it actually that good? Can you sleep in the suites or is it a bit like having to stay on someone's sofa?

I'm not sure if the UC suite would be right for me. A PE seat with access to the clubhouse and bar and UC menu would probably be my ideal.

Paul

The seat is the main reason for my choice. The extras are very welcome but I could do without them. The food is still not as good as that I would normally eat. And I have actually had some great meals in economy that would rival U/C or C/W ofcourse without the china and presentation factor and of course the highly coveted Salt and Pepper pots.[:I]

Cheers
Jerseyboy

Originally posted by karnsculpture



My main reason for asking is that a lot of people filing trip reports tend to talk more about the added extras that you get with UC rather than the seat itself. Is it actually that good? Can you sleep in the suites or is it a bit like having to stay on someone's sofa?

Paul

The seat is main reason for me flying UC, as I go straight to work most morning after a overnight flight I usually get a good night sleep and a quick shower in revivals then off to work, and I always sleep very comfortable in the suites I would go as far to say its the best bed in the sky at the moment. [:)]

As an AU I get most of the other benefits anyway, but still fly UC generally speaking. So for me it is the seat - ability to get some decent sleep and more leg room than most people could reasonably ask for. I could manage without the food (ie eat in the CH), and could certainly do with out the bar (Never used it really). I must admit I find the drinks service pretty hit and miss in Y, and therefore would miss that aspect of UC.

[honey lamb]

Before the conversion of the 343s to suites was complete I had the misfortune to fly 3 out of 4 legs on the one non-suite aircraft. It was this that made me realise how much the seat meant. As the others said, the other bits I can take or leave

Yes, I fly it for the seat.

I'm an Au card holder anyway, so I don't fly UC for the Clubhouse, but I dare say it would help get me off the fence if I was split between VS and another similarly good lie flat.

I also used to fly Upper for the food, but sadly that little avenue of pleasure has been closed off to me by bean counters attacking the VS menu.

Believe it or not, I do choose Upper for the bar, and the drinks selection. I love the fact that there's somewhere to go and stretch your legs and be sociable with others without being accused of 'creating a sinister gathering', or whatever the latest TSA excuse is, and more importantly meet others and chat without being a nuisance to other passengers.

The other thing I fly VS for is the crews, but even that seems to be turning into a lottery.

Mike

[Bazz]

For me it is the total experience. Most Au's would, I expect, rate the seat as very high and tend to take the extras for granted but for the more occasional traveler I would expect the CH and the overall UC experience to be high on their list.

I'm with Bazz - it's the whole product for me. Of course the seat is a major part, but other aspects of the class are important too eg. CH.
When comparing UC to W/Y I'd say that the seat is the biggest factor whereas when comparing UC to the J product of other airlines, in my opinion the biggest pull of UC is the IFE. I could do without the suite in biz but NEED good entertainment.

VS.

[Scrooge]

100% the seat, though I am not a great fan of the UCS due to it's width limitations, but the extra legroom is a must for me.

Everything else is just an added bonus.

I fly it for the seat foremost, and the CH/Arrivals second. I appreciate IFBT but do not require it and have only bellied up to the bar twice (on more than a dozen UC legs) and have only used the limo once (BART, HEX, etc, more convenient and hey, I like trains!).

For me, a flat bed is a REQUIREMENT. I simply cannot sleep in anything not flat (and even then I need an Ambien) and if I do not sleep ex-SFO then my entire visit is thrown into jetlag hell.

The CH/Arrivals are 90% requirements. The ability to refresh and catch up on the morning's footy news upon arrival at LHR is a MAJOR value add to me, and the ability to relax/dine/surf/read a book from the library/get a treatment in the CH ex-LHR before a flight is also a major differentiator from the competition and gets my revenue to VS every time.

This is a good thread. Bottom line for me is that whilst I would hate to see IFBT, bar, limo, drive-thru check-in, etc., disappear -- if that meant the UCS, CH, Arrivals, food and service were all FANTASTIC then I might be able to live with that surgical dimunition.

That said, I suspect I might be in the minority! [:w]

GJ

Another vote for the seat, it does make the difference especially on a night flight. The CH is also a plus for us lowly slivers and red holders. The other perks IFBT or the bar are nice but could easily leave them behind. I want an AVOD that works though[:)]

Iain

Originally posted by iforres1
I want an AVOD that works though[:)]

Damn right. I flew ex-LHR with a non-op V:Port last time and it really frosted me. Terrible experience for pax.

GJ

[buns]

My vote also goes for the seat as the primary reason.

However, as I have said in the past, UC is like the forbidden fruit - once sampled, it is very difficult to forego it on future flights and i have already sold my grandmother to maintain my UC status[}:)][}:)][}:)]


Buns

Defintely the seat for me - I usually upgrade to UC using miles for business travel coming back to the UK from the US, so I can head to work feeling half decent the next day. (Or at least not be so grumpy if I fly home over the weekend!!!)

Tony

Definately the seat for me too. I have only done one UC round trip - but that was enough to sell the product / service to me. Like Buns4Vs, I am not turning right at the door again.

I have sampled various airlines Business Class products - but VS is the only one I have really slept well on. About 3hrs sleep on a daylight flight to MCO, with only minimal alcohol consumption as I had to drive on arrival in the USA.

Having done many overnight flights from the USA to the UK on Virgin, I wish they would not crank the cabin temperature up to the extremes that they seem to on most flights. With the added luxuary of a duvet in the UCS, the cabin was hot to the point of being uncomfortable.

This has not put me off though... I'm turning left when I head back to MCO in November

James

OK here's my priority list for me (VS vs. other J products)

IFE
Seat
CH/Revivals
Service
Food
Bar
Limo
Drive-Thru check-in
IFBT

VS.

[RichardMannion]

Interesting responses. I remember a poll we ran about a year ago (might be longer) to see if people prefered:

The old J200 seat with the full service (cushions, flowers on the bar, proper amenity kit etc) or
The UCS service with the cutbacks.

Some very interesting responses to that one from what I recall. I do like UCS as the other bitches will attest given that I slept for many hours in both directions (I was tired so no screaming bag of organs was goign to wake me); but then given my height, I had no issues sleeping in J2000.

To be honest though, the big difference is the overall consistency. The seat is pretty much a constant, it is the staff that make a flight good or bad. I don't really have too much of an issue if V:Port is faffing about as I have my iPod and laptop. What I want is good, professional service from crew and some simple recognition as a Gold. Nothing more, nothing less.

Thanks,
Richard

That's fair enough Richard, and I agree.
But for me, a flight is a means of getting somewhere, and I choose UC on the basis of the lack of negatives, rather than positives. That is, the bed.
I can sleep, and wake up at destination. Rather than sitting uncomfortably for hours, and suffering for the first 24 hours of my trip down-route. Take away food, IFE, IFBT, even Clubhouse, and I would still be persuaded by a seat/bed I can sleep in.

[Darren Wheeler]

I just like the whole package.[^]

If pressed though, my order is:

Seat - Being over 6' I love the leg room and being able to slepp flat out.
Revivals - After an 11 hour overnight flight in a ninja suit I'm usually hot, rather sweaty and very crumpled. The ability to have a long hot shower, clothes pressed and sit down to a proper breakfast is worth it's weigth in gold.

CH - A lovely oasis of calm away from the screaming hoards. A chance to eat a very civilised breakfast and get pampered.
Never used the bar, but can see the benefits.
Only ever had one IFBT and she got my nails looking lovely[:X]
Much better food, but have yet to 'aquire' the S&P set. [:)]
Priority boarding and luggage are, IMHO, rarely delivered at any airport.

All together, well worth the money

but have yet to 'aquire' the S&P set.

You know, sometimes it just falls into your hand luggage[;)][}:)]

VS.

As I am not a 'regular' flyer I just like the whole experience!!!

[:D][:D][:D]

I have only travelled UC once and of course I would love to do so again. Like Mark it was the whole experience, and stepping into the the empty UC check in line at Manchester was so special! Especially when the greeter said 'Good morning, travelling PE today?', and I was able to say 'no, UC!!![:D]

The suite was wonderful on the journey out, but I found it far too hard to sleep on for the return journey.

I don't have enough experience to comment on crew, though for our trip they seemed great.

As many others have said, I love the seat/bed, I am 6ft 4in tall, so to be able to sleep flat, and have a restful sleep and wake up refreshed is such a bonus. I am looking forward to using it on my way home next month, and looking forward to getting to SYD refreshed, and rested, not with my knees up in my chin, and clothes crumpled! That said, I love the CH/Bar (goes without saying!) and IFBT. There is nothing nicer than getting to the airport early, and going to the CH for a relaxing bottle of champers.....opps I meant glass! [:w]

The crew and IFE have been fine on all my flights, and the crew really make the UC experience.

DMB

As others have already said, it's the whole UC package that counts really. If we must fly to these exotic and far flung destinations (and, of course, we must) then it's nice to do so in as much style and comfort as possible.

I love the suites, sleep very well in them when the cabin temp is set at anything below 'Amazonian Rainforest', but then I could sleep in the old J2000 seats as well. And of course, the crew - when 'on form', and they usually are - can make a trip that bit more delightful.

I only became a permanent VS convert on LHR flights when the UCS was rolled out. Until then, I'd fly just about anyone (save the Dark Side) if I got there on time in reasonable discomfort, if I couldn't get the date I needed with VS. Once you try the suite, though, it ruins you for any other seat.

So I'd have to say it's the suite making me spring for Upper. I rarely drink, I can't eat some of the meals due to allergies, and I could always get my own transport to the airport on both ends if I needed to. But if you have a family history of blood clots (father had a stroke and DVT, mother's had a stroke/multiple TIAs) you get to thinking about the medical aspects. I'd rather fly in a seat I can flip to a bed when my legs/back hurt than save the money and fly in the back of the bus.

My brother has the opposite view, and won't go any higher than Y or WT+. I keep telling him family medical history suggests he's playing with fire, as he's already enjoying the 'new 40' lifestyle. He needs two days to get his 6'3' economy-abused body up to speed after being cramped on flights from Seattle to Bangkok, while I don't need any extra time at all once I'm on the ground, even if I'm in Sydney, thanks to the UC seats. Flying on the cheap like a sardine, today, might mean a trip to the hospital tomorrow. The suite's cheap at any price if you think of that aspect. You can die from DVT.

Would I go back to J2000? No. My back still hurt with them. PE is out for the same reason. Would I give up the other amenities (CH, IFBT, CDC, etc.) to fly J? Not if I had to give up the CH on all routes. Give me the CH and the suite and I'm happy. I've avoided routes without CHs if I can reroute, especially if it's a popular destination. If the airport's packed, you're tired before you board! I need to be up and running upon arrival.

Would the seat/aircraft type make a difference? Yes, if I had to take an upper deck seat - they're narrower and there's less cabin stowage. I also prefer the Boeing planes - I just don't care for the Airbus layouts. But give up the suite altogether? No way. Give me a 744, 8-9-10K, and a CH, and I am a happy camper.

However, if the suite went the way of the bean counters, I'd even consider jumping to other carriers (no way BA!) if that was the only way I'd get to fly in a bed to LHR or SYD or NRT and still thumb my nose at the Dark Side.