New tables in Upper Class

Originally posted by declansmith
I know this conversation is focused upon UC, but may I just add that every V-Port controller in EC seems to not work. [i]

I find this statement very amusing!!!!

That is an awful lot of faulty handsets!!

But it's pretty true, I don't think I've had one working V-Port controller yet. Most of the time it seems people have pulled the cord too much so the controller only works when it's in a certain position.

Well not sure how many times you have flown Virgin but I think you are getting a bit carried away with your 'general' statement!!

hhhmmm so that means thousands of people everyday are sitting watching a screen they cant control because all of the V-Port handsets in Economy are broken!! [^][^][^]:D

First of all, I thought my exageration was obvious in my first post.

I basically found that V-Port controllers are easy to break simply by leaning on that side of the armrest (which you really can't help since the seats aren't that wide) and putting seemingly minute pressure on them. Basically I think VS made the V-Ports look too elegant, which in turn made them too brittle. In contrast, I have flown on 343s and 744s that don't have V-Port controllers. Despite being older, the controllers work fine.

{Edited to correct grammar!} [V]

Originally posted by VS-EWR
I basically found that V-Port controllers are easy to break simply by leaning on that side of the armrest (which you really can't help since the seats aren't that wide) and putting seemingly minute pressure on them.

If you look at the design of the new economy seating (as being trialed on Soul Sister, G-VBLU) the V:Port control actually "cradles" itself underneath the tv screen, rather than in the armrest - removing these issues.

A little step forward I think.

Originally posted by Richard28
If you look at the design of the new economy seating (as being trialed on Soul Sister, G-VBLU) the V:Port control actually "cradles" itself underneath the tv screen, rather than in the armrest - removing these issues.

Excuse me while I scream with extreme joy.


Now that that's over..

That's really amazing, I was looking at the photos of the First Choice seats and saw how they put the controller under the tv screens, and I thought: "Why doesn't Virgin do this?" And now they have.

A little step forward I think. [^][^][^]

It would seem that Blackcat has a valid point about the WC in front of row 2, Unfortunetly some of the early deliverys had the toilet on the Left by the Inflight Beauty therapist and due to customer feedback, when the door opened it shone light onto the customer in the D seat so by moving to the Right the light shone on the panel at the back of a suite..

The problem is that from day to day or even hour to hour the aircraft scheduled for each sector can change so updating the seat map probably would not help!

The other question regarding the UCS convertion to a bed surprises me, and without being there in person hard to comment on but usually as crew we can switch of the power to a seat and convert to a bed manually. ?? Im sure they did all they could though.

The New tables seem much better and we get much less problems with them and if somone sits with you for dinner there is more leg space under them now.

Finally if you have problems with a handset or anything, even if you are not using it please tell the crew as if we dont know we cant leave a message in the aircraft log for engineering. this will help crew and customers on the next flight and in the case of seats enabling ground staff to reseat when required.

Originally posted by Richard28

Originally posted by BlackCat
I think the table is a little smaller, but is more adjustable back and forth so that now you can get out of your seat without having to stow the table.

I've only done the B747 in the Suite, and have always been able (with the old table design) to get up form my seat without stowing the table.

Is this an issue specific to the A346 layout?

Yes, the suite is a different size on the A346 (narrower and slightly shorter I reckon).

BC

[ChuckC]

Richard,
Am glad for this change. The Suites on the 346 do feel a bit narrower; the old-style table was definitely in the way when I tried to exit from or return to my seat.

Chuck

Originally posted by milehigh
Finally if you have problems with a handset or anything, even if you are not using it please tell the crew as if we dont know we cant leave a message in the aircraft log for engineering. this will help crew and customers on the next flight and in the case of seats enabling ground staff to reseat when required.

Totally agree with this. I report pretty much every "cabin defect" that I find to the person in charge of the cabin on any flight I'm on. Sometimes, it's already written up, often it's not.

(I'll even comment to the FSM on the standard of cleaning, if I take my seat and find it dirty.)

Usually with VS, next time I fly that aircraft (which is sometimes only days or weeks later) it's been repaired.

We're actually using the seats, the crew aren't, so we may notice things which are broken that they might overlook.

Cheers!
Mike

Originally posted by BlackCat
Yes, the suite is a different size on the A346 (narrower and slightly shorter I reckon).

Thnks BC - I didnt realise there was a difference.

For me being able to get up wihtout stowing the table is a major plus on the 747's - glad this will be incorporated on the A340's with the new table design.