Social Spaces Closed Again

I’m really annoyed!

Sadly my flight isn’t going amazingly!

CSS stepping up as FSM! She’s lovely, and the crew are in general but apparently from today VS have reclosed the social spaces! I’m really upset about it, it’s one of the reasons I fly VS! Apparently this came in today!

As in onboard bar and loft? Don't get the logic.. everyone on board has tested negative?

As in onboard bar and loft? Don't get the logic.. everyone on board has tested negative?

Completely agree, no logic at all. Also the price that passengers have paid will still be the same, but for less service in upper.

I’m really annoyed!

Sadly my flight isn’t going amazingly!

CSS stepping up as FSM! She’s lovely, and the crew are in general but apparently from today VS have reclosed the social spaces! I’m really upset about it, it’s one of the reasons I fly VS! Apparently this came in today!

Was there any advance warning email or press release for this?

I hope you have a good trip ColOrd.

I do hope this is a very temporary measure. I booked Upper in March into MIA out of MCO. Bar on the way out, loft on the way back. They then changed to a 330 on the return. No problem with that.

Then revivals closes, and now bars/lofts on board unavailable?

I sort of understand revivals, but the on board bar/loft where everyone has already tested is a real kick to be honest.

Should have booked PE if this is the case.

Very disappointed.

[buns]

Sorry to learn about the lack lustre on-board experience

buns

Currently on a Boxing Day flight to the US. (Crew are excellent btw). But the 787 bar is closed, so many passengers using the ottomans of their travel companion. Lots of strangers sitting directly opposite one another with no masks. The couple behind me (lady constantly coughing) has her husband on her ottoman, without mask, directly in my line of fire… At least with the bar open, those travelling together can sit maskless away from everyone else!
Virgin urgently need to rethink this one!

Just got off the boxing day flight to Delhi. This is a cost cutting exercise and nothing to do with covid. I sat at the bar and worked there, the snack tray they had with crisps etc in it every packet was touched by those wanting a snack. After touching them all they generally picked nothing. Perfect for Covid!!!

I will be writing a TR on LHR-DEL chance to hear about a non prestigious route!

So sorry to hear this happen so close to Xmas! It massively frustrates me when changes happen and could easily be communicated out earlier but don’t!! It’s not like VS decided to close the social spaces 1 hour before the flight! There would had been all kinds of meetings and decis

Could be worse though:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59808620

Has anyone flown recently / know if the social spaces have reopened?

Some recent posts on IG under the #VirginAtlantic would suggest they have yes!

They still remain closed at the moment..

I know people onboard are still using the bar to stage photographs (well they have been on my flights) but there's no service at the bar.

Cheers, any sign of them reopening now that Omicron is massively on the down and the closure was only brought in again on the 24th!

Nothing mentioned at the moment but they were closed without much warning so suspect the same could be said for the reopening.

I know a balance needs to be struck between having this unique product available but also making others feel comfortable.

It has to be said that the bar began to feature heavily as a detractor in customer scoring from J and W customers uncomfortable with the amount of time people would sit with their masks off.

I have experienced first hand verbal abuse when trying to enforce mask wearing following a 'few' drinks at the bar.

One option could be that a visit to the bar becomes time limited (an hour?) This would reduce the amount of time without a mask but also keep the bar available for as many of the J customers as possible - Has to be said this based on nothing but my own thoughts on how to manage the bar post covid.

Everyone is individual and sits in their own place on the scale of covid restrictions and what they want.

Very Tricky.

[mitchja]

It is indeed a tricky one. I do think the onboard bar days are numbered now. I would imagine the A351 loft social space concept is going to be what we see gong forwards on all new and refitted VS A/C from now on.

It’s the usual thing in that the selfish few always end up spoiling it for everyone else. It’s a sad thing to say but IMHO COVID-19 has without any shadow of a doubt brought out the worst in a lot of people.

It’s a similar issue, to the one I despise, that is those who blame the crew for mask wearing with other passengers.

I have to be honest all of the reported (I say reported as I am not an virologist so I am relying on reports!) science and discussion is now that we have peaked and pandemic moves into endemic!

I’m personally a big fan of social interaction and getting the bars and lofts reopened is quite important for me to enjoy the flight! It’s not about drinking, it’s about the interaction!

And thanks VSSCC, it’s an interesting perspective on others take on this that both Upper and Prem customers were complaining.

I think your idea is a good one for a temporary solution!

Thanks everyone!
Shame to hear, but hopefully they’ll reopen soon.
I’m like you ColOrd, I like the interaction from the social spaces.
Fingers crossed for my flight on 4th March they have reopened!

yep, hopeful for the end of Feb to LAX.... especially with the news that covid measures ay be coming to an end

Nothing mentioned at the moment but they were closed without much warning so suspect the same could be said for the reopening.

I know a balance needs to be struck between having this unique product available but also making others feel comfortable.

It has to be said that the bar began to feature heavily as a detractor in customer scoring from J and W customers uncomfortable with the amount of time people would sit with their masks off.

I have experienced first hand verbal abuse when trying to enforce mask wearing following a 'few' drinks at the bar.

One option could be that a visit to the bar becomes time limited (an hour?) This would reduce the amount of time without a mask but also keep the bar available for as many of the J customers as possible - Has to be said this based on nothing but my own thoughts on how to manage the bar post covid.

Everyone is individual and sits in their own place on the scale of covid restrictions and what they want.

Very Tricky.

Is that why the curtains remained open throughout my recent flight between J & W?

Has anyone flown in the past few weeks and have an update whether social spaces have reopened yet?

A friend went out to LA last week and reported the loft was open on his 350

Hiya everyone!
Sorry to labour the point, keen to understand if there are more reports of social spaces being open on board
Just saw an article on Head for Points about Emirates opening their on board lounges for for the first time in 2 years… so am keeping things crossed that Virgin have followed suit, but I can’t find anything official…

[buns]

Hiya everyone!
Sorry to labour the point, keen to understand if there are more reports of social spaces being open on board
Just saw an article on Head for Points about Emirates opening their on board lounges for for the first time in 2 years… so am keeping things crossed that Virgin have followed suit, but I can’t find anything official…

When we flew back last week, the FSM intimated the re-opening of the bar would not be too long in coming.

Fingers crossed it happens soon

buns

The bar was open on the 787 on Tuesday.