New Upper Class and A330's

So it looks OK, nothing more to be said. For BA fans the increased recline is good, for trolley haters (me included) losing that is no harm.

But I am not one who is jumping to VS's defence with the pathetic roll out, the old UCS was a good product when it was launched but the state of the suites and the loss of padding in the seats makes those introduced on the first 747s deeply uncomfortable, and I am talking LHR 747s, but no improvement for those. VS has a small fleet, and rolling this out more widely is easily manageable, but the decision appears to have been taken with very short sighted lenses. The failure to address the LGW fleet is still a failure in my eyes. And we're losing significant capacity this years as the A333s are introduced to replace A346s ... So nice tinkering, but even in two years time it'll only be seen on a minority of aircraft.

Next A/C:
G-VWAG will be in service from July 2012; G-VGBR will be in service from late August/early September 2012. The next two routes to benefit from the new A330s will be Delhi and Chicago.

Fingers crossed ill be on a new one on the VS3/4 in Sep!

[mitchja]

Is it just me, or does the view of the new seats not work properly with safari?

No, it's not just you. Many sections of the new VS website don't show properly in Safari (Mac version anyway)

So VS staff told,

Useable bed length - Old 75.3", New 78.5"

Public told 87", as from the VS website... What one is correct?
Why such a difference?

Also, "old" suite bed is advertised as 78".

I think the key word is "Useable" - unless you have a pointy head and feet it's going to differ between the point to point length and the actual bit you're going to lie on.

Is it just me, or does the view of the new seats not work properly with safari?

No, it's not just you. Many sections of the new VS website don't show properly in Safari (Mac version anyway)

The page is not working well in both IE and Chrome.. So I assume the 'page' is at fault.

If they cant get a trolley down between the seats, does anyone have any ideas if the on-board wheelchair will be able to navigate the up and down the cabin?

So VS staff told,

Useable bed length - Old 75.3", New 78.5"

Public told 87", as from the VS website... What one is correct?
Why such a difference?

Also, "old" suite bed is advertised as 78".

I think the key word is "Useable" - unless you have a pointy head and feet it's going to differ between the point to point length and the actual bit you're going to lie on.

So why not advertise the useable space? Obviously the are some commercial reasons. I know it wouldn't be the first time virgin have exaggerated.

The length issue is bound to be a marketing tool,an extra inch here or there no matter how " useable " will be spun out of proportion. Time and reviews against the others will tell, reserve judgement till circa Sept when frequents will have assessed if any major advantage. Can't imagine the new upgrade will sway, but as always any investment is long awaited...

[honey lamb]

If they cant get a trolley down between the seats, does anyone have any ideas if the on-board wheelchair will be able to navigate the up and down the cabin?

I would imagine the answer is yes. All new aircraft must have complete disability access and that was the delay in putting UC into the A330 initially as the old suites were not fully compliant. Access would include getting to the suite as well as into it

appreciate the reply Honeylamb, many thanks

Would have been really p####d off about the MAN/LGW fleet losing out yet again - but NCL just announced new Easyjet services to AMS - That route will now have twice as many flights as NCL to LHR/LGW.

AMS becomes the new hub for the North - VS/VH just lose more customers.

Would have been really p####d off about the MAN/LGW fleet losing out yet again - but NCL just announced new Easyjet services to AMS - That route will now have twice as many flights as NCL to LHR/LGW.

AMS becomes the new hub for the North - VS/VH just lose more customers.

I could understand your point if KLM or any other AMS based airline offered a superior J product or flew to any of Virgin's LGW destinations apart from HAV, but they dont. So the MAN/LGW refit shouldn't really be the factor that sends customers through AMS. It would be lovely to see the new UCDS on VS's entire fleet but even without, VS's current UCS is far superior to any J product that KLM or most other european airlines have to offer.

I understand your point regarding the lack of flights between regional airports and LHR/LGW but this is a slot availability issue. IMO it is this, frequent flyer loyalty and cheaper tickets in some cases that might encourage some customers through other European hubs, not the lack of a J refit to VS's current 747 and A340 fleets at BOTH LHR and LGW.

You point strengthens an argument for a third runway at LHR and/or a second at LGW, both of which I would totally support.

I understand your point regarding the lack of flights between regional airports and LHR/LGW but this is a slot availability issue. IMO it is this, frequent flyer loyalty and cheaper tickets in some cases that might encourage some customers through other European hubs, not the lack of a J refit to VS's current 747 and A340 fleets at BOTH LHR and LGW.

You point strengthens an argument for a third runway at LHR and/or a second at LGW, both of which I would totally support.

Then let us campaign for VS's appeal against the EU Competition Commissioner's shambolic approval of BA's take-over of BMI leading to surrender of more than the current pathetic 12 slots at LHR to allow VS to expand its network. And a third runway. Boris/Thames Estuary airport (IATA code: LTY?) is a frankly stupid idea, as is LGW's recent comment that they 'want to become the new hub for London'. One city, one hub. Third runway and fewer BA slots please!

The new UC page is now live on the VS site with no errors and the interactivity works on iPad too.

I noticed a few differences from currently. Bed conversion is manual a la SQ. at the bar there are perch seats for 2 on the wall. There looks like plenty of lighting including a fully adjustable reading light and overhead lights, even for the middle seats.

9K is the seat no one will want, direct earshot of the bar, next to the chinking spirit bottles and no window.
There is a curtain at the rear dividing the toilets, 1 for PE and 1 for UC.

[Darren Wheeler]

Overall, IMHO, it rather nice. Proof of the pudding though....

Would have been really p####d off about the MAN/LGW fleet losing out yet again .

Personally I'm glad that the 747s are not getting this new "improved" product. From the interactive tour, I much prefer the current version, so I think it's not a case of losing out.

Of course I accept that the real thing may be much better than it appears on the interactive tour, but:

1. It looks like nearly all of the window seats will have virtually no view through a window.

2.On the tour I can see straight through the new "opaque" window. No chance of changing into my sleep-suit without the rest of the cabin getting a good view! :0

3. The seat looks nice and comfy, but you still have to get out of it to make it into a bed. And the shoulder area looks mightily cramped compared to the old ones.

4. The ottomans look like they have practically disappeared, just a ledge to put your feet on and to support the end of the bed.

I am a huge Virgin Atlantic fan and think the cabin crew and service are fantastic, but I am at a loss to see how this is an improved product? I honestly dread the day the 747s are taken out of service from MAN.

Why won’t it be fitted on the other aircraft?
Because Upper Class Suite is still a fantastic product it makes sense to continue to fly it, especially as some of the older aircraft will be leaving the fleet over the next few years. Re-fitting many of these aircraft would not give a return on the investment. So only new A/C joining the fleet will have the new UCDS.


.

The Virgin attempt at spin really pees me off.

When do the MAN/LGW 747's leave the fleet?

To be fair though, it does make more sense to keep the new suite on the new aircraft - as it's not such a departure from the old UCS there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Well they are refitting the Y & Y+ cabins on the MAN/LGW 747 & adding JAM so why not go the whole hog?

I'd still like to know when the MAN/LGW 747 are leaving the fleet :w

[Darren Wheeler]

[2.On the tour I can see straight through the new "opaque" window. No chance of changing into my sleep-suit without the rest of the cabin getting a good view! :0

Errr, don't think that's quite the idea of the screen.

[Darren Wheeler]

I'd still like to know when the MAN/LGW 747 are leaving the fleet :w

unless I'm missing something, they're not. There are some 346's leaving.

It is not just the fact that MAN/LGW are again put back behind LHR - it is the lack of UC on most flights. LGW/MAN are being operated more like charter flights not full service daily scheduled.

That puts up the price that VS can get away with even though offering a poorer service (no clubhouse and not daily UC).

AMS gives daily Business class (or even VS UC with an extra sector) at a lower price. Not as good as UC perhaps - but at least you can book flights on other airlines.

Seven or more flights a day (when Easy add in) between NCL & AMS show that someone is thinking right.

On the tour I can see straight through the new "opaque" window. .

That was my first thought when I watched the interactive tour.
Tha aisle looking pretty narrow too.
DL

I'd still like to know when the MAN/LGW 747 are leaving the fleet :w

unless I'm missing something, they're not. There are some 346's leaving.

You're not missing something, I was asking in response to:

vscss wrote:
Why won’t it be fitted on the other aircraft?
Because Upper Class Suite is still a fantastic product it makes sense to continue to fly it, especially as some of the older aircraft will be leaving the fleet over the next few years. Re-fitting many of these aircraft would not give a return on the investment. So only new A/C joining the fleet will have the new UCDS.

It is not just the fact that MAN/LGW are again put back behind LHR - it is the lack of UC on most flights.

This is really only relevant to MAN-MCO, as it has been operated quite regularly recently by the 2-class A330. I can understand why VS aren't putting a clubhouse in MAN when they're not flying metal with the UCS.

As far as LGW is concerned though, there are plenty of routes which operate with Upper, and there is the clubhouse to go ith them.

Whilt we are on the subject of LGW fleet being the poorer relative... Think about this... By the end of this year the whole LGW fleet will have the fantastic new JAM IFE system - I think this would benefit far more passengers than the upgraded suites, and the LHR fleet can't boast that!

is it just me or do the suites seem alot narrower especially in the upper body sleeping position?

[preiffer]

is it just me or do the suites seem alot narrower especially in the upper body sleeping position?

Bingo

The one measurement they HAVEN'T published : bed width at shoulders.

Knowing VS' spin machine, they only "forget" to publish bad news....