New LGW Config

I'd like to just point out that NOTHING has been confirmed by VS, so this is all merely speculation and rumours. Before kicking off about anything changing I think you should probably wait until this has been confirmed (or not).

I'd like to just point out that NOTHING has been confirmed by VS, so this is all merely speculation and rumours. Before kicking off about anything changing I think you should probably wait until this has been confirmed (or not).

Given that we're now past the 200th post on this thread, words like 'stable door', 'horse' and 'bolted' come to mind...

Anyway, provided the source is reasonably reliable (as I understand is the case here), it's probably worth making sure that views are got in early. Even now, VS could be rethinking the upper deck Y idea, shaking their heads and wondering how they could have been so stupid... |:)

I'd like to just point out that NOTHING has been confirmed by VS, so this is all merely speculation and rumours. Before kicking off about anything changing I think you should probably wait until this has been confirmed (or not).

That's a bit harsh - after all the VS Facebook team has confirmed some things, like the fact that UC will be deep cleaned not upgraded. Perhaps they are speaking out of turn, but there is some detail in the WWW!

if there aint no smoke then there aint no fire.................

if there aint no smoke then there aint no fire.................

And anyway, this is a forum, people are free to speculate as they wish!

if there aint no smoke then there aint no fire.................

And anyway, this is a forum, people are free to speculate as they wish!

Of course they are, but it seems very premature to start saying that you're leaving VS because of the re-position of a cabin on-board an aircraft that you have no guarantee of flying on anyway.

Having read a lot today about the refit of the gatwick aircraft which seems to be used for holiday flights more than anything eles. I get the impression that some people on this forum have a inflated opinion of Virgin Atlantic, having travelled on Virgin a number of times,on Gatwick aircraft and also on Heathrow aircraft the people flying out of Gatwick get a raw deal, out of date seats and out of date IFE, and this looks as if it is going to continue

[Neil]

Having read a lot today about the refit of the gatwick aircraft which seems to be used for holiday flights more than anything eles. I get the impression that some people on this forum have a inflated opinion of Virgin Atlantic, having travelled on Virgin a number of times,on Gatwick aircraft and also on Heathrow aircraft the people flying out of Gatwick get a raw deal, out of date seats and out of date IFE, and this looks as if it is going to continue

Hi Ken,

I think we are all aware of the issues that there has been on the LGW fleet, especially with the poor IFE. It is worth noting however that it is not Virgin alone who have different seats/IFE across their fleet, with BA as one example of this.

Thankfully, in the main, Virgin are finally addressing this, with the newest PE and Y seats being installed along with the brand new JAM IFE which will mean the LGW/MAN a/c having the newer and better IFE over the LHR fleet.

I'm sure if you spend some time reading many threads on here, you will see that we are far from blinkered when it comes to our views and thoughts on Virgin, but as an airline they still have numerous qualities that many like and is the reason why they choose to fly on them, after all, all airlines have their good and bad points!

Well said Neil. Would be interested for someone to telll us who the perfect airline is. One of my best friends works for emirates and they have all the same issues with old ife on some airctaft catering complaints seat complaints etc as do BA. I think it's just a major relief that the lgw 744s are at last getting their refits and brand new ife which will make the flights so much more enjoyable for pax and crew. I too was surprised about the upper deck config but I expect everyone will soon get used to it and the w cabin downstairs will look and feel so much better for having the whole of that section. The aircraft will look brand new and lets wait and see what happens about the j suite. We've got cancun and Vancouver coming up so shaping up to be a positive year at last after so many years of cutbacks. And not to forget the new j service from 1 st march which I'm sure is going to go down really well

Yes you are correct about airlines but VA only have 37 aircraft and BA do have 231

Well I think it's just a major relief that the lgw 744s are at last getting their refits and brand new ife which will make the flights so much more enjoyable for pax and crew.

Not forgetting the engineers!

Yes you are correct about airlines but VA only have 37 aircraft and BA do have 231

...and in comparison VS do not have an endless pit of money, whereas BA do (evident from the huge overpayment for loss-making BMI)

Yes you are correct about airlines but VA only have 37 aircraft and BA do have 231

...and in comparison VS do not have an endless pit of money, whereas BA do (evident from the huge overpayment for loss-making BMI)

I don't believe BA does, nor does VS, but I am surprised about how defensive we become about this - VS has a golden opportunity to be ahead of the pack, across the whole fleet, but is shirking that, and we don't even know why yet!

As i am new to this forum i am very sorry if i have upset some people with what i said about Virgin Atlantic this was not my intension.

As i am new to this forum i am very sorry if i have upset some people with what i said about Virgin Atlantic this was not my intension.

I wouldn't worry Ken54 - all views fairly expressed are welcome.

And welcome to the site. y)

Thank you

[Neil]

As i am new to this forum i am very sorry if i have upset some people with what i said about Virgin Atlantic this was not my intension.

Not at all Ken, it is good to have new members sharing their opinion.

I just wanted to point out that as a fully independent forum you are equally likely to find it criticising VS as we do praise it, in fact as some of our members are some of their best customers, you will probably find on the whole we are more critical, because we want them to be top of the tree rather than just another airline.

I don't believe BA does, nor does VS, but I am surprised about how defensive we become about this - VS has a golden opportunity to be ahead of the pack, across the whole fleet, but is shirking that, and we don't even know why yet!

Personally, I am defending VS on the whole 'Bubble-gate' issue as I think it really is a non issue, and certainly IMO the reaction from some people has been way OTT.

I 100% agree however about the new UCS (or lack of it). I can only hope that there is a valid reason for their decision that non of us have been able to come up with yet, although I really wouldn't be surprised if there isn't.

Neil

Personally, I am defending VS on the whole 'Bubble-gate' issue as I think it really is a non issue, and certainly IMO the reaction from some people has been way OTT.

I 100% agree however about the new UCS (or lack of it). I can only hope that there is a valid reason for their decision that non of us have been able to come up with yet, although I really wouldn't be surprised if there isn't.

Neil

but with all due respect Neil thats your opinion. anyone who never travels in UC will consider the reaction to the UCS is OTT and a non issue

[Neil]

but with all due respect Neil thats your opinion. anyone who never travels in UC will consider the reaction to the UCS is OTT and a non issue

Of course it is, and I understand everyone has their own opinion.

The difference for me is that the PE product is being enhanced, with new seats, IFE and meal service, and you can still sit in the bubble while the downstairs PE cabin is being massively enhanced and improved. The only difference is that there are going to be 13 or so more people upstairs in the small Y cabin.

Compare that to the UCS situation, there is a brand new UCS due out spring/summer this year, the LGW/MAN fleet are being refurbished during that period giving VS the ideal opportunity to install it, giving them their best ever opportunity to have an identical fleet and banish the whole 'poor LGW pax always getting the worst end of the stick" comments for good.

Just my opinion of course, and just to state that I am a regular PE pax ex MAN and I can't wait for the refits of the 747's to be completed. With the current extra benefits and the new improvement I think it will put the VS PE offering way out ahead of all their competitors on the routes these a/c will be operating.

Personally, I am defending VS on the whole 'Bubble-gate' issue as I think it really is a non issue, and certainly IMO the reaction from some people has been way OTT.

I 100% agree however about the new UCS (or lack of it). I can only hope that there is a valid reason for their decision that non of us have been able to come up with yet, although I really wouldn't be surprised if there isn't.

Neil

but with all due respect Neil thats your opinion. anyone who never travels in UC will consider the reaction to the UCS is OTT and a non issue

Yes, but to be fair, I've never flown PE but would instinctively prefer it to remain the exclusive preserve of the bubble. Admittedly that's more out of anticipation of getting to use it soon, but nothing wrong with having aspirations for my personal travel...

Personally, I am attacking Virgin on this bubble issue and I think they deserve it. For me the new UCS is a non-issue. Where does that leave us ?

The non UCS refit on the LGW/MAN fleet is probably just one of cost. There are only 14 suites, so probably the per-suite cost to upgrade is higher; VS probably anticipate being able to sell these seats anyway (they are certainly hard to get).

Stepping back from the detail for a moment, and with this topic on its 11th page, one thing has occurred to me.

Why is there such interest in a rumour (albeit, from a reliable source)?

Perhaps, with money being invested and a change instigated, we're all struggling to understand the logic.....I always think change is good, as long as it's positive. We're just (individually) struggling to understand the positivity of not upgrading the UCS suites and removing PE seats from the bubble.

I don't think I've got this point yet - does this mean the overall number of PE seats has gone up? Because, that would be a positive.

New seats....the Y seats could certainly do with it, but I maintain the older PE seats are more comfortable than the new - but I admit, this is a very personal oppinion.

New IFE - how much do people really use it in this day of ipod/ipad etc - I haven't used IFE on a plane for years.

Everyone's personal take on this rumour will depend on very many factors, and there is unlikely to be consensus.

In the end, if the changes are made, the direction of passenger loading and customer satisfaction figures will tell the story...

[Neil]

Personally, I am attacking Virgin on this bubble issue and I think they deserve it. For me the new UCS is a non-issue. Where does that leave us ?

We all have our opinions - some will be happy/okay with the decision, others won't be. VS have made the decision they think best suits them, as a pax we have freedom to fly with whom we desire, so I guess ultimately if you or anyone else thinks that with the VS changes there are better alternatives, then you are free to fly with them instead.

I personally still think VS, even in the new config, will be miles ahead of the alternatives available to me.

Freedom of choice is a good thing.

Neil

but with all due respect Neil thats your opinion. anyone who never travels in UC will consider the reaction to the UCS is OTT and a non issue

The difference for me is that the PE product is being enhanced, with new seats, IFE and meal service, and you can still sit in the bubble while the downstairs PE cabin is being massively enhanced and improved. The only difference is that there are going to be 13 or so more people upstairs in the small Y cabin.

I know we've got to wait and see what this so called "enhanced PE product" is going to be. However as a person who has travelled many times in PE on the LHR routes, I personally say if their 'enhancing' means those purple seats sitting 2-4-2 then I will change my flying habits with VS, as I'd rather sit in ecomony than pay the enormous price hike to travel PE when its a 2-4-2 config. No matter how they massively enhance the downstairs PE, if its a 2-4-2 product then for me there can be no noticable improvement.

and finally like I said many pages ago! - why cannot VS come out and be honest about the changes they know are going to happen within weeks now. They must have got stock of the parts and the plans must be outlined by now. Why oh why all the concealment and secrecy v(

[Darren Wheeler]

.

and finally like I said many pages ago! - why cannot VS come out and be honest about the changes they know are going to happen within weeks now. They must have got stock of the parts and the plans must be outlined by now. Why oh why all the concealment and secrecy v(

Because they can?

It's down to them to announce it when they see fit. Until then everything is pure rumour. I doubt your boss tells you everything at work until they are ready.