744 v A330 what is you opinion ?

When the three A330's are refitted will they have the new or old UC seats fitted ?

When the three A330's are refitted will they have the new or old UC seats fitted ?

Sadly new according to reports.

Edit to add: "With respect to UC suite & cabin:"

747 every time - particularly the LGW mini cabin.
346 next then 343
I've only flown once in 333 UC and that was the last with the present config.

New suite:

Shoulder width exacerbated by the banana shape.
Lack of anywhere to put anything - try retrieving a pair of glasses from that slot!
Lack of privacy - and that glass screen :$ ... what happens when the guy in front has the IFE flickering away all night?
Mood lighting OK when you are awake - but not if when you wish to bed down early near the front. The locker door results in flashing light levels.
About the only positive thing was better padding on the bed.

Just a few of the reasons I will not fly overnight in a VS 333 again.

If it's UC - 744 all the way especially in the front cabin.

If it's in PE you can't beat the A330, it's quiet, shiny and new and the IFE is great.

Now if the LHR 744 fleet were refitted I would go for them every the time but don't think that will happen. Let's hope the 787s won't be 4 abreast in UC although sure the PE experience will be great.

is the 787 not going to be 2 class cofig ?

Now if the LHR 744 fleet were refitted I would go for them every the time but don't think that will happen. Let's hope the 787s won't be 4 abreast in UC although sure the PE experience will be great.

I believe the 787's are going to be 4 abreast in UC - however the cabin width is a bit winder than the Airbus a/c so should help somewhat!

This thread is quite complicated because the OP was comparing UC in a LGW 744 largely with Y in a LGW 333 (although I think he travelled in PE on the Airbus!). Others (me included) are I think comparing the LHR 744s with the LHR 333s, and so we get into the whole 'Dream Suite' controversy. And then the 346s and 343s (and 787s!) are also being brought into the equation!

It is clear that there is a lot of love for the 747, and the LGW fleet will enjoy a lot of that because you are by definition in the nose in UC. Ditto PE in the bubble seems still to be popular, and there is even now this option in Y. So all of those options flatter the LGW jumbos. However, it's not so clear-cut with the LHR fleet -- that awful B section behind the nose in UC and in front of the bar? -- a "flying dorm" if ever there were one, and as slinky said, these planes are looking a bit shabby in UC now. Upstairs has its disadvantages -- although the Y option is a real plus. PE is pretty so-so -- a large anonymous cabin, with shared loos behind the curtain in Y. That seems to me to be a clear win to the 333.

Makes you realise it's a good thing we have choices.

by William c » 27 Jan 2013, 11:45
I think the 330 is a heap of ship and virgin have done it no favours
I'm currently training ATM for crew with them and the a/c only goes to crappy places like Mumbai vs3 and mco spew
747's arnt much better as even though they been refitted you can still see the old framework inside heap of crap I think tbh

Amazing job Virgin have done; their recruitment standards are so high!! How did you get past the interview? With an attitude like this, maybe someone should pass this quote on to Virgin management....then you won't have to fly on any of virgin metal....tbh!

Now if the LHR 744 fleet were refitted I would go for them every the time but don't think that will happen. Let's hope the 787s won't be 4 abreast in UC although sure the PE experience will be great.

I believe the 787's are going to be 4 abreast in UC - however the cabin width is a bit winder than the Airbus a/c so should help somewhat!

Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but from the flight I have just got off, the information I picked up was that the 787s will have 'classic' UCS on them rather than the new version. Not clear if it will be 3 or 4 abreast though...

Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but from the flight I have just got off, the information I picked up was that the 787s will have 'classic' UCS on them rather than the new version. Not clear if it will be 3 or 4 abreast though...

I have heard this too, a slightly fresher version, but I've also seen comments denying that this will happen. Well it won't happen until 2014, whatever 'it' is. Meanwhile the team A333/s to be avoided.

Thanks everyone who took the time to reply to this post, it has been very informative for me and i am sure others, (and maybe virgin management) it compounds my own thoughts on the 330
And as someone who does the lgw-mco run quite often i will be sure to avoid flying the 330 in future in any cabin, for this passenger it will be 744 or an alternate carrier from now on.
I must say to be fair the seat i had in row 18 pe was fantastic for leg room but that is the only possitive i could honestly draw from the trip, it may sound like i have a pick on airbus and a bias toward boeing but that is not the case at all, i am coming purely from a point of view of collective factors, especialy comfort.
And at the risk of repeating myself i would not fly in economy on a 330 full stop.
The short time i occupied the economy seat on this flight reminded me way to much of ryanair (flew them once, NEVER again) far too cramped and uncomfortable.

[Neil]

I have just removed a post from this thread. This is a friendly forum and rudeness, either in general or directed towards another member is not allowed and will not be tolerated.

Please continue discussions in a nice manner

[Neil]

I just posted this in another thread, but think it fits well in here also. My thoughts are based only on the 2 class A333 as haven't flown on one of the LHR a/c yet.

While I do like the 747, I have to say after a run of flights on the A333 (in PE) I really can't see the hate for it. It's extremely quiet, it has all the latest seats and IFE so once I'm in my seat it really comes down to the crew to deliver the service rather than the a/c I am on.

I would take an A333 with a great crew over a 747 with an average crew any day of the week, and we have had excellent, good, average and awful crew members on all a/c types, so I don't buy the stuff that the crew give a worse service on the A333 at all.

If I *had* to choose, I would probably still choose the 747, but that is because I love being on such a big a/c, and am still impressed every time I get close to one.

Neil, I think the "hate" is generally about the new UC suite and UC cabin.
That is where the major differences lie.
All my comments above relate to UC comparisons.

The lack of crew rest can naturally also influence crew attitudes.

[Neil]

Neil, I think the "hate" is generally about the new UC suite and UC cabin.
That is where the major differences lie.
All my comments above relate to UC comparisons.

The lack of crew rest can naturally also influence crew attitudes.

As I said, my post was actually a reply in another thread which was about MCO flights and there was quite a lot of negativity towards the A333 in it.

I do understand the crew rest issue, but as I said, we have had some wonderful crew on the A333, so I guess it depends on how the crew let it affect them.

The UCDS was designed for the 787, this is a fact. Due to the delays of this aircraft, Virgin decided to roll the product out on its A333 and as mentioned in this thread - rammed in more seats than it should have.

I've been told by friends at VA that when installed on the 787 the experience will be as it should be - top class!

[Neil]

The UCDS was designed for the 787, this is a fact. Due to the delays of this aircraft, Virgin decided to roll the product out on its A333 and as mentioned in this thread - rammed in more seats than it should have.

I've been told by friends at VA that when installed on the 787 the experience will be as it should be - top class!

That's all well and good, but Virgin knew they were getting A333, so why design a product specifically for one aircraft type only. Surely they should be designing their premium offering for every passenger not just those who will fly on the 787.

I disagree on the whole crew rest issue, I know virgin crew are used to having something but it Shouldn't have any bearing on the cabin service.

I know plenty of crew working longer sectors than NYC/IAD/MCO that don't get crew rest. The aircraft are being used on these routes because the crew don't need it. You don't see other jobs going for a nap mid shift, the crew shouldn't be grumpy and moan about the aircraft to passengers.

Not flown on the A330 and probably won't until it changes to 1-1-1 if I'm flying in UC.

I've been told by friends at VA that when installed on the 787 the experience will be as it should be - top class![/quote]
If this quote is this case your friends at VA must think that the UCDS on the A333 is not TOP CLASS

Neil, I think the "hate" is generally about the new UC suite and UC cabin.
That is where the major differences lie.
All my comments above relate to UC comparisons.

The lack of crew rest can naturally also influence crew attitudes.

As I said, my post was actually a reply in another thread which was about MCO flights and there was quite a lot of negativity towards the A333 in it.

I do understand the crew rest issue, but as I said, we have had some wonderful crew on the A333, so I guess it depends on how the crew let it affect them.

just to clarify for you all, i did'nt intend to make this post an issue with good or not so good crew at question, my reference to the crew was part of the trip report i submitted re this flight on the 330, i was basing my question strictly on the comparison between the two aircraft, and for what its worth i can easily see why cabin crew would dislike working on the 330 (very narrow isle's, knocking the elbow off unsuspecting passengers with trolly's and then bearing the brunt of there displeasure) i can sympathise with them.
also i was reffering to economy on the 330 which i think is shocking, pe is acceptable but not outstanding in comparison to the 744

hope this makes sense

I am with the masses - 747 all the way. I actively look for a flight with a 747 as opposed to the A330 and tailor my plans accordingly. I only use a 330 as a last reort if there are no alternatives. Sadly there is usually no alternative to the 330 to MCO in the winter on Sundays

Next winter all the MCOs will be back on 744s as the 330s move over to the Caribbean routes

Personally as long as the plane is clean. Fully functioning and appropriate for the loads and distances expected of it I'm not too fussed who made it!

A well engaged and happy crew who arent going to bore me with their opinions on the planes and destinations also helps too of course!

I'm a friend at VA, but believe it or not, I can actually be quite objective as a passenger too.

I flew on the A330 to and from IAD recently, and was really intrigued to see what the experience was like. The result was I had a really lovely flight both ways, with a fairly full cabin.

The biggest thing for me is the bed is much more comfortable, especially with the new sleep sheet. The old suite is great, but the new comfort system is substantially better. It makes the seat much more comfortable too.

I'm a former rugby player, and I have really wide shoulders, and I fit into it quite happily. Yes, it might be a little more difficult to shove things behind the seat than it was before, but I still managed.

I went into this experience with an open mind, even considering my bias. With all the hot air on here, I was really expecting something quite awful. But to be quite frank, I really don't get what you're talking about.

I now understand why customer reaction to this change has been largely positive. For all people worried about travelling on this aircraft, I wouldn't. It's lovely.

I've been told by friends at VA that when installed on the 787 the experience will be as it should be - top class!

If this quote is this case your friends at VA must think that the UCDS on the A333 is not TOP CLASS

Exactly! I have no option but to fly the 3 and the 4 for work purposes and I've done it a lot. I've yet to meet a crew member who likes it on the A333. Virgin are fully aware it's been a fail with customers, unfortunately reversing the process would prove too costly. We're stuck with them until the 787 is delivered.