V-Flyer

I'm new and just registered tonight, so hello.

My first question is do the 747s that Virgin uses on its MCO - LGW routes not have the J2000 seating in UC? Looking at the new picture posting part of the website it seems like the seating in UC are not the J2000s, or is this just the UC seats that are not in the nose section. I'm askign this b/c I will be flying VS28 at the end of may and VS27 at the beginning of June and was looking forward to the J2000 seats. However, I've read some posts that have said that VS28/VS27 will be getting a LHR based 747, will this still apply for my flying dates? I'd love to be able to fly one of the LHR 747s. This will be my first time flying Virgin and am looking forward to a great experience!

THANKS!
Kevin

Hi Kevin,
Yes the picture on the site of the purple seat (my piccy) IS the same through all UC, both zone A and zone B

Hi Kevin, welcome to the forum!

The LGW 744 fleet DO NOT unfortunately have J2000. Upper Class is slightly smaller. At the end of the year/start of next year, they will have the 'Upper Class Suite' fitted, which will be the largest Business fully flat bed in the world, and larger than most First Classes, at a Biz Classprice. The Upper Class Suite is currently being rolled out onto the LHR 747-400s and the A340-600s, but, I do not think they will be put onto the A340-300s, although there is a rumour that there is.

I've never flown a LGW 747-400, but, after reading other reviews, there is a bar in the nose section, but unlike most of Virgin's a/c, it doesn't have stools, and just has a selection of nibbles and drinks, although, it's better than in other airlines where you wouldn't get this, I don't think! Also, the seating will be extremely comfy, as it looks, and has 55" seat pitch. The seats are the same colour as J2000, just a different shape, and without such a big recline.

Enjoy your flights!

Hi Kevin.

In answer to the second part of your question, some folk kindly answered mine, so I'll do the same for you! VS27 and 28 are to be operated by an LHR 747 for a while whilst maintenance work is carried out on the LGW fleet. I believe that G-VWOW is on the route at the moment until mid-May (?), then being substituted for G-VXLG for a while. I am not sure how long this will go on for and whether your late May and early June flights will mean an LHR 747 or not. I am flying back on 22nd May and the availability tool indicates an LHR 747. Perhaps have a look at the seat map to see if it includes rows 11 to 15, which means it will be an LHR (unless of course it is changed in the meantime).

Whatever, have a great flight.

Phil

quote:Originally posted by vsdan

I've never flown a LGW 747-400, but, after reading other reviews, there is a bar in the nose section, but unlike most of Virgin's a/c, it doesn't have stools, and just has a selection of nibbles and drinks, although, it's better than in other airlines where you wouldn't get this, I don't think! Also, the seating will be extremely comfy, as it looks, and has 55" seat pitch. The seats are the same colour as J2000, just a different shape, and without such a big recline.

Calling it a bar is a bit generous! More of a small table, with drinks and snacks and newspapers left on it for you to take at your leisure. You can always call a flight attendant of course, if your needs surpass what is available!

The seats are quite different from J2000, from what I know of the J2000. They don't do the flat bed at angle trick, sloping under the seat in front. They are just a very comfy, large business class seat with electric controls. I had no trouble sleeping many hours in them!

quote:Originally posted by philadam
Hi Kevin.

In answer to the second part of your question, some folk kindly answered mine, so I'll do the same for you! VS27 and 28 are to be operated by an LHR 747 for a while whilst maintenance work is carried out on the LGW fleet. I believe that G-VWOW is on the route at the moment until mid-May (?), then being substituted for G-VXLG for a while. I am not sure how long this will go on for and whether your late May and early June flights will mean an LHR 747 or not. I am flying back on 22nd May and the availability tool indicates an LHR 747. Perhaps have a look at the seat map to see if it includes rows 11 to 15, which means it will be an LHR (unless of course it is changed in the meantime).

Whatever, have a great flight.

Phil

Where would I be able to check the seat map? Is there anyway you could use the availability tool to see if it is saying I will get a LHR 747? The dates are May 23 to LGW and June 2 to MCO. Would the LHR 747 UC have V:port? Sorry for all of the questions, I'm a newby!
Thanks!

Kevin

Don't worry, I'm a newbie too!:)

I've had a look at the availability tool for those flights you mention and it is listing an LGW seat plan for both of them, so it looks like you may be out of luck[:(]. Things may of course change in the meantime. If it was the planned LHR 747 (Ruby Tuesday), it would have Odyssy not V:Port.

Phil

Don't worry! Like mentioned, if it was the LHR747 G-VXLG Ruby Tuesday, it wouldn't have v:port anyway. I'm sure you'll enjoy your flights even with the LGW747.
The LGW 747s will be refitted by the start of next year with upper class suites and v:port, but at the moment they have recaro seats and nova entertainment with features available on here. Go onto refereence at the top of the website, go down to entertainment, and it tells you what features each system has got, and what aircraft is fitted with the system.

Hi Kevin

You can find seat maps under the reference link above - they're much better than the ones on the VS site too!

Alex

Just flying back from JFK I was speaking to one of the crew whilst perched at the bar and she was asking how I was enjoying the new UCS.

I mentioned that I'm usually stuck on a B&S route out of LGW and was asking her about the refit at LGW.

She mentioned that the LGW fleet will be refitted with the new suites, but only in the nose section and she was sure that following the refit that there would still be no bar seating area or beauty therapist on-board.

I do find it strange how VS can offer two different sets of service for UC. Does anyone know of other airlines (such as BA) who offer a different service on B&S routes?

Matt

BA only have two classes of service on the lGW-MCO route, no first class, and I think no PE, just economy and Club World AFAIK

BA do have World Traveller Plus on the LGW-MCO route.

BC

quote:I do find it strange how VS can offer two different sets of service for UC. Does anyone know of other airlines (such as BA) who offer a different service on B&S routes?

Matt

Matt, as has been mentioned by AlanA, BA don't have FIRST on some routes. And there are plenty of instances where fleet upgrades are done in order of most profitable routes and may not deliver a consistent cabin across all planes, for example SQ still does not have SpaceBeds on all long haul routes.

However, I can't think of an airline which has two different sets of in-flight services on a large number of routes. I don't really miss the on-board beauty therapist but I do miss the bar on the ex-LGW planes, particularly as it's always a holiday trip.

BC

BC
when I last looked at BA's LGW-MCO, the Club World was only the cradle seat, not the bed seat

We flew BA Business to Tobago (had some AA points to use up) and enquired about First. Was told unavailable. The plane however HAD a First just unused. On the way back they opened it for what seemed to be a family of 6.

Another newbie here ! I have a question on similar lines to the LGW/MCO VS27 & 28 - I've just gone to try and reserve 3 PE seats for 13 June and they are all showing unavailable.. Also to make it worse, the map seems to indicate it's a 747-200 configuration (short bubble up top) which has now completely confused me ! Is this all to do with the re-fit of the 400's ? Anyone got any ideas if this is right and why seats are all unavailable to reserve etc and how I can verify ?
Many thanks [:(!]

Welcome to Virginflyer LincsGuy

I think your question is one that may have to be resolved by phone. I have found that, when I have a problem booking online the agents at the Flying Club usually sort me out.

You miss out on the online booking discount, but for 3 x UC seats this isn't going to make much difference;)

Nick

Nick - Many thanks for your reply. I've had a scout around the forums since posting and seen that this maybe quite a common thread ! Checked on the availability tool which said 744, so will give them a call to clarify me thinks !!
cheers again. [8D]