V-Flyer

Hi - Im considering flying to Nairobi on Virgin, family of four in uc but on that route its an old plane a340-300 and older odyssey entertainment system so im wondering if its worth it for the extra money.

also i havent seen anyone review that route since last october

has anyone flown it recently and can anyone comment on the plan/odyssey flight experience generally?

any comments would be greatly appreciated[:)]

The plane can always change, even if it states it is an A340-300 at the moment; also quite a few flights are being downgraded to an A340-300, including some of the US flights. There is one version (someone will correct me if I am wrong) that has vPort on it. The entertainment is ok - similar to what you get on some BA flights still with set films that repeat/have second film showing. I would choose the carrier based on your own preferences - I would choose VS over the rest, and then BA or a oneworld partner (although that it my personal preference). The other option is looking at the price, and see what the difference is between carriers.....

Apart from the IFE, the UC experience on the A343 is the same as on the A346. The food is route specific and you still get all the UC benefits. As mentioned already, the A343's are even doing some US routes, including some New York flights and the Chicago route.

The IFE is fine, there will be a good choice of films, the only main difference is that it isn't on demand.

The A343's aren't old, they just aren't as new as the A346's in the VS fleet, but I certainly wouldn't avoid flying VS just because of this. Of course, it is your choice, but have you checked what the other carriers use on this route. The BA fleet is a very mixed bag, and I am pretty certain that like VS they don't use the newest, most upgraded a/c on the NBO route.

BA fly the 777 to NBO which will have NGCW but around a 50% chance of AVOD.

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:Originally posted by gingerflyer
The plane can always change, even if it states it is an A340-300 at the moment; also quite a few flights are being downgraded to an A340-300, including some of the US flights. There is one version (someone will correct me if I am wrong) that has vPort on it.


[|:)]

You are correct - G-VSUN is the only A343 equipped with V-Port.

I'm currently in Kenya and flew with Virgin. It was the A343 but it was OK. Also had it back from Newark a few weeks ago and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be on a day flight. Didn't have v-port but it was fine.