V-Flyer

Was on VS10 for a cheapo trip JFK back to Blighty last night. Been ages since I flew Economy, (I know, lucky bugger, it has to come crashing down one day) but I have to say it really wasn't that bad - a clean modern A340, full, but seats that surprised me how decent the recline was (have they improved that?) big IFE V-PORT that I never watched, a ticket that cost $571 r/t -about 360 pondos- plus good old Ambien to knock me out for 5 hours seat-sleep, woke up 30 before landing, nice breakfast in Revivals. Perhaps it was all a dream?

The ambien and revivals certainly helped, however, I do have to ask, how tall are you ?

Also, yes, I have no issues with a west bound Y flight, it's the east bound that kill me, there just isn't enough knee room for me, but it really isn't that bad in the back of the plane.

Yep, height and *ahem*, girth, are the major factors here. If it weren't for my 2 small children (who obviously have acres of room) then I wouldn't even consider Y, but I'm not quite ready to splash out on PE for the family holidays yet.

Very much a 'grin and bear it' approach that I take right now, especially eastbound from the caribbean...

Of course it's not that bad!!!!

Its true that I, more often than not travel PE, but if you look at the figures....

For a 10 day holiday, you're spending, say, 250 hours getting there and back plus the holiday (assuming you start early etc - an approximation I know).

Of that, you spend, say, 18 hours on a plane.

So, you're spending around 7% of your time, in a seat on the plane - figures for illustration only!!!!

Choice I have, being a family of 3, is do I invest 2k, 3.5k or 9k on that 7% - or, £111 per/hour, £195 per/hour or £500 per/hour!!!

As a business case, for someone leisure travelling, and with limited funds, the business case doesn't stack up for UC!!!!

Of course, if you look at the flights as a proportion of the overall spend on a holiday, it looks even less viable.

But then, if you're travelling for business, a lot more factors come into play.

I have flown econ in VS, and will again, and I'm 6ft - not overly tall, but not short either. I can cope!!!

And, I've generally found the CC to be just as helpful and very often with that VS something that makes it all worthwhile.

In the end, you pay your money, and take your choice.

my problem with EC is my knees. I suffer really badly if i have to sit in cramped spaces for hours so for me PE has always been a given. however the ability to now pre book exit rows may change that thinking -giving it a try to JFK on April 1 so will see how it goes

For me, there's also the route and time of day to think about...

So, LGW-MCO - daytime flight, lots of holiday excitement, can easily deal with economy.
MCO-LGW - need to sleep, so PE better, but shorter flights than some so UC a luxury.

LHR-CPT rtn - both overnight flights, and 11-12 hours - UC starts to look very, very enticing! Economy on that route would be a pain - but then, it'd be a lot cheaper.

New York - relaly not that far, so economy ok for the money.

And so on.

Of course, if my company were paying - it would be UC all the way!!!!

Agree re the kids bit ratechaser - regrettably we flew back IB Business Plus using a wad of BA miles and my eldest (8 going on 43) now has an aversion to BOTB. But they get acres of room in a standard seat... meaning us parents can spread out a bit too..

I've never flown VS but I have had the pleasure of sitting (all be it parked at an airport stand) in each class. Personally if I were to fly VS I would have to fly upper. I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me, thomas cook are much better and cheaper for a similar product, premium granted ok but if I'm going to splash out on said flight I'd just go for it. Of course the chances of me EVER being able to afford such luxuries I'd have to settle for an exit/bulkhead seat, only way I'd do it.

Lizz wrote: I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me

"I don't do economy" Like your style...Although your bank account may not..

NH (6'2")

Lizz wrote:Personally if I were to fly VS I would have to fly upper. I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me

Hmmm a bit of a dramatic statement there. I'm 5ft 11" and have coped in VS economy twice now without issue. Yes, I prefer UC, but they certainly aren't 'impossible'

Try being 6ft 7", now that is pretty much impossible, even PE isn't amazingly roomy haha

Neil wrote:

Lizz wrote:Personally if I were to fly VS I would have to fly upper. I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me

Hmmm a bit of a dramatic statement there. I'm 5ft 11" and have coped in VS economy twice now without issue.

Indeed. In fact, here's a picture of Neil 'coping' in Y. C'mon Neil, give us a smile...

mdvipond wrote:

Neil wrote:

Lizz wrote:Personally if I were to fly VS I would have to fly upper. I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me

Hmmm a bit of a dramatic statement there. I'm 5ft 11" and have coped in VS economy twice now without issue.

Indeed. In fact, here a picture of Neil 'coping' in Y. C'mon Neil, give us a smile...

- Well I have an exact repeat of that flight coming up in a little over 5 weeks, so I'll be able to provide an updated photo to show how much my love of flying Y has changed in 3 years !

There is quite a difference between 5'11" and 6'7" - especially if the extra height difference is in the legs. My hubby is 6'4" & just say fits in the PE seats never mind economy. If the person in front reclines, hubby has to sit sideways.
However, having said all that, being able to book PE saves being up at the airport 5-6 houre before take off to get exit row seats. That is what we did in 'the olden days'. :0

Katie

Neil wrote:

Lizz wrote:Personally if I were to fly VS I would have to fly upper. I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me

Hmmm a bit of a dramatic statement there. I'm 5ft 11" and have coped in VS economy twice now without issue. Yes, I prefer UC, but they certainly aren't 'impossible'

It does depend on how you get to 5'9" or 6'1".

I've got short legs (not fat and hairy!) and a long body.
My 5'10" works ok in economy. Mrs H has got long longs and a short body. Her 5'8" copes less well.

Damn nuisance when swapping driving I'll tell you.

katie666 wrote:There is quite a difference between 5'11" and 6'7" - especially if the extra height difference is in the legs.)

It is for me!! If in economy have to go in the bulkhead/exit seats, now that you can prebook these would be a viable option now (with not having to turn up at the airport extra early to be sure of them!) Even in PE if the person in front reclines their seat can be uncomfortable, sitting straight knees are up against the seat in front, have never managed to get the front row of PE either for a bit more room when flying, always seem to be unlucky with that!

Oh c'mon!!! I'm 6ft and have your average split legs/body.

Yes, economy is less comfortable, but you can esily stretch your legs under the seat in front.

Ok - so having travelled PE, and in two weeks UC, I've been spoilt - but to say you "simply can't" is a bit dramatic. "I'd rather not, it's less comfortable" is more like it surely...

When I was a student, and had no choice other than economy, I just enjoyed the flight and was bl00dy glad to have the chance - got a bit soft haven't we all?

Lizz wrote: I'm 5'9 so their economy seats are impossible for me

uhhh as other say... this is a little ridiculous. as the O.P. I'm 5'11" and had no problem. I also found the seat to be wider than I remembered.

My advice is be smart: check your options in the Toolbox here, be sure to book a new Airbus A340 or similar plane, (not a 747) which will have the latest seats/IFE/ fittings, and you might have a pleasant surprise.

I have done Y lots and lots of times but lets just say my personal choice (for many reasons) is more towards sitting in the more pointy end of the plane.

Tonty, you've hit the nail on the head there - it's personal choice and the resources you have available.....

I guess the point the OP is making, and I am supporting, is that it isn't perhaps as awful an experience as some imply.

Signing off now!

Although due to my preference (and that of my parents when I was a child) I have never flown in Y (or indeed W) and can honestly say it dosen't appeal one bit to me, however I have taken hundreds if not thousands of flights and usually take a walk down the back and it is normally (more times than not) full so it obviously is a popular chice, for whatever reason, with many so I cant honestly say or believe it is impossible for many if anyone "not to be able" to fly in Y and thus can't be as bad as some like to make out it is.
However if I die at a ripe old age never having experienced the "delights" of either of the economy cabins then I wont have any regrets.

I've walked from my UC cabin to visit my husband in Y on many occasions (I'm starting to regret this post already!) and he only ever complains if
1. He has had a child kicking the back of his seat all flight or
2. The passenger in front refuses to put his seat in the upright position for meals.

For most who don't come from priviledged backgrounds, the experience of Y is something you are used to when growing up. My parents pay have flown PE when we went on a family holiday (sometimes Y), but once I turned 18 and wanted to go on my "own" holidays - as with any good parent, I learn the value of money and had to pay for my own flights, being Y.

In time, with the relevant resources, I've worked my way up!

I can't imagine anyone who would pick Y over W or J - it all comes down to cost. Perhaps not lack of money but some prefer to spend it on other things!

Economy seems pretty bloody good value in the current sale;

£330 to and from New York! Who couldn't squeeze into a seat for that price?

Interestingly, (or not!), I did a couple of dummy bookings; only about £90 of that price is ticket price - the rest is various taxes, fuel surcharges, weird US security fees etc...

If VA only get £90 for flying someone transatlantic, feeding them, giving them a few drinks and showing them a few films, getting a seat seems like a massive bonus!

I reckon we'll be doing a Y flight later this year - probably east coast. We're not too worried. As others have said; good CC, considerate fellow passengers and a couple of films - no reason for it not being a great flight.

Craig.

I used to always fly Y long haul, until I experienced J on the airline that shall not be named ( the club world one) and I thought yeah this is me, no more Y. I then experienced Virgin UC last year. Now it's J or nowt. Ain't no way I wanna be flying Y after J.