V-Flyer

Is it just me, or are the UC pods starting to look a little scruffy?

Chipped paint, especially around the hinges on TV's, plastic that needed replacing a year ago is still there, and looking worse. My last IFE remote looked like it had suffered years of abuse by someone with very sharp nails, etc.

Or am I expecting too much?

I don't think you're expecting too much, but I would distinguish 'well used' from 'in need of repair', and both of those are separate from general cleanliness.

Certainly on my last two flights the suites looked very heavily used. G-VEIL was clean but weathered. G-VHOT was really dirty and there were loads of chips in the plastic of the suite, plus other visible damage. The general delapidation of the toilets was quite a shock too.

On my last 2 flights the UC seats were in good condition, I think it must be aircraft specific but still, shouldn't be acceptable.

at240 wrote:Certainly on my last two flights the suites looked very heavily used. G-VEIL was clean but weathered. G-VHOT was really dirty and there were loads of chips in the plastic of the suite, plus other visible damage. The general delapidation of the toilets was quite a shock too.

Exactly 'heavily used' describes it, its not the cleaning service, its the hard materials of the pods that is getting worn out. How much does it cost to replace an IFE remote control? at least in UC, you could put in the new ones and move the ones showing their age, but perfectly working, down to EC - that would be a start!

Getting in some restorer with appropriate compound to heal the heavy chipping on the pod plastic would be an idea too. A little bit of compound and some buffing might revive them for another couple of years. Swap them out, get a rotation program happening while they are being repaired/ renovated. This is not rocket science, but it is VS premium product, supposedly.

The state of the suites have been in disrepair for years, iirc it wasnt that long ago when they changed the suade strip that runs along the top of the suite to a plasticy material, so they have done repairs but your right narikin they do need to get more proactive regarding repairs, as they do look shabby which is a real shame.

cheers

alex

narikin wrote:but it is VS premium product, supposedly.

yes, I agree with that. As I was typing my reply I nearly wrote that the state of the suite hardly seemed appropriate for a premium service.

The cleanliness issue bothers me a lot. I really don't think a J passenger should have to wipe down his own seat -- you see it happening.

narikin wrote:How much does it cost to replace an IFE remote control? at least in UC, you could put in the new ones and move the ones showing their age, but perfectly working, down to EC - that would be a start!

What next? Sending the leftovers from dinner down to the back? Virgin Atlantic Economy Class - where only the best hand me downs are acceptable.

pjh wrote:

narikin wrote:How much does it cost to replace an IFE remote control? at least in UC, you could put in the new ones and move the ones showing their age, but perfectly working, down to EC - that would be a start!

What next? Sending the leftovers from dinner down to the back? Virgin Atlantic Economy Class - where only the best hand me downs are acceptable.

Expectations of us normals down in EC are low, so don't worry yourselves!! ii)

pjh wrote:What next? Sending the leftovers from dinner down to the back? Virgin Atlantic Economy Class - where only the best hand me downs are acceptable.

Gosh yes, that does sound bad in this light - apologies!

I simply meant if they are installing new controllers, it might be a good idea to be sure UC gets prioritised, and if the one they remove is perfectly working, and they really need to economise, then re-use it to replace broken ones elsewhere.

Petmadness wrote:

pjh wrote:

narikin wrote:How much does it cost to replace an IFE remote control? at least in UC, you could put in the new ones and move the ones showing their age, but perfectly working, down to EC - that would be a start!

What next? Sending the leftovers from dinner down to the back? Virgin Atlantic Economy Class - where only the best hand me downs are acceptable.

Expectations of us normals down in EC are low, so don't worry yourselves!! ii)

Look! They can read and write as well!!!

The scruffiness is one thing, it's the cleanliness that really offends me (no matter what cabin).

Admittedly, some of the UC suites I've been in could benefit from some TLC, but you expect wear and tear - I don't expect dirt/crums/grease etc.

With the much anticipated LGW fleet refits, it's the LHR planes that will look scruffy, and I guess they'd be next for a refit - although, I reckon this would all tie in to whatever VS long term flett plans are...

The last time i was aboard G-VHOT she was leaking from the roof in the A zone so they had a large pile of paper towel sopping up the leak - hardly a good impression when you board a premium cabin! Thankfully I think it was just condensation and stopped when we were airborne.

Just think if we didn't all use our hot towels to wipe the suite down, how much more unclean they would be!

Petmadness wrote:

pjh wrote:
Expectations of us normals down in EC are low, so don't worry yourselves!! ii)

Hopefully you'll notice some improvements in the coming
"weeks" to the economy services.

ComeFlyWithV wrote:Hopefully you'll notice some improvements in the coming
"weeks" to the economy services.

We know about the red shoes, the new wraps for afternoon snack on West coast flights, the ice-cream ladies carrying cinema style boxes...

What else can we expect to see ?| ComeFlyWithV ?

A few more treats are in store..... not long to wait until we can tell you more

And are the improvements for all classes?

UCS doesn't get treats, they get stuff taken away, been happening for years. Odd business model, pay more get less.

wonder wether it time VA owned up and told everyone the priority
isn't upper anymore.

easygoingeezer wrote:UCS doesn't get treats, they get stuff taken away, been happening for years. Odd business model, pay more get less.

wonder wether it time VA owned up and told everyone the priority
isn't upper anymore.

You know that is right!.... y) y) y) y)
they need to at least bring the tanqueray 10 back!

Mike