V-Flyer

I have just recently arrived back from Delhi in Upper and ask myself has the upper class brand been devalued to the point is it worth the premium over PE. The one thing Virgin does really well is branding and gimmickry, but the reality on board is a whole different ball game

I was on the A330-300 and I agree with the comments about the new suite so wont go to much into that apart from saying its too claustrophobic with narrow isles compared to the last version

The staff while they tried their best was simply spread to thin, on my side of the plane there was only one crew member serving the entire side of the plane resulting in long gaps between courses and no top up being offered. I did not get any first choice of meal for any course as I was last served as I was in seat 1, despite the fact halve the cabin was full of upgrades. The starter and main I received was not even on the menu and the quality and quantity of the food , words would not do justice, have a look at the picture of the starter I received below even the crew member avoided any eye contact when it was served to me:



The graze menu wasn't even listed as individual items on the menu anymore and when I enquired I was told it was all used up in the main meal service and all they could offer was cold soup

The table in my suite was so slanted that the food and crockery slid continually to the right to the point I had to keep it propped up with my right knee n(
The seat was also continually jamming in converting to bed mode and as there were no free seats I just slept in the seat mode. The bar is also showing chipped edges and heavy staining to the surface which even the cabin crew commented on

I agree that it is a lot better than economy but I have found myself seriously looking at Jet Airways for my next flight after 6 years of flying just Virgin.
Sorry if this just sounds like a rant but the flight has just left me severely disillusioned with Virgin especially as this was a personal trip out of my own pocket !

I don't know about the a330 300 but from my experience of the a343 I feel that some of the older planes are in need of a spruce up. With the 343s due to be retired from 2014 (I think that is the case but IAHTSK) I doubt any sprucing up is going to take place.
I can only go by my experience but I would say that UC even with some of the Raggy aspects, on a long haul flight, I would prefer it over PE (even on a day flight) as atleast you can stretch your legs and in most cases lie down for some sleep

I sympathise with the OP.

For 'short' day flights I've started to lose the desire/obsession to upgrade. Being AU helps, because the ground benefits are still strong. But UC is definitely losing its lustre for me -- evidenced by a thread earlier this year where I wasn't convinced I should pay £50ish to upgrade from PE to UC! Fellow v-flyers set me straight, naturally. B)

I also tried Y earlier this year, after a long stretch in which I'd avoided it, and found it surprisingly tolerable on quick red-eye. I did a trip report for that one, such was my surprise.

The problem for me is that with most of my travelling being TATL, there are not really any obviously better options. I've been toying with switching over to BA, but I think the GC lounge offering at T5 is awful, and I prefer the Airbuses on long-haul routes.

Agreed.
If you can get a seat with decent leg-room in Y or PE, then that does the job just fine.
For east-coast USA anyway.. whereas for >8 hours, hmmm... I think I need to be able to stretch out, lie flat, and be in an isolated cocoon..

If money or miles are not an issue then I would never hesitate. It is only when you sit in PE that you really notice the 'little extras' that make the whole thing more pleasant. (ie. they are missing in PE).
I hate the trolly service and being told when to eat. I also like to sleep even on day time flights. Waking up with that searing pain in PE or Y is not much fun.
A glass of bubbly is also very welcome !

personally I find the Uc bed hard bumpy and not that comfortable so rarely upgrade from PE on day flights, unless its too tempting (like £50 !!!)

the lounge thing is no attraction for me as I arrive as late as possible at the airport . the most comfortable flight I have had was in the CW seat on the BA LCY-JFK route. I ate drank AND slept.....it definitely went to the top of my list

As a personal rule, ever since I got AU I rarely do day trips in UC. I still thinks it's a great product but it does get boring after a while so I always use the extra £1K or more saved to buy myself something nice as that seems a better use of the money.

Again, I have no problem with the UC product, but I'm tiny enough so legroom on the 7 hrs or less flights isn't an issue in Y (I get extra legroom or exit rows) or PE. I've also learned to eat in the lounge so the food portions/taste are never really an issue.

Also I think most of us that travel frequently tend to get a bit jaded so it would take VS going the extra mile for us to be impressed with the service provided.

To the OP, maybe the catering was done based on the number of confirmed UC bookings and all the upgrades just messed those calculations up.

I do like the whole UC experience but have only had it on one day flight, and really enjoyed being alert for the whole experience and having a couple of hours in the Clubhouse.

However, it was the CH and the bar that I really liked.

I still prefer the PE seat.

I have to agree re the PE vs UC seats. I've only actually flown UC once, on the two legs from SYD to LHR. I wanted to stay awake on the first leg to HKG, so didn't fold the bed out, I found the seat uncomfortable enough that sleep was never going to be an option. Folded out though, the bed was lovely.

I've based my decision on the cost, if I can get UC for miles or little cost over PE I will go UC each time. My recent days flights to and from were both in UC

Well worth it for me, but then I am a bucket n spader who flies once or twice a year. That starter is a joke though.

Going off at a bit of a tangent from the original question I sometimes return night time in PE and with the money saved have a comfortable room waiting at a convenient Heathrow hotel.
This is personal preference as I have to continue the journey north, Little Red + 2.5 hr drive so an overnight break suits me, get over any jet-lag and feeling human the next day when I arrive in sunny Cumbria!
Being Au is an advantage of course as the Clubhouses are one of the truly redeeming features of what was once the 'Virgin Experience'.

hazban wrote:Going off at a bit of a tangent from the original question I sometimes return night time in PE and with the money saved have a comfortable room waiting at a convenient Heathrow hotel.
This is personal preference as I have to continue the journey north, Little Red + 2.5 hr drive so an overnight break suits me, get over any jet-lag and feeling human the next day when I arrive in sunny Cumbria!
Being Au is an advantage of course as the Clubhouses are one of the truly redeeming features of what was once the 'Virgin Experience'.

That is a good idea if you can sleep in a seat.
I have done several redeyes in Y and PE and couldnt sleep in either.

after 15 or so UC flights recently I've flown on the new UC suites and it was a nightmare. They are so cramped. I rather have the old planes which aren't high-tech and not always as clean but the new suites was just no more fun. After that experience I decided that atleast all Eastcoast day flights I happily sit in PE. Did it 3 times now and ofcourse it wasn't as great as UC it surely did the job and didn't found myself much more tired or anything and not that uncomfortable. If those new UC suites are installed on all virgin planes i'd prob go and look to fly with other airlines.

My favourite planes are still the ones where you could sit and look at the wall in the middle. (oh-so-private-feeling) and those with only 12 or so seats that usually fly from LGW - Vegas.


v( That Starter photo That's more for a tiny rabbit!