V-Flyer

Hi guys

I am booked in Upper on the VS127 and 128 for next June (the new MAN-JFK) and I noticed that on both seat maps out outbound and return the D row has suddenly been blocked out, now either 7 people have suddenly decided to fly on both flights I am on and book the same seats on both or...is the refit happening in Upper Class?!

A good sign. Fingers crossed!

Yeah, but the downside will be further cuts in reward availability.

Yep sounds like it to me! I think it was slated to start in October of this year. Whether that's still the case or not though..

I am sure someone told me there would only be 26 seats in J once the 333 is refitted.

Think the plan is 31 seats. First one is booked in for end of October

Just looked at my ANU booking for May next year and these seats are also blocked, so this should be good news for tall people

I fly to Barbados in October and have booked premium economy.....any advice on the best seats in PE?

virginboy747 wrote:Think the plan is 31 seats. First one is booked in for end of October

Compared to 33 now.

So presumably 11 'A' and 11 'K' seats (compared to 9 now) and 9 down the middle (compared to 8 now)?

Which seats do you think will be best post refit? I also have a booking from MAN next year and the D row is blocked out entirely

The 'A' seats in the front half of the cabin, I'd say. The configuration will be virtually the same as the Dreamliner.

I had 4K Outbound and 4A to inbound, assuming the A seats have the wall - I have changed to 4A for the outbound now too!

Great, thanks so much!

gumshoe wrote:

virginboy747 wrote:Think the plan is 31 seats. First one is booked in for end of October

Compared to 33 now.

So presumably 11 'A' and 11 'K' seats (compared to 9 now) and 9 down the middle (compared to 8 now)?

Is there room to get two extra seats in down the sides ?

Apparently to make the 1-2-1 work the UCDS is at a steeper angle than the original UC suite, so by straightening it out a bit with 1-1-1 thats how they will fit in the seats.

Just saw in another post a suggestion that the Bar may not be included in the new config ???

chriski wrote:Just saw in another post a suggestion that the Bar may not be included in the new config ???

I have no idea if this is correct, it wouldn't surprise me though, VS have imho de-valued the UC experience in several ways over the years. Having said that It wouldn't bother me much if the bar were to disappear, I know that many other think differently though.

The bar used to be a key differentiator between Virgin and BA. The bar itself on the 747 was a centrepiece but on more recent aircraft it's been relegated to one end of the cabin and has become little more than a large, plastic shelf.

The final nail in the coffin is the lack of staff to actually serve at the bar. More often than not they are away doing something else making the bar a pretty pointless place.

Such a shame to see how it's turned out. VS could have used it to show they aren't involved in BA's race to the bottom.

I think the bar is moving further back in place of where the big cupboard is aft of the doors. No firm plan has been revealed yet though

oldboy wrote:

chriski wrote:Just saw in another post a suggestion that the Bar may not be included in the new config ???

I have no idea if this is correct, it wouldn't surprise me though, VS have imho de-valued the UC experience in several ways over the years. Having said that It wouldn't bother me much if the bar were to disappear, I know that many other think differently though.

I understand there are different views, but removing it would be a very large nail in the coffin marked 'UC style and uniqueness'. I've met many great people over the years stretching my legs at the bar, at it remains a key facet of the UC experience for me. Remove it, and well, you've got Delta - nice seats.

I guess we will find out soon !

The bar is staying....

Hi all

Bar debate aside it will be an improvement over the existing product. It's been nice to see Virgin trying to improve the overall customer experience and continuity. Installing new seats helps with that, I fortunately have not experienced Upper Class on the A330 being 6'5 I have avoided it despite travelling on VS109 VS110 a bit this year.

The A330 is a fantastic aircraft Virgin just needs to tweak a few things.
Especially now it’s flying to San Francisco. Would not surprise me to see them copy the 787 layout with the wonder wall behind the bar.

Like many of you I will be cashing in some of my miles once I know when the refit will complete. I am glad that we all have more destinations to choose from MAN now.

Just secured 5 reward seats coming back SFO - MAN for the whole family in July. Seat map shows.......

1-5A (staff rest) and column D are blocked out. 1G also not available but don't know if occupied or blocked.

So only 20 or 21 UC seats plus 5 staff rest seats showing at present

We've got 2 G's on SFO-MAN in March and the seat map is identical to yours.
1 - 5A, all of D, and 1G unavailable. Snap!