VS200 HKG-SYD 11 Jan 08 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Well here goes my first Trip Report!

Having flown out to Hong Kong in WTP on BA and been thoroughly impressed with the onboard service and the comfort of the seat I was looking forward to flying on to Sydney on my first Virgin flight!

Checked in at Hong Kong, all went very smoothly and checked myself and partner into 21A and C as requested at booking.

Boarding was a bit of madness but priority boarding was in use so boarded quickly! Found our seats and my partner immediately noticed that the foot rest was missing from 21A and another passenger found some of the seat edgings falling apart and commented that he hoped the important part of the plane was better maintained. However, I found the extra seat width to be welcome (Vs BA) but did think that the seat was a bit too hard! Pre-departure drinks came round and were gratefully received.

Departure was about 20 minutes late but given the scrum at boarding not surprising. After departure V:Port was fired up about half an hour into the flight. Having experienced AVOD on BA with Highlife I looked to compare V:Port and whilst Virgin have the edge on content I found Highlife much more intuitive to use but really they are fairly comparable.

Dinner was served an hour and a half out of Hong Kong and I had the Mushroom risotto which unfortunately was pretty inedible, my partner had a noodle salad which she commented on being good but not remarkable.

The rest of the flight passed without anything notable other than a few bumps whilst passing over Darwin! Bags were through promptly in Sydney after parking alongside the SQ A380 and we were on our way to Ballina on Virgin Blue inside 2 hours of landing from Hong Kong

Overall, I think that BA and Virgin are pretty comparable in terms of Premium Economy! Virgin has the edge on the service but I feel that the BA seat is more comfortable. I was surprised to find that the Virgin cabin crew were much tougher on rules in terms of blankets over legs for take off whilst BA were much more easy going! I'd be happy to fly in either PE again. I won't write up my return trip report because it was pretty similar although the food was just plain inedible on that flight!

[Decker]

Thanks for that - interesting to see how similar they were. Was it the new layout PE or the old?

It was Varga girl so the standard A346 config with new PE!

Loved the service but aside from the free drinks and amenity pack didn't find too much difference particularly given on BA's 744s WTP is situated between First and club world so has access to the club world kitchen

[Decker]

Cheeky [;)]

Originally posted by VeronaSeagull
on BA's 744s WTP is situated between First and club world so has access to the club world kitchen

Interesting 'soft upscale' of the WTP product for BA here. It probably costs them nothing to give their WTP pax access to this facility, as long as it's not to the detriment of the service for CW pax.

In that respect, it's fairly similar to ANZ's Premium Economy (an excellent product), which has acces to the same mid-flight nibbles and amenities as Business Premier.

Mike

It was a nice perk! I cheakily looked to have something from the kitchen, a member of cabin crew walked through and asked which cabin I was in and I said WTP and she said to help myself! Apparently they are allowing WTP to use it but aren't marketing it because those flying in WTP on the 767, 777 and 747 with High J (70J) config don't have access.

Thanks for the TR - it is good to hear the comparison between the two products.

Sorry to hear your seats were not in the best condition. I will comment on the blankets over your legs. While it may seem like we are being sticklers (the cabin crew that is), we get in quite a bit of trouble when the FSM does the walk around if our section is not secured. FSM's tend to make sure that every detail is safe (as they should do) but its on the cabin crews head if you decide to put your iPod in or put the blanket back on your lap. It's just as annoying for cabin crew to have to ask you to put your blankets on the floor, to get the funny looks, eye rolls, huffs, puffs, and moans. (Not saying that you did, just saying its sooooo common) but we just have to do it or we get in trouble. I hate to hear your food was not great, I tend to prefer the Premium food to the Upper Class stuff!! Lol.

Originally posted by VeronaSeagull
aside from the free drinks and amenity pack didn't find too much difference

First of all, thanks for posting this great TR!

Second, would you mind going into some additional detail regarding the amenity pack? What did you like about VS v BA, or vice versa? Thanks!

GJ's back - and right on form too [oo] [^] [oo] [^] [oo]

The BA amenity pack I believe is the same as economy so just socks, eye mask, toothbrush & toothpaste! On that part VS wins hands down!

I'll list the things I noticed and who was noticeable better

Cabin - This does feel more private and 'premium' on VS, however on the BA 744 config where you are between CW and First this is even more private

IFE - Really I think the BA and VS inflight entertainment is fairly comparable with on demand on all flights. VS has the better and more up to date film selection but the BA system is easier to use

Food - This is where BA wins hands down. Both flights on VS the main meal was pretty poor but breakfast was an improvement. BA food was nothing special but filled the hole so I'd give this to BA but with the caviat that with VS having special premium meals they could and should be better

Seat - I personally found the BA seat more comfortable if a tighter fit (I'm quite wide). The VS seat whilst very nice and extra width helpful was harder and the footrest seems in an awkward position so as not to allow you to stretch out like on BA

Cabin Service - Without marketing it BA seems to have introduced a dedicated crew member to this cabin (definitely on the flight between CW and First) and BA seem to do more water runs through the night portion of the flight. However, I felt like BA were just doing their job whilst the Virgin crew were much more personable.

Overall, I think I'd shade BA over Virgin purely on the seat comfort basis (core reason behind booking) but both seats are a great improvement on flying in Y! I'd happily fly both airlines in PE/WTP again!

Thanks for the TR, it is always good to read the comparison of the 2 products......

DMB

WTP on BA 747s is positioned where it is,between 1st & NCW ,because the plane is too narrow there to fit the NCW seats. I think the crew now just have given up trying to police who uses the Club kitchen.Great! take what you can get and disembark before J passengers.Almost makes it worth putting up with a WTP seat.