VS076 MCO-MAN 3 APR 11 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

I was really dissapointed with this flight. I know the seat pitch etc is supposedly better but give me upper deck Pe on the 747 anytime. The legroom is appalling and the "leather" seats uncomfortable imho and it seems the tray tables dont extend as far a problem if a tubby. The leg supports on the old 747 seem much better than the contraption they now have(att. to the seat in front) and from now on i will be looking to fly on VS 73/74 hopefully still the 747. The food was atrocious especially the beef bourgignon which my wife had (and left) . The only plus was the IFE which still had some teething troubles hence the tech from Panasonic on the flight. It can only get better.

The first TR on the A330 and clearly one that highlights some issues.

The food I suppose is not aircraft specific, but the seat report is disconcerting. Whether they will "soften" up over time is possible of course.

Will the foot rest attached to the seat in front cause irritation to the passenger in front?

I think we will opt for back row seats, especially if disturbance from use of the touch screens starts being reported.

Each to their own I suppose, I much prefer the leather PE seats and find the legroom and width very adequate (and much better than the old cloth seats).

Shame about the food though, and we believed things were getting better.

I also prefer the leather PE seats; but I agree the Upper Deck is the place to be. However, as has been covered in other posts, you've got more chance booking a seat on the flight deck than upstairs in PE!

I've found the leather seats very comfortable. VS are saying the legroom is no different - was it really bad then?

My partner had the beef bourgignon and really enjoyed it

Thanks for the TR

I've found the leather seats very comfortable. VS are saying the legroom is no different - was it really bad then?

My partner had the beef bourgignon and really enjoyed it

Thanks for the TR

My opinion is that the legroom isnt as good. My wife and daughter also noted that they could cross their legs on the old seats but couldnt on this flight and my wife is very flexible as a yoga teacher! Me being a bit Tubby struggled to get the table in place to eat (so didnt) are the arms on the seat shorter? The Cabin staff struggled getting the trolleys up the aisles and more than once hit a seat back. It just felt...well cramped compared to the 747. I realise the overall fuselage size is narrower but a 222 config would be so much better .. maybe it was that we were in the 3 in the middle that i thought as i do. Another thing... Lockers none down the middle so less space ....

[Neil]

I realise the overall fuselage size is narrower but a 222 config would be so much better .. maybe it was that we were in the 3 in the middle that i thought as i do. Another thing... Lockers none down the middle so less space ....

I am pretty certain it is exactly the same as the A346 cabin on the LHR fleet.

I am pretty certain it is exactly the same as the A346 cabin on the LHR fleet.

Indeed and me too - there are several comments about the spacing on the A333 and I can't imagine why it wouldn't be the same as usual.

The overhead bins is an issue - and no doubt arose from the UC fiasco but I'm guessing the in W config it's going to be an issue.

Is there extra cupboard space at the back of PE - as in the bubble?
Without storage room it will make a nonsense of paying for extra legroom if you then have to have your cabin baggage by your feet.

Is there extra cupboard space at the back of PE - as in the bubble?
Without storage room it will make a nonsense of paying for extra legroom if you then have to have your cabin baggage by your feet.

There are several huge wardrobes in PE on the 330 so there is no problem with storage space.

The food I suppose is not aircraft specific,

And also person specific. The OPs food lady did not like the dish but Luke says his partner did.

We also know that somepeople like cherry tomatos in gravy and some don'r!

Ditto the seats - some like the purple leather and some don't but I agree it will take a little bit of time for them to soften up.

I think it is a tad early to be so critical of the new plane. One TR does not make a trend/

I am looking forward to some non biased reports of PE on the A330. People who have only ever sat in PE on the Upper Deck of a 744 are always going to complain about the room.

I can't wait for some people who have already travelled PE across the entire VS fleet to give their opinions.

I am looking forward to some non biased reports of PE on the A330. People who have only ever sat in PE on the Upper Deck of a 744 are always going to complain about the room.

Unfortunately that's the major group on the MCO route - that or those that would normally travel in UC if available.

The only other comparison PE pax can make would be with any experience of downstairs PE in the 744 - never particularly popular
Just because their only previous experience of VS is in LGW 744 PE does not make them biased surely ...

Unfortunately that's the major group on the MCO route - that or those that would normally travel in UC if available.

Please may I ask a question about this? Why have they not put UC on this plane?

Is there extra cupboard space at the back of PE - as in the bubble?
Without storage room it will make a nonsense of paying for extra legroom if you then have to have your cabin baggage by your feet.

There are several huge wardrobes in PE on the 330 so there is no problem with storage space.

Now that could be really good news!

Much safer to have hand luggage stored at ground level rather than up in bins.

But when will VS be allowing an increase in weight allowance in PE? - at least up to the levels of other airlines?

I am traveling man-mco and las-man in premium economy in september was going to try the a333 but stayed with the jumbo as i find the a330 a bit cramped and the fare was the same i do like the leather seats and found them comfy on previous flights in pe, i am hoping the red seats on my flights in september will be just as comfy however on my return flight from las i couldnt get seats upstairs and only row 82 was available so hoping to change them nearer the time as i have heard bad reports about that last row of premium downstairs on the lgw man 744

I totally agree with Tink, We need lots of TRs in Economy and Prem Economy both out and back before we compare to our lovely 747s, Which we love with a passion.

Since there are no overhead lockers in the centre of the PE cabin they have installed several large wardrobes all over the front of the aircraft to accomodate any large bags.

The PE cabin feels nice and spacious now with the nice high ceilings thanks to no overheard lockers in the centre.

The seat pitch is a minimum of 38 inches so the same as other all other PE cabins.

Secondly the seats are new leather so will take some time to soften up this will obviously happen over time.

The majority of the MAN based crew have only flown on the 747 so are not used to narrower aisles and of course many have just donwe one flight so far on the a330, give the crew time to get familiar with there new environment.

The touch screens are as sensitive as an ipod/ipod touch so there is simply no need for people to be pressing so hard so as to disturb the person in front. you simple swipe and press just like an ipod.

Food is down to personal taste I wonder if the same dish would have tasted better if easten on the upper deck???

This is good information - much appreciated!

Planning a MAN to MCO trip for next April; looking forward to enjoying the new PE cabin.

Personally, I can't get fussed either way about aircraft food. I normally have a good fill up before boarding and some mars bars and crisps keep me going if all else fails.

That isn't to say that food provided shouldn't be of satisfactory quality, but not a major for me.