Virgin UC - Are the competition catching up?

We all know how good UC is and its fantastic seats / food etc. As Virgin is the world leader in business class, who comes very close to taking Virgins crown. I was reading in Business Traveller only this morning about all the new business products being introduced such as Gulf / FinAir / Etihad + many others.Can Virgin hold onto its crown?

[preiffer]

Umm - you've missed the obvious one - BA are launching a new business cabin this summer

Yes, is the answer to your question, by continuing to innovate (which, I believe, they are currently doing...)

Virgin is an innovative company by nature, that is what has put them on the top in the first place. By the time other airlines catch up, VS will be ahead again.

I think too, a lot of people fly VS for the service as a whole, not just "the seat". We've all heard stories of inconsistancy, which really needs to be fixed, but when you get a sweet crew, on a new aircraft, with the type of service we expect from VS, you truely get an experience with that extra flare that you don't get at other airlines.

Being innovative isn't limited to the enginnering of seats and IFE, but also with policies, crew, etc. (such as the new mileage credit in N class, which to my knowledge VS is one of the first to do). It's the modern, young, fun image and vibe you get when you fly VS that makes them stand out.

What services does VS offer to business class pax that no other airline does? Do other airlines do the complimentary limo transfer?

[fozzyo]

Lets also add the LHR Clubhouse particularly when in relation to BA on the LHR JFK route, tramples all over The Terraces I imagine. What else to VS do to keep ahead of the rest? A drink at the bar? An Inflight Beauty Therapist? VS have had these for years - how many other J class cabins offer the same?

Also in terms of J seating there is only so far you can go, you have to be able to fit in so many per sq m, the difference is how you convert it into a flatbed. While a leg rest and bigger recline on the suite may be nice, VS has the huge advantage over many others in that they can offer a completely different firmness for the seat and the bed.

So I think VS can still hold onto its crown, there are just a few things that need tweaking and sprucing up. With recent announcements I think this is the case and they are working to keep ahead of the field.

Mat xxx

As expensive as it is, I'd like to see the UC Cabin Lighting mirrored on the entire aircraft; just to give all passengers the real modern image. But that's not really UC related...

The A380 has a lot of lighting options so im sure that the cabin lights will look great in Y/W as well as J

Re complimentary limo, The other airlines have started to do this (GULF and Etihad(UAE only))

As for other extras I am looking forward to Virgin offering internet access in the sky.

If you look behind the V-port controller you will see a small square hole with modem written above it!!

So its a case of when VS will turn this facility on!, as it seems the option is already there!

Originally posted by declansmith
If you look behind the V-port controller you will see a small square hole with modem written above it!!

So its a case of when VS will turn this facility on!, as it seems the option is already there!

Declan -- the modem socket is, I would guess, for an old style analogue modem. VS has not yet invested in Boeing Connexion (which has wireless access rather than hard wired modem/ethernet ports) or the like, although I wish they would.

BC

Emirates and Malaysian also offer limos to their B/C and F/C passengers (and in more fare classes than just the most expensive premier fare).