UC Cabin Upgrade/Update ?

With PE now in the process of being upgraded , I am sure that VS are looking at updating UC as a lot of the suites are starting to look a little tired and worn. Has anybody any idea when this could happen?

{HighFlyer: Edit to make title clearer}

I am sure that once Virgin have an announcement about this sort of thing then it will appear on VF immediately after it is made!!

Until then its a "who knows" kind of question isn't it?

[mitchja]

If you have a look at this TR, James mentioned that G-VHOT had just come back from a 'deep clean' before his flight to LAX so I guess all VS A/C will go though this deep clean process during their normal service making everything look like new again.

Regards

I seriously doubt that unless BA come up with something really good when they eventually release their new design, UC is going to be cnahnged. I can't see them going to all that trouble all over again. TBH, I'm not really in the mood for another new design and all that "am I going to get xzy on my next flight" etc. etc.[:I]

VS.

I Don't think VS have a requirement to change UC currently. SIA's product raises the bar significantly as released yesterday, however VS aren't in direct competiton with SIA.

I cannot see another carrier on any of VS's routes that is currently taking a volume of seats filled away from VS.

Suites get worn, but they are serviced and repaired as James has previously said.

If it's not broken don't fix it...

Clever though they are, I think there is a definate need for "Premium Upper Class", with enhanced width for those of us with broad shoulders. I just can't get comfortable when in a sitting position, and would much prefer a regular J seat for a day flight.

Apart from the usual gripes that often come up with UC in its present state (food, no flowers, ameinity kits) I wouldn't see that the cabin needs more than just a fresh lick of paint (and obviously all of the above restored to their former glory).
The only thing that I would like to change in the seat is how it coverts to a flat bed. I can see that this require changing the whole suite but I would like there to be more options other than flat bed and seat up, like on SQ J. Although they don't go fully flat there is a lot more variance in how you can sit.

Cheers!

Dean

The UCS has recently been recertified with a few amendments that I believe are now being done with the Wcl refit and some other engineering works.

Most of these updates are 'hidden' but will make the seat a little more reliable, and certainly more resistant to wear and tear.

The most obvious one for PAX will be the protective strips around the table on the side of the UCS, hopefully stopping the scuffs and chips... also the cocktail table is strenghened.

I very much doubt a new product will be thought about for quite some time.

[HighFlyer]

Thanks Ben [y]

I hope the amendments include securing the walls of the suite. On the last few flights i have had, these has been in a terrible state with the panel housing the electrics coming loose from its clip.

I did notice the strip around the table on our last flight though [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

[fozzyo]

There is also the new table they put in a while back too which was good. Improvements in UC are about tweaking the suite - already done, but the areas they need to concentrate on are the the service ones. A decent ameniety kit, improved food and drink, more consistent service levels, realising that when someone complains "yes but we have the Heathrow clubhouse" isn't what people want to constantly hear.

[ChuckC]

Having just flown FCO-EWR on an Alitalia 767 with its "pod" seating in J I was reminded yet again how ingeniously designed the VS product remains.

Although the AZ seat was quite comfortable and the total amount of personal space roughly equivalent to VS the "lie flat" option puts you near the floor and window seats require the pax to climb over the aisle seat to exit. The food and service levels were far below VS's typical delivery. The only bright spot was an excellent amenity kit which, if it were on VS, I'd have to declare VS having little left to address.

Chuck-

I do think that the UCS craftsmanship seems much poorer than J2000; these seats did not have all the same problems as the suites suffer from.[:?]

VS.