Luggage Bins - UC Suite

I've just defected from BA and travel to/from SFO every month. I hate to check in luggage, so I have a large carry-on bag which fits quite snuggly in the overhead Bins on the old Virgin 747 configuration. However, I've just flown on the new Suite config and the Bins seem to be much smaller (above seat 8A). This wasn't a problem on the outbound leg but my bag is now stuffed full of presies for the family. So I wondered if someone knew if the Bins in the other aircraft sections are bigger or if Virgin have a cupboard on board (there used to be one up front on the 747's but this now has UC suite seats in its place).

Thanks for your help!

[mitchja]

Hi Fin and welcome

The bins in the back section of the UCS cabin are the same size as the older bins, or at least they seem to be. I think the bins in the nose section are smaller in size like those on the upper deck. If I remember rightly there is a cupboard behind the beauty theropist area, also one across from it too - not sure if they allow luggage to be stowed in them though. I also noticed a cupboard next to the bar in the UCS cabin - as this was were my jacket was hung, again I did not see how big it was or if luggage could be stowed in it.

Regards

Thanks James for the speedy response.

By the way I was shocked to see that if you sit in Row 6 or 7 on either side of the aircraft, you get no overhead storage at all! On a 747 that is....

[mitchja]

I think the overhead bins stop in the nose section in the same place as they do on the existing Uppper Class cabins (above row 6, now row 8 in UCS), it just that now there are seats right up to the front where the big cupboard and the space in front of row 6 used to be.

Regards

The overhead bin in the nose section have not been modified at all, in fact this is the same on ALL 747-400, there has never been any bins above the first few rows.

The second section of upper class suite has large storage bins above A and K seats, there is also a wardrobe at the top of the stairs on the 747-400.

Remember if your bag is too heavy to carry on then its not a carry on!!!!... so check it in!!

[Decker]

quote:Originally posted by declansmith
Remember if your bag is too heavy to carry on then its not a carry on!!!!... so check it in!!

Oh how we long for airlines to start enforcing that - and the quantity rule. "I'm sorry sir, a suit carrier, a briefcase, a laptop case, a mack., a dutyfree bag, an airport shopping bag and a wheelie suitcase does not in all honesty constitute one item.". Suspect domestic carriers have spoilt people for international. Then they get on first and take up multiple bins.... arghhhhhhhhhhh!

Nurse! The screens....

My pet hate getting on and some scrote with multiple bags has nicked all the space in the overhead.

I pay £4300 for an UC seat, so I expect a luggage Bin that takes a standard size bag, that complies with Airline standards, including weight.

My pet hate is people that get upgraded and take up all the room with their bucket & spades.

Rgds...

[Decker]

quote:Originally posted by Fin

My pet hate is people that get upgraded and take up all the room with their bucket & spades.

love it... couldn't agree more - but when you consider the non UC allowance is <= 6Kgs you have to wonder where some people's scales are at!

[mitchja]

Technically you are only allowed 2 carry-on items each weighing 8Kg and no bigger than 23x36x56cm for Upper Class.

I've only ever had my hand luggage weighed once, when I was travelling in PE a few years ago.

Regards

quote:I've only ever had my hand luggage weighed once, when I was travelling in PE a few years ago.

I think the last (and only) time mine was weighed was when I flew on a charter flight about 3 years ago - VS have never weighed it

Edited 4th May to add - BD weighed my carry-on on 2nd May, it 6.9kg v. the allowance of 7kg

Cheers

Michael

paying £4300 for a ticket does not mean you have the right to stow your bag above your head!!!

there are plenty of other wardrobes and other stowages in the upper class cabin!!!

if a pax boards the aircraft and asks for me to help them lift there bag i quite simple ask; is it heavy?, if they say yes i reply with ' then you'll have to check it in'!!! I will not break my back lifting someone elses bags!!!

Hope you never come across me at the boarding door ;)

Declan

quote:paying £4300 for a ticket does not mean you have the right to stow your bag above your head!!!

Fin actually wrote:

quote:I pay £4300 for an UC seat, so I expect a luggage Bin that takes a standard size bag, that complies with Airline standards, including weight

I don't think he was saying he wanted to load it up with a bag full of bricks

Cheers

Michael

Ive lifted many an upper class 'carry on' and i think most upper class pax do carry a load of bricks in the bags!!

;);)

Declan

I'm sure I've seen them being carried on too

Cheers

Michael

[Nottingham Nick]

I must confess to having some sympathy with Fin, having paid that amount of money I would like the airline to make me feel special, and if that means finind space for a single bag in a ground level cupboard - so be it.

However, my main sympathy lies with Declan and his colleagues - I have little experience of seeing what goes on in UC, but have seen many, many 'road warriors' struggle into economy with their six single items of carry on and then expect the crew to stow it all for them.

While they are allowed to get away with it, they will continue to do it.

Nick

Fin,
why do you hate to check in luggage?

My issue back in my road warrior days usually wasn't the other road warriors on the plane. Like me, they had learned that as a frequent flyer, the less you have to pack, the easier your life is.

I always had issues with the tourists. You know the ones, they just spent $700 in the airport gift shops and are now trying to store in the overhead bins 6 shopping bags, 2 poster tubes, a purse, and a roll on bag....

My feeling, if I can't fit my carry on under the seat in front of me, I've got too much stuff onboard with me... Of course I was forced to compromise a little on that after my first 777 flight...