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#3076 by Pete
25 Oct 2004, 12:42
From VAA Press Release, 25th Oct

Virgin Atlantic is delighted to announce that the first of its Gatwick aircraft is operating with the new Upper Class Suite less than a year after it was launched on the Heathrow fleet. The first Gatwick 747-400 aircraft with the Upper Class Suite operated on Sunday 24th November to Orlando. The Upper Class Suite is now operating on all flights to JFK, San Francisco, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented:

“We are very proud to be able to offer the Upper Class Suite to passengers departing from Gatwick less that a year after its launch. This revolutionary suite has been a winner with passengers, receiving rave reviews, and prestigious awards and we are confident that our Gatwick passengers will be just as impressed!”

“We are also pleased to announce that following the success and growing popularity of Premium Economy, Virgin Atlantic has expanded the number of seats in this cabin from 38 to 58 to meet demand from leisure passengers. Since we launched Premium Economy in 1992, it has been increasingly popular with passengers who wish to enjoy more space and flexibility along with a range of other services including a separate Check In and priority luggage.”

Virgin Atlantic has now completed fitting the Upper Class Suite onto its Heathrow based Boeing 747-400 fleet and its Airbus 340-600 fleet and is aiming to complete the Gatwick Boeing 747-400 fleet by the beginning of March. This brings the number of aircraft fitted with the Upper Class Suite to 16.

Virgin Atlantic operates services from Gatwick to Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, Tobago, Orlando, Las Vegas and Port Harcourt and will be introducing services to Cuba and the Bahamas in July 2005. The Gatwick 747-400’s will be configured with 14 Upper Class seats, 58 Premium Economy and 379 in Economy.

The product, Virgin’s new Upper Class Suite, consists of a reclining leather seat for take off, a place to sit and eat a proper meal opposite your partner, the longest fully flat bed in the world with a proper mattress for sleeping on, a private onboard bar to drink at with your friends and four limousines per return trip – all at a price thousands of pounds less than BA’s First Class.
#44252 by Jonathan
25 Oct 2004, 17:11
I notice the IFE system or lack of IFBT isnt mentioned in the release!
I can see the savings by not changing the IFE..but what was the reason for no IFBT ( im guessing that only one zone - 13 seats didnt justify it?)
#44253 by fozzyo
25 Oct 2004, 17:24
I guess it came down to IFBT or a bar ... the bar wins.

Foz :o)
#44254 by Bazz
25 Oct 2004, 17:33
Bar gets my vote, I'm beyond the help of an IFBT, plastic surgeon more like :D
#44257 by Jonathan
25 Oct 2004, 17:48
Bazz,
you dont look that bad;)
#44299 by onionz
26 Oct 2004, 01:00
One fewer person to pay as well, whereas the bar is run by the cabin crew...

On the balance of things, the bar would win my vote.
#44336 by jaguarpig
26 Oct 2004, 11:56
quote:Bar gets my vote, I'm beyond the help of an IFBT, plastic surgeon more like


Thats what I always tell the IFBT when she offers a treatment.:D
#44349 by Bazz
26 Oct 2004, 13:50
quote:Originally posted by Jonathan
Bazz,
you dont look that bad;)


Thanks for that kind word, I owe you a beer at the social ;)
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