Is UC due for a face lift / upgrade?

Is there any update on a face lift / upgrade of VS UC or will this product remain as it is for the next 4/5 years due to the downturn etc.Its been some time since I have seen any questions asked on same unless I missed something.









Thread title edited by mod for clarity.......... Nick

[Scrooge]

I would say your pretty safe betting that nothing will be upgraded for the next couple of years, after that who knows.

Its a real pity as even BA have niw upgraded CW twice since the introduction of UC. They launced the CW and then CW with the new 'fatter' cushions and now the NCW. Ethiad / AA/ Emirates / Cathay / to name a few have all upgraded. Seems like VS product will look very tired indeed within the next 12 months. Even the amazing Clubhouse is now under threat from the lounges at T5. If they do not do something I feel some passengers will change - Even their pricing lately has been terrible towards other airlines.

[preiffer]

Entirely disagree.

The PRODUCT itself is fine. Still surpasses most J cabins by miles (forgetting my issues with the level of seat recline for a second).

It's the service and extra's that are failing right now (ironically, the cheap bits to fix). Bigger pillows would be good, and bringing back at least SOME of the old 'frills' would mark it ahead of the competition once more. The suites themselves are not an issue - and money spent on upgrading that element of the service would be nothing short of money p*ssed into the ground.

I'm in NCW next month, and am not expecting anything 'amazing'. In fact, far from it.

[Nottingham Nick]

Agree with Paul. If VS had spent a small percentage of their TV advertising budget on the 'little things' like food and cabin amenities, then I am sure they would have got a better return for their investment.

Nick

[RichardMannion]

Having flown UC, old NCW, and New NCW - I'd say that New NCW is on par with UCS. The old NCW was truly awful, hence the nickname of Coffin Class. The boys are right though, it's about the service that comes with the seat. I do think BA have an advantage on this point at the momnent given their consistent, professional service.

Yeah its the little things that make the difference - Was in J on the A380 last year with SIA and there rae just all those little extras that they give you that make the overall experience something to remember - I do agree the suites would be difficult to improve on -Are VS still taking delivery of the A380? If so that could be an ideal time to maybe upgrade even so slightly the whole experience

I think the 787 is coming before the A380 as they deferred thair A380s until 2013 - still, it's far enough away to have a good look at what to change. My bets would be a son of V-Port and some changes to the UC suite (a decent light would be nice!).

When you look at how other airlines are still installing J2000 like sloppy beds it shows how far ahead of the seat game VS were.I don't like the (old) NCW seat it's the only J seat that gives me pins and needles in my arms every time. NGCW is an improvement without doubt, not sure how it will wear and the table is crap.My biggest influence on jumping ship to BA was onboard service and nothing to do with lounges,haircuts, massages,seats,amenity kits or meals.

I would be happy to just get the same offering from VS whether flying from LHR or LGW.[:?]

quote:Originally posted by Jeffers555
I would be happy to just get the same offering from VS whether flying from LHR or LGW.[:?]


Very true - We need all the aircraft with V-Port

[Scrooge]

Got a spare 40 mill laying around ?

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Got a spare 40 mill laying around ?


Zimbabwe Dollars?

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Got a spare 40 mill laying around ?


Zimbabwe Dollars?


....look at my profile, play at your own risk.

and no, even with the latest adjustments in the Zimbabwe currency, 40 million would still just about buy a beer.

[Darren Wheeler]

Sadly need and what you'll get are going to be two entirely different things for the foreseeable future...

The 787 will come out in 2024. As soon as Martha Stewart finishes glue-gunning all their parts together.

GJ

Whilst I do think that UC is probably in need a little spit shine around the edges, I still think, in comparison at other J class products, it out-competes most of the other major carriers. I flew NCW a while ago, and I agree with RichardManion that its a massive improvement over the old coffin class seats, but i still dont think it tops what VS have to offer.

I do agree though that UC has lost a little of its flair, ultimatly due to two things; The amenity kits, Food, and overall service standard consistency. T

The amenity kit in UC is a joke (considering what PE get and considering what is provided on other similar carriers), and has gone steadily downhill since I started flying UC - its a small point, and I know, not drastically important, but its such a kick in the stomach to be given a small cardboard box as opposed to the old leather hold-all things they used to provide.

The food issue, oh, the food issue; some days its lovely, some days its like being fed out of the slop bucket. Im not asking for Michelin Star cookery, or for Heston to turn up and perform some gastronomic magical slight of hand, i just want to be able to know that when I order something, I can be reasonably sure it will be edible and wont leave me craving for a foil covered package from Y. I have to say, I do think the overall quality has improved a little of late, so maybe we are on the road to recovery where this area is concerned.

Service, as with any large company (and due to the fact you are dealing with human beings, not robots) is another area where Virgin do tend to fluctuate. The CH staff are great, always pleasant and talkative, and seem to enjoy their jobs; however, I have been in a few UC cabins recently where I've felt like a bit of an inconvenience to the smooth running of the ship. I also think that CC should make more of an effort to at least acknowledge Ag/Au card holders; I dont want to be made to feel special, but just a friendly 'Welcome back' or 'Nice to see your flying with us again Mr Murray' wouldn't go amiss!

Finally, as always, the issue with boarding. There is only so much one can say on this subject before you run out of superlatives, but its a kick in the teeth to have spent some time in what is arguably one of the best and most well respected clubhouses in the world, feel refreshed and calm before your flight, and what happens?...you turn up at the gate after having walked for what seems like a mile (if your down at gate 40) only to find a sea of people all trying to get down one airbridge, or with no process of filtering in place. All i'm asking, and its not complicated, is for my UC status to carry some weight here. One tensa-barrier would do it, just a way of funneling priority customers around the queue that always forms when boarding is called. Either that, or call the Clubhouse late in boarding when Y, W and K are on board.

quote:Originally posted by iGuyHD
Whilst I do think that UC is probably in need a little spit shine around the edges, I still think, in comparison at other J class products, it out-competes most of the other major carriers. I flew NCW a while ago, and I agree with RichardManion that its a massive improvement over the old coffin class seats, but i still dont think it tops what VS have to offer.


Very astute and true.

quote: I do agree though that UC has lost a little of its flair

Totally

quote:The food issue, oh, the food issue

Let's not beat about the bush, UC food on VS is apalling.

quote:I have been in a few UC cabins recently where I've felt like a bit of an inconvenience to the smooth running of the ship

This, generally, I disagree with. On board the cabin crew are usually the best part of any journey I take.

quote:I also think that CC should make more of an effort to at least acknowledge Ag/Au card holders

My god, BA do it, EK do it, even - even lazy jellyfish do it! Why can't VS?

quote:Finally, as always, the issue with boarding

Oh don't get me started. Exactly how difficult is it for the lounge to call the gate or vice versa?

[mitchja]

Re the boarding issues.

QR have the best system I've come across so far. They do things the opposite way round to other airlines.

They board Y first, get them all on and settled then close the curtain, only then do they start boarding J and F.

Whilst all the Y pax are boarding, the J and F pax remain in the lounge. It's timed so that by the time all J and F pax reach the gate, Y pax are all on so it just a case of stroll onto the A/C. There's more crew free and available by this time as they have sorted the Y pax, therefore, can spend a little more time and effort with their J and F pax.

It's a much more relaxed way of boarding permium pax, There's no boarding scrum or hold-ups at the gate.

VS and other airlines seem to have this theory that J and F pax need to be on the A/C first. Is this really necessary?

Where would you rather spend more time whilst the A/C is at the gate? On the A/C itself or in the airport lounge?

Regards

Mitchja, sounds like a good idea to me and would mean an extra mojita [y]

Where would I rather spend my time before the flight?....now, thats a difficult one!

What are my choices?....Sitting in a oversized leather chair, Mojito in hand, with my main consideration being if I could manage just one more sweet thing from the counter?.....or standing in a oversized queue of people, J ticket in hand, steadily developing the urge to scream.

I know what would get my vote. I totally agree with Mitchja, J pax boarding should be last, and have never understood the predisposition of some airlines to assume we all want to be first on the boat.

.....nevertheless, whilst I cant understand it, untill Virgin choose to take up your suggestion Mitchja, I shall be a passionate defender of the right of AU/UC to get thier bums on seats first.

[Scrooge]

I agree with both points regarding the boarding and the QR way to me sounds like a better way of doing it.

In regards to the food in UC, there was a TR over on A'net from a CO flight, the difference between the CO food and the VS food was, well sad, if one of the mods could post the link that may help explain what I am getting at.

There was a post that explained the whole food part of the service, I can't remember if it was on here or another site, I will dig around for it when I get home.

The suite is fine, yes they could do with a deep cleaning more often, but they are fine.

The problems come down to the soft product, as can be seen on here, VS has cut to deep, why spend your money when frankly other airlines are doing a better job.

The airline buisness is one where companies are lepfrogging eachother, the thing is that you can only take the hard product so far, VS has great staff, a great seat in J and W, but they have lost track on the soft product.

A friend of mine on Saturday flew to HK iwth his wife for 5 days - He asked me who to fly with as he had never done a long haul in J before - It was between VS and BA and I told him to run with VS for the experience of the Club House alone was worth it ( have no ides what the T5 CW lounge is like to be honest)

He called me yesterday to say it was the most incredable experience he has ever had - Am I glad I suggested VS or what!

Just done the 75 MAN-MCO. Sitting in the Hyatt now
I can be quite critical of VS service but have to say that this flight was all good.
Quick check-in. Even Fasttrak security seemed to work as named.
The Escape lounge was clean and quiet.
Priority boarding worked! Straight from lounge through the airbridge and into the cabin without any delay.
FSM worked as hard as any of the excellent crew.
The meal was actually quite good for a change !!!
We followed the '27 in so we expected long delays at immigration but cases were straight out and we were through before the '27 Y pax.

So VS can get it right!
If only it were every time......