VS033 LGW-ANU 10 DEC 11 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

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My expectations weren't that high to be honest, having travelled in Upper Class for my past few trips, this pre-Christmas holiday to Antigua with my daughter and her friend was in Economy.  Husband and daughter flew to Boston with BA at half term in October and were appalled at the awful Economy experience - having flown mainly Virgin (all classes) over the past few years, though most recently UC.

Anyway, whilst reminding my 11 year old she would not have her own bed/pod/big TV and attendant waiting on her hand and foot - we duly arrived at Gatwick (never my favourite airport) at 6.45 am.  No queue to check in as I'm silver, but security also an absolute breeze (hardly stopped for a second - even to take an amazed breath) and was in the VRoom 20 minutes after having been dropped off.  Well done, Gatwick - whatever you have done in the South Terminal works - strange machine that even the children quickly worked out and no queues for security.  I am sure we have been there at that hour before - though possibly a week later.  Only marginally slower than with UC drive through at Heathrow and actually I think the check in staff were all friendlier!  The VRoom is not the Clubhouse - but it was fine and the girls loved it.  Unlike all of my visits to the LHR Clubhouse - it was not actually busy at all and had everything we needed, including a good breakfast.  At this point, UC v Economy was pretty much a draw.

Called around 8.45 and gate nearby and then boarding a short time afterwards.  Having noticed a few days earlier that the back of the plane was only half full, I had requested seats at the back (row 59) knowing that if it really was only half full we would be able to stretch out.  It turned out I was right and although the front and middle of the plane were full - towards the back it was only a third full, if that - the first time this has happened in 8 years of travelling at Christmas.  Seems daughter's school finishes earlier than most.

The journey was a dream - don't let anyone tell you that Virgin Economy is grim - at least not out of a peak time on a half empty plane. The staff were delightful - the new food offering was very tasty and much improved and the IFE (okay it's not UC) was more than adequate - though like someone else on here, I do despair of the brain that thought of putting the controls in the armrest of a very narrow seat.  Daughter brings a DVD player anyway and I have an iPad  so small screens and no films on demand not an issue.  Daughter insisted screens on BA were half the size - might be some exaggeration there of course.  I ended up with the luxury of a whole middle row of 4 seats to myself - where I slept as comfortably as I do in UC - in fact I think that the seats were softer to lie on!

I am not knocking UC - I am a fan and find the experience very enjoyable - but that whole thing about flying UC spoiling you for ever did not apply to us on this journey - perhaps the trick is just not to fly when everyone else is flying!

To finish off - immigration at Antigua was a nightmare (Antigua airport in general pretty much a nightmare) and we waited quite a while in the heat for our Virgin Holidays organised transfer - should have organised my own transfer in advance - taxi queue very long.

As flights go, however, I could not complain!  

Great flight, Y is great with light loads!

Thanks for posting!

Many years ago my no. 1 had to fly from LAX in Y (I was in UC, long story, but it worked) and he got a row in the middle to himself, said that with the armrests up it was more comfortable than UC - just as you found!

Good to hear a good flight in the back.

Thanks for the great TR.

I agree with you about UC not spoiling you forever. My first-ever VS sector was UC. Then PE. Then eventually I tried a return in Economy. Admittedly that was a while ago and I haven't done it since...

A great TR showing that VS has strength throughout its cabins

Thank you for the TR.