Barbarella

The config for my flight to UVF this Friday has changed three times already since Saturday

How do you find this information?

Expertflyer. It's only really the fact that the economy seat numbers go up into the 70's on ROM that makes it obvious. As far as i'm aware there's no way to define it other than that.

Matt

[Neil]

Poor show by Virgin this week, some people ( on the DIBB forums) flying from LGW-MCO in the next 3 days have found their seat maps changed to the new layout and obviously got quite excited and have changed their seats to the bubble, well todays flight isn't on Barbarella and what's the betting that tomorrow and Friday's aren't either?

Wish I had taken you up on that bet - today's VS15 is being operated by G-VROM y) , although departure is looking like it will be at a slightly later 2:30pm rather than the scheduled 1pm.

Consider me suitably chastised:)
Can't wait to see some decent images instead of the blink and you'll miss it video put out by Virgin.

Stevieweevil is on Barbarella today to Orlando

Well if its operating UVF tomorrow, I've asked my dad to take some pics.

After all this time viewing and being a member, I finally have something good to make as my first post. I managed to take a few pics while it was here in Barbados, but didn't have time to take quality pics.Didn't bother to take UC since it is essentially the same as before.
Upper Deck
Economy

Economy

Premium Economy

Well, as predicted the aircraft changed yet again just before OLCI opened for my flight to UVF tomorrow. Looking at the config I think it'll be either TOP or XLG operating this route.

Matt

Ummm... Not sure I like the new bubble layout

I'm sure...i dont.

hard to see from the photos (and thanks for posting them MB) but the legroom looks tighter than before.

I'm sure...i dont.

hard to see from the photos (and thanks for posting them MB) but the legroom looks tighter than before.

Legroom is exactly the same.

Looks rather nice

Ok, some comments...

1) I can't remember a lot about PE downstairs, I did it to NY on the 346 and 747 a few years ago, and remembering not liking it. But as far as I remember it was usually 2 seats at the window, and 4 in the middle, making the window a better spot. Now it looks as if a fair bit of it is 3 seats at the window. A bit of a weakening of product?

2) They seem to be mixing PE and Economy quite heavily, I wonder if this is to attempt to show Economy what its missing a bit more clearly to encourage more sales. Previously the cabin was split and discrete, now PE seats are down the sides of the Economy cabin (perhaps this allows 3 PE 4 Econ 3 PE format making the seat widths ok, but squeezing in more...)

3) Practicalities of mixed cabin. The time I went in Economy, you got a drink with your meal but had to go to get a drink from the steward later if you wanted one, and they often ran out (especially on the way over). In PE I remember asking the steward who'd go off and get one, but since I was in the PE cabin, I'd assume it would come from PE stocks rather than Economy (and it never ran out 2 return trips I made). But now it seems perfectly possible for Economy passengers to be asking the PE steward for a drink from their stock, from their bar, and not being in their seat, not knowing. Then again, I suppose they can always ask and rely on the passenger telling the truth...

I guess all in all, having used UC in recent times, I'd not want to go back anyway, but none of this is making the PE upgrade voucher any more likely to get an outing...

Ok, some comments...

...Now it looks as if a fair bit of it is 3 seats at the window. A bit of a weakening of product?...

...now PE seats are down the sides of the Economy ...

I think you might be mistaking the purple-coloured Economy seating for Premium Economy. From the seat map in the Virgin Atlantic website, and the photographs posted above it doesn't look to me as if you are correct.

Ok, some comments...

1) I can't remember a lot about PE downstairs, I did it to NY on the 346 and 747 a few years ago, and remembering not liking it. But as far as I remember it was usually 2 seats at the window, and 4 in the middle, making the window a better spot. Now it looks as if a fair bit of it is 3 seats at the window. A bit of a weakening of product?

The downstairs PE layout on all the 747's is 2-4-2. There are definitely not 3 seats by the window.

Premium Economy and Economy are not mixed. Premium Economy is located in B Zone (between door 2 and doors 3) and also in the forward Upper deck cabin. All cabin classes are separated by curtains.

Yes u r very confused. The purple seats in the third picture are the new economy seats

Yes u r very confused. The purple seats in the third picture are the new economy seats

Yes, I didn't look that close and read the caption underneath (which applied to the next picture).

So there are two colours of economy seats? Any reason why? Aesthetics?

I guess the new colours suit the new branding

There are actually three colours in economy. If you look very closely, towards the back behind to lavatories, you may be able to notice a bit of beige on some seats. I assume they are extra leg room seats.

[Neil]

Beige seats are the extra legroom seats on the current a/c, so I guess it makes sense they will be on the refitted ones also.

Thanks to the clever design of the seat pocket the new economy seats have a little more knee room

The Beige extra leg room seats are now grouped all together.

Add the mood lighting in all three cabins now and the cabins look great.

My parents are currently winging their way to Las Vegas on Barbarella I believe - had a text saying "the plane is much nicer than usual" just after they boarded!