VS076 MCO-MAN 20 JUL 12 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Second TR, which was MCO - MAN 20th July in PE. It was my first flight on a new A330, as I have managed to be 747 styles, I was looking forward to the entertainment which I was told was very good.

Arrived at MCO with just under two hours to go, completed OLCI the night before with no issues. Seats already chosen some time ago which were 24 a/c.

After making a really last day on my trip, driving four hours from south Florida to Orlando and hitting the Universal for a last four hour burst seemedat the time a great idea. It was and in the end just glad to get to car rental in time, only had 15 mins to spare.

Went to bag drop, but as they had a queue, the ground staff just moved me to the next available agent. Always find decent customer service in USA.

Check staff very helpful and happy, he gave me new boarding cards, not the like the paper ones I got in Manchester, bad decision Virgin

Seats taken and instantly I thought I was economy, not at all happy with config, felt cramped in PE .

I was thinking PLEASE PLEASE get me back in the bubble

OJ and Wine offered, and taken. Crew were very polite on trip, and informed us the flight would be 7 hours 30 mins.

Off we set at 19.00 hours and captain reinforced the fight time.

I was waiting for my first drink shortly after belt signs had been taken off. But wait I sai to my wife, they are giving us our food - within 15 mins of belt signs coming off.

O no I thought I am not hungry yet. It came round and even though I like mushrooms, the wife was estatic to seeno mushrooms in sight

Beef dumplings order and it was nice I must say. Along my drink after my meal.

It was lights out, but not for me, generally find I never sleep unless its a bed. And in this case it wasn'tfound the seats very uncomfortable to the older style planes.

So I had the new JAM all to myself, most dosed off. The JAM system is very good but it has been about time with Virgin.

We were offered a full englsh once entering UK ocean zone, declined and glad I did, didn't look to appealing. Just had some coffee and shortly afterwards landed at 7.38 am in MAN.

In all flight was okay, crew were good throughout, just missed a drink round.

But unsure about the PE on A330, felt it wasn't something special and would even consider just purchasing extra leg room in economy if the price isn't right for future trips.

Hi Vegasking, whats the set up regarding complimentary drinks, do they come around periodically or do you have to ask when you want a drink, also can you have any drink on menu ?

regards jeeves

thanks for the TR but like you I found the PE section on the new planes cramped

Hi Vegasking, whats the set up regarding complimentary drinks, do they come around periodically or do you have to ask when you want a drink, also can you have any drink on menu ?

regards jeeves

When I went out to MCO they came round quite a few times, or if your driving just ask for a another drink when they come round with one. Or put your light and request them and ask for a drink. I think it depends on what flight you are on really.

Regards

Kris

thanks for the TR but like you I found the PE section on the new planes cramped

Think they are making the most of the space to maximise profit and lose a little customer enjoyment. Shame really

thanks for the TR but like you I found the PE section on the new planes cramped

Think they are making the most of the space to maximise profit and lose a little customer enjoyment. Shame really

I absolutely agree. My parents have even said that they won't be flying PE if they have to go on the A330. I think it's a shame Virgin couldn't have been a bit more generous in their spacings.

We were on one of the first flights back in PE in the 330 last year from MCO to MAN. My DH is 6'5" tall with really long legs and was extremely lucky that the person in front didn't recline her seat or he would have had to sit sideways all the way back. My DH also said that he would never fly in this aircraft again and we flew with Thomson's this April where the PE seats had more leg room than VS and the service was really good too. We are traveling with VS in PE again in September on a Jumbo and I'm praying that the aircraft won't be changed to a 330 or I'm afraid I'll be going on my own

Katie

We were on one of the first flights back in PE in the 330 last year from MCO to MAN. My DH is 6'5" tall with really long legs and was extremely lucky that the person in front didn't recline her seat or he would have had to sit sideways all the way back. My DH also said that he would never fly in this aircraft again and we flew with Thomson's this April where the PE seats had more leg room than VS and the service was really good too. We are traveling with VS in PE again in September on a Jumbo and I'm praying that the aircraft won't be changed to a 330 or I'm afraid I'll be going on my own

Katie

Yep Katie again agree the peeps in front of us reclined so we had to as well. But still didn't have much room getting out. Other things like the side cupboards, better foot rest, middle section for drinks and far more room on the old style. Hope you get the old style, but aren't they putting economy upstairs with PE.

I'm also hoping I don't get a refurb I think that only the back section of the bubble is for economy & the front section for PE. But they are making downstairs into a more exclusive PE cabin & taking economy out of there. I think that's the way it goes anyway.

Katie

I'm also hoping I don't get a refurb I think that only the back section of the bubble is for economy & the front section for PE. But they are making downstairs into a more exclusive PE cabin & taking economy out of there. I think that's the way it goes anyway.

Katie

yes thats what Virgin are doing upstairs and causing a lot of complaints from the PE passagners,there was a touch of exclusivity in the bubble and the EC passangers are paying less! and I understand getting of the plane 1st as well

Thanks for the TR always interested in the other side of the coin.
We have flown VS73/74 this year for precisely the reasons you have given in your TR.

Really don't want to slum it on the A330.

Hoping for a bubble seat on the way home but not holding out much hope. Our friends have just come out here to join us, what's betting they get the bubble and we get downstairs going home.

thelaceys

Thanks for the TR always interested in the other side of the coin.
We have flown VS73/74 this year for precisely the reasons you have given in your TR.

Really don't want to slum it on the A330.

Hoping for a bubble seat on the way home but not holding out much hope. Our friends have just come out here to join us, what's betting they get the bubble and we get downstairs going home.

thelaceys

Try the OLCI virgin seem to have already allocated seats, if you can view them. Jut didn't realise how good the bubble was until you get something worse. Strange decision by virgin to put economy upstairs on the new refits