Is anyone else not hoping for a refurb?

I'm off to MCO from MAN again on September 19th and I'm not wanting a refurb as I just love the Bubble on the 747. I don't care about the entertainment system, the pre-flight drinkies or the plates & cutlery, I just want to be comfy with somewhere for my DH to sit in comfort without having to pay a whole lot of money. This way, we can get 2 holidays each year I realise that I'm being selfish and probably so different to other people but fingers crossed that my 747 is untouched.

Katie

I can understand your love of the bubble, but it may be the new downstairs PE cabin is a good experience.

Either way I hope you have a great trip.

Having recently flown Premium Economy LGW-UVF downstairs on one of the refurbished planes, the seat was very comfortable and the cabin did not feel cramped.

The return UVF-LGW was upstairs on one of the non refurbished planes and I have always found the older style seats to be very uncomfortable in the upright position.

I would certainly prefer to be in one of the newer style seats be it up or downstairs.

Enjoy your trip.

Hull - I would probably go downstairs in a refurb after I've seen your comment that it doesn't feel cramped in the new section. I did find the new 330's to really claustrophobic in PE. I wonder whether it feels cramped when walking through the upstairs economy section of the refurbs to get to the front PE section? I'll be watching for people's comments over the next month or so until I go. Did you notice whether any of the downstairs seats seem to have more leg-room than others. Sorry to fuss so but my DH does have really long legs.

Katie

I'm off to MCO from MAN again on September 19th and I'm not wanting a refurb as I just love the Bubble on the 747. I don't care about the entertainment system, the pre-flight drinkies or the plates & cutlery, I just want to be comfy with somewhere for my DH to sit in comfort without having to pay a whole lot of money. This way, we can get 2 holidays each year I realise that I'm being selfish and probably so different to other people but fingers crossed that my 747 is untouched.

Katie

I can see where you are coming from. The current refurb layout is really making me think very hard before I spend my hard earned cash on PE seating.

Steve you are right the seating "may" be ok

We've not had many TR's regarding the new layout and the one by 'Hull' recently on the LGW-UVF route, relates to their allocating H&K seats in the downstairs part of the new PE cabin. I reserve judgement until I read a TR from someone stuck in the middle row of DEFG epecially when they'd probably forked out over £1000 for that kind of privilege on the MCO or LAS routes v(

Two ways of looking at this ...
Bubble is nice, but having had two rubbish flights with seat in front recling past the acceptable and crushing legs, plus over riding shocking IFE. Compared to various flights in PE on the 600, started to except this (slippy purple) as the norm...

[Neil]

I'm off to MCO from MAN again on September 19th and I'm not wanting a refurb as I just love the Bubble on the 747. I don't care about the entertainment system, the pre-flight drinkies or the plates & cutlery, I just want to be comfy with somewhere for my DH to sit in comfort without having to pay a whole lot of money. This way, we can get 2 holidays each year I realise that I'm being selfish and probably so different to other people but fingers crossed that my 747 is untouched.

Katie

I can see where you are coming from. The current refurb layout is really making me think very hard before I spend my hard earned cash on PE seating.

Steve you are right the seating "may" be ok

We've not had many TR's regarding the new layout and the one by 'Hull' recently on the LGW-UVF route, relates to their allocating H&K seats in the downstairs part of the new PE cabin. I reserve judgement until I read a TR from someone stuck in the middle row of DEFG epecially when they'd probably forked out over £1000 for that kind of privilege on the MCO or LAS routes v(

While the DEFG middle 4 seats might not suit you or couples, I am certain there are many regular PE flying parties of 3 and 4 that will be delighted to have more options for them all sitting together.

Of course we all are looking at this from our own point of view, but VS have to look at it from a commercial point of view, and maybe they received lots of negative feedback from parties of more than 2.

Being a usual party of 2, but in October being a party of 3 I am very much hoping for a refurbished a/c purely so we can grab a middle 4 and all sit together in a normal PE cabin (unlike what is currently offered on the LGW747's)

While the DEFG middle 4 seats might not suit you or couples, I am certain there are many regular PE flying parties of 3 and 4 that will be delighted to have more options for them all sitting together.

When 'we' have travelled over the past 15 years, mostly we are a party of six. When we came back from both Boston & New York, we got allocated the middle 3 seats in rows behind each other and it was awful even though in the middle seat was a child. For me the issue is when the front seats get reclined and even in PE, personally I feel it is claustrophobic when seated in the middle seats of three or four across.

As a family, we now always request three rows of two seats and when possible I would even pay a supplement for this. However I accept we are all different, with varying opinions on how to make our journey enjoyable

Personally, I would prefer a not refurbed plane - but I am travelling in November, so that is probably not likely! We, as a party of 2/sometimes 4, much prefer the upstairs cabin as it currently is and wouldn't like to have four seats in the middle.

I'll be checking the MMB page very closely in the run up to OLCI, hoping to bag two seats upstairs!

Just flew to UVF return in W on the refurbished aircraft, and had the opportunity to experience both cabins.

Upstairs still wins my vote, and I think it's even better now it's a much smaller cabin. Feels much more private. The issues that people have highlighted about Y passengers using the bathrooms wasn't a noticeable problem.

Saying that, downstairs was still a very pleasant experience.

My wife and I were sat in 15 H/K I am a little over six feet tall and found the leg acceptable, my parents were in 14 H/K which is a bulkhead seat and there is loads of room there.
I have been flying on the LHR fleet mostly and have always found the new PE cabin better (all downstairs), however I have never been in the middle row.

I have just returned from Barbados and we flew out on the old layout (Petty Woman) and back on a newly refurbished plane (Ladybird). Both legs were in PE up in the bubble and I have to say the refurbished plane gets my vote. The bubble is still a nice experience even though it is now mixed with economy passengers. I didn't find the fact that they used the forward toilets a problem at all and the fact that the curtains were drawn halfway down made it feel even more private. The seats were better and the new entertainment system just blows the old one out of the water. The screens are a lot bigger and clearer and the fact that its touch screen is great. The choice of films I could watch was staggering. I couldn't decide! There are some smart old school games as well and not to mention the fact that you can plug other stuff into them. On the way out I was trying to watch a movie but missed a good chunk of it due to the food service, toilet breaks, etc etc. But on the way back I was able to pause what I was watching just by nudging the screen twice. You can also rewind and fast forward as well. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed my outbound flight on the old layout but the entertainment system is so outdated! I was apprehensive about the new layout in the bubble but now i'm converted. Also like people have been saying I'm sure it is better for familes now in PE as there is a lot more seats of 4.

Oh and we had proper cutlery and glasses on both the old and new layouts.

Nice little report there Bigshow, I think you have me sold anyway lol. I was toying with the idea of requesting a downstairs PE seat if I get a refitted plane, but I think I'll definately try and get seats in the bubble, especially as I'm flying as a couple