VS030 BGI-LGW 5 DEC 13 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

The return back to England was there too soon. The hot sunshine would be substituted for the cold and damp weather here in England. But before that substitution, a flight had to happen first.

This was the first time that we experienced the premium economy cabin of Virgin. We never gone to the dizzy heights of Upper Class not because we can't afford, it but because we think the price for the product isn't right. Is the price for Premium Economy right? Well we would find out!

The Premium Economy exeperience didn't start off too well at all. I have never experienced a more chaotic boarding experience than the one we had just yesterday in BGI. Boarding was akin to a rugby scrum. Upper Class, Premium Economy, people with children, people that needed a little longer to board were all allowed to board at the same time. With other words - the majority of the 300+ passengers! It was a little disheartening to see economy passengers sat in their chairs when others that supposed to have the benefit of being able to board first were stood in a queue on the stairs leading up to the doors.

Having said all of that, the remainder of the Premium Economy experience was as described by Virgin. The meal was pretty good considering it is airline food and the staff efficient, attentitive and friendly.

Would we fly PE again? Only if the price is right which on this occasion for us was because we named the price through the bidding process. For information, it was the lowest allowed bid and considering we were on a reward flight it was very good value for money.

Would you mind telling me which seats you had and any suggestions in PE on a 747?

Thank you

We selected seats in the "bubble". Second row from the front which for us was good.

Advantage: you get served first so first choice of food

Disadvantage: queue to toilet at times because the two upstairs toilets are shared by both the premium and economy passengers.

Thanks again for posting your thoughts this time in PE ,I don't think there are many products out there that beat it .the main let down always seems to be the food so good to hear this was ok

Thanks again for posting your thoughts this time in PE ,I don't think there are many products out there that beat it .the main let down always seems to be the food so good to hear this was ok

Agreed Blacky, the VS PE product is solid...one improvement would be a meal from UC a little bit like the BA WTP product.

Thanks for the TR

I can only compare Virgin's premium product with that of Thomson Airways and find that Thomson's is much better. There is more food on the plate and the service is a little more personal.

And cheaper too.

Having done the Caribbean scrum boarding to PE many times I now wait until the rush is over, make a grand entrance and collect the sparkling wine. The plane won't leave without you and you'll be sitting down long enough. No rush to get back to LGW, and a few extra minutes in the sun is always welcome.
We often wonder if a packed PE is worth the extra, when Y is often half empty, but can't risk taking a chance.
Glad you had a positive experience in PE and thanks for a rare useful Y Report.