E vs PE on A330

Hi guys,

Just after some opinions if you don't mind.

Soon to be travelling to St Lucia on the A330 and am thinking about upgrading to PE. I just wondered what people's thoughts were about PE on this aircraft compared to Econ and if it is worth the additional cost? I know I am the only one who can answer the cost part etc, but I will be trying my best to secure an exit row seat in Econ and really asking myself the question whether it is worth it?

Another point, for two of us to upgrade to PE, it's £1150 return( this I won't be paying) but it was £600 a few weeks ago and having checked flight stats, PE is wide open, so is there a chance this upgrade price may come down again?

Thoughts etc appreciated.

I haven't travelled in Eco or PE on an a330 but have walked through them both and the PE cabin does look nice and cosy IMO , I personally would rather be in PE but as you say it's only a decision you can make regarding the extra cost, what fare code are you travelling on and do you have any miles to spend ?

Hi Blacky,

I've booked through Sandals as a package, so won't be able to use miles to upgrade unfortunately.

Used PE when the A330 were on the GLA-MCO route as the LGW 747s were being refurbished.

Rotten - seriously terrible. Nowhere near other aircraft PE service.

The recline and pitch on the seats is less than the Ec on the refurbished 747 main cabin.

We even had bulkhead PE seats - they bring this daft leatherette triangular footstool - that promptly scoots all over the cabin the minute you put your feet on it - could not recline the seat as it would have amputated wife's legs in row behind (she is 5'10" but still.....)

If you are upgrading for a better flying experience - save yourself the cash, buy the extra luggage allowance if required and take food on board for return (assuming return journey has similar catering to ex MCO).

Hi Blacky,

I've booked through Sandals as a package, so won't be able to use miles to upgrade unfortunately.

First I would check price of upgrade with sandals ,done this a few times and got a good upgrade price.

Although sandals is your travel agent you can ask for a particular fare code and upgrade using points if availability is there I have done this often with sandals

Used PE when the A330 were on the GLA-MCO route as the LGW 747s were being refurbished.


Rotten - seriously terrible. Nowhere near other aircraft PE service.

The recline and pitch on the seats is less than the Ec on the refurbished 747 main cabin.

We even had bulkhead PE seats - they bring this daft leatherette triangular footstool - that promptly scoots all over the cabin the minute you put your feet on it - could not recline the seat as it would have amputated wife's legs in row behind (she is 5'10" but still.....)

If you are upgrading for a better flying experience - save yourself the cash, buy the extra luggage allowance if required and take food on board for return (assuming return journey has similar catering to ex MCO).

Just goes to show how different peoples opinions can be I thought premium on the A330 was far superior
Saying that bulkheads are the worst seats in any cabin so that probably didn't help

Used PE when the A330 were on the GLA-MCO route as the LGW 747s were being refurbished.

Rotten - seriously terrible. Nowhere near other aircraft PE service.

The recline and pitch on the seats is less than the Ec on the refurbished 747 main cabin.

We even had bulkhead PE seats - they bring this daft leatherette triangular footstool - that promptly scoots all over the cabin the minute you put your feet on it - could not recline the seat as it would have amputated wife's legs in row behind (she is 5'10" but still.....)

If you are upgrading for a better flying experience - save yourself the cash, buy the extra luggage allowance if required and take food on board for return (assuming return journey has similar catering to ex MCO).

This would have been the 2 class A330 with just Premium and Economy onboard which have all been refitted. The A330 currently operating the St Lucia flight is the 3 class which is a smaller PE cabin to the one which was on the 2 class.

Used PE when the A330 were on the GLA-MCO route as the LGW 747s were being refurbished.

Rotten - seriously terrible. Nowhere near other aircraft PE service.

The recline and pitch on the seats is less than the Ec on the refurbished 747 main cabin.

We even had bulkhead PE seats - they bring this daft leatherette triangular footstool - that promptly scoots all over the cabin the minute you put your feet on it - could not recline the seat as it would have amputated wife's legs in row behind (she is 5'10" but still.....)

If you are upgrading for a better flying experience - save yourself the cash, buy the extra luggage allowance if required and take food on board for return (assuming return journey has similar catering to ex MCO).

Not sure I would agree with this post above.
PE on this aircraft IMO, is nice but I am sure some people forget it is premium economy - It still has economy in the name, its not Upper Class, its not even half-way IMO.
Are the seats wider, yes. Do you get a little more leg room, yes. Do you still suffer from having to share aisle space and have people sitting behind you, well heck yes.

One of the downsides of PE, again, IMO is that the armrests are fixed, if you have a spare seat next to you it really make not a lot of difference. In Ec you can move the armrest and make real use of the spare space.
If I had to make that choice I would be looking at the loads, if Ec is looking empty and there is chance of spare seats I may save my cash. If it was full and you was after a slightly larger seat with a smaller cabin and existing the aircraft fast to aid immigration then PE I would go.

As for a better flying experience, I would say that is down to personal experience and what your expectations are. If you expecting, for a few hundred pounds each way, a lay flat, no one near year and the best china - Not going to happen.

747rich - just to give you my opinion based on experience.

I have travelled four times on the A330. My first experience was in the 2class set up on route to Orlando. Booked PE and couldn't request seats until OLCI At this point we had the centre row and I sat in the middle seat of a three. Awful, because the guy in front reclined his seat virtually all the way and it was a horrible journey. The so called PE perks were overshadowed during this trip.

Second experience of 330 in PE again but this time on 3class plane. We had two seats in the middle of a four - so claustrophobic.

Third and fourth experience. In economy both ways but had the two side seats allocated on all 4 trips Totally different experience. Felt comfortable, plenty of leg room and basically a pleasant flight.

In my opinion, the PE product has ceased to be worth the gross price difference. For us
priority boarding meant sitting in a claustrophobic position for even longer! Being given a welcome drink - rather do without and first to disembark - well if you're stuck in the middle rows, the economy passengers file pass you in the scrum to exit anyway!

For me, the only PE experience I pay for is for the bubble on a 747. However as I am 'status' conscience person my opinions will differ greatly for those who have to travel in premium classes. Getting from A to B in a pleasant economy seat suffices every time

Last year we travelled to Orlando on a 2 class A330 and as our finances did not allow us PE both ways, we went out in Economy and returned PE. We booked extra legroom seats for the outbound and thought they were excellent value for money (£25 at the time). These seats were in two's and although no wider than the standard Economy seats, gave a real feeling of space, plus I could get past my partner without him having to leave his seat. We booked the return in PE as it was a night flight and as this was my first time in PE, enjoyed it much more than the claustrophobic middle row seats in Economy that we had the year before. I have read on this forum that the pitch in PE on the A330's is not as big as the 747's but have never experienced a 747 in PE so cannot comment. What I can say is that I would happily pay for extra legroom seats in Economy, if I travel on an A330 again.

Absolutely loved PE on VS26 last September; we were sat in J and K. It was comfortable and the cabin was fairly bijou. Nice.

Probably better than our experiences in PE on the 747, actually.

Absolutely loved PE on VS26 last September; we were sat in J and K. It was comfortable and the cabin was fairly bijou. Nice.

Probably better than our experiences in PE on the 747, actually.

Assume you mean H and K as there is no J seat in the rows on the A330.
Being in the side two seats, would certainly be more acceptable having paid the PE fare.

Used PE when the A330 were on the GLA-MCO route as the LGW 747s were being refurbished.


Rotten - seriously terrible. Nowhere near other aircraft PE service.

The recline and pitch on the seats is less than the Ec on the refurbished 747 main cabin.

We even had bulkhead PE seats - they bring this daft leatherette triangular footstool - that promptly scoots all over the cabin the minute you put your feet on it - could not recline the seat as it would have amputated wife's legs in row behind (she is 5'10" but still.....)

If you are upgrading for a better flying experience - save yourself the cash, buy the extra luggage allowance if required and take food on board for return (assuming return journey has similar catering to ex MCO).

Just goes to show how different peoples opinions can be I thought premium on the A330 was far superior
Saying that bulkheads are the worst seats in any cabin so that probably didn't help

I have flown on the A330 on numerous occasions on the GLA-MCO route in the PE cabin when it was in a 2 class layout, and IMHO, would travel in the PE without any hesitation. I for one, definitely think paying the extra is well worth it!!

Dan

Hi all,

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have contacted Sandals previously to enquire about the upgrade price. It was £600 for both of us return a couple of months back (in all honesty, I am kicking myself for not getting this) it is now over double this....

What I don't understand is that the flight is really quiet in PE, so I would have thought the upgrade price would still be reasonable?

Also, having phoned Virgin a couple of times, they tell me there are no exit or extra leg room seats to book, they have all been sold, but there will be some at the airport. I just find it hard to believe all these seats have been sold on such a quiet flight!!

Part of me is thinking if both legs are quiet, let's save my cash and try and nab a couple of the exit row seats at the airport, or stretch out. Without sounding a snob, I've not flown economy for a while and can't say I am looking forward to it!