New Atlanta Flight Upper Class Dream Suite Review

Hi All-

I was going to post this in the TR section, but there is no option for VS103, the new Atlanta flight!

I recently did a Trip Report of the new Atlanta flight with a few photos here ...

http://www.pointsinstyle.com/#!single-p ... B983B8C62F

Best,

Gabrca

PS Apologies, I don't know the exact rules here for posting outside links, etc. Thanks all for being so welcoming to the V-Flyer community in my recent posts!

Great trip report and photos

Thanks!

Thanks for the link and nice report, I'm slightly disappointed though as I thought you meant you were reviewing the new suite fitted to the 787 but that's just me jumping to the wrong conclusion

Brilliant TR there Gabrca, very good photos and good to see that the loads on the new ATL service are high!

Nice TR Gabrca, I had the complete different in my last UC trip as my meal came out 45 minutes into the flight. Glad it went well overall though

Thanks all! I'm on the return sector on the 28th if you have any questions, I'd be happy to look out for you.

Now that's what I call a comprehensive trip report!
I agree particularly with your "style over substances" comments. Dare I suggest that we, vflyers, tend to be over protective of the brand and unfortunately it does not always deliver consistent levels of service.
If you have have paid full price for a UC seat it is only reasonable to expect exemplary levels of attention and service, there is no excuse for an "off day". There is a lot more competition out there and Virgin Atlantic cannot rest on it's laurels.
They still have the best, by far, airport lounges and the in flight food is good but who on earth is in charge of the socks, ear plugs and toothbrush left in a bag on the seat? No wonder they are generally left behind, they should be something to take home and seduce you into booking another flight.
My AU status of four years, for what it's worth, will lapse early in 2015. I have discovered another world of travel out there. Strangely though there will always be a compunction to check with Virgin before pressing the "book" button of any other carriers?

What are the lounge arrangements for UC Pax at ATL?

I would suspect VS uses the ATL Delta Sky Club for UC and FC AU

I agree particularly with your "style over substances" comments. Dare I suggest that we, vflyers, tend to be over protective of the brand and unfortunately it does not always deliver consistent levels of service.
If you have have paid full price for a UC seat it is only reasonable to expect exemplary levels of attention and service, there is no excuse for an "off day". There is a lot more competition out there and Virgin Atlantic cannot rest on it's laurels.

From my experience, Upper from Heathrow routes are the ones I've had crappy service on. Never had a bad Gatwick/Manchester flight. Maybe had like 25% of the heathrow ones as good.

It could be as much about the destination as anything, I'm unsure of the mechanics of the days off but I expect an overnight in New York vs a few days in Cancun/Vegas/Montego Bay makes the staff a bit less cheerful on the business routes. That and having to serve three times the amount of people (never seems to be great service on LHR, but no surprise excellent service when only 14 of you).

Having said that, having done JFK (not great), LAX/SFO (Crap to bearable), and Vancouver (a 330, but actually the only one which was excellent service and good fun), they seem capable in theory of delivering a wonderful product, but practicality seems to be in the way. Indeed, the crew on the bad ones seemed so institutionally bad, that you wonder if that's the punishment route...

Flying from Gatwick, despite its inferior clubhouse, does however remind you of the strength of its business class product.

Hope a complaint went in about the cabin crew sitting at the bar eating crisps and the mess of crew 'stuff' there.

Sadly VS used to offer dine on demand in upper but it was enhanced a few years ago.

Thanks for that report.
I am planning to fly to Atlanta in 2016. The larger Upper cabin probably means more chance of reward seats, but I do enjoy the cosiness of the Gatwick 14 seater to MCO.
Decisions decisions.
Dick D

Great TR and a good insight into what I can look forward too (or not) on my upcoming 4 flights in April.

Iain

Wow - brilliant TR and great photos , thank you. I really enjoyed it.
Disappointed to read about the somewhat indifferent service.

Fantastic TR. Disappointing to hear about the lack of interaction between the CC and you.

Thanks again.

Dan

Thanks for the report.
I'm flying on this route in Upper, in a couple of months.
I hope I get a crew with a bit more pizazz!

Now that's how to do a TR !
Thanks for posting

Heres a followup to my complaints on the outbound and Virgin's response. Kudos to Virgin for a detailed and quick reply!

http://www.pointsinstyle.com/#!Virgin-A ... B48D543DF6

Wow that is a pretty solid response!

I imagine that VS will internally take the matter quite seriously with the FSM!

VS response was very good and I certainly wouldn't want to be the FSM at the moment