Worried about upper class flight - advice please

Hello all,

I've just joined so please go easy on me. Long story short, I am flying from Gatwick to Orlando in November (next month).

I have been visiting Orlando regularly since I was young, but this is my girlfriend's first time flying transatlantic. I am determined to make this the perfect trip for her, and as a result I decided to treat us both and upgrade to upper class on the LGW -> MCO route.

I can't wait, apparently it's an amazing experience! There's only one thing that's worrying me. I heard all the LGW 747-400 fleet were subject to a refit around 2012 which included an upgrade to the seats, entertainment system (i think the addition of touch screens?) along with other things. However, looking on toolbox_which_aircraft.php it appears that 13.3% of these flights use the one remaining heathrow configured 747 (Tinker Belle - G-VBIG). I've heard that the heathrow configured 747-400s are older and weren't included in the 2012 refit.

I'd absolutely hate to pay all that money and end up with an old plane with no touch screen / worse seats etc.

I suppose what I'm asking is this:

- What exactly is different about the Heathrow configured 747s over the Gatwick ones?
- Is there any way to know which plane is scheduled on my particular flight?

Thank you and sorry if this sounds like I'm worrying about stupid things. I just want this to be perfect for her as it's our first big holiday together.

Hey,

Welcome to the forum!

Just to allay your worries - G-VBIG is no longer in the Heathrow configuration. It was recently refitted and refurbished to the same standards as the other Gatwick ones. It just hasn't been updated in the toolbox yet In fact all the LHR configured 747s have been retired.

The only difference on VBIG and the others is that the full bar was not fitted, for reasons unknown but possibly down to costs and/or the fact that the 747s will be gone within a few years.

As far as the specific aircraft, not in advance no. You may be able to find out on the day of the flight but the discovery usually winds up waiting until what you see parked up at the gate!

Hope this has helped a bit.

Thank you so much I actually read about the bar being removed a few minutes ago! What a shame, that seems like a big part of the UC experience!

Seems like it would be nice to get VBIG for the newest (and I assume least worn) interior, but would be a shame to have no bar. At least it would be a bit quieter I guess! Haha

I'm really looking forward to the UC experience and getting to know you all on this forum

Welcome to the forum. I just wanted to echo the above comments and to say congratulations on booking your first holiday together. I'm sure you will have a fantastic time in the Clubhouse before you "turn left" and realise that you won't want to travel any other way.

Why don't you have a read through some of the trip reports (TR) for your flight and get a really good and honest feel for it.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=293976&p=926511&hilit=MCO#p926511

Thank you for the replies - this has put me at ease!

Excuse my inexperience, but I had a couple of questions about the Virgin Clubhouse in Gatwick south terminal:

- I heard this is closing soon, will it still be open on November the 2nd?
- Is the food in the clubhouse complimentary, or is there an additional cost for food?
- Does UC include the fast track security as standard? Or is it dependant on ticket class?

Thank you all so much.

1. Yes, it'll stay open right up until the terminal move in January at which point a brand new Clubhouse will open in the North Terminal.

2. All food is complimentary. As is drink. The only things you have to pay for are certain spa treatments although the basic ones are free.

3. All UC (and PE for that matter) passengers are allowed to use Fast Track, irrespective of how you got your ticket. Be aware if you plan to arrive early (and you should, to take full advantage of the Clubhouse!) Fast Track isn't always open but at that time in the morning normal security tends to be very quick with minimal queues.

Gumshoe - thank you so much.

The wealth of knowledge on this forum is incredible - I've learnt more today than through countless phone calls to Virgin directly.

This upper class experience sounds absolutely superb, and I truly can't wait. I'm actually looking forward to the airport and flight more than the holiday itself!

You've all been so helpful, so thank you all so much.

Just a word of warning about G-VBIG, I have been assured by a mate in VS, that it still does have the old non touch screen IFE, and also the lack of a bar in Upper Class.

I have to say, that the lack of a bar, would concern me.

For me, unless its a really long night flight the only thing I want IFE for is the moving map, and maybe seat chat if I was with friends. i seem to loose all my attention span on flights and just get distracted by talking or people watching!

The best part of Upper Class for me is without a doubt the Clubhouse experiences, and yes - it is all inclusive, including a spa treatment - I have to admit now that I have started having two treatments - I think that is a trend that is going to continue! Oops!

The second best bit for me - the bar - getting up out of your seat, chatting with the crew, making new friends at 37,000 feet, its the most unique experience and without a doubt worth the fare paid - without this - I don't think the product is devalued a lot, so I really hope they sort BIG out!

Col0rd - thanks for the information. The bar issue (although frustrating and a bit cheeky by Virgin) wouldn't concern me as much as the old IFE system.

I can't believe they would remove the seats to convert to the LGW configuration but not replace the screens when putting the new seats in. Very odd. Does this mean the entertainment system itself would be different? Or is it exactly the same film / tv / game / map selection but with a controller instead of touch screen?

Thank you

I'm actually looking forward to the airport and flight more than the holiday itself.

And that is exactly as it should be!

Make sure you get to the Clubhouse with plenty of time to enjoy a treatment (or two), food and the odd glass of bubbles. Then walk at leisure to your plane and board ahead or behind the crowds.

Don't forget the extra luggage (at MCO with all the shopping the girlfriend will really appreciate that!).

From what I gather, there was little change to the nose of the 744 that was converted from LHR to LGW config hence why it was in the too difficult box to put the bar in as the bulkheads are slightly different!

I don't think the seats themselves were actually changed really other than maybe re-facing the leather?

From what I gather, there was little change to the nose of the 744 that was converted from LHR to LGW config hence why it was in the too difficult box to put the bar in as the bulkheads are slightly different!

I don't think the seats themselves were actually changed really other than maybe re-facing the leather?

That's a shame - I really hope I don't see G-VBIG when I get to the gate! Haha. No touch screen and no bar - I'm pretty shocked they even have that plane in circulation, and annoyed that they make you take your chance!

With regards to the IFE, does anyone happen to know whether this means there is less choice in film / TV / games etc? Or is it the exact same system just with a controller instead of a touch screen?

Obviously I realise that (historically) there's only a 13.3% chance of getting this plane, but I'm a massive control freak and I'd like to know what to expect just in case

Thank you.

I don't think there is that much difference between the two really other than quality of the screen.

I hope not. I suppose the touch screen and no bar are small parts of the overall UC experience. So even if we end up on VBIG it should still be an amazing experience.

TBH, in my experience the 2 seater bar on the LGW/MAN fleet is rarely used - it's not the same meeting place as the 3 seater bar on the A340's / 4 seater bar on the old LHR 747 fleet (now retired). Most couples who want to drink together usually just use the other halves ottoman seat (which can be used in turbulence / seatbelt signs on, unlike the bar stools). You're more likely to see people posing for photos at the bar before takeoff with champagne glasses in hand than it used much in flight.

With regard to IFE, I do not know for sure, but I would put money on it not having been upgraded from the old LHR based VERA system. It's still touch-screen & fully on-demand, with very similar content. Just not quite as up to date as the system on the other LGW/MAN planes. Makes sense - it costs a lot to upgrade the IFE on a plane and the 747's have only a few years left. Your average passenger would not notice a lot of difference between the two systems.

Bar doesn't bother me either.
I prefer to try and get row 6 up the front for two of us.
It's almost like having your own private cabin and great if you want to move onto your partners foot stool for a chat and drink there.

Dick D

I would not worry about any of this, the lack of a bar, while nice and unlikely, is't really much of a loss of a something of a novelty. Nice to sit and for maybe 20 minutes and chat, but if you didn't know it wasn't there, it wouldn't bother you...

You also seem to be freaking out about lack of touchscreen IFE. You still can access it via buttons on the handset, it's pretty good IFE anyway, with pretty much the same content as the touchscreen too. The LHR IFE was superior to the LGW IFE until 2012, because Gatwick had an 8 channel rolling set of films which restarted on the long one. Then when a film ended, you'd often go the bar until the films restarted. The LGW IFE got replaced because it needed to be, but the LHR is fine anyway. Pause. rewind, forward, using an attached handset.

The VS UC experience is good. Don't worry about it...

Agreed. I always think it feels a bit strange sitting at the bar on the 747s as you're right in the middle of the cabin with seats all around you. Not a big loss frankly.

Quite different on the LHR fleet where the bar's shielded from the main cabin and feels like its own separate space where you can socialise without feeling you're intruding.

Thanks!

I won't worry any more as it seems like any plane still means an amazing experience. Thanks to everyone who replied.

I'll be sure to post back here with a TR after the flight!

Don't forget to wave from the CH.

G-VBIG has the a new hybrid IFE system the only difference is that the screens are not touchscreen and you use a handset. The picture quality is the same as the other 747s. Hope you have a great flight!

Not travelled on one for ages, but the Upper screens used to be bigger than PE on the old configs. I think when they refurbed gatwick 747s they made them all the same, so the UC IFE screens are smaller than they used to be because they are touchscreen... So older config is better IMHO in that case.

IMHO if you are stressing about the screen size you need to get another glass of fizz

The only thing I would worry about is the impact to your bank balance in future years if you are starting out with UC flights on your first trip together...

Haha - yes I'm sure it's a very expensive habit to start! I'm not worried about screen size I was just querying the IFE system on the older configuration and was asking whether it had the same selection.

Apparently it does so no worries! Can't wait for the flight.