Ex air berlin A330 200 upper class cabin

Aside from being tatty (which will be addressed in the forthcoming refurb), the main complaint about the UC cabin seems to be about the ‘Love Seats’ being too close together.

Yet one of the biggest complaints about the traditional reverse herringbone layout is that it’s not conducive for couples or friends who want to chat.

At least now there’s a choice of private solo and less private couples’ seats - unlike BA where EVERY CW seat faces its neighbour (albeit with a screen, but that can’t be up all the time).

I'd say the love seats in their current form aren't good for chatting - you have to lean forward about a foot to get your head in front of the partition to have a conversation.

Doing LGW-GND in 18 days (YAY). Didn't have much choice of UC seats on the outbound ( got a G and a K and the 2 As on the way back).

I get the feeling that this is going to be something of a come down from the refurbished A333s last November/December so I keep checking my booking with fingers crossed! VS didn't lower the prices for the change of planes to the unrefurbished ex Air Berlin 332s. I am curious as to how they can actually justify that and as these are on the holiday routes (passengers often paying) I guess there are and will be a lot of other folks asking VS that question.

Anyway getting to GND is the most important thing and we will have a couple of weeks at SI to recover.. And I see that free "wifi messaging" is offered on the plane....is that the same as free wifi (browsing) or will I have to still pay for that (if it exists)?

Thanks,
David

VS didn't lower the prices for the change of planes to the unrefurbished ex Air Berlin 332s. I am curious as to how they can actually justify that

Because you’re paying to be transported from A to B in your chosen class of travel with the level of service advertised for that class.

You are not paying for a specific seat in a specific configuration on a specific aircraft.

And I see that free "wifi messaging" is offered on the plane....is that the same as free wifi (browsing) or will I have to still pay for that (if it exists)?d

G-VMNK had no wifi when we flew

We received a card for 10MB free WiFi. I activated it about 2 hours before we landed and used Messenger for the whole time. Not sure it would have been much good for downloading emails or Facebook!

If you are on instagram
Raffles from hfp put up some pics here
https://instagram.com/p/BkOqd8FgQwJ/

Thank you so much for sharing. At least we know what to expect...!

Doing LGW-GND in 18 days (YAY). Didn't have much choice of UC seats on the outbound ( got a G and a K and the 2 As on the way back).

I get the feeling that this is going to be something of a come down from the refurbished A333s last November/December so I keep checking my booking with fingers crossed! VS didn't lower the prices for the change of planes to the unrefurbished ex Air Berlin 332s. I am curious as to how they can actually justify that and as these are on the holiday routes (passengers often paying) I guess there are and will be a lot of other folks asking VS that question.

Anyway getting to GND is the most important thing and we will have a couple of weeks at SI to recover.. And I see that free "wifi messaging" is offered on the plane....is that the same as free wifi (browsing) or will I have to still pay for that (if it exists)?

Thanks,
David

I know the feeling. I check our booking each day in the hope that 1) they have changed their minds and decided to fly the 300s or even a 747! and 2) they haven’t downgraded or cancelled our flights. Just don’t know what to expect these days. But as you have said, the important thing is safety!

Hiya newbie here but been stalking and enjoying the information provided for a while. Thought it was high time I joined in with this topic! I travelled out to Grenada on 4th June 2018 with trepidation but absolutely loved the privacy of the solo traveller! I was in 3K. I thought the seat was so much more comfortable! yes massage facility on seat was a total gimmick! loved IFE once I realised the tiny square box on the handheld was like a tiny mouse....much easier than normal touch screen. Return journey was 3A, was worried about the bed but again so much better than having to sleep banana style.

yes its not the normal virgin UC but I loved it!

Really? This has to be the most positive review I’ve seen. I believe 3k is one of our seats. We also have a pair of love seats and as well as an aisle and window (6 of us travelling)...!

Janeclar, you are a ⭐️
Thank you for the pictures...Virgin really have photoshopped the images on their website! A bit cheeky of them!
Thank you so much for sharing...and persevering with the uploading.

VS didn't lower the prices for the change of planes to the unrefurbished ex Air Berlin 332s. I am curious as to how they can actually justify that

Because you’re paying to be transported from A to B in your chosen class of travel with the level of service advertised for that class.

You are not paying for a specific seat in a specific configuration on a specific aircraft.

Exactly right gumshoe and I am well aware what I am paying for. And regarding "the level of service advertised" we now have tatty furniture and no bar. Let us hope the quality of service is provided in other ways....a good fun cabin crew and edible steaks would be good starts. Fingers crossed.

Pray for a good crew then, because I don’t believe steak is on the UC menu right now.

steak was on the menu both flights vs89 and 90 4th and 18th June, although I have never seen so may peppercorns in a sauce in my life, did mention it to cabin crew who laughed and agreed. yes the cabin and seats are a bit old but having expected the worst I was pleasantly surprised when it came to comfort and privacy.

steak was on the menu both flights vs89 and 90 4th and 18th June

Ok interesting - this thread suggests otherwise (though it doesn’t specify the route and they do tend to swap in a ‘local’ dish on the Asian & African routes).

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=297354

There was no steak on VS29 7th June

Hi - looking at booking the UC from MAN to SFO mid September. Anyone have any insight if they'll be using the Ex Air Belin 330s ?
Thanks

[mitchja]

Hi - looking at booking the UC from MAN to SFO mid September. Anyone have any insight if they'll be using the Ex Air Belin 330s ?
Thanks

Welcomes to V-Flyer

Yes the SFO / BOS routes from MAN will be op'ed using an A332 through September. JFK and ATL are scheduled to be B744's.