Virgin America Elevate - MCS Or F Upgrade Worthwhile On Transcontinental Redeye

I'm an elite Delta and United flyer who normally gets bumped to the front of the plane on SFO-JFK redeyes.

Is the $130 for Main Cabin Select or $300 First same-day cash upgrade worth it on a redeye flight based on food service and seat comfort? I'm curious if food service is curtailed. I wonder how VX MCS legroom compares to United Economy Plus and Delta Economy Comfort. How does a VX First seat compare to Delta Business First and United's original p.s. Business (not original p.s. angled lie-flat First) seat?

Is it true that VX Main Cabin patrons are permitted to use the lavatory in the First cabin?

First will always be nicer than the Y cabin - even Y+. Same goes for VX. Very nice first cabin. If you're taking a red eye, go first.

Is it true that VX Main Cabin patrons are permitted to use the lavatory in the First cabin?

No that is not true, where did you hear that?

I'm an elite Delta and United flyer who normally gets bumped to the front of the plane on SFO-JFK redeyes.

VX F is comparable to UA p.s. J, not UA p.s. F. If you're actually being bumped to the front of the plane on UA, stay with UA.


Is the $130 for Main Cabin Select or $300 First same-day cash upgrade worth it on a redeye flight based on food service and seat comfort? I'm curious if food service is curtailed.

While I've never flown VX, I imagine it is for a redeye. You might want to be more focused on the sleeping aspect of your redeye than the food.

I have flown VX once transcon in Y and it's the last time I'll ever do that. While they have great service and AVOD, the seat is not good for catching any sleep. For some reason, that seat really was uncomfortable and I could not sleep. I'm all of 5'8" and 150lbs and after about 90 minutes was ready to strap on a parachute. Have done transcon in other domestic Y seats, but for some reason theirs really bother me. I can stand it on short hauls but not on a long haul.

Their F product is probably one of the best domestic around and is def worth it. Have no idea about the food, but I do know that they have always been generous with the pre-departure drinks in F, which is all I really need before a red eye. MCS is MUCH better than their Y seats, but no pre departure drinks.

I'm an elite Delta and United flyer who normally gets bumped to the front of the plane on SFO-JFK redeyes.

Is the $130 for Main Cabin Select or $300 First same-day cash upgrade worth it on a redeye flight based on food service and seat comfort? I'm curious if food service is curtailed. I wonder how VX MCS legroom compares to United Economy Plus and Delta Economy Comfort. How does a VX First seat compare to Delta Business First and United's original p.s. Business (not original p.s. angled lie-flat First) seat?

Is it true that VX Main Cabin patrons are permitted to use the lavatory in the First cabin?


FC upgrade is definitely worth it for a redeye transcon. We have the best FC cabin domestically. Our MCS is worth it for a daytime flight, but I can't suggest it for a redeye. The seat recline is no different than MC seats - you only get a little extra legroom. The other features of MCS, such as free food and alcohol, will not be of much use to you on a redeye. FC will give you the opportunity to get a good night's sleep. We offer pre-departure cocktails and a light dinner service. The dinner service options are a cold dish or a hot dish. However, it is an abbreviated version of our dinner service during a non-redeye. So, yes, it is slightly curtailed compared to our regular meal service.

MCS guests are NOT permitted to use the FC lavatory, except for the first part of the flight when the cart will be blocking the aisle during the initial beverage run.

I can't compare our FC or MCS offerings with DL or UA, as I haven't flown them in years. But we are light years ahead of AA, which I fly often due to my AAdvantage membership.

I was pretty much disappointed with my one F redeye transcon. It seemed like pre-departure, it was going to be such a good crew. As someone who wanted to enjoy the meal and a couple of drinks before trying to snooze, I thought the service was pretty bad. Not wanting to ring the call bell after a long time of inattention, I went to the back galley (where the whole crew was) and they seemed put off by my request for a beverage. The seat was very nice. I thought the food offering was adequate for the hour.

My next couple of trips are midcon and transcon MCS (no red-eyes). I probably won't try and UG the midcon. I'm not sure if I'm going to try or not on the transcon (either direction of which would ruin my sleep substantially).

No that is not true, where did you hear that?
I read that Main Cabin patrons could use the First Class lavatory on a few older posts on the forum that described reviews of the First Class cabin.

VX F is comparable to UA p.s. J, not UA p.s. F. If you're actually being bumped to the front of the plane on UA, stay with UA.
I'm fed up with the new CO UA. You're right, getting to the front of the plane isn't as easy at it was in the past. There were a few times that I was bumped from C to F on p.s., but that will certainly change when UA introduces its new p.s. lie-flat. I've toyed with DL and have enjoyed Business First on the transcon, but to be honest, I really like UA's p.s. C (and F) better. The service seems more formal–not necessarily uptight, just more reserved.

While I've never flown VX, I imagine it is for a redeye. You might want to be more focused on the sleeping aspect of your redeye than the food.
Absolutely, food quality isn't as important on the redeye, but if VX offers a buy on board anytime service, I wonder how seriously they offer it on a redeye. Not to be presumptuous, but I'd assume that VX attracts clientele who value lower priced fares, and as such, passengers might find more families and children in the Main Cabin. Aside from the seat and booze, an abundance of kids in the Main Cabin tempts me to try out First on VX.

I have flown VX once transcon in Y and it's the last time I'll ever do that. While they have great service and AVOD, the seat is not good for catching any sleep. For some reason, that seat really was uncomfortable and I could not sleep. I'm all of 5'8" and 150lbs and after about 90 minutes was ready to strap on a parachute. Have done transcon in other domestic Y seats, but for some reason theirs really bother me. I can stand it on short hauls but not on a long haul.
I've flown VX once before in Y (not MCS). I found that the seats retained heat too quickly and that they became uncomfortably sticky. I've read that taller passengers may not like the (short) footrest in F.

I was pretty much disappointed with my one F redeye transcon. It seemed like pre-departure, it was going to be such a good crew. As someone who wanted to enjoy the meal and a couple of drinks before trying to snooze, I thought the service was pretty bad. Not wanting to ring the call bell after a long time of inattention, I went to the back galley (where the whole crew was) and they seemed put off by my request for a beverage. The seat was very nice. I thought the food offering was adequate for the hour
I'm still confused by this: in F, do passengers have to ring the FA call button to order items from Y, or can F patrons order from the screen?

I'm still confused by this: in F, do passengers have to ring the FA call button to order items from Y, or can F patrons order from the screen?

Our FC guests don't order from their screen. Only guests in MCS and MC order from the screen. The FC guests get beverages and a full meal service, followed by drink refills, pre-landing snacks and drinks. If you want any of the MC food items, your flight crew can tell you what's available on your flight and they'll get it for you.

I'm fed up with the new CO UA. You're right, getting to the front of the plane isn't as easy at it was in the past. There were a few times that I was bumped from C to F on p.s., but that will certainly change when UA introduces its new p.s. lie-flat. I've toyed with DL and have enjoyed Business First on the transcon, but to be honest, I really like UA's p.s. C (and F) better. The service seems more formal–not necessarily uptight, just more reserved.
Looking at the consolidated UA forum, it's unfortunate that the new United is already swapping out domestic 757s for p.s. configured 757s on the p.s. flights: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1336085-ua-ps-aircraft-swapping-domestic-757-a.html Is Warren (@WingsOverWallSt) on the UA forum? I wonder what his thoughts are

I read that Main Cabin patrons could use the First Class lavatory on a few older posts on the forum that described reviews of the First Class cabin.

I fly on VX transcon frequently. The cabin crew will make an announcement that the forward lavatory is reserved for F class only.

i am a former delta gold, and i consider MCS to be comparable to delta's F. actually, i think it's superior. you get (almost) guaranteed AVOD, a wider selection of food, and guaranteed in-seat power. the only downside is the smaller seat.

I read that Main Cabin patrons could use the First Class lavatory on a few older posts on the forum that described reviews of the First Class cabin.

Here are my recent experiences on that topic:

In Row 3 (on Friday), I looked back to the rear of the plane, and the Y FA who was right behind me told me to go to the F lav if I didn't want to get stuck (i.e., behind a cart, etc.) Later in the flight, when the 2 Y lavs were occupied, I went to the F lav, and the F FA admonished me and sent me back.

In Row 2 (yesterday), a steady stream (ok, perhaps poor word choice) of kids came from Y to use the F lav, and the FA let them. When an adult came up, she sent her back.

I upgraded to F going west, and tried to sleep in Y coming back. Big mistake; I normally fly B6 so I am used to redeyes sitting up, but I couldn't sleep very well due to the poor seat pitch/uncomfortable seat. I guess 2" actually makes a difference.

IMO I would go with an F upgrade over MCS on a redeye. Also keep in mind that VX charges for checked bags if you're in MC.

psychoandy,

Welcome to Flyertalk!

I'm a bit confused. Are you saying that F seats have 2 inches more seat pitch than Y? FYI: MC seat pitch is 32", MCS seat pitch is 38" and F seat pitch is 55". Also, you're right, VX charges for checked bags in MC. You're allowed however, one checked bag for free in MCS and two checked bags for free in F.

If money isn't an issue (between MCS and F) then my vote is go F. I buy up to F (hopefully row 1) even on short-haul flights because it's like international C anywhere else and it's probably the most affordable buy-up F service worth buying up to (IMHO).

When F has been full, I've gone the MCS route and yeah, it's like E+ in space but agree that the AVOD, food, booze, and baggage is reminiscent of legacy carrier F (better than US, that's for sure). The only real downer is that I've been in MCS 2-3 times and every time, all MCS seats were full (including middle) so it was cramped side-to-side and we had to do the shuffle anytime someone had to use the lav.

In my experience, the cabin crews serving me in MCS were nothing to write home about. They weren't surly former NW types but they weren't as "cool" as I had expected and actually seemed a little annoyed by the extra work required by the MCS rows. The cabin crews serving me in F have always been "cool" but sometimes not as attentive as on legacy carriers which I thought was a bit surprising.

Now that I relocated (mostly) to MCI, I don't have many opportunities to fly VX but I certainly would if I could. And I'd buy-up again to MCS or F - even knowing what I know about past experiences. I find that they're still better than most (especially for the price).

MCS is basically a coach seat with first class service, If you are flying and want to eat and drink all you want... then I say go for it... To sleep it's a waste of $$$ as its just a coach seat with a few extra inches of space.

I recently flew the red eye between LAX and PHL. I will never again do that on this airline.

While the seats are okay for shorter flights I would not reccommend them for a red eye. The seats were so uncomfortable and my back and legs started falling asleep halfway through. I am 5'8" (not a giant by any stretch of the imagination) but had to prop my legs (read: shins) on the seat in front of me when the person in the row in front reclined their seat.

Adding insult to injury, that obnoxious purple light was on the entire flight and I could not sleep because I felt like I was in a discotek.

Never again...

I agree VX seats are very uncomfortable in the main cabin they don't recline much... feels like you are sitting up straight when reclined!!!

I recently flew the red eye between LAX and PHL. I will never again do that on this airline.

While the seats are okay for shorter flights I would not reccommend them for a red eye. The seats were so uncomfortable and my back and legs started falling asleep halfway through. I am 5'8" (not a giant by any stretch of the imagination) but had to prop my legs (read: shins) on the seat in front of me when the person in the row in front reclined their seat.

Adding insult to injury, that obnoxious purple light was on the entire flight and I could not sleep because I felt like I was in a discotek.

Never again...

Sorry, I fly VX transcons every six weeks and half of those flights are red-eyes. I am fine with their Y seating and I think the purple mood lighting is best for my eyes and biorhythm. The lighting is not obnoxious and it is better than fluorescent lighting on other airliners. If you had insult, injury and feel uncomfortable on those flights then that's your problem.

Loved the F seats on Virgin, so big and plush :) def worth the last minute upgrade we did.

psychoandy,

Welcome to Flyertalk!

I'm a bit confused. Are you saying that F seats have 2 inches more seat pitch than Y? FYI: MC seat pitch is 32", MCS seat pitch is 38" and F seat pitch is 55". Also, you're right, VX charges for checked bags in MC. You're allowed however, one checked bag for free in MCS and two checked bags for free in F.

No, Andy slept on the Y eastbound. JetBlue has 34" in their cabin, VX has 32", hence the difference of 2".

No, Andy slept on the Y eastbound. JetBlue has 34" in their cabin, VX has 32", hence the difference of 2".

Thanks for the clarification. :)