It's happening: VS not BA this weekend (will report back)
Sep 14, 2018, 4:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
It's happening: VS not BA this weekend (will report back)
Yep, it's happening, the company couldn't find BA at a fair rate so, for the first time in 5yrs, I'm flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class.
Check-in is tomorrow and, as someone with zero VS status, I'm curious (and kind-of excited) how it'll all work out.
Will update as I go on Sunday...
Check-in is tomorrow and, as someone with zero VS status, I'm curious (and kind-of excited) how it'll all work out.
Will update as I go on Sunday...
Sep 14, 2018, 11:58 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Sep 15, 2018, 1:59 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
Oh dear. I booked myself a flight to MIA in October to try something other than BA/AA. It seems all I’ve read since is how bad the seat is. Oh well, I’ll get to find that out, or not, for myself. I don’t have a problem with the BA seat so many moan about, so hopefully the VS seat will be fine. After a life time economy flying I’m always just glad to be in a better seat now flying mostly business. With the BA seat the downside is not the stepping over, or face a stranger, for me it’s mostly the lack of immediate to hand storage for glasses, phone, cable and Kindle.
Sep 15, 2018, 2:43 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
In the three VS Upper flights I've taken in my life, the bar has always been used as a setup area. Once 'open' it seems to be unstaffed. So, yes, it's just a marketing ploy imo... Maybe this time it'll be different.
Sep 15, 2018, 2:45 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
I, too, never know what to do with my glasses!
Sep 15, 2018, 3:15 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
I did my first VS last year and am back on them again next month as the BA/AA fares were not competitive vs VS. Whilst I usually choose AA/BA for the AA Miles and/or Avios, I am building up a fair stack of Virgin Miles thanks to their credit card and flying Delta domestically in the US so that driver is diminishing.
I rather like the whole experience on VS. Yes the seat isn’t to my liking (AA is my preference), but it is perfectly comfortable (albeit rubbish for storage) and the on board service is usually great. The PJs on the flight back to the UK are also much appreciated. I do miss the opportunity of upgrading to F on the AA 77W when I fly VS though as that’s a good use of the upgrades that AA give to their top tier elites.
Last time I flew the A330 outbound with the new upper class that is being discontinued and the A340 inbound. I preferred the older A340 upper class which is the one they’re putting on the 787s but both were ok. Next time it’s 787 both ways so that will be interesting to see how their newest aircraft feels.
The departure lounges in LHR and JFK were amazing and the arrivals lounge in LHR was also heads and shoulders above the BA offering.
I rather like the whole experience on VS. Yes the seat isn’t to my liking (AA is my preference), but it is perfectly comfortable (albeit rubbish for storage) and the on board service is usually great. The PJs on the flight back to the UK are also much appreciated. I do miss the opportunity of upgrading to F on the AA 77W when I fly VS though as that’s a good use of the upgrades that AA give to their top tier elites.
Last time I flew the A330 outbound with the new upper class that is being discontinued and the A340 inbound. I preferred the older A340 upper class which is the one they’re putting on the 787s but both were ok. Next time it’s 787 both ways so that will be interesting to see how their newest aircraft feels.
The departure lounges in LHR and JFK were amazing and the arrivals lounge in LHR was also heads and shoulders above the BA offering.
Sep 15, 2018, 3:24 am
#10
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Newcastle/London & Worldwide
Programs: BAEC Gold, Virgin Flying Club Silver
Posts: 818
I really don’t recognise the Virgin experience people are describing - I’ve had 3 flights this year in Upper all outstanding - there’s Pros and Cons between them and BA - yes the seat lacks storage but it’s very comfortable especially in bed mode. I love using the bar and have spent many hours chatting to crew and passengers - great atmosphere if you get a good crew - I’ve never seen it unmanned unless no one is actually using it then yes the crew don’t just stand there but once it gets busy there’s always a member of the crew present IME. IFE is great , food not as good as BA, cabins (even the A340) significantly cleaner than BA. Crew hit and miss but when good they are superb !
Sep 15, 2018, 3:29 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,345
I really don’t recognise the Virgin experience people are describing - I’ve had 3 flights this year in Upper all outstanding - there’s Pros and Cons between them and BA - yes the seat lacks storage but it’s very comfortable especially in bed mode. I love using the bar and have spent many hours chatting to crew and passengers - great atmosphere if you get a good crew - I’ve never seen it unmanned unless no one is actually using it then yes the crew don’t just stand there but once it gets busy there’s always a member of the crew present IME. IFE is great , food not as good as BA, cabins (even the A340) significantly cleaner than BA. Crew hit and miss but when good they are superb !
Sep 15, 2018, 3:34 am
#12
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,606
I really don’t recognise the Virgin experience people are describing - I’ve had 3 flights this year in Upper all outstanding - there’s Pros and Cons between them and BA - yes the seat lacks storage but it’s very comfortable especially in bed mode. I love using the bar and have spent many hours chatting to crew and passengers - great atmosphere if you get a good crew - I’ve never seen it unmanned unless no one is actually using it then yes the crew don’t just stand there but once it gets busy there’s always a member of the crew present IME. IFE is great , food not as good as BA, cabins (even the A340) significantly cleaner than BA. Crew hit and miss but when good they are superb !