From my understanding
 

Well the hot meal itself is pretty extensive as you can see... three appetizers (plus seconds), a choice from two entrees, two kinds of rolls, and three desserts. You will not go hungry.

I believe that snacks will eventually be added to the service, but I guess someone will have to report back later. But I have faith that you will have access to some snack items, like chips, crackers, cookies, and candies down the road. I hope they will be free to F passengers, but I really don't know...

About the width, they are comparable to most US airlines operating Airbus A320s, and they are of course wider than AA's Business seats on the 767s (because AA squeezes in six abreast), but comparable to UA p.s.... I don't have any specific dimension, but feels comparable...

Carfield

It's not 100% complete as I seem to not find all seat recline figures but here is how VX stacks up or should I say leaves the competition in the dust for F seats pitch, width, recline.

AirTran 37" pitch 22" width
AlaskaAir 36 - 37" pitch 19.5 - 21" width
AmericaWest 35 - 36" pitch 19.5 - 21" width
American 35 - 60" pitch 19.5 - 21" width
ATA 38 - 40" pitch 20.7 - 21" width
Continental 37 - 55" pitch 20 - 21" width
Delta 35 - 60" pitch 18.5 - 21" width
Northwest 34 - 37" pitch 19.5 - 21" width
United 37 - 68" pitch 19 - 21" width
USAir 37 - 38" pitch 20.2 - 21" width
Virgin America FIRST 55" pitch 21" width 13" recline
Virgin America Economy 32" pitch 19.7" width 5" recline

I think it was very extremely trip reports about your trip to SFO by VX. I'm sure if you willing continues more flight with Virgin America sometimes. I'm surely you will able stay comfortable all entirely flights from SFO based. Maybe I could try get chance fly on VX sometimes while they coming to PHX.

This was a wonderful report Carfield! I took in a lot information from it and one I will take to heart. Virgin America has hired me as a f/a and my training begins 9/04. I'm extremely excited needless to say. A major career change for me but I've had this deep passion for flying since I was a kid and now able to fulfill it every day!

I hope to be able to give everyone a prospective from my point of view should the opportunity arise in a VX thread.

Thanks!
 

Excellent report, thanks for being so thorough. I'm boarding VX F SFO to JFK in a couple of hours and look forward to the "difference". I miss the good ol days. I do realize this is a LCC, but I think moral of the crew makes a huge difference on the enjoyment of the flight. Moral on Domestic flights today (understandably or not) is scarce. Cheers!

Excellent report once again.

I have to say that the presentation of the appetisers and desserts was excellent (yet cheap form the airline's point of view) - hope AA is listening/watching.

The lowest I have seen recently for F on VX is about $449. It jumps to $499 and even $599 as availability decreases.

Cool! Good luck in your training and future flying.

I took a round trip SFO-LAX in F on 8Aug/13Aug and had much the same impression as Carfield. Obviously we didn't get full meals and I only had an hour to enjoy the seats, but it was the attitude of the employees that I noticed immediately. I also appreciated having some sort of snack available (as opposed to "this is such a short flight we are only offering coffee and juice. Please have your selection ready [or we will pass you right by without making eye contact]").

Just one example, during the pre-flight announcements they say something like "if you need assistance, just ask. That's what we're here for." It actually seems like they mean it, too. :D

We did take a delay in LAX on the return, and I agree that delays will be a big problem. They have chosen some of the worst corridors (SFO-JFK/SFO-LAX/LAX-JFK) for ontime performance.

Great report Thanks!

Question about Bathrooms on Virgin America
 

Carfield,

Terrific report.

But a couple quick questions.

Where are the bathroom(s) in First Class?

How far is it from the front row?

Can someone actually smell someone else's stinker?

I do not understand why a person would pay a first class fare only to be the closest to the toilets.

I'd appreciate anyone who has already flown on the Virgin A320 to share some insight.

Thanks to everyone.

Wook

Good report, though I'm having a bit of trouble understanding how you rate VX's seat above AA's NGBC. While I definitely agree that VX is far better than the old/current business and domestic 2-class F, I see no way how it could be better in terms of pure hard product than the NGBC.


"So how did Virgin America’s First class score? It definitely scores well and in terms of seats, I rate it above American’s AFS (American Flagship) Business Class, the so called new generation sliding business class seats (NGBC), United’s premium service business class, and not to mention Alaska’s, Delta’s, Northwest, US Airways’ and other major or minors domestic first class cabin."

well it is just my POV
 

Well it is all purely subjective matter...

I rate AA NGBC so low that I actually find sleeping on VX's narrowbody F class more comfortable than the so-called flat beds, that are so cramped, sliding, and not to mention narrow for the 767 case. I actually find the old AA's 767-300 business class sleeper seats better than AA NGBC. If AA will upkeep the seats properly, add a few electronic control, and reduce the six abreast to five abreast seating on the 763, they don't need to change seats. But then this will go back to an AA discussion... not want to go that direction...

Well I will stand by my statement though...

Anyway, thanks for your comments!

Carfield

It is pretty standard on Boeing 737s and AB 319/320/321. The bathroom is near the flight deck door. You are separated from the bathroom by the doors and the plastic panels.

Since fewer people use the first class bathroom, I have not generally found the smell to be an issue in most situations. The smell is much worse for the rear lavatories.

Great report! Definitely would want to try them in the future!

Virgin American Lounge... not so much
 

So here's the deal. Virgin America has "rights" to the Virgin Atlantic lounge. So, when the Virgin Atlantic lounge is open, Virgin America's first classs passangers can buy access to the lounge. The problem is that Virgin Atlantic flights go out at different times than Virgin American flights. So, as you can guess, the lounge is hardly ever open when a Virign America flight is going out. So, its not open for the red-eyes out of SFO and its not open in JFK when the red-eye lands. This lounge option is more an advertisement than an actual possibility. (As a side note, when I called Virgin to complain, I encountered the rudest customer service. The most senior person there actually suggested I call Virgin Atlantic to complain, because it was not Virgin America's fault). I suggest that folks just fly the good 'ole American-based airlines.