New a350 seat
Mar 18, 2019, 5:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
New a350 seat
Very interesting to see the new Ba seat revealed today and this is pure speculation on my part but i imagine that the Virgin seat is going to be on par or maybe even better as its never nice to be outdone by a direct competitor :-)
Just wondering if anybody has any dates etc for the potential press release date?
Just wondering if anybody has any dates etc for the potential press release date?
Mar 18, 2019, 5:21 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: UK
Programs: VS Gold
Posts: 512
Apparently there is a press event on 8th April. Presumably this will be the "big reveal".
I wondered if the announcement of said press event accelerated BA's plans to reveal their own seat ahead of Virgin.
I, along with a few others, were invited to offer some feedback on the name of the new seat, every suggestion from VS included the word "Suite", so one must wonder if it's a similar seat that comes with a door.
I wondered if the announcement of said press event accelerated BA's plans to reveal their own seat ahead of Virgin.
I, along with a few others, were invited to offer some feedback on the name of the new seat, every suggestion from VS included the word "Suite", so one must wonder if it's a similar seat that comes with a door.
Mar 18, 2019, 1:22 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,197
These events are planned well in advance so I don't think BA brought their announcement forward just because of the VS reveal.
One of the bloggers intimated that they had today as the BA reveal date in the diary (and there were some press briefings for then at the end of last week) for a good few weeks and before VS had released their date.
One of the bloggers intimated that they had today as the BA reveal date in the diary (and there were some press briefings for then at the end of last week) for a good few weeks and before VS had released their date.
Mar 27, 2019, 2:13 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 9
I wouldn't be too sure or read too much into the word "suite". Remember, back in 2012 (or so), they announced the "Upper Class Dream Suite" on the A330-300, in a 1-2-1 configuration. The product was so horribly received that it has since been removed. That "suite" had no door.
Mar 27, 2019, 10:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: UK
Programs: VS Gold
Posts: 512
That's true, yeah.
Funny thing is, "Dream Suite" was one of the potential options floated by Virgin as a name for their A350 product. Short memories it seems!
Funny thing is, "Dream Suite" was one of the potential options floated by Virgin as a name for their A350 product. Short memories it seems!
Last edited by SlimpyJones; Mar 28, 2019 at 3:50 am Reason: Terrible phone spelling
Mar 28, 2019, 2:54 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
These events are planned well in advance so I don't think BA brought their announcement forward just because of the VS reveal.
One of the bloggers intimated that they had today as the BA reveal date in the diary (and there were some press briefings for then at the end of last week) for a good few weeks and before VS had released their date.
One of the bloggers intimated that they had today as the BA reveal date in the diary (and there were some press briefings for then at the end of last week) for a good few weeks and before VS had released their date.
The Virgin event invite implies it will be the most amazing experience since, well, perhaps even Scott and Charlene's wedding on Neighbours.
Apr 8, 2019, 7:36 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Gold Card
Posts: 324
The first preview:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/n...tlantic-cabin/
Summary posted one below (thanks @UKtravelbear)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/n...tlantic-cabin/
Summary posted one below (thanks @UKtravelbear)
Last edited by citiflyerUK; Apr 8, 2019 at 8:18 am
Apr 8, 2019, 7:53 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,197
Also it's behind a paywall!
Apr 8, 2019, 8:18 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Gold Card
Posts: 324
Brief summary:
44 new "suites" in 1-2-1 configuration (with half privacy” door - it only half closes - to maintain a link between staff and passengers)
20" seat will recline to create 82" bed.
18.5" TV screen
New "Loft" lounge - the bar is gone but offering seating in lounge layout with "bowl" food.
Personalised mood lighting in each suite, with better reading lights; a deep mattress and the thickest pillow in the sky; pre-ordered personalised pyjamas - trousers or shorts and long-sleeve top or T-shirt; and toiletries in large sizes that you will be encouraged to keep, so you don’t have to pack any.
Premium Economy:
56 seats in 2-4-2 Config
13.3" Screen
Economy:
3-3-3 config
First 36 seats will have 34" seat pitch.
New food in all cabins.
Apr 8, 2019, 8:47 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: A3, BA, OZ,
Posts: 1,099
The quote from Telegraph including the brilliant quote from CEO
Don't get me wrong, a door isn't what would cause me to make my decision, although it could certainly be worth a few points. But what do we think the real reason for this would be? Cost? Design? Honestly seems quite surprising considering the competition from BA. Though ultimately, can you really call it a door if it doesn't close?
There’s a “half privacy” door - it only half closes - to maintain a link between staff and passengers. “The people who love us, we love them right back and that means we have to be able to see them,” says Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic’s CEO since the turn of the year.
Apr 8, 2019, 8:58 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,849
Quite so. My understanding is that BA was initially aiming for end of March but aware that the slated March 29th Brexit Day would have sucked up all the oxygen and ink, they wisely shifted the 'launch' date forward by a few weeks.
Apr 8, 2019, 9:13 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,849
And while I'm here;
* Upper Class suites are indeed semi-suites, with a door that closes only halfway (sounds like a Zen question: is the suite half-closed, or half-open)
* Suites are forward facing but angled towards the windows
* New PJs in a choice of long or short tops and bottoms
* The Loft lobby area is like a smaller-scale version of the Etihad or even Qatar A380 social spaces. 32" telly should make live sports fun for The Loft crowd, maybe not so much if you're seated too close to the cheers or moans.
The Loft on Virgin Atlantic's new Airbus A350
More at https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-atla...t-bar-revealed
* Upper Class suites are indeed semi-suites, with a door that closes only halfway (sounds like a Zen question: is the suite half-closed, or half-open)
* Suites are forward facing but angled towards the windows
* New PJs in a choice of long or short tops and bottoms
* The Loft lobby area is like a smaller-scale version of the Etihad or even Qatar A380 social spaces. 32" telly should make live sports fun for The Loft crowd, maybe not so much if you're seated too close to the cheers or moans.
The Loft on Virgin Atlantic's new Airbus A350
More at https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-atla...t-bar-revealed