Awschucksflyer From Canada, joined Nov 2003, 150 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3803 times:
I have heard that Virgin's economy class can be pretty poor. That, every third row of seats have large boxes that run the IFE system under the seat in front, leaving the rear passenger without legroom. Is this true? I guess that it has something to do with the type of aircraft being used... For the people who have flown on Virgin flights what do you think overall?
AirJamPanAm From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3785 times:
Flown on Virgin between JFK and LHR on their 744's, economy was hell.
The ac was packed to the rafters, I'm over 6 feet and I flew all the way with the passenger seated in front in my lap.
Not a good experience at all.
Not to mention the amount of children let loose on board to run amok!
Suing is the new Lotto... if u wanna win u gotta sue!
Shamrock_747 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3760 times:
I'm 5ft11 and found VS Economy to be reasonably comfortable, more or less the same as any other Y class seating. It is true about the IFE boxes, they take up about half the space under the seat in front in some seats. This might only be on aircraft with the new v:port IFE though. The seat pitch is 31". The service on Virgin Atlantic is excellent and most of the LHR based aircraft have very good IFE.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3739 times:
The reviews I have read tend to be 50/50 for and nay! Reasons being what has already been posted.
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 4, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3731 times:
I haven't written the trip report yet so I'll be brief.
The seating is not great and does not have ergonomic features that another airline I have flown with has.
The personal inflight service in comparable with what I would experience on a cheap low cost airline.
The food wasn't that nice however, the GateGourmet food from SFO was nicer than that served ex-LHR.
The IFE was terrible without v: port - the AVOD system. Also not all features of v: port work. But that's the main good thing about Virgin Atlantic nowadays.
The commodes were not cleaned regularly.
CitationX From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3706 times:
I've had reports from two different sets of relatives that economy class service on VS was terrific. They flew the classic "white shoes" run of LGW to MCO and back on B-747s.
LN-MOW From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 1896 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3684 times:
I've found the service to be very good. Attentive and cheerful crew. However the seating comfort is crap (I'm 5'11'') and they could have done away with some of their Virgin brand service items. Especially the brandy - it's awful!
Richard28 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 1570 posts, RR: 6 Reply 7, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3646 times:
Pro's
- V:Port IFA system - brilliant
- Odyssey system is also very good, but not AVOD
- Service - and a sense of humour.
- Free beverage service (like all UK long-haulers)
- Food (3 servings - hot lunch, snack (pizza), and sandwich on my last economy long haul - LHR-SFO)
Cons
- The V:Port aircraft do have box's under some seats, which if you're unlucky will restrict foot space.
- Seat Pitch 31" (same as BA)
- Arcadia IFE system - being phased out now IIRC, but still on a couple of A340-300's and 747-400's.
I agree completely that the seat pitch is not brilliant, but is on a PAR with other UK airlines.
If VS increased pitch in Y then this would give them the undoubted lead over BA, but as it is they are still my preferred airline (BA's IFE is OMNIA, which is somewhere between VS's Odyssey and Arcadia systems, but with no games, and no detachable remote controls )
MYT332 From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 9112 posts, RR: 74 Reply 9, posted (9 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3612 times:
Flew SFO-LHR in October. I had nothing to fault except these two things.
Firstly as many others have said the seat pitch on VS isn't exactly great, but im 6' and found it fine and would consider it excellent when comparing it to a summers day, i mean a UK charter airline.
Secondly, the return flight's IFE system was Arcadia so that was a bit disappointing but its going to be replaced by the almighty v:port system soon enough so i took comfort in them knowing it was sh*t and that they were doing something about it.
All in all, a good flight.
-
Alex
Maybe a bit soon?? Well its a one off, dont moan about it, i'm in a good mood!
Sdate747 From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (9 years 5 months 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 3426 times:
last week I flew VS from IAD - LHR on a 744. The plane was pretty but I was stuck with a seat with one of those IFE boxes below which kinda sucked. The cabin colors seems a little dated, but the biggest letdown was the inadequate amount of drinks, and only so-so quality of food.
I flew VS017 from LHR-EWR on the way back and this was much better - there was a little more drink service, the A340-300 has a 2-4-2 coniguration which beats the 3-5-3 cattle car that is Y class on a 744. I was happy overall.
The IFE system is good but I think again, a little dated. But I do like the selection and it edges out the system I saw on UAL 767 from SFO-IAD (but the Inflight Map on UAL is better).
So there you have it. Fly VS from the US to LHR if you're getting a deal.
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