AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 1, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 3687 times:
Ansett, I may be able to provide some commentary here as I have experienced both.
However, my VS Premium Economy experience was on the A340-300, which I understand has an inferior premium economy that the A346 and 744 do.
Anyway, what is nice is that Virgin's PE is more of a separate product, in terms of having dedicated checkin.
As far as service, I'd say that BA's service was significantly more polished as well. And BA interiors were better kept than what I saw on G-VBUS, Virgin's oldest A340-300.
Virgin does fly the A340-600 to Sydney, on A340-600. I can't provide any direct commentary as to what PE is like on their A346, but here is the trip report I wrote when I came back from my Virgin PE experience:
TLVFred From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2004, 156 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 3567 times:
Virgin has dedicated check-in and priorty boarding whivh WT+ does not. BUT on Virgin 744 YOU MUST BE UPSTAIRS in the bubble which is excellent. If you are in PE downstairs its nowhere near as good.
Speedbird2155 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 847 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 3560 times:
2 different airlines, 2 different strategies. Just don't expect the same thing with each. BA's priority check-in and boarding is for First and Club and as VS doesn't have a First, it's easier for them to offer it to PE.
VS045 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 192 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 3342 times:
VS:
Dedicated check-in everywhere
Priority boarding
Pre-flight champagne
One of the world's best IFE systems
Separate cabin
Better chance of an op-up
Roast on a sunday
Cheers,
VS045
BTW, this only applies to the -600s (which fly the SYD route) and the all 747s bar the -200s and about 3 LGW 744s. The A340-300s have all of the above minus the "world's best IFE systems" although there is even more chance of an op-up, cos of the smaller Y cabin, increased J cabin and same-size W cabin.
Spike From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 1170 posts, RR: 6 Reply 7, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 3096 times:
You get crackers AND a roll in PE! That really does make the difference to me for the extra 400 quid. Oh, and fixed armrests that don't go up, so you are stuck in one seat even if the PE cabin is empty.
AlanUK From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3040 times:
Something VS doesn't have: service consistancy - none of this "if you're on a 346 you get this, if you're on a 343 you'll get that, if you're on a 744 you'll get this". 744/777 all have the same service/product in WT+.
Speedbird2155 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 847 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3034 times:
Hey Alan
Just to say that in T4 we don't offer dedicated WT+ check-in. We don't have the facilities to do such unfortunately. Only Club and First have dedicated facilities in Zones D and E respectively.
QantasHeavy From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 379 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3024 times:
I have flown both, VS on a 747 Classic and BA on the 744.
It has been 7 years since flying VS in PE, and I recall it was nice except perhaps the seat pitch seamed tight... or at least cramped when the seats in front laid back.
I have heard their 346 is nice, but have not been on the VS 346.
The BA product was very good. Did that last month on a weekend junket from Melbourne to Singapore. It was quite comfortable. It really felt like a mini business class.
I think the main difference will be the BA cabin may feel a little roomier, and the VS IFE will be better. So perhaps your priorities should lead you.
Of course, if you have not flown on an A346, then maybe try VS for the experience.
AlanUK From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 3019 times:
Speedbird: Thanks, I got confused, I had this picture in my mind of screen showing WT+ in T4, but they also show WT on the same lane... Oops. Thanks for that.
Richard28 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 1570 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2877 times:
Something VS doesn't have: service consistancy - none of this "if you're on a 346 you get this, if you're on a 343 you'll get that, if you're on a 744 you'll get this". 744/777 all have the same service/product in WT+.
There is consistency on the LHR-SYD route, as this is served by the A346 only, which means you'll always get V:Port IFE (and suites if in Upper Class)
BA does have its inconsistencies as well, i.e. the lack of IFE in their 767 longhaul fleet, and does have differing IFE in its 777 fleet as well (some have tiny screens).
The real winner for the VS product is the priority check in for PE class - a real time saver.
Steve6666 From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 356 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2810 times:
I am amazed at anyone - in WT or WT+ - flying BA actually queuing when Exec club membership allows you to check in online and deposit your bags at the fast drop in ooooh - around thirty seconds normally.
Virgin having a dedicated check in desk for PE is all very well, but useless if you arrive at the airport three hours before departure and check in opens two hours before the flight. See NRT.
eu nasci ha dez mil anos atras, e nao tem nada nesse mundo que eu nao saiba demais
Speedbird2155 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 847 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 2733 times:
Richard28
What the 767s lacked was PTV. Since this was about WT+, the 767s don't come into play as they previously didn't have WT+. This is only now being installed and when completed, there will be consistency across the fleet.
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