View Full Version : Virgin Premium Economy
I had a little windfall so have upgraded us to Premium Economy - we travel with Virgin on 10 October. Hope it is worth the extra money - anyone any comments. First time for ages I have travelled Virgin to Orlando as usually we fly BA to Tampa so will be interested to see the differences between airlines
Lisi
andrewandcarole
22-09-2007, 11:49
We like Premium Economy and it is well worth the upgrade cost for the extra room.
The only thing you can't avoid is the family with the kids who scream for the entire trip - which we had outbound recently!
Carole
Lisi , we use PE whenever we can and Yes for me it is worth the extra money - although you will hear a lot of posts on here saying its not but its all down to personal choice[msnwink]
Its a nice quiet cabin (if there are no stupid parents who let little ones scream all flight[msnmad]) and if you are lucky to have one of the aircraft with the new seats even better[msnwink]
Hope you have a wonderful flight[msnsmile2]
We flew P.E in August, Made life so much easier. Make sure you fast track at security [msnwink]. Have fun,
Sue
we flew prem econ just the one way last trip, it was well worth the extra money and a nice treat to start out holiday, this is the upstairs cabin with the old style seats
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/mizzy/200716213154_virgin.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/mizzy/200717131748_virgin3.jpg
flying back economy we realised that it needed to be prem econ from now on even if it means saving up for longer and having bigger gaps between hols
andrewmckay5
22-09-2007, 12:54
Mizzy,
start saving the air miles to upgrade or miles plus money etc. If you haven't already got one a virgin credit card helps the miles add up really quickly especially if you pay the annual fee for 2 miles for every £ spent.
andrew
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mizzy
we flew prem econ just the one way last trip, it was well worth the extra money and a nice treat to start out holiday, this is the upstairs cabin with the old style seats
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/mizzy/200716213154_virgin.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/mizzy/200717131748_virgin3.jpg
flying back economy we realised that it needed to be prem econ from now on even if it means saving up for longer and having bigger gaps between hols
[/quote]
Or to cut the cost a little, when we fly in Nov, we are going out Economy and back PE.
Definately worth it in my opinion. We fly out economy as it's a day time flight and back PE using airmiles to help with the extra cost. Hubby finally managed to sleep last time due to the extra space and quiet.
Another tip when flying from MCO to Gatwick with Virgin, is to return on the flight that leaves a bit later ( about 2055). This timing is much better as by the time you have been fed and had a glass of wine, you feel like going to sleep. Because of the later departure, you arrive later and so end up having more time to sleep if you see what I mean. When leaving earlier, I can never get to sleep after the meal service as it feels too early and then, when I do finally manage it, they wake me up.
Robert5988
22-09-2007, 14:29
I suppose it all depends how much extra it costs.
From what I have seen it costs a mimimum of £350 extra per return ticket; not convinced that is good value, particularly if a family fying.
On the subject of screaming children(which can be a nightmare), I heard a report on the radio from a passenger on a plane to West Africa that was returning some illegal immigrants. One woman in particular wailed and screamed the whole flight(there was a recording); must have been a nightmare.
Don't know about screaming kids in Premium Economy, 'no screaming parents who let little ones scream all night'. When my husband travelled back in Upper Class in June, he had parents with 3 kids who were up and down all night. He was non too pleased to say the least and got little rest. Think it is the luck of the draw and the affordability. A lot of parents who normally let their kids scream, do eventually save up enough miles and get to travel in PE so there is no guarantee.
Anyway Lisi, enough of the negative, and really hope you enjoy your PE flight as I am sure you will.
Sandra
Katys Grandad
22-09-2007, 15:35
Hi Lisi
If you can afford it and if it's worth the extra to YOU then it's the right thing to do. I've never flown Virgin PE so can't really comment but for me it would depend on how much more I had to pay. When you've tried it you can decide whether you think it's good value or not.
BTW - are you spending time on Sanibel this trip?
Virgin PE is worth every penny.
Andrew is spot on, I have Virgin CC and curently have 175000 miles plus a free flight owing me. The card Andrew is talking about (the black one) has an annual fee of £115, the White one, which gives you 1 mile for every £ is free.
Great, thanks so much to all of you for that. I am sure we will have a good flight and with arthritis and replacement hips I will be glad of the extra room too. Will report back afterwards. And thanks for the pictures too - lovely - can hardly wait now
Lisi
Cruella DeVilla
22-09-2007, 17:01
You will find it hard to travel any other way now Lisi...lol!
Katys Grandad
22-09-2007, 17:14
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
You will find it hard to travel any other way now Lisi...lol!
[/quote]
Until you fly Business or First.[msnwink]
Cruella DeVilla
22-09-2007, 17:33
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
You will find it hard to travel any other way now Lisi...lol!
[/quote]
Until you fly Business or First.[msnwink]
[/quote]
Not that your average tourist does much of that Phil!
[quote]Originally posted by andrewmckay5
Mizzy,
start saving the air miles to upgrade or miles plus money etc. If you haven't already got one a virgin credit card helps the miles add up really quickly especially if you pay the annual fee for 2 miles for every £ spent.
andrew [quote]
we do save the airmiles Andrew and have a virgin atlantic credit card and buy virgin wine (750 miles per box) [clap]
the quote for next may was arond £3,300'ish for three adults and one child using miles plus money and very similar figures using miles to upgrade and companion flights
we are giving first choice a go in their premium cabin it was £750 less and you can get a lot of dollars for £750
if we're not over keen on first choice we're gonna try to get a good price using miles in Jan 09 but shhh i haven't mentioned this trip to dh yet[msnwink]
freddiehollie
22-09-2007, 19:48
If only using PE one way I would say the return journey would be best. On your outward journey as everyone is exited the flight seems to go quite quickly. On the return in PE you will have a better baggage allowance so wont have to worry about all the shopping you have done[msnwink] and you can enjoy the last few hours of your holiday in a little more comfort[msnsmile2] A lot more if your in the new seats.
Katys Grandad
22-09-2007, 20:46
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by freddiehollie
If only using PE one way I would say the return journey would be best. On your outward journey as everyone is exited the flight seems to go quite quickly. On the return in PE you will have a better baggage allowance so wont have to worry about all the shopping you have done[msnwink] and you can enjoy the last few hours of your holiday in a little more comfort[msnsmile2] A lot more if your in the new seats.
[/quote]
Usually 2 schools of thought on that Mike. Some people think that because you tend to be awake on the outbound it's more for your money!
Just as many share your preference.
if i could only afford one way again it would be coming back[msnwink] we thought it would be a nice start to our holiday, a little treat and chose the outward leg because you're asleep coming back right, i wish.........[msneek]
bargainqueen
23-09-2007, 01:55
We normally fly Premium Economy and the bigger seat and legroom are great. Some flights have been uncomfortable if the row in front reclines their seat for the majority of the journey.
As you can see from the pictures of the upper cabin the arm rests are quite high. I too suffer from arthritis and the only way I could get out was to hitch myself over them which when you have limited mobility can be painful.
If you can ring Virgin and see if you can have front seats in row 70 or the exit seat which I think is row 74.
Lisi, in our opinion PE is definitely worth it! The only problem that we now face is with our next holiday for Christmas - we have go used to PE!!
I would also try to make sure you get the upstairs seating, that separate cabin just feels very special and there is a lovely atmosphere in it.
Have a great holiday.
Cruella DeVilla
23-09-2007, 14:54
I am going PE this week and same back in October and had the same thoughts as you Euan for Christmas but my lovely hubby solved that one;)
julieanne
24-09-2007, 13:18
PE is worth the extra im ny opinion - but as others have said - each to their own.
I do think First Choice premium offers good value for money too...
Marie - Jan 09???? I think you're hooked [msnwink] [msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by julieanne
PE is worth the extra im ny opinion - but as others have said - each to their own.
I do think First Choice premium offers good value for money too...
Marie - Jan 09???? I think you're hooked [msnwink] [msnwink]
[/quote]
haven't mentioned jan 09 to dh yet so shhhhh[msneek] it will be my 40th[msnoo] and dh's a few months before so i could use that as bait to get him to agree[msnwink]
julieanne
24-09-2007, 14:21
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mizzy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by julieanne
PE is worth the extra im ny opinion - but as others have said - each to their own.
I do think First Choice premium offers good value for money too...
Marie - Jan 09???? I think you're hooked [msnwink] [msnwink]
[/quote]
haven't mentioned jan 09 to dh yet so shhhhh[msneek] it will be my 40th[msnoo] and dh's a few months before so i could use that as bait to get him to agree[msnwink]
[/quote]
If you can't persuade him - I'll volunteer to keep you company [msnwink] [msnwink]