Virgin Premium Economy

by **Tracey Harrison** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:06 pm

We are flying out to Tobago in August with Virgin. As it is a night flight back and we have a 6 hour drive after landing at Gatwick, are wondering about upgrading our flights to Premium Economy.

Can anyone give me an idea of what the PE seats and cabin are like? Is it worth paying for? And is it easy to prebook PE seats in the upper cabin on line?

by **Pamela Sutcliffe** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:04 pm

We always travel premium economy with Virgin Always book our seats for the upper deck.The seats are much bigger and much more leg room especially for the over night flight.
We would recomend them

by **Anne Sykes** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:54 pm

Hi Tracey

We just came back from Tobago last week with Virgin. They are THE best!

We've done a number of long haul with different airlines to different parts of the Caribbean and Virgin simply outshine all the rest. There is (if I remember??) 31" leg room in Ecomony compared to 38" in PE. This is more than other airlines. If you have a 6 hour drive to get home - phew - then might be best to book it, pay the extra and have a comfortable journey. However, my husband is 6'2" (I'm 5'8") and we went Economy, the leg room is not so much a problem, but getting a good nights sleep is another thing. We only had a 4 hour drive to get home but next time we go, we may well upgrade coming back, (if only to save the grumpiness once landed!!! :lol:

) BUT, Virgin are simply the best for long haul! EVERYTHING is free!! Drinks, headsets and the crew are very nice.

Hope you have a lovely time in Tobago. If you've been before, then I'll say no more, if this is you first trip, I hope you'll love is as much as we did!!!

by **Tracey Harrison** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:01 am

Thanks for your replies. Yes, have been before and SO looking forward to going again. The wait is driving me mad.

Just a question on booking PE, is it possible to specifically book seats on the Upper Deck? I've seen from reviews that they are better than the PE seats on the lower deck.

by **Anne Sykes** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 5:13 pm

Hi

If you have a Booking reference you should be able to choose your own seats via their website http://www.virgin-atlantic.com then click on 'Manage Your Flights'

I see that you're getting married out there too. How lovely! Congratulations!!!

by **Tracey Harrison** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:09 pm

Thanks Anne. I am very excited about getting married out there. Trouble is the obsession just goes on and on! I was quite happy with economy seats but then decided PE might be nice - made the mistake of looking at an airline review site where there was a bit of criticism of the PE seats on the lower deck with some people saying they were no better than economy. I hate the idea of forking out £400 for nothing!

Where did you stay, by the way?

by **Anne Sykes** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:08 am

Hi Tracey

We stayed at the Rex Turtle Beach in May. Not a patch on Coco Reef, I know, but then you ARE getting married!!! The Virgin flight out was only half full, so we could pretty much choose where we sat. We we able to move to two seats by an exit so had plenty of leg room and breathing space. On the return journey the plane was full, so we were typically squashed in like sardines with an old lady asleep next to me when I desperately wanted the loo!! Oh boy!! Could have done with an empty flight back too!!

We had a wonderful time at RTB - it was our second visit in two years and it's in such a fab setting! We love it.

I agree, £400 to upgrade to PE is a lot of dosh (especially as you are getting married - on the one hand treat yourself, on the other, every penny counts!!) but the website should be able to help you decide whether it's worth the money or not. We have only ever done Economy so can't comment about PE but next time we will probably consider upgrading - unless it's an empty flight again and therefore a free for all!! As you know, it's going to be a long, horrible, night time return flight and after your glorious relaxing time in Tobago, you will want to return refreshed, calm and happy!!! You certainly don't want to be having your first grumpy domestic when you land - then consider the 'ten-mile-hike' to collect your luggage at Gatwick, then the wait for the bus to the car park, THEN your long drive home (sorry...) I reckon it's worth the extra, but do look into it thoroughly first.

Anne

by **Tracey Harrison** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:20 am

Hello Anne,

I'll be sacked one of these days! Got Internet Explorer open on 'my tobago' whilst appearing to do work from Outlook!

I had almost forgotten just how bad the return night flight was until you very eloquently reminded me!! I think perhaps the upgrade WILL be worth it!

We stayed at Grafton Beach last time and walked onto Turtle Beach. In fact, our original booking at been at the RTB but Virgin transferred us due to the RTB closing for a refurb. And guess where Virgin transferred us to?! Grenada!! Naturally, we refused there offer (they couldn't understand our upset) and I tried to describe to them it was rather like deciding to go on holiday to Ireland but being told we had to go to Scotland instead - if we'd wanted Grenada, we'd have booked Grenada!

We got a really good deal in the end because having booked RO at Turtle Beach we got transferred to the Grafton which was all inclusive and somehow received a refund of £400! Didn't question, just accepted and spent it!

Well, back to work!

by **Anne Sykes** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:59 am

There you go then! Decision made!! PE it is for you!!!

Have a really lovely time!

Anne

by **Sandra Daniel** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:35 am

Hi Tracey

You could upgrade to PE and write the cost of the upgrade off to the £400 that you were refunded on your last trip !! Just a thought.

Hope you have a fab time and all the very best for your wedding

Sandra

by **Tracey Harrison** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:49 am

Now there's a thought! How to get that one by my partner?! Any ideas? :lol:

by **Sandra Daniel** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:05 pm

Tracey ............ you'll be a newlywed............. use your imagination !!!!!

by **Tracey Harrison** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:08 pm

That's made me blush!! :oops:

by **Anne Sykes** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:21 pm

Hi Tracey, Hi Sandra!!

Funny, I was going to suggest that one too! Thought you might think I was being a bit cheeky though!!

Easy to get it past the bloke. Tell him that as you had soooo much good luck during your last trip, just think what could happen this time round!!! You are getting married after all...need a little luxury...

As for the cost, here's a really cheeky idea - what about your family and friends? People you both work with? They will probably be organising collections for you. Between them all you may be able to persuade them that rather than having a wedding pressie, they could contribute to your travel costs? Cheeky eh? BUT, might be worth a try!!!

by **David Watkins** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:42 pm

Tracy,to pre book a seat online with Virgin you must have bought your tickets directly from Virgin.Have a good time and wedding,
David(193 togo)

by **Tracey Harrison** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:15 pm

Thanks for that David. I did wonder if my having booked through Thomson would make any difference.

by **Sandra Daniel** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:33 pm

I booked through Hayes + Jarvis and was still able to pre book my seat. Mind you it was by the old fashioned method of speaking to someone on the phone, not on-line, if that makes any difference!

by **Kayla Aspinall** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 7:53 pm

When I have travelled with Virgin I've booked online with Virgin Holidays. You can choose your seats then online, I have to say I didn't see any on the lower deck, just upper. You can do this almost a year ahead too.

Congrats on your forthcoming wedding and definately treat yourself to the upgrade. Have you thought about upgrading just on the return as that is possible and will make a nice end to your time in Tobago at half the cost? Just another idea for your to check out.

Regards,
Kayla

by **Tracey Harrison** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:10 pm

Hi Kayla,

Yes, we were going to upgrade just one way, but have come to a complete standstill with the idea when we phoned Thomson's and were quoted £428 each!

Anne, I have even considered trying to get everyone to give us money for wedding presents and putting it towards the flights - problem is trying to get everyone to part with it by the end of this month when the balance is due!

So, my final tactic is to have written a very crawly letter to Virgin telling them how much we like them, that this is a special occasion, and can they do anything about the £428 each we have been quoted - particularly as their brochure quotes £195! Appealing to their better sides might result in something - probably only a kick up the butt but you never know! I got the idea to do this partly out of sheer desperation and partly as a result of reading on another forum how the upgrades Virgin sometimes give to people more often than not result in those same passengers buying upgraded seats in the future. Apparently, once you've done Premium Economy or Upper Class there's no going back.

I'll let you know how I go on!