Virgin Premium Economy - was it worth it?

[I Slade]

We flew out to Grenada (via Tobago) with Virgin Atlantic and paid out the extra for Premium Economy on the way out as it was a much longer flight than the return journey, just thought I would let you know whether it was worth it!

Flying out on the 747 Premium Economy sits upstairs. The seats are 2x2 with a HUGE aisle in between. The seats have a great deal more leg room and recline to a nice angle. They also have a leg/foot support.

Upon boarding you are offered champagne or bucks fizz and get a nice flight bag with some goodies in for the journey. This section has 2 dedicated stewardesses who were very polite and efficient.

Food and drink options are the same as economy but delivered and taken away as quickly as you can eat them.

The entire atmosphere was one of calm and relaxation which made a 12 hour flight fly past (excuse the pun!).

Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Only wished I had booked it for the return jouney!

[Marc Jones]

Cost? (extra)

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Marc

I did a quick check on Virgin's online reservation system. A two-week return flight at the beginning of April would be £697 in Standard Economy and £1,726 in Premium Economy - so £515 per person each way surcharge.

OK, so you may get 4" of extra legroom (check our Air Travel article for full listings of seat pitch on the various flights), but for less than half that cost you could travel in Excel Premium Economy with some pretty suberb accommodation thrown in for free.

[John Hill]

Steve not to sure you have got that right in the Virgin Holiday Brochure they quote up grade to Premium economy @ £225.00 each way.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi John

Possibly so, but that's with Virgin Holidays, where you'll obviously have to book your entire package. The prices I quoted were drectly from Virgin Atlantic's reservations - so, scheduled flight prices. Yes, you can obviously get better deals as "upgrades" with package holiday operators, so I guess the answer for Marc is dependent upon whether he's travelling independently or through a tour operator.

[I Slade]

Hi

Sorry should have mentioned price. We booked through a specialist travel agent that negotiated the upgrade for £250. You can just book flights through an agent to get access to these prices.

[Marc Jones]

Thanks. FTR I'm going with Virgin Holidays, but the extra may be a bridge too far - especially as I just had to replace a 5 litre Mercedes engine in my car. Ouch. With a capital O.

:-/