Virgin Atlantic » B747-400 LHR Config » User reviews

kanehighfly flew Virgin Atlantic Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (05/04/2012 15:43)

I flew from Miami international to London Heathrow on August 15th 2011.

After having a wonderful holiday in Orlando for a week then moving down to Fort Lauderdale for another week, I arrived with my family at Miami international I was quiet disapointed. It was a very small area to check in and then there was on little duty free shop.

When we boarded the plane (after waiting for premium economy and first class to board) they only just turned on the air conditioning and smoke was coming out of the vents my daughter got quiet worried but it was fine, as i am a plane lover and love to fly i was looking forward for the new ife system with larger screens than normal.

But we had a disappointing announcement by the pilot. He said that the new ife system wasnt working and we could have had a 24hr delay or just flew for an 8 1/2 hr flight with nothing - at this point i was very annoyed.

But after an hour or two in to the flight they played a dvd but we could not change channels all there was is about 6 films played one after another. As we were at the very back seat (the 4 in middle) there was no window apart from on the exit door which was hard to see out of.

The cabin crew were friendly but i am not sure what they was doing as they came round once for our evening meal, once for drinks and then once for our breakfast and then again for tea and coffee. My wife was very thirsty about half way through our the flight and she had to go to premium economy to ask the cabin crew if she could have a drink and they told here that there are some in the kitchen so she had to get one herself.

Overall I was not happy with the Virgin Atlantic experience it is too exspensive for what you get. I would fly with them again as long as some issues are resolved.

grazza48 flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, on a B747-400 LHR Config (28/11/2011 17:38)

peterandrew62 flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, on a B747-400 LHR Config (08/10/2011 10:23)

After connecting from Ithaca, found the virgin check in area 3 hours + before the flight was due to depart. Polite member of staff confirmed baggage was through checked and reissued boarding passes, along with direction to the lounge.

The lounge is situated before security near to duty free shopping. Lounge understandably smaller than at LHR, with no views, but polite staff. Drinks were offered and there was food buffet from 6.45, had some salmon with rice, along with champagne.

Staff very attentive and seemed to spot an empty glass offering a refill. WIFI initially wasn't working, but there was TV and plenty of newspapers. Called about 45 minutes before flight was due and went through security to board promptly. Offered drink and duty free requests were taken.

Post take off drinks were offered, most of the cabin had decided to sleep, so help was offered to let them get settled first. My friend opted to have a hot chocolate and then had the bed made up. I had the tomato and veg quiche with some salad which was light and more than enough, after a glass of wine I changed into the pyjama suit and bedded down.

Though comfortable I'm a poor sleeper on planes and more dozed and felt a bit warm. Chose the muesli and tea for breakfast, though we were told there was poor visibilty at LHR, after circling we were nearly 30 minutes early. Excellent service, very good staff.

Becky35 flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (18/08/2010 14:51)

Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic is a waste of money, judging from my experience.

Seats were no better than those in economy with the exception of a wider armrest that could accommodate two elbows. Food was dried-out and mundane; legroom poor with typical, standard footrests located on seats in front of you; breakfast not served; entertainment system malfunctioned; seats pictured on their website (the red ones, not even the purple leather ones they're so proud of) are NOT what we got.

No premium economy baggage reclaim as they state; baggage reclaim was like everyone else's; in fact, people in Economy were getting theirs first.

Do yourself a favour, and pay 50 pounds extra for exit row seats in Economy; you'll be more comfortable and you won't be spending exorbitant upgrade fees that can vary from $200 as listed by people on other sites to the $375 per seat I stupidly paid expecting more comfort and service.

Becky35 flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (18/08/2010 14:44)

alwaysairbound flew Virgin Atlantic Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (10/07/2010 20:44)

Having flown Air New Zealand regularly some months, Virgin has that feel of a Budget Airline trying to measure up with the best. Gimmicky, with big admirable ideas but nothing quite works. Virgin's biggest problem is their inconsistency. The cabin crew appear more like "gifted amateurs" than professionals. If you're lucky enough to get an A List crew, they are divine, if not, sit back and suffer British service at its dismissive "best". I'm sure the crew on my recent flight from JFK-LHR would have been great if they hadn't been so pre-occupied in their own conversations. Economy crew levels seemed light. They seemed rushed, and the moment the job was done they were back to nattering amongst themselves. Whenever you asked for anything, there was a sense that you were interrrupting a private moment. Unforgivably, on leaving the aircraft, the crew stood talking to one another instead of farewelling passengers. I have to say i would have enjoyed a "farewell" in preference to the conversation i heard: "I was so embarassed. I opened my handbag and my spare tampon fell out on the counter". Yes. Tasteful - Not. Professional - Not. Maybe if their uniforms were of better quality, were more practical and actually fitted those who wear it morale would improve and service would improve. My jury's out on Virgin. I have ahd occasions where they left everyone for dead, but when they're not on form, they are worse than the worst. On this flight, the food was OK, the seat was OK, we were on time, and the service was just slightly below average. I do however think that 4 cabin crew to serve the entire economy cabin on a 747 is too few.

Davehill99 flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (13/05/2010 10:35)

Fly Virgin Premium Economy from London Heathrow to San Francisco return. Originally had only booked the return leg Premium, but they upgraded my outward trip at online check-in for free, which was a nice touch.

Virgin Premium Economy feels to me like the old style business class, pre the days of fully flat beds. Seats are very wide, and very comfy. The arm rests don't intrude on you like in economy. There is ample leg room. I am 6ft 2 and could stretch my legs under the seat in front without my knees hitting the back of the seat. There is a foot rest that is provided with two settings, which provides nice comfort when watching the TV.

Meals are excellent, you are provided with a in-flight menu, and all food is served on proper plates and metal cutlery is used. During the flight you are offered drinks in glass tumblers, and the service is excellent. This really is the same as the old business class.

You are in your own cabin, cordoned off from Economy, and there is even private toilets marked "Premium Economy Only", just a pity people don't pay attention to this. Priority boarding is also an added bonus, so you are not involved in the economy "Queue".

In my opinion the service is excellent, and for any frequent flyer who's company will no longer pay for Upper Class, this is an excellent substitution.

The only complaint is the limited 6KG weight restriction for hand luggage! This stops you from taking your small carry on suitcase, and briefcase, which BA always allow.

UflyRight flew Virgin Atlantic Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (26/04/2010 13:55)

The vs150 was a rescue flight from Orlando to Gatwick. The TVs were new and clear, also you could choose what you watch and when.

There wasn't the variety of drinks available and no duty free which is understandable, but the meals where awful - the cottage pie was very watery and there was no meat in it at all.

The seats were just as bad as the outbound flight on VS28, and I still have back ache four days after returning.

The exit seats are even more uncomfortable and would not want to give the airline my money - I have never been more uncomfortable in my life.

inthelounge flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, on a B747-400 LHR Config (23/06/2009 22:00)

Generally excellent, even after all this time, though after flying some other business/first classes which are more recent you notice things like the small IFE screen and the fact you need an adaptor for the in-seat power.

The film choice is good, but not quite as top of the range as it used to be. The staff are still remarkable, it must be hard to make us all feel like we are pop or film stars when we're just overwieght business travellers. but they manage it on most trips.

During a day flight I'd pick cabin 2 close to the bar, on night flights cabin 1 or upstairs. Avoid 24 and 25 unless you enjoy listening to people explain to the barman how cool they are.

jimmcgreg flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, on a B747-400 LHR Config (21/04/2009 21:59)

Arrival at the airport, there are special desks for Premium Economy which speeds the process. Once you arrive for departure, you're allowed to board early along with Upper Class passengers, but after "families with chldren". I hate to think what that means on a flight to Florida - probably that you're last on. As it was, we got on fairly early and stowed our baggage.

Seats are wide, leather (or maybe fake leather) and initially feel pretty roomy. That's until the passenger in front reclines their seat a millisecond after the seatbelt sign goes out. It then feels rather cramped, but the width still makes a difference.

I slept a little, using the adjustable headrest to lean against, but I can't say they were fantastic and nowhere near Business Class standard. Neither are the prices of course.

Service was friendly although they forgot to bring me my pack containing earplugs, socks and eye covers. In flight entertainment was wide, varied, on-demand and should have something for everyone. My screen was rather fuzzy, but it was big and still watchable.

Food for dinner (beef borgingon or chicken creole) was not too bad, but breakfast - an orange juice and a sponge cake -was poor. I wasn't drinking after the complimentary pre-flight champagne or juice, always a nice touch, but it seemed to me that drinks were rather slow on coming for other passengers.

Flying from JFK to London was fast with the aid of the jet stream, but we were an hour late taking off. This translated to half an hour late at London Heathrow Terminal Three, which is somehere near Birmingham. It took us half an hour to walk to baggage reclaim.

I've got to be honest here, I'm not sure I'd pay much extra for Premium Economy for a six hour flight as this was. It's okay, but I'd almost rather save the extra to try and get into Upper Class, especially if was a twelve hour slog.

We were upgraded into this on the outward flight, and I thought that maybe with Premium Economy this was a perk - a better chance of shuffling up the 'plane. But as I stowed my bag in Premium, a lucky young lady from Economy was being upgraded to Upper Class. "Awesome!", she said as she passed, and she was right.

BAGoldcard flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, on a B747-400 LHR Config (03/01/2009 21:53)

The seat is great for sleeping, although it is annoying that there is a vent at the back of the seat that one is not allowed to cover, so there is less room than first appears.

It is not good for sitting in, as it does not recline very far - very poor.

Cabin crew quality is mixed; the food and wine generally poor and champagne generally runs out!

The bar is ok but is often used for serving the cabins and is not always relaxing.

The car service to and from the airport is excellent and the Clubhouses are pretty good.

Boarding is far from premium, especially at LHR T3.

The UD [Upper Deck] is probably good. I found the forward cabin on the main deck quite relaxing and the extra space is good.

Diplomat flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, on a B747-400 LHR Config (29/09/2008 17:28)

Great lounge at LHR. Row 2/3 are best on the upper deck for getting some undistured sleep!