Concerned lady

[Chuffmechuffers]

Hello,
I’m due to fly on the Dreamliner for the first time in October. As I am on the large side, I have paid for Premium.
I have been reading threads and saw one that states the trays in PE are in the arm rests. Does this mean that the tray will be somewhat closer to you than if on a seat back? It may seem trivial to some, but I panic that I’m going to be spending 9 hours or so squashed up and uncomfortable.
I gather from reading threads on here, that it is a friendly informative site, but if there is anyone reading this thinking ‘just lose weight’, believe me, its not always from over eating that someone may be large, and I feel very embarrassed having to ask but just want to be prepared xx

[Djcraigod]

Don’t feel embarrassed at all. We are a friendly bunch on here! I haven’t flown PE in the Dreamliner so cant answer your question but I’m sure someone will be along shortly who can!

[Peko]

It isn’t so much that the tray is closer to you, since it can slide out away from you once unfolded.

The main issue with the trays in the arm rests are that it means the arm rests are fixed and have solid sides, so the “usable” seat width is slightly reduced and you can’t raise the arm rests. Obviously the impact of this also depends on the width of the seats, which may vary by airline and aircraft type.

[suecee]

Hi, unfortunately I can't help. I've flown pe but not on the dreamliner.

Check out the facebook page Pammie Plus Parks, as you should be able to get some help there. It is a very helpful group but do read the rules as they are very strict.

Good luck.

[TGT]

I don't know specifically - on United (who I use) the table/TV are only in the arm of the seat on the front/galley row of seats, this is because there is no seat in front for them to have the TV and table on the back of. You also can't have your bags under the seat in front of you as there isn't one and they have to go in the overhead. On United to avoid this you just book a second row behind the galley seat (which is what I do).

I find the seats with the table in uncomfortable as it's so much narrower than those with a lift-uppable arm. (I only know what United do though)

You should be able to find out the attributes of the seat and size of seat, etc - you can take a look at seatguru/ - enter your flight details and it should give you a better idea

[Sew109]

Originally Posted by TGT

I find the seats with the table in uncomfortable as it's so much narrower than those with a lift-uppable arm. (I only know what United do though)

See more...

Not in premium on virgin it isn’t all seats have trays in the armrest same as business if it can off the seat in front it would be too far away.

Op you will be fine tray slides forward and I don’t think the people saying the seat is narrower have read your post properly just the first line and typed ! Virgin PE seats are great wide and spacious you will not be even as cramped in as ayou are in a family sized car no need to worry

[gismo1554]

So I find the tables a little uncomfortable in PE if in their 1/2 mode as my pooh tummy makes them either at a wicked angle or wedged in to force it to be flat! I still find PE more comfortable than Economy in terms of when the tray is away but it is closer than the usual back of seat tray. If you make sure you are sat upright during meals times its not so much of a problem. If you recline then it gets a little more tight.

[macy]

We flew PE with TUI a few months ago, the tray table did seem a bit closer than usual but wasn't uncomfortable. If possible try and avoid the middle seat in the centre aisle. I didn't find it to be particularly roomy especially if the seats in front are reclined.

[ChoppyGirl]

I have flown PE once (wedding upgrade) and I think it was either United or US Airways. I found that although you have extra legroom, the width of the seat was slightly less with the tray being in the arm rest. As a woman who is Pooh shaped with my weight mostly on my hips, I would go for the extra leg room seats in economy which are now called Virgin Delight.

Not flown on a Dreamliner though so not sure if that is the same.

[Gill H]

My experience was 2010 so it may have changed. For me (size 26 with buddha belly) PE was awful.

Both of us are big, so usually we book a back row of 2 seats in Economy, lift up the middle armrest and share our cuddliness. It’s not spacious but it works.

When we flew PE, although the seat was wider, I actually felt more cramped because I couldn’t raise either armrest.

The tray came out of the armrest and was hinged in the middle, so it sat on my tummy like a little roof! I couldn’t use it at all. I had to put my tray down on the blanket box beside me, and lift the items up one by one to my mouth.

Back then, the IFE remote was fixed into the armrest and dug into me, and I had to do complicated gymnastics to change channels, but I think it is all touchscreen now. The headphone socket may be in an awkward place though, but that is the same on any plane I have been on.

The food was nicer, and if I had known beforehand I couldn’t use the tray, I would have been OK with it.