Virgin PE Experience

[Gill H]

I had a similar experience in 2010. We had a little extra money left us by a relative, so paid for PE coming home as a treat. We much preferred Econ for several reasons.

We are two Pooh-sized people. In Econ we got a row of two seats, lifted the arm rest and were reasonably comfortable. Yes, the headphone jack was awkward, but we could angle ourselves to make it work, because there was more space between us.

Coming back in PE, the armrest was fixed so it actually felt as if there was less room in the seats than Econ. My Buddha belly was squished up, so the tray (which came out of the armrest and was hinged in the middle) just sat on it like a little roof! I could not use it at all. Instead I put the tray on the blanket box under the window, and lifted up each thing separately to eat or drink it.

I’m sure the food was nicer, but the embarrassment and awkwardness spoiled it for me.

As for the IFE, in those days the remote was actually fixed in the inside of the armrest. I don’t think this is still the case. It was awful, it dug into my leg and if I wanted to change channel or volume I had to do complicated gymnastics to reach it.

On every plane since, we sit in Econ in a row of two and are fine.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Gill H

I had a similar experience in 2010. We had a little extra money left us by a relative, so paid for PE coming home as a treat. We much preferred Econ for several reasons.

We are two Pooh-sized people. In Econ we got a row of two seats, lifted the arm rest and were reasonably comfortable. Yes, the headphone jack was awkward, but we could angle ourselves to make it work, because there was more space between us.

Coming back in PE, the armrest was fixed so it actually felt as if there was less room in the seats than Econ. My Buddha belly was squished up, so the tray (which came out of the armrest and was hinged in the middle) just sat on it like a little roof! I could not use it at all. Instead I put the tray on the blanket box under the window, and lifted up each thing separately to eat or drink it.

I’m sure the food was nicer, but the embarrassment and awkwardness spoiled it for me.

As for the IFE, in those days the remote was actually fixed in the inside of the armrest. I don’t think this is still the case. It was awful, it dug into my leg and if I wanted to change channel or volume I had to do complicated gymnastics to reach it.

On every plane since, we sit in Econ in a row of two and are fine.

See more...

Gill, your explanation did make me chuckle I know VA refurbed their 747's since 2010, so the seat may have changed. I'm hippy, and whilst snug I'm comfy in a PE seat. Part of my prob with economy was a shorter seat cushion which meant my knees were constantly trying to make friends with the floor and pulling hard on my back. With PE's foot rest and longer cushion, that abuts the back of the knee, I'm ding dong in PE.

Thank you for the laugh

[Leggibone]

FYI don’t fly BA then for the head phone jack is in the side of the seat there too... I know cause I mullered the jack on my new headphones in 2014!

[Burgmeister]

Originally Posted by Gill H

I had a similar experience in 2010. We had a little extra money left us by a relative, so paid for PE coming home as a treat. We much preferred Econ for several reasons.

We are two Pooh-sized people. In Econ we got a row of two seats, lifted the arm rest and were reasonably comfortable. Yes, the headphone jack was awkward, but we could angle ourselves to make it work, because there was more space between us.

Coming back in PE, the armrest was fixed so it actually felt as if there was less room in the seats than Econ. My Buddha belly was squished up, so the tray (which came out of the armrest and was hinged in the middle) just sat on it like a little roof! I could not use it at all. Instead I put the tray on the blanket box under the window, and lifted up each thing separately to eat or drink it.

I’m sure the food was nicer, but the embarrassment and awkwardness spoiled it for me.

As for the IFE, in those days the remote was actually fixed in the inside of the armrest. I don’t think this is still the case. It was awful, it dug into my leg and if I wanted to change channel or volume I had to do complicated gymnastics to reach it.

On every plane since, we sit in Econ in a row of two and are fine.

See more...

In some ways Gill you are lucky! If you found the cheaper experience better then its not a choice you would have to consider in the future! Save money and be more comfortable, what's not to like.

[EssexSue]

Gill I don't know what PE was like pre 2010 but those of us broader in the beam can tell you there's still very little wriggle room shall we say?

[MrsBC]

What a shame, after using your points.
We really like the PE, but we do prefer the downstairs dedicated cabin rather than the bubble. We find the food / drinks (and proper plates/cutlery etc) better, and the movable head and footrests make the flight far more comfortable.

[goldendelicious]

DH thinks the seatbelts have got smaller over the years (nowt to do with his waistline) Ha Ha

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by EssexSue

Gill I don't know what PE was like pre 2010 but those of us broader in the beam can tell you there's still very little wriggle room shall we say?

See more...

Sue, whilst I'm very broad of beam, 21" of PE width makes for a good seat for me, I remember doing a bottom wiggle the first time we sat in PE (with back brace on making me more bulky), didn't expect it to be so much more comfy than economy. Biggest plus is being able to walk off the aircraft vs crawl