Gilesdavies From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 2902 posts, RR: 1 Posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 4029 times:
Im going to Hong Kong in November on business with work, I have decided to extend my stay there and will be staying for a further four days for leisure, as I have never been there before and I just have to pay the difference for the hotel while there during my own time.
My company are tight b*stards and will only fly me economy....
They have a deal with Virgin Atlantic where most business travel is booked through them, and if I choose I can pay £75 each way extra to fly Economy Plus or £350 each way to fly Upper Class.
Upper Class is immediately out of question, I don't have that sort of money available. But I am seriously considering Economy Plus upgrade for £75, but would like to know what I am getting for money.
This is my first long haul business trip and all my own long haul trips have been in economy with Gulf Air and US Airways and had no issues.
Do you get bigger seats or is it the same seat width with just more leg room? I am aware VS isn't renowned for the greatest leg-room in Economy and was wondering if it would only be comparable with other carriers who have a more generous legroom in Y. Are the meals, IFE and service upgraded? My other concern is the cabin Economy Plus always looks very small with curtains blocking off Economy and Upper Class, does this make the cabin space feel claustrophobic?
Unfortunately they will not allow VS to award Frequent Flyer miles.
----------------------------------
I do have another option and that is that I choose a carrier of my choice and pay on my credit card and claim it back. The company will pay back up to 120% of the value of of the equivalent fare with Virgin Atlantic in Y... They do however get discounted fares from them and the ticket I purchase must be flexible.
If I do this option, I was considering trying out Air New Zealand's new service LHR-HKG, which will be running by then. I know with them they offer a good 34 inch legroom and IFE is good in economy on the newly refurbished 744's.
Also I can earn Dividend Miles with US Airways as part of Star Alliance.
----------------------------------
Would appreciate your feed back and if the £75 upgrade fee is worth it.
B6sea From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 340 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 4000 times:
I would do it... I think that Economy plus on VS looks much more comfortable and the seat/pitch is a lot bigger. So if you appreciate your space, Absolutely.
Gilesdavies From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 2902 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3845 times:
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 7):
Out of interest why did you immediately rule out the upgrade to Upper Class but were willing to consider the £75?
Its cause Im a trailer trash boy and don't appreciate quality! - LOL
Seriously I would like a little extra space and comfort especially on such a long flight, the longest non-stop flight I have flown before is 9hrs (LGW-CLT) and I get very figity and distracted on long flights. The extra service and luxuries does not really bother me. Also I simply can't afford to run to £700 to upgrade to Upper class on a return trip. Im not some big money earning management executive, I've been chosen to represent my department at a conference!
That £700 can pay for spending money and hotel costs while in HKG, and I would probably never go there if it wasn't for this trip.
This will probably be my first and last long haul business trip, busines travel for me usually involves me flying LTN-EDI/AMS on easyJet!
What aircraft do VS operate to HKG and can anyone answer any of my original questions in the Thread Starter, regarding service and personal space.
Planesarecool From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 4096 posts, RR: 12 Reply 10, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3828 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 8): I would also upgrade, although Economy Plus is a silly name.
That's why its called Premium Economy
I would do it for £75. I flew Premium economy on Heathrow-San Francisco, and it was well worth the extra cash, and that was £180 extra one way. However that was with the benefit of flying in the upper deck on the B744, which of course isn't available on the A346 to HKG
Willyj From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 467 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3811 times:
they have 2 flights (or at least the second starts soon) One flight is a 346 and one is a 343. the 346 continues on to SYD and will have much better IFE.
I would go with the 75 pound upgrade in a heartbeat. It makes the flight so much more pleasant, and it will be something new for you, from the sounds of it. VS economy is really tight!
NZ8800 From New Zealand, joined May 2006, 425 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3811 times:
That's £700 return for the Upper Class though - a lot of money, even if it is a steep discount!
The £150 return for Premium Economy does sound like a very generous offer.
On the other hand, you might well appreciate the in-flight service of Air New Zealand more, whatever class you end up in And there's the miles you would earn for a future leisure trip or upgrade...
I'd go for the £150 upgrade to Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic personally - it sounds the most cost effective option to get a more comfortable trip.
MDZWTA ~ Mobile Disaster Zone When Travelling Abroad
Richard28 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 1570 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3811 times:
Virgin fly an A340-600 to HKG.
It is configures 2-4-2 in Y class, and 2-3-2 in Premium economy.
VS are also introducing their new Premium Economy seat over the next few months, and it's rolling out intially on the A340-600's - so you may be lucky and get that.
With Premium Economy on VS you also get dedicated check in, priority baggage, priority food service, and extra drinks service.
£75 is very good value - esp considering HKG is a long sector.
Quoting Gilesdavies (Thread starter): Do you get bigger seats or is it the same seat width with just more leg room?
The whole seat is bigger and wider. The seat in the pic is the current seat. New seats are being fitted to W that look much better, they a the same colour and material as the Upper Class Suite seat.
The meals are the same as Econ, but you get served first so get first choice. The IFE is standard throughout the a/c.
Quoting Gilesdavies (Thread starter): My other concern is the cabin Economy Plus always looks very small with curtains blocking off Economy and Upper Class, does this make the cabin space feel claustrophobic?
Not at all. Blocks out the riff raff sat behind you, and there is a galley between the W and J cabin. It makes it feel more private.
I'd definately take that £75 option. If you can, why not take Upper at least one way - may as well for that price - if you do though, do it on the LHR-HKG sector then you can use the LHR clubhouse.
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
StarGuy From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2005, 312 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3724 times:
Quoting Rdwootty (Reply 5): Personally I would go for Air new Zealand in Y almost the same legrom as VS Premium but you will get a more sophisitcated cabin service!!
BS! I have flown Air New Zealand, and as good as they are, there is NO WAY that their economy seats have as much room as Virgin PE seats. Not to mention that the whole PE seat is much wider with more recline at Virgin.
For a £75 upgrade you should do it without hesitation. An absolute bargain if you ask me.
AirbusA6 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 1932 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3633 times:
Everytime I've walked past the PE section on VS I think "Why didn't I book it?" At 75pounds it's a bargain, you get the benefits of the really good VS IFE (if on a AVOD equipped plane like the A346) plus decent legroom and wider seat.
it's the bus to stansted (now renamed national express a4 to ruin my username)
Elite From Hong Kong, joined Jun 2006, 2760 posts, RR: 10 Reply 18, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3625 times:
For �75 you really should upgrade to Economy Plus. There has been some debate over whether it's worth it or not, but after booking World Traveller Plus on BA last summer I've made a mental note to always book Plus or Premium. Even if you decide not to use the IFE system you'd still have a more enjoyable flight; the legroom and seat recline is better than that of economy. Seeing that you are flying from England to Hong Kong, then you'll regret it if you don't :P Yep, it's that good.
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 2902 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 340 posts, 
From Panama, joined Dec 2004, 639 posts, 
welcome to the club.
From Australia, joined Jun 2005, 327 posts, 
However paying £350 for Upper Class is even more of a bargain and I'd go with the latter.
From New Zealand, joined May 2006, 425 posts, 
From Hong Kong, joined Jun 2006, 2760 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
