Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 4550 times:
Anybody been on a VS A340-600?
what to expect? Movies,games, nice crew?
Have never flown VS, probably never will, wondering if I will be entertained on a 12 hour flight with what they offer. I have a portable DVD, should I bring it?
VS346 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 339 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 4465 times:
It is the newest plane in VS's fleet. I've been on it 3 times, and everytime was better than the last. The V:Port AVOD IFE is fantastic IMHO. Over 50 movies to choose from on 9 inch screens, dozens upon dozens of ENTIRE albums to listen to from Bob Marley to Justin Timberlake, several radio stations, interactive map, tons of tv shows, just entertainment galore.
Crew has always been spectacular. I mentioned in another thread that the entire experience really makes you feel like flying is a true event, not just a way to get from point A to B. Most of the F/As are beautiful and very cheerful and pro. They are very laid back and you should not hesitate to talk to them in the back, they are very talkative.
If you like turbulence, sit in the back, because of it's length the 346 magnifies the turbulence in the back. If you dont, sit over the wing, slices through the bad stuff like butter. Its amazing what 20 rows will do!
The bathrooms are probably the best part. When you lock the door, blue lights come on, and you basically do your business in blue hehe. Its a trip.
All in all, a very clean aircraft as it's so new. Legroom could be improved, but that's something thats bad on most carriers.
Hope this helps. If you have any specifics dont hesitate to ask. Better to be prepared for a 12 hr flight than not!
Also, dont worry about your portable DVD player, if the IFE is out, they'll most likely provide you with one.
Cheers,
VS346
Virgin-Atlantic: More experience than our name suggests
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11951 posts, RR: 37 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 4422 times:
I haven't flown VS for about three years, but they were excellent then.
I'm now in Tokyo and writing this from NRT; I can certainly say that of all the aircraft I've seen here, with the possible exception of Vietnam's 777, the VS A346 is the best looking, a real beauty - and very long!
(G-VGOA was today's aircraft, for anyone interested!)
MEL From Canada, joined Oct 1999, 1082 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (9 years 3 weeks ago) and read 4227 times:
Non-rev'ed on the 346 on it's 8th revenue flight (VSHY). JFK-LHR. Double upgrade to Upper Class because both back cabins were full. Very nice, except my IFE didn't work the whole trip. The F/A tried to 'reset' my individual system, and after it rebooted, it froze again.. frustrating, but it was a 01:00 DEP from JFK, I was tired, and decided to sleep the rest of the flight. Other than the IFE, the 346 was great.
Jkw777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 4007 times:
Hi there,
Haven't been on the A346 personally, but have flown Virgin a few times
As for crew, they are excellent through-out. As mentioned, very talkative, very attractive and very laid back!
One of the crew said to me and my friend if you want a drink just help yourself! We looked at each other in amazement! Also when we asked for cockpit visits they made every effort to make sure we got one! And the best part being was the pilot asked us if we were from Airliners.net They showed an interest in our photography hobbies and were great to talk to.
Also my friend was at LHR not long ago, he bumped into one of the girls that was on our flight, he got talking to her she asked how we were both doing! Really nice
I can't wait for next year when I fly First with them
Fido73 From Finland, joined Dec 2003, 33 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 3828 times:
I flew VS A346 last November from HKG to LHR with great expectations, as this was my first time on VS and A330/340-series. Sadly, I landed slightly disappointed. The IFE was of course great, what more can you ask for except maybe internet and a decent set of headphones. And the toilets are simply fabulous, just like a film star´s dressing room! We were seated on bulkhead so the seats were narrow and a bit uncomfortable and on two of the fours seats next to me the IFE seized to work during the flight. Maybe the biggest let-down was the crew. They seemed somehow tired and lacked the "something special" I was expecting. Maybe there just isn´t a truly different airline in the world anymore? But the flight itself went smoothly and we arrived well ahead of schedule.
In March I flew the Emirates A345 from Dubai to Sydney and I would say that was better than the one and only Virgin experience I have had. The crew was nice and fresh, with smiles and all, and IFE was equal to Virgin´s and it worked.
Jran225 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 308 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 3703 times:
Hey Joey,
all I can say is that you are one lucky guy. Took a flight from IAD-LHR back in October on G-VOGE. Best flight of my life. The entertainement system is perfekt and the redesigned cabin makes gives a very comfortable atmosphere. The seats are quite big and the service is also fantastic. The lavitory is also worth a visit...enjoy your flight!
Regards,
-Omar S.
Never tell your girlfriend about all the 'action' you're getting at the airport - only photogs understand that.
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 3542 times:
Up front it's quiet and smooth---I was in biz class.
When I went to the back---which is a long walk---it shudders a bit in the tail section. Crew said that it was very common since it was so long.
Bathrooms up front are silver..but the lights make them have an almost green glow to them....very strange.
Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15870 posts, RR: 66 Reply 11, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3383 times:
Benjamin said:
I can't wait for next year when I fly First with them
Don't think so. VS does not have a Frist Class
Just because they call it "Upper Class" does not mean that it's not equivalent to First on, say, BA... For all intents and purposes, it's first class. Anything else is semantics.
BTW, I'll be in the last row of a VS346 on 22 May. Whohooooo!
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo
Steve6666 From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 356 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 3139 times:
Starlionblue said
Just because they call it "Upper Class" does not mean that it's not equivalent to First on, say, BA... For all intents and purposes, it's first class. Anything else is semantics.
It's a Business Class product. Whatever Branson tries to do to prove his Upper is as good as BA First with his independent comparison challenges to BA yadda yadda yadda, Upper Class remains ticketed as a J class fare and VS has no F class.
And having been on the "old" Upper Class on an A346 on VS two weeks ago, and compared notes with my old man who went F class on BA on a B777 to San Diego last week I can confirm Upper Class certainly ain't an F class product.
eu nasci ha dez mil anos atras, e nao tem nada nesse mundo que eu nao saiba demais
Northwest717 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 3066 times:
Not much of a fan of Airbus or the A340, but damn, the A346 sure does look impressive in Virgin's colors doesnt it? Although I am a die-hard boeing fan, if I had the choice between BA 777 & VS A346, Virgin makes it appear so attractive, I might opt for the A346.
Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15870 posts, RR: 66 Reply 16, posted (9 years 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2955 times:
I also like certain types, but the operator is far more important. I'll be sitting in my seat looking out the side, so the type is pretty irrelevant to me apart from cabin considerations such as seatmap, entertainment system, seats, pitch and storage.
From the outside though, that's another matter entirely
Benjamin, I wonder if perhaps you are thinking of Virgin Blue. Virgin Atlantic certainly have a first class product.
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo
N754pr From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (9 years 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2906 times:
If your over 4 feet tall be warned........ VERY TIGHT LEGROOM, thats the reason they will not get my money (Not including the rude staff, always overbooked, dont have the seat you booked and will charge you for 0.001 lb overweight in your luggage!!
Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (9 years 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 2624 times:
JETSTREAMER,
I flew from LHR-HKG, I did an around the world trip. I had a choice of CX747 or VS346, to get me to Asia.
I would have to say, if VS didn't offer the V-PORT or something similar then they wouldn't be worth flying. Not trying to disrespect VS but I couldn't wait to take them, to only be let down.
Schweizair From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 139 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (9 years 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2561 times:
I have heard from others on Airliners.net that VS is a great airline so I'll take their word on that. As for the DVD player, BRING IT. I bet your home DVDs will not work on Virgin's in-flight players.
VS346:
I learned the hard way when I flew on AA to Europe. I brought my favorite movies but the DVD player wouldn't recognize my disc format. Beware: make sure you know whether home DVDs will work on the airline's players.
Fortunately, AA had some decent movies and even a music video of U2's Elevation Tour. Gotta give them some credit for that, they know good music when they hear it! They also had movies like K-Pax and The Gift. Both were good movies. My seatmate, although twice my age, had never even heard of DVDs! He was so overwhelmed that he asked the f/a for the whole collection and watched everything. Well, better late than never! As for other ways to humor yourself, make sure you bring plenty of music and a good novel or two. If you like to read Stephen King, don't bring his book "The Langoliers." It will haunt you badly unless you're on the ground and yes, it is about flying. Still, it's an excellent story.
Leezyjet From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 4041 posts, RR: 55 Reply 21, posted (9 years 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2417 times:
"Virgin Atlantic certainly have a first class product" - Umm not really, it's marketed somewhere in between First and Business, but sold at a Business Class fare.
Even though the VS Upper Class fare is only a J fare, you still get more than what BA offer in F. The new suite flat bed is also bigger than BA's First beds too.
BA don't offer you a limo at each end (or car hire in lieu of the limo), you don't get use of an onboard bar or massage service and it costs thousands of ££ more too.
All BA offer in F is a slightly more attentive service and maybe a slightly better amenity kit, but is it really worth the extra £££ just to get your drink/meal a few mins quicker ???
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
Bmi From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 321 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (9 years 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2229 times:
I've wanted to try the VS 600 product for a while and thanks to a staff offer at work have booked me place onboard one! I'm flying from London to Tokyo return with Virgin Atlantic, and although it won't be my first time on VS i'm sure the whole A340-600 experience is going to be fantastic!
I'm dead excited about seeing Tokyo too, somewhere i've always wanted to go but never got round to it til now!
Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (9 years 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2055 times:
jetstreamer,
I didn't say I was going to bring my own DVD's to play on their system, I meant is their IFE worth it? or should I will bring my own little 7" screen DVD player, with my own movies own power source. I learned the easy way, VS has like 50 movies for you to watch. Refer to SCHEIZAIR comments, he missed what I was saying.
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