first experience on a retrofitted 737-800 w/ huge row 3 leg room

[haggiscat]

morning virgins,

my conversion is almost complete. Qantas flights from Sydney to Adelaide were packed out today (Sunday) - at least twice the price of the 6.45am Virgin and no chance of an upgrade. I figured I'd give VA a try again and because they status matched me to Gold a while ago (although am now QF WP) I was able to select a seat in Row 3.

The leg room in #3 is enormous, better than in QF J class and much better than QF row 4. Inflight service was not polished like QF but generally charming. Lounges were chirpy and fun, void of the many w*nkers who call the Qantas Business Lounge home. And the thing isn't run by a bunch of union-busting scabs.

After last week, if VA status matched me to Platinum I'd burn up all my QF points, snip the card in half and make MY first destination virginaustralia.com.

 

[Comoman]

Hello to all - first post here.

Is the row 3 better than emergency exit - 39 inches? Being Perth based I often fly 737 over east and A330 back ie MEL-SYD-PER due to meetings etc. I buy blue zone for 737. However being a plat I shoule be able to get row 3 if available.

 

[Noob]

Hello to all - first post here.

Is the row 3 better than emergency exit - 39 inches? Being Perth based I often fly 737 over east and A330 back ie MEL-SYD-PER due to meetings etc. I buy blue zone for 737. However being a plat I shoule be able to get row 3 if available.

I would say row three is nicer, it feels more private as apposed to being in the middle of the cabin in the exit row. Very similar legroom I would think as well!

 

[MarkD]

Dont know the measurements, but I would say better legroom than exit row. No Guarentees you will get row 3 though, a couple of times lately, I have been bumped back to exit row, (probably because of some wanker platinum ), as a low sucmmy gold, I have to accept that. Either row is fine, but I pre select 3A for every flight, and most of the time it pays off, so happy enough with that.

 

[Comoman]

Damn - when I booked it offered me 3C but I changed it to 14C (new blue zone seat row).

Maybe I can call up and change it....probably too late now. Flying tuesday.

 

[straitman]

Damn - when I booked it offered me 3C but I changed it to 14C (new blue zone seat row).

Maybe I can call up and change it....probably too late now. Flying tuesday.

I flew MEL-CBR IN 3C last sunday and it was brilliant for legroom.

 

[Daggs01]

I have 3F for DJ 866 today! And 3C tomorrow evening.

 

[Kevin Scrimshaw]

After last week, if VA status matched me to Platinum I'd burn up all my QF points, snip the card in half and make MY first destination virginaustralia.com.

Next time you're in The Lounge, ask the question. I've heard that whilst they no longer match Silver/Gold they will still match Platinum & Chairman's, but that may have changed after last weekend. I know a friend of mine got matched after the program had officially closed.

 

[MarkD]

Damn - when I booked it offered me 3C but I changed it to 14C (new blue zone seat row).

Maybe I can call up and change it....probably too late now. Flying tuesday.

Just try to change seat selection online :idea:

 

[Comoman]

Just try to change seat selection online :idea:

Can't unfortunately. Once you "Blue Zone" you can't change any seat selection.

 

[MarkD]

Bugger, Have never "Blue Zoned" before

 

[Comoman]

I have had both row 3 and 14 in last 24 hours on reno'd aircraft.

Yes row 3 is nice and quietish. Especially if you get a shadow! Leg room I think is slightly greater at emergency exit. Also row 3 seats are narrower due to the tray in the arm rest whereas row 14 are in seat in front (which cannot recline - bliss).

Not sure what the shadow situation is with blue zone though. It is a revenue option after all.