Virgin Blue Premium Economy Update

[Wunala Dreaming]

For those interested, the following Virgin Blue aircraft have Premium Economy installed.

Remember that Premium Economy will not be officially launched until MAR08, so those passengers sitting in the first 3 rows of the aircraft will have access to these seats.

737-700

VH-VBB
VH-VBI
VH-VBJ
VH-VBK
VH-VBQ
VH-VQR
VH-VQS
VH-VBY

737-800

VH-VUF
VH-VOM

I think Y+ goes on sale sometime in FEB.

Cheers

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

VH-VQR & VH-VQS

I think you mean VH-VBR & VH-VBS

Cheers
DJ737

 

[Yada Yada]

I flew BNE-SYD this afternoon on VH-VBO and it was fitted with the new Y+ seats. I had allocated myself to 3C and in fact had the entire row to myself.

The seats are very comfortable - nicely contoured and the leather seems nicer than the regular seats. The pitch is quite good - I had plenty of knee space. There seems to be more space underneath the seats too because of their slimline design and what looked like slimmer legs.

All of the armrests are a little slimmer that the standard ones, and the middle armrests hinge differently (slightly forward of the chair back) obviously to enable them to move sideways when converted to Y+ format. I had a look but could not see how the conversion is activated/enabled. The L2A controls are in the side of the armrests (they are on top on the standard seats).

The tray tables are a little different to the standard ones, curved at the front and they slide towards you after being dropped. The Live2Air screen is the same size as the others although the moulding around it is a little different with the card reader a little more prominent (the moulding is recessed around it) and there seems to be more screen tiltability too.

All in all, I was quite impressed with the comfort of the new seats and the more spacious feel of the forward cabin. Premium economy will be a nice option for regular pax who are looking for a little more comfort.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

I was in 1A on VOM tonight, no one in 1BC so had the row to myself, the cabin super showed me how the conversion works.

The armrest on B/C needs to be lifted, then move the the small lever below and the 2 armrests will move closer and release the centre drop down table.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[Yada Yada]

Hi there

I was in 1A on VOM tonight, no one in 1BC so had the row to myself, the cabin super showed me how the conversion works.

The armrest on B/C needs to be lifted, then move the the small lever below and the 2 armrests will move closer and release the centre drop down table.

Cheers
DJ737

Cool... thanks Anthony! What was the extra width like when the armrests moved?

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

The width was pretty good probably about 3 extra inches.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[thegurio]

As im about to book a flight - i would like to know how to get up the pointy end, with OLCI i can only seem to be able to get up to row 5.

Or is that the priveledge of those gold passengers?

 

[alien]

I wonder if these seats will be left empty if no one purchases them???? Maybe they might allow silver or gold members to bump up if available????

 

[wallacej]

As im about to book a flight - i would like to know how to get up the pointy end, with OLCI i can only seem to be able to get up to row 5.

Or is that the priveledge of those gold passengers?

I am Gold, and not able to book up the front end either. I think they maybe for those that purchase the corporate plus fares?? Not sure, I have never been able to OLCI for those front few rows, nt have I ever bought a corp plus ticket.

I have however got to the counter, and have been asked if I would like to be move forward at which time I gladly say yes...

 

[stryker]

I am but a humble nobody on DJ, but I have been able to score row 1 or 2 a couple of times. Once with row 2 all to myself.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

Best way to get an exit row/forward seating on a cheap ticket is to go to the priority/special needs lane at check in and tell them that the kiosks directed you there

You can then discuss your seating preferences with the agent, no problem getting exit/forward seating, just ask, although not sure if this will change with the introduction of PE

Cheers
DJ737

 

[wallacej]

Well, I don't know what happened between Sunday and today. I just went and did OLCI for my DJ flight tomorrow, and ALL rows were available to be chosen... this has not happened before. I have only just turned gold, and this is my 2nd flight since earning this distinction.

 

[Yada Yada]

Well, I don't know what happened between Sunday and today. I just went and did OLCI for my DJ flight tomorrow, and ALL rows were available to be chosen... this has not happened before. I have only just turned gold, and this is my 2nd flight since earning this distinction.

I've seen this too but it is rare. Most times the Blue Saver fares will not allow access to the front 9 or 10 rows. On Flexi-Saver and above, you can usually access any row aside from 1, 14 & 15 on the -800's or rows 1 and 12 on the -700's. I don't think status has any affect(at least none that I've seen).

I've always been intrigued by 1D-E-F - it is not an exit row but never seems selectable with OLCI. :-|

 

[wallacej]

This was a first for me thats for sure... and yes it is a blue saver fare... not only that but a promo bluesaver fare... BNE-MEL $99, only change is my status... if that is the case, it is now another reason for me to enjoy being gold and sticking with DJ.

Will OLCI again on Sunday night for my next flight and see what happens.. again, blue saver promo fare

 

[serfty]

I have had two DJ flights. The first was for a Friday nioght and cost $165 MEL-BNE; at OLCI was given a selection around the middle of the aircraft - no access to front 10 rows or so. The next was the return for a very reasonable $85 and I was able to select 2C.

I surmised for the latter (which was quite full) that there were too great a proportion of PAX on discounted fares to block them off from the front.

 

[ishkaban]

Hi there

Best way to get an exit row/forward seating on a cheap ticket is to go to the priority/special needs lane at check in and tell them that the kiosks directed you there

You can then discuss your seating preferences with the agent, no problem getting exit/forward seating, just ask, although not sure if this will change with the introduction of PE

Cheers
DJ737

Think you will find that in regards to PE seating, regardless of your circumstances, if you haven;t paid for the actual seating, they will not allocate you there

 

[wallacej]

Just did OLCI for tomorrow night. $79 fare, allocated row 2...

I am curious to know if it may have something to do with timing? ie if you check in early enough???

 

[Yada Yada]

Just did OLCI for tomorrow night. $79 fare, allocated row 2...

I am curious to know if it may have something to do with timing? ie if you check in early enough???

Don't think so. I usually check-in ~T-23 and most of the time cannot get ahead of row 9 on a BlueSaver fare.

 

[thegurio]

I think Y+ goes on sale sometime in FEB.

Does anyone have any idea when?

I need to book something fairly soonish and would love to be able to snag one of these seats?

Also anyone have any idea approx how much? On the DJ site they say "comparable to all other business class seats" but exactly how comparable? i.e. $100 more? $200 more? etc. etc.

 

[Yada Yada]

Does anyone have any idea when?

I need to book something fairly soonish and would love to be able to snag one of these seats?

Yes, I had the same question as I want to book a return trip to PER. I've been informed that the formal lauch will be in March.

Also anyone have any idea approx how much? On the DJ site they say "comparable to all other business class seats" but exactly how comparable? i.e. $100 more? $200 more? etc. etc.

Absolutely no clue as yet, although I think a similar price to the existing Corporate Plus level fare was mooted.