Disappointed with DJ PE

[cmon0005]

Had a flight a few days ago on Virgin Blue, Fully Flex fare so decided to pay the $35 upgrade fee to Premium Economy.
I found myself on an Embraer aircraft (much smaller than 737-800).
There was no TV/Live 2 air or even audio entertainment, so had to entertain myself with the free inflight magazine, complimentary food and drink was good however.
The seats themselves didn't feel any more comfortable or spacious than the regular DJ seats.

The experience may have been better on a 737-800 than on the basic Embraer? though I don't think it justifies paying an extra couple of hundred $$ for DJ PE as the value just doesn't seem to be there, I'd rather go QF J class.

 

[haydensydney]

Having flown both PE products, the 737 is a much better option. The PE on the E-jet was shocking - cramped (width-wise as well as pitch) and no entertainment. I wouldnt pay for PE on the E-jet operated flight.

I wish we had a better premium option other than the tired tatty QF J product!

 

[Flashback]

Having flown both PE products, the 737 is a much better option. The PE on the E-jet was shocking - cramped (width-wise as well as pitch) and no entertainment. I wouldnt pay for PE on the E-jet operated flight.

I wish we had a better premium option other than the tired tatty QF J product!

It's still miles ahead of most other domestic (even international, if you look at intra-europe) J flights around the world.

 

[N860CR]

width-wise as well as pitch

I was under the impression the E-Jets had the widest seats available on the domestic market? Certainly have been when I've sat in them.

 

[haydensydney]

I was under the impression the E-Jets had the widest seats available on the domestic market? Certainly have been when I've sat in them.

...well I certainly wasn't feeling the love widthwise from the seats - there was full on armrest wrestling with my seatmate also. I was seriously shocked at the minimal amount of room. Even reading a magazine was hard as I had to tilt it on a angle between my stomach and the seat in front! Hardly "premium".

 

[Shooter2712]

Had a flight a few days ago on Virgin Blue, Fully Flex fare so decided to pay the $35 upgrade fee to Premium Economy.
I found myself on an Embraer aircraft (much smaller than 737-800).
There was no TV/Live 2 air or even audio entertainment, so had to entertain myself with the free inflight magazine, complimentary food and drink was good however.
The seats themselves didn't feel any more comfortable or spacious than the regular DJ seats.

The experience may have been better on a 737-800 than on the basic Embraer? though I don't think it justifies paying an extra couple of hundred $$ for DJ PE as the value just doesn't seem to be there, I'd rather go QF J class.

Where were you flying to?

I know it was to late for you to find out before you boarded, but Virgin do say the service is not available on Embraer aircraft.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I know it was to late for you to find out before you boarded, but Virgin do say the service is not available on Embraer aircraft.

Why then do DJ allow you to upgrade from a fully flexible fare to PE if it's not offered on Embraer services?

The only reason I can think of is that maybe if you buy a through fare originating from a regional centre transitting through a capital city en-route to another capital city eg PQQ/SYD/PER. You would be purchasing a through fare Port Macquarie to Perth but would only receive actual PE service on the SYD/PER sector.

Generally speaking buying a through fare is cheaper than buying a discount economy fare PQQ/SYD then a PE fare SYD/PER, however I would check both options before making the purchase.

Below is a link to a topic debating the value in DJ's Premium Economy product from March this year.

www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/...e-premium-economy-worth-16785.html#post226000

Cheers
Oz