Virgin Blue Unveils Red Leather ‘premium Economy’ A Seat With A Difference

[Yada Yada]

I must say I'm a bit surprised that the lack of crowding is always used as an example of how great the DJ Lounges are.

Surely this only indicates that they haven't been taken up in a big way and value is therefore perceived as low?

(I'm not arguing for the crowding at the QC. That's gone too far in the other direction. Let's keep it for Senior Life members only )

VB's less crowded lounges really are an advantage to me. I am most often going into the lounge early morning in SYD and late afternoon in MEL. It's in MEL where the problem is for QF. The place is like a zoo late afternoons. I have literally not been able to find a chair at times and the food is almost all gone (aside from the ****y salad thing they put out) and people are circling the counter like hungry wolves. As soon as a tray of food is put out, everyone jumps and it's gone within 60 seconds!

In the VB lounges, it is busy but there is plenty of capacity and no shortage of food and drink. Had a really nice soup followed by a chicken rissotto for dinner the other night.

 

[maninblack]

I don't quite get it. The 3 inches wider is not very usable as the seat itself is not 3 inches wider and 34 inch pitch is hardly thrilling. Still, I guess it's good for short flights. Why not a proper domestic j seat? 38 inch pitch needed for me to be half comfy i'm afraid. Nevertheless if they keep the price down I will give it a shot, i am sick of paying the QF J price on my regular trips to CNS and the Live2air is a big benefit. (I still cant believe QF has ordered all of these 738's over the last few years, and no PTV's, just mad.) If it is in line with the VirginBlue Corporate Plus fare (which is about half of QF J) then that would be tempting.

 

[crazydave98]

I don't quite get it. The 3 inches wider is not very usable as the seat itself is not 3 inches wider and 34 inch pitch is hardly thrilling. Still, I guess it's good for short flights. Why not a proper domestic j seat? 38 inch pitch needed for me to be half comfy i'm afraid. Nevertheless if they keep the price down I will give it a shot, i am sick of paying the QF J price on my regular trips to CNS and the Live2air is a big benefit. (I still cant believe QF has ordered all of these 738's over the last few years, and no PTV's, just mad.) If it is in line with the VirginBlue Corporate Plus fare (which is about half of QF J) then that would be tempting.

Why not a proper domestic J seat? because we would have had to take a row of seats out and lose the ability to "convert" all remaining seats to Y and sell them all if there is no demand for J. we think J class costs Qantas more than it's worth and doesn't earn its keep on the east coast.

Is it in line with VB Corporate Plus fare? yes

The 3 inches wider not usable? well I'd say give it a shot as you suggest - you would have to be a very odd shape not to be able to appreciate it. And hey, if you can't use the extra width and just want 38" we have you covered - we still have BlueZone over wing exit seats

 

[Yada Yada]

Nevertheless if they keep the price down I will give it a shot, i am sick of paying the QF J price on my regular trips to CNS and the Live2air is a big benefit. (I still cant believe QF has ordered all of these 738's over the last few years, and no PTV's, just mad.) If it is in line with the VirginBlue Corporate Plus fare (which is about half of QF J) then that would be tempting.

Exactly! I posted a message in the original thread on this topic yesterday suggesting that there would probably be a good number of companies who are sick of being gouged by QF on J fares.

QF's J class is very nice, although I believe for many businesses it is too expensive and they'd prefer an alternative. One only has to look at the SYD-PER fares. They are crazy high for a 4-5 hour flight. Domestic short haul business class is verging on extravagance whereas PE class seems much more appropriate.

I am sure we will begin to see QF's D-class fare inventory begin to open up soon.

 

[aus_flyer]

I am sure we will begin to see QF's D-class fare inventory begin to open up soon.

Combined with more routes becoming JQ!

 

[wallacej]

I must say I'm a bit surprised that the lack of crowding is always used as an example of how great the DJ Lounges are.

Surely this only indicates that they haven't been taken up in a big way and value is therefore perceived as low?

(I'm not arguing for the crowding at the QC. That's gone too far in the other direction. Let's keep it for Senior Life members only )

I just hope the lack of crowd continues however this is only one aspect, so many other facilities on offer, the only thing lacking is the sprits at the bar!! Beer and wine only..

Can't wait to try out the new seats when they come on board.

 

[pauly7]

I recall that you also recently posted about "JQ and DJ's draconian check-in cut-offs" which is also incorrect about DJ (I've never been bumped yet when running late).

So it does kinda feel like you might be slagging off at VB for no reason.

I'm not getting dragged into a thread of posting experiences and subjective opinions of how good/bad VB/JQ/AF is with you YY. As stated before I fly all the airlnes quite often due to a BFOD policy.

Check in: JQ are strict - no exceptions, and twice I have been cut off by DJ (when I would have got on QF). Note as per my post to Crazydave I had up until yesterday nothing but friendly comms from DJ, it is not the Virgin ground check in persons fault they have check in deadlines/rules that they follow and I don't hold it against them or the airline - It is not their fault that I arrived at the time I did.

I know you are a huge Virgin fan and everything is rosy and perfect for you with DJ - and that's great, you are very lucky not to have suffered any less than perfect experiences and I hope that continues for you. Thats all from me on this.

 

[Mal]

stay tuned for news on live2air in the Embraers.

Interesting Lack of any AV/audio entertainment options onboard the EMB was about my only complaint regarding the recent EMB flights I took. QantasLink is in a similar situation with the DashX, but hands out magazines like Time, New Weekly and the like and I think also have the Australian Way available (but can't remember now).

Looking forward to the announcements. Would be good on the longer flights where the EMB's will be flown (once they're announced!)

 

[dajop]

I don't quite get it. The 3 inches wider is not very usable as the seat itself is not 3 inches wider and 34 inch pitch is hardly thrilling. Still, I guess it's good for short flights.

As you referred to in remainder of post, price is big influence. Personally, I think 34" is OK- probably large enough to not suffer recliner blues. And whilst 3inch wider is not that significant the extra "wing" space of having no-one sitting shoulder to shoulder with you is the biggest benefit I see of this product. Great for those wanting to get the laptop out and tap away.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Virgin Blue 737-800 VH-VUF "Hobart Honey" and 737-700 VH-VBS "Blue Baroness" are the first aircraft to receive the new DJ Premium Economy product. I'm not sure whether they are back in service yet though.

There's a chance that you may now get to fly on one of these seats with the increased pitch (will still be a 3x3 configuration as the product isn't officially launched/on sale).

The following image is © Virgin Blue (2007)

Cheers

 

[trooper]

On the 34" pitch question... until NZ introduced THEIR "Y+" product (which I was an early convert too!! ) I must say I was relatively happy with that pitch AKL-LAX vv...11-12 hours....

So for domestic... sounds good! (I do very little domestic travel.... so I was initially surprised that a seat pitch of 34" was considered "premium".... but it would appear to be so...)

Interested to see how it prices.....:mrgreen:

 

[thegurio]

Seeing "Hobart Honey" got my interest as im going out on Sun to Adelaide from Hobart and would love to have a go at these seats - im assuming i need to be in the frist 4 rows? Aside from pot luck, how do i get into them or the overwing "more room" seats?

On the Over wing seats - does that mean in the unlikely event of an emergency (see i have been listening!) i would need to help out and are they a "colder" seat (not that i care as i'm quite a hot person but i would just like to know...)

 

[stuartfaz]

Seeing "Hobart Honey" got my interest as im going out on Sun to Adelaide from Hobart and would love to have a go at these seats - im assuming i need to be in the first 4 rows? Aside from pot luck, how do i get into them or the overwing "more room" seats?

On the Over wing seats - does that mean in the unlikely event of an emergency (see i have been listening!) i would need to help out and are they a "colder" seat (not that i care as i'm quite a hot person but i would just like to know...)

For the overwing seats you need to be over 15 and in an appropriate physical condition to be able to help out in the case of an emergency. You can reserve these seats by calling DJ and paying $30 a sector (but if you dont meet the age or fitness reqs. they can take the seat off you)

As for getting one at check in it is definetly possible. From personal experience it helps to be 6' 3" but if you request one, and you meet the requirements, if there are any left then you could be in luck.

As for getting into the first 4 rows, you could try using DJ's web or kiosk check-in and then allocating yourself to one of those seats, provided they're not already allocated to someone else.

Or you could always just go with the pot luck.

 

[thegurio]

Well i think i would satisfy the over 15 requirement - in fact I'm one year further away on the 7th! And i could pass the physical one too.


As for getting up the pointy end, i think over 30 flights last year i only once got the 2nd row and all other were 12 and beyond. So i need to ring up and request? And if there is any available can i just ask ? Do i still pay the $30? If i web check-in (like i normally do) that would rule me out of getting and changing seats wouldnt it? Do i get more SC's? Did i read somewhere along the line that i also get The Lounge entry or is that just the new Red seats?

 

[stuartfaz]

Well i think i would satisfy the over 15 requirement - in fact I'm one year further away on the 7th! And i could pass the physical one too.


As for getting up the pointy end, i think over 30 flights last year i only once got the 2nd row and all other were 12 and beyond. So i need to ring up and request? And if there is any available can i just ask ? Do i still pay the $30? If i web check-in (like i normally do) that would rule me out of getting and changing seats wouldnt it? Do i get more SC's? Did i read somewhere along the line that i also get The Lounge entry or is that just the new Red seats?

The answers to your questions are:

1) Yes, and you pay the $30
2) At check-in you can ask for an exit row seat, whether you get one is a different matter.
3) Don't believe so
4) DJ dont offer the exit row seats as an option on web check-in i don't think. The first 4 rows they may, but not the exit rows, mainly because of the fitness restrictions.
5) No extra Velocity points or SC's for the Blue Zone seats
6) You get Lounge entry when you buy the Corporate Plus fare, and in the future, the Y+ (red seat) fare. If you are allocated a red seat on an economy fare (either before or after they are launched) then you dont get anything extra.

 

[Yada Yada]

Virgin Blue 737-800 VH-VUF "Hobart Honey" and 737-700 VH-VBS "Blue Baroness" are the first aircraft to receive the new DJ Premium Economy product. I'm not sure whether they are back in service yet though.

VH-VBS is back in service. I flew on her this morning on DJ808 SYD-MEL so got to see the new seats up close. They look great! However I allocated myself to 24C with web-checkin so no chance to try them out.

I'm about to fly home on DJ869 and am sitting in 2D, so I am hoping one of these birds will be on my flight.

 

[thegurio]

Well come on...


REPORT?????


Sheesh - you've been up there for at least 1 and a half hours....


he he he!

 

[markis10]

Well come on...


REPORT?????


Sheesh - you've been up there for at least 1 and a half hours....


he he he!

Live to air does not have Internet capability :idea: and the flight is late: Track Flight Status for (DJ) Virgin Blue 869

 

[Yada Yada]

Live to air does not have Internet capability :idea: and the flight is late: Track Flight Status for (DJ) Virgin Blue 869

It was indeed - we departed a little over 30 mins late. Flightstats reports 5:33pm departure but that was about when we began boarding. The delay appeared to be due to late arriving crew (pilots).

Alas, only blue seats on DJ869 this afternoon although 2E was empty so I had plenty of elbow room anyway.

 

[Yada Yada]

I forgot to add that an article in the VB inflight magazine advised that the new Y+ seating will be installed Jan/Feb and that bookings can be made from Feb for travel beginning in March.