Premium Economy - is it worth it?

nachos

I'm going to be making a trip to LA in the next few weeks and am thinking of going for Premium Economy with Virgin Atantic. I'll be flying from Dublin into Heathrow and then to LA.

I'm a big enough fella and the thought of spending 11 hours+ in a cramped noisy environment fills me with dread.

My question is, for those of you who have flown PE, do you think it is worth it? Is Virgin's PE any good?

The prices I'm getting are about double that of standard economy. Do people know of any ways of getting PE for cheaper than usual? I've heard that by leaving it as late as possible before upgrading, it will become significantly cheaper to upgrade. Any truth in that at all?

Cheers!

Berty

Its business class really.

Seats pitch 38 degrees, you get a better amenity kit, better food and a pre flight drink.

You also get your own check in desk at the airport but if you are flying from Ireland you will get your boarding pass's(hopefully) here and your bags will be checked in all the way.

Its business class really so consider it that way when thinking of the price.

BuffyBot

Well it's not exactly business class, to be fair - but it is a lot nicer than flying economy, especially on a trip of that lenght. Virgin's PE product is one of the better out there too, so if the price is agreeable than go for it

keefg

BuffyBot wrote: »

Well it's not exactly business class, to be fair - but it is a lot nicer than flying economy, especially on a trip of that lenght. Virgin's PE product is one of the better out there too, so if the price is agreeable than go for it

+1

If you can afford it PE is soooo much better than flying "cattle"

nachos

Thanks for all the advice.

The economy flight is coming in at around 550. PE is around 1055. It seems a bit extravagant to spend so much on a flight when I can get it that little bit cheaper.

I'm definitely leaning towards going PE because anything to get me out of economy is a good thing!

Davidth88

It's not business class , or even near it.

I flew PE to with VS to Pudong ( Shanghai ) about 2-3 years ago.

You had a few inches extra room , and the IFE screen was larger ( slightly ).

Ill be honest I was a little disappointed .

However coming home I was upgraded to premier ( sorry slipped into EI talk , I meant ' Upper class ' ) , now that was good !

To re-iterate PE is not business class,nor a patch on it.
It may be similar seatpitch wise to shorthaul business class but thats where the comparison ends.
The food and service is the same as economy.


Vs pe has improved recently,its one of the better pe products out there.

If you really want to spoil yourself though and arent stuck to a definite time yet,you might wait for a BA club world sale [the best business class around as opposed to pe].
Vs usually match those fares.

Check once a week or forthnight on ba.com.

Another tip I'll give you is to try ebookers.com.
If you book a flights +accomadation package with them,the flights part of the package can be way cheaper than flights booked on their own.
You might get business class at pe prices on occasion.
This is because some ta's are given some heavily discounted seats to sell in all classes.Bigger Airlines like that.
You'll have to email an agent though.
That may be possible with other uk based agencies,but ebookers is the only one I have experience wit.
Also join the frequent fliers club of the airline you choose and familiarise yourself with their flights for miles programmes.
You'd be very surprised how quickly they build up and how easily you can use them to upgrade your ticket to business or first class.
Some reading for you :

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgin-flying-club/979856-vs-syd-hkg-premium-economy.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/8172613-post2.html