Virgin America in F...a bit disappointing

January 05th, 2009 edit

  • Flew on VA in first on the 18.35 from JFK-SFO 24th of Nov. Seat was great, but the leg room in the first row seems less than in the second row. (I'm 6'2) From where I sat (aisle seat) the people behind me looked like they had more room. Can anyone confirm this? When I rasied my seat my feet hit the plastic bulkhead. Not very comfortable. Anyhoo food was served and it tasted pretty good. Drinks were filled up when requested and everything went pretty smooth. The RED IFE is brilliant. Lots of movies and the google map is pretty good too. About halfway through the flight, I asked one of the "team" if they had any chips? She said "none on board" and told me the closest thing to chips was "cookies". Wot? no chips. Not even in the back? She never actually asked anyone so I assumed that she knew that there wasn't any chips on board. The rest of the flight was uneventfull, and we landed 20 mins late. Overall the flight was fine, apart from the lack of leg room and the lack of snacks. With all the hype over this service, I was really looking forward to a great flight but I just didn't happen for me. I came off the flight feeling like I'd just flown coach (but with more leg room). Because VX uses the word "First" I was expecting something more. How does this service genuinely compair with the United p.s service from JFK? If you can get a good price give VX a go. Merry xmas everyone.:D


  • http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=759305

    ^^^


  • I dunno, it just didn't seem like 55" seat pitch to me, despite that claim. That might be because I was in row 1 and ahead of row 1 is the clear plastic, rigid divider which is definitely NOT 55" away from the back of the seat and has no underseat space to put your feet.

    As there are only 2 rows of F seats, they can basically claim that there is only one row to measure pitch on, between row 1 and row 2. I definitely did not find row 1 comparable to ps C, so if 50% of the seats in F are not included, is the pitch number really valid?


  • hehe. I heard some VX bigwigs in the terminal before a recent flight talking about how "despite the seat pitch in F being less than United's, customers like the seat so much it doesn't matter".

    Maybe they meant compared to UA p.s. F. Cuz in p.s C, it's very comparable. Very.


  • Does anyone know of/seen a photo VX F report yet????


  • VX seats about the same as UA PS business class not UA PS first class, but of course are newer. UA business class exit aisle has really great leg room much better than any VX seat, think upper deck of a 747 exit row seats.

    I have found the service on PS in C and F to be good, very similar to an international flight. My food was always good, wines were less than stellar.

    VX IFE is much, much better. The DVD player UA gives you is kind of lame compared to a real IFE. Both have 110V outlets.

    I think VX is really competing against UA business class with their seat and service. If I were not a mileage plus junkie I would take either VX first or UA business depending on who was cheaper.


  • The 319 they swapped in last week (with no IFE), didn't even have bulkheads. I thought "wow, this would suck if this is how its going to be for good". open and spacious, yes, but too open...


  • RichardSF agrees with me. The plastic/purple divider stops the first row from extending their legs properly. Stay away from row 1 if you can. Row 2 may be 55" not row 1.


  • WOW! They serve Hor'dourves from SFO-LAX!? Bravo!


  • Yes, I posted a photo essay which includes images from SFO-LAX F trip:

    http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.SFO1K/PhotosFromVirginAmericaFlightSFOLAXSFO

    As I've stated in another thread on VX trip reports, the published VX F pitch is 55 inches, UA p.s. C is 54 inches. I didn't notice any marked decrease in legroom between the VX F rows on the 3 flights I've taken, but to each their own.

    The seat is significantly more comfortable on VX than UA C, in my opinion. The F seat on UA p.s. is wide, but the angled flat thing just doesn't appeal to me.

    Thanks! ^

    Wonder if anyone has seen a transcon report?


  • hehe. I heard some VX bigwigs in the terminal before a recent flight talking about how "despite the seat pitch in F being less than United's, customers like the seat so much it doesn't matter".


  • I don't think the VX F seats have the either amount of recline or the seat pitch of ps C or most international (old) C seats. That's my view, having tried all three. They are still pretty comfortable, and row 2 is definitely better than row 1 for leg room.


  • You do get seperate check in and boarding. And yes, their seats are like those of Intl. business. Just don't pick the first row, pick the second, and bring some chips incase they run out. Apart from my 2 points, as long as you get a good price, its definately worth it. I still want to find a comparison of this service and the united P.S service...can anyone help?


  • very interesting. i booked them back when they were not even flying the lax to jfk route. i got two first tickets for about 400 bucks. not bad. But... no lounge access for "first" i hear.

    do you get separate boarding? And... seats are at least more comfie then coach... right? they claim their seats are like business on intl. fligts.


  • I've flown SFO-JFK in both row 1 and 2. I couldn't tell much difference for legroom. I think I prefer row 1 because you can get out from the window seat without forcing the aisle passenger to move. If you're in row 2 and row 1 is reclined, the window seat passenger is at the mercy of the one in the aisle.


  • I completely agree. I hope they stick about as well and I think they will. The seat is very comfy, but next time I fly them it'll be row 2 for me! I also hope airlines like Maxjet and Silverjet stick around too. These older legacy airlines have had it all to themselves for too long. Its time to share the toys now, and at a decent price. Long live Virgin, Maxjet & Silverjet.


  • Does anyone know of/seen a photo VX F report yet????

    Yes, I posted a photo essay which includes images from SFO-LAX F trip:

    http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.SFO1K/PhotosFromVirginAmericaFlightSFOLAXSFO

    As I've stated in another thread on VX trip reports, the published VX F pitch is 55 inches, UA p.s. C is 54 inches. I didn't notice any marked decrease in legroom between the VX F rows on the 3 flights I've taken, but to each their own.

    The seat is significantly more comfortable on VX than UA C, in my opinion. The F seat on UA p.s. is wide, but the angled flat thing just doesn't appeal to me.


  • Well, I guess it depends on your expectation and the competition. I found the second row had more room but row one wasn't bad and clearly better than any other airline's "typical" domestic first class seat. The obvious exception is UA/AA on very select x-country routes or any airline using an international configuration. Overall, though, I view VX as a low-cost carrier and am happy they offer first class at all. I hope they stay around for a long while!


  • Wonder if anyone has seen a transcon report?

    http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=759305


  • i've just asked the united peeps in their form. we'll see if they have an answer.







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