Telling you that I’m a nervous flyer would be an understatement, a downright lie in fact. By the time I’m strapped in, I’m usually more than a little hot under the collar, I’m tearing at the buttons, gasping for air. As a result, I’m a bit of a plane snob. I’ve tried other airlines but after an 8 hour flight with no entertainment or complimentary food and drinks, I quickly learned that you get what you pay for. If, like me, you won’t get on a plane without a G & T regardless of it being 9.25am, you have probably wondered if it’s worth upgrading. I recently flew to NYC in the Virgin Atlantic economy cabin *sob* and after my Premium Economy flight experience to Fort Lauderdale last June I feared the worst. So what’s the difference? Is the upgrade really worth it?
The Red Economy Amenities Pack VS The Premium Economy Pack
With a Premium Economy ticket, the VIP treatment begins when you arrive at the airport. You can beat the queues at the PE check in desk and benefit from priority boarding. And then there’s the cabin. The PE cabin itself is smaller and less crowded with extra leg room and larger seats making it a little more exclusive and comfortable. The large leather seats add a little extra luxury to your trip and your welcome pack is purple instead of red. Now comes the good part. The pre take off glass of bubbles is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit and is the perfect way to settle pre flight nerves. Did I mention your food arrives on china plates? The flight attendants regularly walk around the cabin bearing fresh fruit and newspapers. On my Premium economy flight I was surprised at the quality of the food and was more than a little giddy about the mini Haagen Dazs pots that made the perfect pre landing snack.
While the novelty of Premium Economy added a little extra special something to my trip, I have to say that at 5ft 2 the extra room was a luxury but not a necessity and isn’t something I’d pay extra for in the future. In fact the Virgin Economy cabin is far from basic and the service is five star. There may not be a glass of champers waiting for you but the post take off complimentary vodka cocktails are a nice touch. You still receive a pack of goodies if you are on a night flight complete with toothbrush, toothpaste and an eye mask. The entertainment will keep you busy for hours and the cream cheese sandwiches and vanilla cupcake are just what you need to boost energy levels and there are sweets handed out for landing.
Have you traveled with Virgin Atlantic? Tell me about it in the comments section or let me know on Twitter. If you have ever been lucky enough to travel with Virgin in their Upper Class cabin, leave a comment below as I’d love to hear the differences between PE and UC from someone who have experienced both.
