Anyone travelled on the "revamped" seats on Virgin Premium Economy to Sydney ? Am trying to make my mind up between Gulf Air biz, much longer flight, and Virgin Premium - did a flight London/Chicago on BA WTP and found it not that much better than Economy so discounted that.

Author

Topic

Anyone travelled on the revamped seats on Virgin Premium Economy to Sydney ?

Am trying to make my mind up between Gulf Air biz, much longer flight, and Virgin Premium - did a flight London/Chicago on BA WTP and found it not that much better than Economy so discounted that.

Although I've never flown with Virgin before, I've flown Premium Economy on other airlines and know for sure it will never be better than Business class. Plus Gulf Air has sleeper seats on routes to Sydney, so if you have the budget for Business, it's best to go Business.

I haven't tried Virgin premium economy but I would suggest reading some of the opinions in the opinion section of Skytrax - and think I would definately choose Gulf over Virgin.

I would be inclined to read some of the feedback on Skytrax regarding Virgin and the Premium Economy product. It really seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. Gulf Air have a fantastic new business class seat which is certainly worth while checking out however you may need to double check with Gulf Air directly to ensure that your flight will be operated with the new business class seat as I believe not all aircraft have been completely fitted yet.

SYD-HKG-SYD. Very bright colours in cabin. Virgin's service, uniform, toiletries were made different for the sake of change and not with any improvements in-mind. Virgin ground crew (HKG) did not allow use of "lounge" although I had a valid KrisFlyer PPS / Star Alliance GOLD status. Seats were a little improved from Economy. Premium ECONOMY was more ECONOMY than premium. Food was definitely economy. No I would not travel Virgin Premium Economy nor would I travel Virgin again.

I'd take Gulf biz over Virgin PE any time. Assuming you are going from LHR, the lounge and aircraft will be good (when we flew it seemed you had a 50:50 chance of an upgrade to first). Virgin PE had little to over over economy other than some extra legroom but nowhere near enough seat recline or width to allow sleep.

Gulf Air have now pulled out of the Bahrain to Sydney route now so that's a no go. I have tried the new premium economy seats. They are leather and quite comfortable however they are not business class. They have great AVOD system and the choice of food quite good.

Gulf Air have withdrawn from Sydney flights. Virgins new Premium Economy is being very slowly rolled out, yet it's not neccessarily ideal for long flights to Australia. Ideally, if you've got money for premium, get a flat bed. BA new club world, Virgin Upper Class, all the new asian carriers would give you much better value for money on flights of this length.