Flight Review - Virgin Atlantic Premium (Economy) JFK to London

The final flight of my Round the World in 8 Days Adventure brought be home to London from New York's JFK airport. I took advantage of a 50% off redemption promotion offered by Virgin and grabbed a seat in their Premium cabin - which most other airlines describe as Premium Economy. And I chose a day flight across the Atlantic as there's just not enough time on an overnight flight to eat and sleep.
And it was a good experience - I lost the recline lottery but it was a very pleasant way to spend 6 hours...
⭐ #flightreview #virginatlantic #MattsPlanet ⭐
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1.10 - JFK Terminal 4
6:20 - The Plane
11:33 - London Heathrow T3
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. This video may not be copied or reproduced without written permission.

[@amfwelsh]

Did this flight from the uk and back in premium. I enjoyed the seat and food and the fact you could walk up the galley and help yourself to snacks. Ended up talking to cabin crew for over 45 mins, was a lovely stretch of one’s legs.

[@MattsPlanet]

Good point - I didn't feel a need to snack as the two meals were substantial and relatively close to each other, but its a good feature I should have mentioned.... Next time!

[@andytalbert2660]

This video was perfect. We are on board Virgin Atlantic 006 in 27 days from Miami, about 8 hours, to Heathrow in Premium Economy and returning connecting at JFK, also. 787’s. Great to know about the access to the lounges as Premium passengers, unsure about baggage fees for Premium, but this was a great video thanks very much.

[@adriver4471]

Reclining their seat is one thing but what really annoys me is when they do it even before take off 😁

[@MattsPlanet]

A bit naughty if they do... But I think people realise that once the crew is seated they can do pretty much what they want...

[@IWTBF]

And people who are 5ft putting it back or kids

[@ss-xy2im]

@@MattsPlanet if it had been a night flight it might have been me in front of u, sorry 😜🤣

[@Michelle-vq1zg]

Then keep it reclined during meal service!

[@ss-xy2im]

@@Michelle-vq1zg sorry am fast asleep 😜

[@fritskleinenhammans2388]

Lovely video again, thanks a lot. As a KLM frequent flyer I also noticed the difference in how crew performs on the inbound flights versus the outbound flights. For exactly the same reasons as you suggest in this video I think. Interesting enough I often find AF crew even better on inbound flights compared to KLM.

[@MattsPlanet]

You'd really hope the crew (and the airline) would be professional enough to be consistent in both directions but it seems to rarely be the case that they are...

[@ryansluxurytravel]

Interesting to see what airlines think is making an experience 'premium' - great video Matt

[@MattsPlanet]

"Premium" perhaps but still well short of Luxury! Good luck with your channel!

[@iainmacinnes1657]

I think two full hot meals on a six hour flight in PE is very good. Not sure AA, BA, and UA offer that. Matt good factual report as usual. Re Reline that’s the lottery as you say, maybe go for a bulkhead row next time, if available.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Iain - I think I say in the video, if that's the breakfast at the end of an overnight, it's good, and as a 2nd meal at the end of a day flight, it was pretty good too!

[@speedendurance]

two full hot meals on a six hour flight... I'm jealous!

[@rogerbird380]

I've only flown Virgin Premium Economy on one return flight but I felt it was worth it for the extra space. I don't remember the food at all which suggests it wasn't much cop on that occasion. 😄 The crew was professional but very muted indeed. Good video, Matt, as always.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Roger - a vote for the upgrade being worth it - not that many in that camp so far! But if you can get the space at a reasonable increment, then I agree its probably worth it

[@neilfitz7186]

Loving this account Matt - great work. Appreciating degrees of recline and flight times all affect our perceptions, flew back Virgin PE 787 night flight yesterday LAX-LHR. I felt vaguely claustrophobic, and some plastic underseat box in front affected my leg stretch (never experienced this before?) Great service from staff (well done Virgin), nice food and drinks. Just greatly preferred their Virgin A350 PE outbound, and BA’s 787 PE equivalents (even on their 24hr to SYD) - given space and possibly less need to be a world-class gymnast to exit window seat?! Thanks Matt 👍

[@MattsPlanet]

Premium Economy is reportedly every airline's most profitable cabin so the experience should be good!

[@cordial]

This account is going places. Good stuff.

[@MattsPlanet]

Literally!

[@felixnewton7556]

You jus earned a new subscriber! great video

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Felix!

[@simonwest9450]

12:24 I was pretty shocked when Virgin wanted £700 to upgrade from Economy to Premium on my outbound flight LHR-MIA for September. I managed to snag an upgrade on the return leg for £150.

[@MattsPlanet]

Supply and demand I'd imagine - if they can get someone to pay £700, why wouldn't they??? The Premium cabin is the most profitable, allegedly.... £150 is far more reasonable!

[@ethanjwarren]

Great review Matt as always - cant help but feel that PE and a daytime flight is a good mix, something i might need to consider in the future. I'm always been bothered about the night time flight heading Eastbound back over the Atlantic because Im not really one to sleep and (like you) I like to get some work done and not sleep, so I find the service is a bit flat and hours and hours can go by before you see cabin crew. There is that call bell but I dont like to be that one guy... However I would have to do bulkhead like you did on that BA flight a few months back, definetly better experience.

[@MattsPlanet]

Bulkhead in PE (on that VS plane at least) was reserved for bassinettes so wasn't an option and is a risk (or proximity to crying baby) if it was.... I was actually keen to experience and report on the true legroom for this video. But worth a thought.... And day flights are the way forward if you ask me!

[@AquariusTurtle]

Excellent videos.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Like Product Product Premium Economy.Great Trip Report

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@peterdewberry3082]

I agree, the wine in a can was a disappointed.

[@MattsPlanet]

It may be great for the environment - it may also not be!!! Not very premium though...

[@jpliss8316]

The transition at 7:40 was a nice touch--overall great trip report. I feel the gloom of the NY weather rubbed off on the flight. Was it acceptable? Yes. Was it much more? No.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for noticing that transition! Tried it on 2 or 3 previous flights but couldn't get it to edit together... This one finally worked!!! Took a while though.. not a flight that is forcing it's way into my all time top 10.…..

[@steve-marsh]

Totally agree about experience being 100% dependant on passenger in front, it shouldn't be a lottery like this. They must stop penny pinching and allow the extra room for seat to reline within itself, or no recline at all

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Steve. Breath not held on that one!

[@kenupton9575]

For those of us who fly domestic US flights, CLEAR can be very valuable for particular US airports--for others, not so much. Both United and Delta have ownership stakes in CLEAR so you will always see it in their hub airports. American Airlines does not so you seldom see it in their hubs.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Ken - good to know. I'm sure I must have seen it elsewhere but I really didn't remember it... But this was Delta's hub at JFK... Do you have it? Do you rate it?

[@davidbalcon8726]

I used the new Soho lounge when flying an early morning AA flight in February from JFK. I was there around 6:30a and while the bar was open, the bartender said he couldn’t serve me for another half-hour. At 7a he brought over my gin and cranberry. Great breakfast offerings.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks David - interesting if its 8am in one terminal and 7am in another... Thanks!

[@kevindonnelly6007]

I don't drink wine, but even I wouldn't think a can of wine is an option customers would consider a proper move to preserve flavor and reduce cabin clutter. I'd love to take Virgin but just can't bring myself to participate in the SkyTeam award points lottery I'm told exists for redemption costs. Glad you got a deal!!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Kevin - the wine scored highly from an environmental perspective but it wasn't a great experience... Been asked many times to do a "Which SkyTeam scheme should I join" and I don't think I can put it off much longer.... I'm interested to know now Virgin is part of it!

[@RichieAustinMagician]

I fly Prem Eco on virgin when we fly out to NYC( JFK) and its perfect for the price well worth the money its a long outbound flight ( 8+ hours ) so the extra room is really good even better on the over night return flight there is no way i can justify the 'upperclass' cabin its just wasting money

[@MattsPlanet]

It's a massive jump up in cost to Upper Class so I can understand that approach!

[@heliusanthonydsouza8184]

The distance between your seat and the seat in front remains the same if both were fully upright. If the person ahead of you reclines his seat that would lessen the distance between the seats. All you have to do is recline your seat to enjoy the same distance between the seats. Hes paid full price for his seat, he has the right to recline. If you don't like being told what to do with your seat. You have no right telling him what to do with a seat he's paid for either.

[@MattsPlanet]

You're completely correct. And I didn't tell him anything. Some people are considerate to those around them and others aren't, its a simple as that. I suspect I know which camp you're in from this comment!

[@martynmahmoud]

I only ever flew Virgin economy once SFO-LHR after I missed my original BA flight home due to alarm clock issues 😂. For me, usually someone else is paying for it but I prefer premium economy where possible mainly because of the upgrade possibility on an oversold flight. Being gold BAEC, I’m among first in the line to benefit. Has happened a few times now. Of course, an upgrade from premium is the one you want if and when it does happen (rather than regular economy)

[@MattsPlanet]

That's an excellent point actually - not perhaps on redemptions but paid PE seats do seem to have a chance of upgrades... I had a run of 3 out of 4 PE to C upgrades between LHR and DXB

[@joshuaumney7176]

It’s amazing how the seat recline is such a lottery. I’ve had the pleasure of a win and loss in that department, I just found that with the seat reclined the screen sits about 12 inches from your face.

[@MattsPlanet]

You win some, you lose some! As with most things in live... At least in Premium you can still breathe with the seat in front reclined!

[@joshuaumney7176]

Yes I do agree, I also looked up flights last night to New York and in some cases it was only an extra £100 to fly premium. In my opinion it’s 100% worth it, but I definitely wouldn’t pay close to double the price.

[@davidpascoe5842]

I've flown PE a few times mainly for extra leg room. Typical I would agree about the service can be a less and expected on the IB. Haven't done VS thought

[@MattsPlanet]

I think I'm in an Iberia Premium Economy seat from London to Madrid next month - even if the service isn't there it will be interesting to see the seat..

[@derekbryce2632]

Enjoyed this. I flew VS Premium Economy to ORD and IAD 9 years ago when you could connect through Heathrow on their short-lived ‘Virgin Little Red’ domestic service out of Edinburgh. I liked VS Premium and it is a bit better than the BA/AA equivalent which I’ve reverted to as a OneWorld slave. Re the ‘can o wine’ atrocity - I’m flying First Class on Alaska Airlines SEA - HNL later this month where they apparently serve their sparkling wine from a can. Presentation wise it does seem very naff.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks as always - I think they're prioritising the environmental element of wine in a can and not concerning themselves too much with the quality of what goes into the can!

[@derekbryce2632]

@@MattsPlanet clearly!

[@jeremypearson6852]

I’ve flown Virgin for about twenty years now between Miami (home) and LHR (former home), mostly in FC (using points) or in Premium. My trips have always been fine and the staff friendly and professional. If you can afford Premium I’d do it since it’s a reasonably long flight. Nothing like bigger seats.

[@MattsPlanet]

I agree - you play the recline lottery with every trip but its still pretty good!

[@jeremypearson6852]

I generally choose the last row, so I know the limitations. I like the fact that I don’t have anyone behind me and I can stay reclined even during meal service. @@MattsPlanet

[@craigs.codycpa1068]

Thanks for the review. I also did not know that a UK Citizen could obtain Global Entry.

[@MattsPlanet]

There's a video about it - 14 non-US citizens from memory? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6WqgqiXlJpnmsk

[@lamontcranston4436]

Another super useful video, thank you! Premium economy can be such a lottery. Pre-Covid I'd say you were better off with BA choosing a good seat in economy and paying for an upgraded meal - they're always generous with booze, perhaps a different argument if you're flying longer than transatlantic. When someone reclines into you as here, I wonder if it would have been better to have been at an exit row. Also it's annoying that seat width is always compromised by the table in the arm premium economy even if shoulder width is better...

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Lamont. The front row in this cabin brings the baby bassinet lottery into the equation... A completely different debate!!!

[@lamontcranston4436]

@@MattsPlanet * Shudder *

[@trimley]

My wife would have had kittens if the seat in front was pushed back the full flight 😅

[@MattsPlanet]

Not what you want to start a trip. Or to end one!

[@stevecraven3502]

Matt. another interesting , informative video. I signed up for the Biometrics at Heathrow T5 on a flight to Nice last week. It was an invite on my ticket, when checking in online. But I didn't really do anything differant whilst passing through security. Maybe thats a good thing, breeze straight through. Do you know how you sign up for the Biometrics there and does it cover all or most American airports? I'm flying to Nashville at the end of June and would sign up for it if it's available and made my journey through security easier. Maybe like Heathrow T5 you get invited to sign up. Who knows. Keep up the good work and like THE POOL, YNWA. Steve. C.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Steve. 4th is still possible... And I find myself cheering on City in the champions league too... That biometric is entirely us so you'd need to apply over there. I think the UK one is a trial for boarding? Trying to speed that up I think ..

[@rtb5365]

Nice to see a PE video. Last year, flew PE to Antigua on VS and generally felt we had a good deal. We had a great crew though, which always helps. Seats were a *little* tired, but that was about it. Am I right in thinking that was T3 you flew into? I was surprised to see the E-gates. I dont recall seeing the E-gates the last time I was through T3 I flew AMerican, though it may be that they were just out of action for some reason and were blocked off. Only place in Heathrow I've seen them is T5, though I believe they are in T2 as well.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks RTB. And thanks for watching to the end! E-Gates at all terminals I believe - certainly T2, 3 and 5 although I've not been through T4 since the restart... Quite often large blocks of them are closed off.... I read somewhere that they aren't actually automated - an agent supervises 4 machines and visually signs off the facial match. Which is why there's always a multiple of 4 gates open and if they don't have the staff, we don't get the gates... Not sure if that's true but it lines up with what I've seen going through... You can usually see the agents in front of their screens just behind the gates....

[@rtb5365]

@@MattsPlanet The engineer in me demands that I watch until the end as I'd never know what gem of information I might miss otherwise! :) As far as the E-gates go - not quite sure they arent operational more often. When I've had the chance to use them in T5, they've seemed to really keep the queues moving. I understand that they might require specialized training for the Border Force agents to operate, but as a traveler, my observation is that they help.

[@relaxingsilentfilms-LosAngeles]

would you pick 787-9 or A350 for premium economy seats? both planes are great.. But the Boeing 2-3-2 seems a bit more spacious?

[@MattsPlanet]

I've only flown PE on the 787 but I believe the product offering is very similar across the two variants - much less of a difference in seat that in Upper Class... So I'd pick whichever timing suited me....

[@tonyracks2956]

HI YA MATT ive tried ba and virgin prem econ and i think ba just about edges it but i do prefer club ba rather than virin upper ....... thanks mate for another great video

[@MattsPlanet]

I feel another BA PE trip coming to assess them again...

[@jeb1683]

@@MattsPlanet I did find that the BA offering from LGW was better in PE, as they've got the new cabins, whereas when I went from LHR in PE, they had club suites but the old PE. Cabin crew told me it's due to the market in LGW being leisure vs business in LHR. Having said that, I lucked out with a cheap upgrade from PE to club returning to LGW and ended up in a suite in row 1!

[@MattsPlanet]

@@jeb1683 Thanks Jon - Quite rare for a club suite to service LGW so well done there! Think I'll be an even older man before the LGW fleet gets the suites as it is supposedly a leisure airport....

[@jeb1683]

@@MattsPlanet yes very lucky! Having said that, the reverse was true when I flew back from Newark recently, when I was on probably one of the only 777-2s that had the really old blue cloth interior with those tiny square screens. Crew informed me this was a last minute change of aircraft, but it really shows up just how far those cabins have improved of late!

[@peetbothma6982]

Can of wine🥵 What is the world coming to😂😂👍🇿🇦 Looks OK but nothing that would justify the 80% higher cost for me. Take care👍

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Peet - that seems to be the consensus... Re the wine and the extra fare!

[@peetbothma6982]

@@MattsPlanet Good to see there are still a few sometimes grumpy well matured men around who appreciate a touch of class. Must congratulate all of the Brits on a spendid coronation yesterday. Regardless of your affinity or not for the Crown, NO ONE does Pomp and Circumstance better than the UK👏👏👌😊🇿🇦

[@donaldpolson5450]

I have flown Virgin Premium once and obviously the step down from Upper Class is huge. Having said that there is clear daylight between their Premium product and Economy. Perhaps a better question/comparison would be Premium v Economy Delight (yet another Virgin innovation). One aspect of Premium seldom mentioned is -apart from the self service Wander Wall/galley - is the use of the Upper Class bar. I find it tends to be empty - I suppose with every need at your seat in Upper Class hardly any feel the urge to go and drink at the bar. So a great space to stretch legs and socialise

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Donald - that bar is supposed to be reserved for upper class passengers so I'm not sure that's a legitimate benefit of flying premium! Think you might have got away with one on that flight...

[@donaldpolson5450]

@@MattsPlanet Agreed it isn't but that's my point. I did it when I flew that one time in Premium but the other times I have flown in Upper Class I often see Premium customers in there. I think it's an unofficial understanding with the cabin crew if it's empty. I asked when I flew Premium - perhaps more to do with my flirtatious technique 😂 Perhaps it is an A330-300 thing as tbh I can't see this happening in the Loft of an A350 or A330 Neo

[@s550days]

I believe eggs benedict is with ham. If you were to have it with salmon it would be eggs royale. Does Virgin offer lounge access with Premium economy? I never knew that... a huge plus over BA.

[@MattsPlanet]

I got into the lounge through my status rather than from flying Premium - no entry if you're just in that cabin

[@richardstreet7518]

Cateting much better than BA for equivalent flight.. you get a breakfast and a roll .... The VS seat also changes depending on aircraft type... it's narrower on the A350. Economy on the A330 -300 /900 is fine... awful on the 787 ymmv.. .. Matt do you know anything about miles booster ???

[@MattsPlanet]

Hi RIchard. I did see the miles booster when I bought a ticket last year but the website seemed to break when I looked into it.... Don't believe it was an option on this redemption flight so didn't look... I believe its an opportunity to buy extra miles, albeit at a poor-ish rate. Divide the cost by the points, multiply by 100 and you get pence per point. Anything over 1p is not good value

[@Locutus]

I don't think BA would do that with their menus and, and that says something!

[@MattsPlanet]

It didn't feel like it was very Virgin-y to do that!

[@Locutus]

@@MattsPlanet What do you think VA and BA generally are better at than each other? It's probably worth an entire video about it!

[@MattsPlanet]

@@Locutus I haven't yet flown the BA Club Suite - tried 3 times but keep getting cancelled! When I do, this sort of video will be possible!

[@mjrc123]

A can of wine?!? 😱👀🙈🧐

[@MattsPlanet]

I report what I see!!! And I saw a can of wine!

[@thevirgintraveller]

I've flown Premium Economy before with Virgin, I'm not a big guy...5"8, so even in Economy leg room was plentiful. The food and drink offerings seem the same, albeit in Premium served on/in dishware. Even in Economy, you get wine in a can. I'm torn on whether or not Premium is worth it, for me at least.

[@MattsPlanet]

If the leg room in economy doesn't represent a health risk, the rationale for the upgrade is even less compelling....

[@speedendurance]

The "rule" is keep the seats upright during meal service. And since you had 2 full meals, at least you could potentially have 2 x 20 min of personal space! Still, it's annoying AF. Luckily for the person behind me, I rarely recline my seat as I can sleep upright.

[@MattsPlanet]

The crew does seem to enforce the "rule" too which is something I suppose.... And the recline is relatively minimal so I'm not sure it makes much of a difference on a day flight anyway....

[@speedendurance]

@@MattsPlanet I'm a laptop guy myself, but have learnt to bring a book and/or iPad for this very reason!

[@MattsPlanet]

@@speedendurance It's a good point - I wouldn't travel without my laptop these days as I need a keyboard for comments and the like.... So a tablet just feels like an extra thing to lug around...

[@timtony7153]

Hi Matt, Love the length of your review, it pretty much sums up that there is really not much to report on!!! It just does not look very premium in my view!! It is just.....meh..... I guess for a day flight its OK......

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Tim - if it helps people decide whether the premium for premium is worth it, I've done my job!

[@timtony7153]

@@MattsPlanet I guess I am blessed to be able to just fly J all the time these days. Your experience and report, video made me kiss both hands, look up to the sky, and thank whoever is there to bless me with means to NOT have to travel like that.....loooool

[@pcmacintyre]

The ability to enjoy PE on EVA is also dependent on the person in front of you. I had someone reclined in front of me the entire way both legs over the Pacific. It was really galling on the return flight when the woman in front of me must have been only 5 feet tall. She curled up on her seat like a cat.

[@MattsPlanet]

I dream of being 5 foot tall on a plane.... Must feel like flying private!

[@pcmacintyre]

@@MattsPlanet Flying was really comfortable when I was 7 years old.

[@madds6678]

PE if you can get the bulkhead seat same in economy, otherwise I feel uncomfortable if you get the recliner & blanket over the head sort as soon as the flight has taken off, as you said it really invades your personal space & feet out in the aisle 🤮 I’ve even had someone have the cheek to put their cheesy socked foot up the side of my seat between the fuselage that is till I warned them that I would keep pouring my drink over their foot till it was removed & even resort to breaking those toes if so be it 🤬 some people have no etiquette on board planes & think their at home on the sofa I wouldn’t at all be surprised to find someone cutting toe nails one day 😕

[@MattsPlanet]

Ah, the delights of travel eh? The bulkhead seats in that cabin add the bassinet lottery to the mix...

[@kevanhubbard9673]

The should get rid of reclining seats as they cause so much hassle.The only other way would be to have the seats in pods but that would be very expensive.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Kevan - Ryanair's approach.... Tough on a premium long-haul flight....

[@larsmllerheickchristensen3398]

Off topic 😬 Is it normal that flights paid partially with points does not count towards your status i.e silver, gold etc. Or is it just SAS Eurobonus program that sucks? “Please note that points cannot be earned on discounted tickets such as Industry or Agent Discounts, standby or charter tickets or on tickets wholly or partially paid with points.”

[@MattsPlanet]

It is very normal for reward flights to not count - indeed Virgin is the only airline I can think of where these flights do count towards status. They don't on BA...

[@larsmllerheickchristensen3398]

@@MattsPlanet Thanks 👍

[@maznunezf3589]

too early to start drinking , oh dear

[@MattsPlanet]

Never too early...

[@peterfinn6098]

I would be disgusted with wine served from a can and wonder what the reaction is like with the wine. Why not use the small glass bottles if they don’t use the plastic ones. Thanks for the warning!

[@MattsPlanet]

It seems to be a case of trying too hard... It wasn't brilliant wine anyway and I couldn't tell if would have been any better from a bottle...

[@peterfinn6098]

@@MattsPlanet Air France’s French passengers would be disgraced and horrified at the idea, wot no bottle!

[@gexrge-ps5]

Is virgin holidays flight hotel good nyc

[@MattsPlanet]

I've not booked a virgin holiday but you usually get a discount for booking a hotel with a flight.... Easy enough to price up the individual bits to see if you're getting a good deal

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

I would love to be able to do what you do. But I must not be as intelligent as I think I am. I just don’t see how it’s possible to visit 100 countries, fly millions of miles, etcetera, without being independently wealthy. I mean working a regular job and all. I wish someone would produce some kind of how-to make it happen.😢

[@MattsPlanet]

Interesting idea for a video actually - I'll put it on the list! I am certainly not independently wealthy... Got a profession which is global - accounting - then got transferred to various countries around the world. Then took full advantage of visiting neighbouring countries. Not having kids helped....

[@maznunezf3589]

premium for me or business if poss.

[@MattsPlanet]

And Economy every now and again to remind yourself of why you're spending the extra money?

[@oliverbutterfield9844]

My decision to recline is based on what the person behind me does. If they believe it’s OK to reduce the personal space of the person behind them, then I’m happy to adopt that too.

[@MattsPlanet]

The "Domino" Argument!!! A valid one though - thanks!

[@dospalmascb]

The only pe i have flown is BA. Its an absolute nightmare if the person in front reclines and wont sit up for meal service. however the crew on both my fights were swift and insistent that they sit up until after service, this didnt go down well with the american passengers but was virtually cheered on by the brits lol. im not flying pe this year, only club world. why? because ex inverness saves so much e can fly club world for less than pe! (the premium sale helped too. but my flights to ABQ in 2024 are 1st class as it was £90 more than club world!!, again ex inv and in the premium sale. guess who inspired that? yep! Matt!)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - so nice to hear a success story! I'm with you that a wee bit of inconvenience (with apologies to Inverness as its lovely!!!!) to get a biz fare lower than PE solves the problem admirably!!!

[@jon-ie4li]

Waste of money, 6 hour flight.Think What you could do with the money, one night in a 5 star hotel, dinner in the best restaurant in Town, economy or business, nothing in between.

[@MattsPlanet]

Excellent points - one night in a 5 star hotel or 5 nights in a 1 star hotel perhaps!

[@bladeds100]

In your opinion

[@Joe69420blazing]

People who recline are the more selfish people we must deal with in day to day life

[@MattsPlanet]

I've avoided this debate on the channel for 2+ years but I guess it had to happen! I tend to agree with you though!

[@lifelessordinaryxyz]

I’m the opposite - it’s the people behind me that I consider the risk. In front - On a day flight yes don’t recline your seat. On a night flight - fair enough. I never recline out of principle. People who recline before the plane takes off deserve all the bile one can muster and can get straight in the sea. It’s the people who interfere with my seat I have a real problem with. Aggressive touch screen interactions being a key annoyance or feet/knees into the back of it. It’s my seat - do your best not to touch it in any way. Be gentle with the touch screen and tray etc and we will get along just fine. Im still amazed there is no flight etiquette video that follows the in flight safety video - some people need reminding that their comfort doesn’t come at the expense of other peoples’!

[@michaellynn8]

Agreed. I like Ryanair's approach to this, no seat can recline.

[@richardstreet7518]

Short-haul no recline is good. Long haul should be fine otherwise restrict recline when seat is built / designed or shock horror increase pitch so you can recline...

[@christianheld9720]

I don’t mind if one asks. As a tall guy people recline and if my knee is stuck they ran themselves in the seat to push it back. More often than not I apologise and explain I’m too tall. On Premium recently we had the row for ourselves and the guys in front reclined. It’s so in your face I hate it

[@pauloroarty1799]

For God sake man you're flying from New York to London !!! Get a life too much yakking about nothing important !! what a bloody know all

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm quite happy with this life, thanks!