How good are the Virgin flights?

[thumpertwinkle]

I would like to hear peoples opinions of the Virgin flights, are they as good as the brochures make them out to be?

[athurstance]

Generally their flights are fine. I wouldn't say they are that much better than anyone else - we've had very good and rather poor flights with them - I would use them again if the price was right but I wouldn't pay extra to fly with them.
The downtown Disney check in is a real bonus I think - as is twilight check in at Gatwick.

[Mr G]

Hello Sandra,we flew Virgin last October from Manchester. Flight delayed 5 hours due to fault with original plane, so Virgin had to send replacement from Gatwick.Can't really complain, rather have a faultless airplane!. Flight good, TVs in back of seats, our 8year old and 5 year old thought this was good, except of course they kept changing channels for the full flight !!. Also had games with it. Food good (usual flight food, ok to eat if you have short arms) Movies, drinks, service good. No real problems other than delay. Would use them again but couldn't get good deal this Year so we are flying with a US airline, with a stop. The flights were just too expensive in UK school holidays.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by thumpertwinkle
I would like to hear peoples opinions of the Virgin flights, are they as good as the brochures make them out to be?
[/quote]

Hi,

I use them regluarly from Manchester because they are they only direct scheduled flight from here to MCO. I have used them from Gatwick a couple of times too, even used them going via Newark (never again its a horrible airport!) I have also used BA from Gatwick.

As I am ex BA crew I probably have a more critical eye, but they are fine no better or worse than any other scheduled flight. The product is good, even if the aircraft out of Man is getting a little passed its best, but that's going to change next year. Downtown Disney check-in is a real bonus.

For me I look deaper than the surface, I know that the Cabin Crew and Flight Crew have had excellent training and the medical equipment carried on board is of the highest standard (not always the case with a charter airline), and that the aircraft have be maintained to a high standard.

Hope this helps??

Julie R

[fiona]

We switched to BA after always using Virgin as we found staff quite rude and indifferent compared to BA, and did not seem to be as child friendly as they were 10 years ago. Having said that, if they were the cheapest we would use them! We go AA quite often now and fly from LHR to Miami and drive up.

[huckleberry house]

I much prefer BA but so if costs were the same I would always opt for BA but if Virgin were considerably cheaper then I would fly with them again,which is what I am doing shortly

Lesley

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by fiona
We switched to BA after always using Virgin as we found staff quite rude and indifferent compared to BA, and did not seem to be as child friendly as they were 10 years ago. Having said that, if they were the cheapest we would use them! We go AA quite often now and fly from LHR to Miami and drive up.
[/quote]

I must admit I have noticed a drop in Cabin Crew standards in the last couple of years but assumed it was just out of Manchester - I know in the past they used Crew who live local and I just assumed after a few months of doing the Orlando week in week out that they got complacent, but maybe its a general drop in standards - not good.

Julie R

[Nostromo]

I have used both Virgin and BA on many transatlantic flights and easily prefer Virgin. I agree that both have plus and minus points, but Virgin's plusses outweigh their minuses, while it is vice versa with BA. On the Gatwick - Orlando route, Virgin are particularly good, with the staff being more child / family friendly. One of the most irritating aspects of BA is the attitude of their ground staff; more than on one occasion, I have had confrontations with them for thier surly manner and more than acceptable attempts at persuading unwilling passengers to change their flights when BA are 'overbooked'.

[thumpertwinkle]

could someone tell me what 'Downtown Disney check-in' is please. [msnembarrased]

[chrisj]

Thats where on your day of departure, you can check your luggage in and get your seats allocated
and then have the rest of the day free from luggage

As for flying, through work and holidays I have over the years flown
most carriers. Most are the same and in my opinion you get good
and bad with them all. ,

So for us its down to cost, availability etc