So after a covid and new child enforced break from transatlantic flying we did a trip to New York over Easter. It's been six years since we've flown with Virgin so I was really excited to get back to it.
Unfortunately, it was a real let down. I can't believe how poor the whole experience was compared to a few years ago.
Some parts were decent - check in was great, security a breeze (we even went through one of the new scanners so didn't have to unpack our hand luggage). Even the 1903 lounge was good, not like a clubhouse but way better than the other MAN lounges. We also used the new mobile passport control app so immigration at JFK was quick and smooth.
But the experience on board felt a huge step down from our previous trips. We were on an ancient A330-300 so the seats were tatty, the control buttons were so worn you couldn't tell what was what. The crew were reasonably friendly but no real chat and the food/drink was shocking. When we first flew upper about ten years ago it felt like a really premium product, superb wine selection (back in the berry bros days) and lots of really tasty food options, this was so bad in comparison.
Can't believe I'm saying this but I genuinely wouldn't bother with it again if this is how things are now. A premium economy seat at half the price feels like a much better deal, especially on a short day flight like this. We had an amazing trip overall - five nights in New York, child free is always going to be great - but the flight part, something I used to get really excited about, was a real let down.
Interested in how people are finding the LHR flights, are the newer aircraft worth doing UC in?
Unfortunately, it was a real let down. I can't believe how poor the whole experience was compared to a few years ago.
Some parts were decent - check in was great, security a breeze (we even went through one of the new scanners so didn't have to unpack our hand luggage). Even the 1903 lounge was good, not like a clubhouse but way better than the other MAN lounges. We also used the new mobile passport control app so immigration at JFK was quick and smooth.
But the experience on board felt a huge step down from our previous trips. We were on an ancient A330-300 so the seats were tatty, the control buttons were so worn you couldn't tell what was what. The crew were reasonably friendly but no real chat and the food/drink was shocking. When we first flew upper about ten years ago it felt like a really premium product, superb wine selection (back in the berry bros days) and lots of really tasty food options, this was so bad in comparison.
Can't believe I'm saying this but I genuinely wouldn't bother with it again if this is how things are now. A premium economy seat at half the price feels like a much better deal, especially on a short day flight like this. We had an amazing trip overall - five nights in New York, child free is always going to be great - but the flight part, something I used to get really excited about, was a real let down.
Interested in how people are finding the LHR flights, are the newer aircraft worth doing UC in?