MAN - MCO

I am a bmi Gold card holder and have redeemed some miles for family travel (adults plus kids)on VS MAN - MCO in Y in July.

The more I read about this route the more I worry...why didn't I just try for a *A C class miles redemption? Main worries;-

1. Long Y check in queues at MAN (I know we can use DTD check in for MCO)

2. Reliability of service (see other thread below)

3. IFE repotedly being knackered, by and large

We are used to Biz check in, Exec Lounge access, reliable planes with exemplary (bmi) Transatlantic product and I'm beginning to wonder what I've let the family in for.

For the 3 areas I've mentioned above the only one we've control over (possibly) is #1. Is it worth checking in very early (I understand check in opens around 6.30am for 10.25 am flight).....we are staying overnight at Crowne Plaza Hotel which is on airport?

For # 2 and 3.....any advice gratefully received.

Can I make it clear that I've not posted here to rubbish VS.....just seeking advice over areas of concern - and yes I'm a Virgin cherry boy.

TIA

Haven't flown this route in y for a few years & yes I have expressed some of my own concerns re this service on this forum.

Having said that, when given the choice of using another airline this summer,my family voted a resounding no!!

The on board service is always excellent,Virgin cabin crew really are the best. Haven't personaly had a problem with the entertainment system, always keeps my children amused for hours.

Have experienced a frustrating delay but again Virgin customer relations came up trumps with free flights.

Lack of lounge access can be a pain but we stay at the Radisson when traveling with our younger children so we just return there after check in & have a leisurley breakfast( and collect some FC miles as well)

I am sure you will have a fabulous trip.

Many thanks DMH:)

Glad to hear that the IFE isn't always knacked. The reason we picked VS was because of the reputed in flight service and its good to read your confirmation on this point.

Anyone....what about MAN check in?.....best done early to avoid the crowds?

Cheers.

Alex

We Usecd this route last year in October - wife and I in Club Orlando and sis in Law Hub and kids in Y.

We got to Manchester at 8.30 a.m - 2 hours ahead of departure and the in-laws were 3rd or 4th in the line - the plane was reasonably full too!! I have used Manchester on other occasions at the same time and have never seen a mea queue at any time - migt be diff in the scholl hols tho!!!

Anyway - the IFE was good and as has been said above the service is just great!!!!!!

Have fun and perhaps file a trip report - its interesteing to get reports at different times of the year!!

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by gate4lounge


Anyone....what about MAN check in?.....best done early to avoid the crowds?

Alex

I have never done the MAN - MCO route. I have read many things which do not fill me with confidence about it, but also lots of positive things. I think one of the main gripes is the lack of value from the UC / Club Orlando fares and the delays.

I stand to be corrected I don't recall any gripes about the queues at MAN - the queue gripes all seem to be about LHR / LGW economy check in. There is only one plane out a day, so surely there must be a good time to check in?

Nick

[mitchja]

Last time I flew MAN - MCO (3 years ago) I was in PE and it was no different than any other PE flight on VS other than getting NOVA IFS. IIRC there where at least 3 economy check-in desks and seperate PE and another seperate Club Orlando check-in with non-VS check-in staff just like LGW. You can purchase access to the servisair lounge here

There is absolutley no difference in on-board service between MAN LGW or even LHR for that matter in PE or economy. IMHO Virgin crews could teach BMI crews a thing or 2 about service.

As for knackered IFS systems - this can happen with any system on any airline.

Please dont be put off flying the MAN-MCO route!!!

Regards

^^
You have to pay for lounge access?

Even If you are flying Club Orlando?

I suppose as its not a full UC service the lounge access is not included or offered?

Many Thanks

Joel

No you dont have to pay - you get lounge access with Club Orlando - dont know the exact name but it was in a nice area half way down the terminal above the main cafeteria - quiet, pleasant, nice coffee but no food!!!

quote:Originally posted by MarkJ
No you dont have to pay - you get lounge access with Club Orlando - dont know the exact name but it was in a nice area half way down the terminal above the main cafeteria - quiet, pleasant, nice coffee but no food!!!

Thanks for that Mark, On a different note I flew this route back in '99 or 2000 and we didnt get lounge access with club orlando (dont know why?).

Joel

[mitchja]

no I was referring to the reward economy flights in the original post

Many thanks Mark, Nick and James:D You've certainly made me feel a lot more hopeful about our forthcoming flights:) Thank you all for your very helpful comments

Alex

Sorry to add to the confusion but I recently emailed Virgin regarding lounge facilities for Club Orlando passengers on the MAN/MCO route. My email and their reply are printed below:

Can you tell me if there is a lounge for Club Orlando passengers at Manchester please. Also can you confirm that we will be able to use the Delta Lounge at MCO.

Many thanks



Dear Colin

Thank you for your e-mail.

There is no lounge available for Club Orlando passengers at Orlando airport although Club Orlando/Club Barbados passengers will be able to use the Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport.

Kind regards

Now that raises a couple of questions:
1. I was under the impression from previous threads that Club Orlando passengers had access to the Delta lounge at MCO.
2. Club Barbados passengers? So which particular route out of Manchester would those be flying on then?!

From a very INfrequent flyer, can I throw it over to the experts...

Colin [8D]

TIA

I thought I better put the record straight as my original comments probably started this thread.

I have also flown with BMI to Washington Delta to Atlanta and the Due to unavailablity on VS and I will continue to fly VS because even though overall its is not as good as the LHR LGW VS package it is still better that is competitors overall. When I travell Club Orlando I usually have some relative with me and they always fly economy. Even though I get booked in straight way I have never had to wait very long for them to check even at what you would consider peak times. If you are flying Class D Club Orlando YOU WILL GET ACCESS TO LOUNGES AT BOTH ENDS. The main gripe is as stated lack for full UC facilites and old planes which do cause delays more frequently that the newer fleet in the London Airport. Also the in flight entertainment whilst always working. generally has at least one channel down and the map system hasnt wotked on either plane for over twelve months. (when I raised this on my last flight the cabon crew in the upstairs said that this was due to the age of the software. However the food and cabin crew are always excellent are what you would expect from the brand, My only gripe is at £1300 a ticket I should have a better hoice than someone spending £320.

So enjoy your trip

Paul

(when I raised this on my last flight the cabon crew in the upstairs said that this was due to the age of the software.

I thought the 742s were running oddessy.

[mitchja]

It's worth remembering that the Club Orlando severice was introduced by Virgin Holidays (back in 2001 I think). When it was launched it was another £120 on top of the PE supplements (it's now an extra £160 on top of the PE supplement). The PE supplements are between £150 and £225 for MAN - MCO and all these supplements are one-way only.

Booking though VH you can get some really good deals on all flight upgrades with VS.

Club Orlando is only a Premium Economy + service and nothing else so you cannot really expect much more than what you get with PE.

Regards

James

Your missing the whole point!

People love and fly VS because they expect to get more, are loyal to the brand and want to support Britains flag carrier. Are you saying that Club Orlando passenger should pay the extra £200 to £300 and fly business class with Delta, BMI United etc to get the full service and a newer more reliable fleet. The arguement we Northerners have is that we dont have the choice of UC at the moment and even if we did we still would have to suffer the older planes. The younger fleet must be better or why else why would VS be so proud to have the in service dates and Flying a younger fleet painted on their aircraft. We shouldnt be expected to put up with the what do you expect for that money attitude

Paul

you maybe forgetting that VS is a small airline (BA have more jumbos than all of VS's fleet combined) and therefore can't afford to spend a lot of money on 2 new 744s when the majority of the people flying on that route wouldn't notice the difference.

We flew MAN-MCO last Oct, first trip to Florida with Virgin. Unfortunately, probs with the engines led us being taken back to Manchester and experiencing a 27 hour delay whilst they flew a new plane up from LHR.

However, we were compensated pretty well and are flying LHR-JFK in Nov.

Despite the probs, I would still fly/holiday Virgin. No other probs reported and our wedding, organised by them, was fantastic value for money.

a_a

PS - the entertainment system on Honey Pie experienced no probs.

quote:Originally posted by aimees angel
We flew MAN-MCO last Oct, first trip to Florida with Virgin. Unfortunately, probs with the engines led us being taken back to Manchester and experiencing a 27 hour delay whilst they flew a new plane up from LHR.

that sounds like the plane they used to ferry back the passengers after the drunk pilot.

Wel1 said!!!

If you dont believe that these plane are too old just look at the delayed departure over the last 3 or 4 days

PS VS 076 just passed over about to land at 8.58pm Should have arrived at 7.25am this morning.

quote:and therefore can't afford to spend a lot of money on 2 new 744s when the majority of the people flying on that route wouldn't notice the difference.

How could you possibly assume that people would not notice the difference!! The can and do!! You have only to read the Disney forum board to see how many people are complaining about this route.

Perhaps Virgin too need to read the boards as a lot of people are now going to get an alternative if they live near Birmingham with Flyblu.

People from the north are really getting fed up with these planes and are mainly flying Virgin from Manchester as there is no alternative direct flight.

which in itself is the great problem for VS.

I live in sudnerland, If I want to travel with virgin, I have to book a flight with BA to heathrow from newcastle. This causes hassle when at heathrow.

to stop this, virgin needs a UK domestic service. (It could also undercut BA on the UK commuter routes.)

What about this for a solution

Refit 742 aircraft and send them to LHR to use on Eastern seaboard. At least if they go tech ther are alternative aircraft / flights. Then move to LGW 747s to MAN. This would allow a full UC service especially now the flight code shares with Singapore. Two LHR 747 could then go to LGW. Everyone is happy

PAUL