V-Flyer

This is a bit long and rambling, so apologies right at the front! I have been visiting the v-flyer forum for a few weeks (and enjoying it immensely) as I have an Upper flight coming up and was interested to see if service standards have improved since I last flew Virgin, please let me explain…

In the 1990’s I was a very regular UC passenger from LHR-BOS and LHR-ATH. I have very fond memories of both routes and in particular 747-100 ‘Spirit of Sir Freddie’ and the wonderfully named A320 G-OUZO. I used to really look forward to these flights as at the time they were simply light years ahead of my other two regular airlines, United (in Connoisseur class as it was then known) and BA’s pre-cradle seat Club World.

Unfortunately, through 1998 and into 1999 I noticed a real decline in UC service, which culminated in my leaving a VS LHR-SFO flight, tearing up my return ticket and booking SFO-LHR with BA before I left the terminal! I have not set foot on a Virgin flight since.

So I am a little nervous of VS17, which I am taking with she who must be obeyed in a few weeks time, thence on to Australia and home again on SQ (with whom I fly several round trips a year on). Can any of you with long memories give an opinion of what you feel of the standard of service now versus the late 90’s?

Any input gratefully received, many thanks

Like you, I remember tearing up an SFO-LHR VS return segment in disgust, and that was only last year.

Upper may have changed beyond all recognition since you last flew with Virgin. Also, a lot of the older aircraft have been pensioned off.

As you may have noticed on the forum, there biggest complaint anyone makes about VS is the lack of consistent product which can make a trip with them a bit of a lottery.

For example:

* What type of aircraft should I get (because of the smaller fleet, aircraft type substitutions are not uncommon). This can go either way, once an A343 was put in place of a suited 744, yet last week I did well when an A346 (with V:Port) was turned out instead of an older A343.

* What type of entertainment will I get - there are four different entertainment systems across the fleet, all with personal tv's, but with differences in number of channels, games, and features.

* Will I get the Upper Class Suite, or J2000, or something else?

* Will I get laptop power in Premium Economy? (only if you are on a V:Port aircraft)

There's also an inconsistency between the LHR and LGW fleets (different seating types and configurations, the LGW planes have much simpler, but more reliable, IFE), which cause lots of complaints about the "Bucket and Spade" routes out of LGW being treated as "second class". Also, the MAN-MCO route is still operating with 747-200s.

Like most airlines, the VS staff can sometimes be bit of a lottery too. I've been treated like an old friend by some, and I've been growled at for no apparent reason by others.

The flight where I destroyed my return ticket seemed to be majority staffed by male prima-donnas with David Beckham-ish haircuts and an attitude problem. It has to stand out as probably the worst scheduled flight of my life. Those guys really needed bringing down a peg or two. I didn't even complain to VS, I was so disgusted that I just didn't want to think about it. I just got a ticket back on United.

However, the last few flights I've done with VS have all had excellent cabin crews, so I'm happy to accept that what I had on that bad flight was caused by some unusual alignment of the planets! Indeed, I've just written in to VS to compliment them on my recent trip, as the staff really went the extra mile.

So far, I've been glad that a friend persuaded me to give VS a second chance.

They are visibly working very hard to improve the consistency of the product, and the rumours are that now UCS is properly launched and the fleet conversions are moving smartly ahead, they are turning their attention to improving things down at the back of the bus.

Anyway, as it looks like you'll be giving them another try soon, good luck, and hopefully you'll notice some improvements since you last boarded a VS aircraft.

As I'll be travelling to ATH a bit more often nowadays, I'm quite sad they stopped flying that route!

Cheers,
Mike

I think the biggest improvement over the last 5 years has got to be the suite it is light years in front of any other J product and totally comparable to the BA first seat(I find that the UCS better in both seat and bed position).Cabin service has always been patchy on VS but saying that I have had two bad flights in the last 12 months out of 14 flown. Hope you have a good trip.

I have only had one 'bad' flight, and that was only because there were friends of the crew who were being treated differently to us full fare paying pax. I complained to Virgin and they credited me some Flying Club miles. Virgin are very good if you complain, they always seem to listen to your complaints and give you a small measure of compensation.

I find that the crew can be less attentive on night flights as these are considered red-eye routes where most pax are sleeping. Refershments are usually made available, but they tend to be left out in the galley rather than passed around.

With the upper class suite, i think the full upper class experience has to be taken into account. For the proce of a BA Club World ticket, you can get a Chauffeur driven car, drive through check-in, clubhouse access, in-flight beauty treaments and a bar, plus a huge flat bed to sleep in, this is all in addition to the normal expectations of flying Business. To me, these benefits greatly outweigh the other airlines business classes!

spot on highflyer one of my less memorable flights on VS was down to crew serving another crew members family and ignoring UC fare paying pax.Night time service has always ticked me off, crew should realise not everyone is "barry business man" who wants to get his head down.This is not just a VS problem BA are even worse with their "enhanced":D NCW sleeper service.

This tucking you up early for bed lark, does it include the "bucket and spade " routes as I will still be in holiday mode on the way back from ANU. Don't even need to drive at LGW so I hope the crew don't want too much sleep. Great believer in getting your monies worth in UC;)

quote:Great believer in getting your monies worth in UC

Likewise, and yes they do try the tuck-up routine on the B&S routes as well.

quote:This tucking you up early for bed lark

I do hate this!

I cant sleep unless im lying down flat on my stomach (for those who really wanted to know! LOL) and while im happy to travel in PE across the Atlantic, i cant sleep on the night flight. I am frequently the only one awake and i get 'looks' from the crew on occasion as im laughing away at the IFE or have my light on to read a book or use my laptop. I have been 'told off' several times for pulling the shutter up on the window - it was still dark outside buti was told that 'we didnt want to wake the sleeping passengers apon day break'

Its not my fault i cant sleep, but they do love to transform the cabin into slumber-land, and if your not sleeping your expected to be quiet (at least, thats how it makes me feel!) Especially more so on the LHR 744s as you are sharing with UC on the upper deck.

Because im awake, i notice the lack of crew and service that they can normally get away with. They tend to hang around the bar in UC and i have to go up to them and ask for something i want, which really peeves them off! (and it shouldnt!)

Sorry ... rant over!!

13 Days till my next B&S flight anyway!

I think in terms of night flights most pax sleep so if your in Y I wouldn't expect much night service..

W and J though are a different matter!

on my last red eye I spent most of my time in the galley chatting to the crew anyway as I couldn't sleep.

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
...Night time service has always ticked me off, crew should realise not everyone is "barry business man" who wants to get his head down...

Chris, you taking my name in vain? This "Barry" Business man likes to stay at the bar!

quote:Chris, you taking my name in vain? This "Barry" Business man likes to stay at the bar!

No Way.
Baz I know like me you fly for pleasure and like the odd shandy at the bar:D.

Just a term we used to use when slogging up and down the motorway bored out of our minds spotting different people in cars,such as Rodney Rep and few more that are far too rude to post here.

Night flight syndrome has been around for years.

You have a 747-400 with 390 people on board leaving from JFK at 11pm at night.

Most people want to be fed and watered ASAP so they can TRY to get some sleep, so when they wake up in the morning they feel a little better.

A really annoying thing is when all pax a are asked to close there window blinds which they do, then a few hours later they open it and then go back to sleep, at this time the sun rises and the whole cabin is lit up! Mean while mR XXX is fast asleep.

This is just selfish to everyone else trying to sleep.

a quick peek is fine!!!

I will always wake a passenger up if they open the blind and fall asleep again, so be warned ;)

quote:Originally posted by declansmith
I will always wake a passenger up if they open the blind and fall asleep again, so be warned

I can't remember which airline this was on, maybe UA, but one of the flight attendants had some sort of stick which she could use to push the windowshades down while standing in the aisle.

Not quite sure where it came from, or if it was a standard piece of aircraft equipment!

Cheers,
Mike

I've been known to use a coathanger before....

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
I've been known to use a coathanger before....

You get my vote. At least you won't wake me up until top of descent!;)

Mike

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig

quote:Chris, you taking my name in vain? This "Barry" Business man likes to stay at the bar!

No Way.
Baz I know like me you fly for pleasure and like the odd shandy at the bar:D.

Just a term we used to use when slogging up and down the motorway bored out of our minds spotting different people in cars,such as Rodney Rep and few more that are far too rude to post here.

Oh, thanks Chris, I feel real important now, much better to be Barry the Businessman than Rodney the Rep

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
I've been known to use a coathanger before....

Now don't tell me you keep that in the little purse on you belt aswell [?]

The old upper class pepper pot was also an approved window blind closer but that was before it was removed after 9/11 as it 'could be used as weapon'

Closed blinds mean sleeping passengers which mean less activity in the cabin which mean easier for the crew

No disrespect Declan but u are there to provide a service not trying to get away with as little as possible.SQ (closly followed by NZ) have it spot on- cabin service on red eye flights is the same as in the day. You hit the cabin call button and 10secs later a member of crew is there- water is served every half hour etc. The service on SQ is amazing and its just a shame that VS for some reason dont follow there sister airlines approach.

With regards to window blinds- dont even get me started! VS back from SFO last month, one pax in Y had had a few too many shandys but nothing to cause alarm to the crew as they kept serving them to him- although on kicking the loo door i was begining to get worried as i was across the aisle from him! What i found disgusting was not once was he asked by crew to quiten down and it was fairly obvious he was getting drunk and the beer kept being served (ordered 3 beers @ once on one occassion!) Obviusly a red eye service and whilst all pax were asked to close blinds he was not- crew obviusly scared not to cause a problem- so come sunrise- the whole of our row was wide awake as the sun streamed in! And let fellow pax sat row in front we ordered to close there blind by crew! Unbelivable! This whole 'get pax to sleep' attitude seems to be a newer thing is it me or has it only started to happen in the last 6 or 7 years or so!

Many thanks for all those, especially Mike-Smashing who replied to this thread. I will post a trip report when I am back (Mid October) on how I feel VS compares to my last experience in 1999.