VA Experience

This summer will be my first time with Virgin and so I have no knowledge of what to expect. However, last night I looked up a website that gives evaluations of world airlines and was appalled to find that almost all comments on Virgin were negative: poor standard of cabins, cramped seats often in a bad state of repair, terrible food, unhelpful/rude cabin staff, entertainment systems that don't work, etc., etc. Most of these referred to economy class. Should I be worried? [:(]

[Nottingham Nick]

Jock

Whilst there is no hiding the fact that this is very much a pro-VS site (usually:D ) . You can start by trawling through the various trip reports for your destination - or using the search facility to hunt for references to your destination.

The seat pitch is an often discussed topic and VS do not score top marks when compared to some other airlines. Worn cabin furniture is sometimes made reference to, but generally the average age of the VS fleet is low by industry standards.

However where VS (in my opinion) score very highly in the economy sector is food, IFE and most particularly - attitude of staff.
That is not to say that everything is perfect, the IFE ranges from the Nova system, which leaves a lot to be desired right through to the brilliant VPort. There are occassions when it breaks down but I don't think that is too often (compensation in the form of points is usually given when it happens as well).

VS employ a lot of staff - most people's experience with them is positive. I don't think you have to worry too much. You haven't said where and when you are flying. Have a wander through the site and read about the IFE and the fleet.

I hope your first VS experience is a positve one - let us know, whichever way it goes.

Nick

Thanks Nick. I have to say I was most surprised by the comments on the site I was on. I had always assumed that VA was an excellent airline. I suppose that it is the people with complaints that tend to offer comments; those that are satisfied often don't bother - which is a shame! My flight is from Gatwick to San Juan to join a Princess cruise ship. I believe that this will be a charter flight and, as far as I know, one class only.
Jock.

Jock

This wouldn't have been skytrax would it? If so, I'd take a look at this thread too

Cheers

Michael

Yes, Michael, it was skytrax. Why are they so biaised against Virgin?

[mitchja]

I, for one, do not trust anything I read on Skytrax. As to why they are so anti-VS I do not know.

Jock

I have no idea why they seem to mostly post the negative comments. I usually stand by the idea that most people only send comments if they are left with a bad opinion - but knowing how much was cut out of the positives of my report on there, I'm not so sure I should be so "fair & balanced" [V]

Cheers

Michael

[HighFlyer]

Jock

Why not try a more generic site such as http://www.epinions.com ?

They offer individual consumers reviews on a wide variety of things. If you search for Virgin Atlantic you can real some rel reviews, most brilliant but some not so, i think that will give you a fairer idea of what the service is like.

At the end of the day, you need to make your own mind up on the actual day of your flight though. We all have our own idea as to what makes a good flight for us.

Highflier

Thanks for that. Epinions gives a much more balanced view. I feel much better about the prospect of my flight now! The recurrent criticism seems to be the cramped seating and lack of legroom, but I am not all that big anyway. How does Virgin seat pitch compare with airlines such as United or BA?

Hi jock,

I think for coach VS compares just about as well as BA or United ( +or - 1 inch).

United Economy+ ( full fare or elite) will have 35inches approx)


Regards

TBS

VS legroom is comparable with many other major airlines, including BA, United etc. I'm hardly the smallest person in the world and have never had a problem with it-including flights to JNB which is around 12 hours! The food and IFE will more than help pass the time, as will the staff.

As it's a charter people should all be in a happy mood! Hope so anyhow - I'm on the flight a fortnight later.

Jock,

I'm a big fan of VS, but I have to agree with several other sites, in Economy it is cramped. http://www.uk-air.net/seatpitch.htm
suggests 30" to 31", and for anyone around the six foot mark we know how crucial the difference is between 30" and 32". I have also found them quite narrow compared to some other airlines.

As much as I enjoy the VS service etc, if I'm flying Y then I'll pick American every time for the extra leg room. They lose out in every other respect but for any flight over four or five hours I want that legroom.

VSlf

quote:Originally posted by Vslf
Jock,

I'm a big fan of VS, but I have to agree with several other sites, in Economy it is cramped. http://www.uk-air.net/seatpitch.htm
suggests 30" to 31", and for anyone around the six foot mark we know how crucial the difference is between 30" and 32". I have also found them quite narrow compared to some other airlines.

As much as I enjoy the VS service etc, if I'm flying Y then I'll pick American every time for the extra leg room. They lose out in every other respect but for any flight over four or five hours I want that legroom.

VSlf

Couldn't agree more. I love VS but in economy they are poor compared to American Airlines. I am also 6" and the extra inches make a difference.

[Decker]

quote:Originally posted by jonathan020

Couldn't agree more. I love VS but in economy they are poor compared to American Airlines. I am also 6" and the extra inches make a difference.

As someone who is 6' myself I strongly recommend you amend your posting before I can no longer resist the temptation to make wisecracks....

hehe I had a little bet with myself as to whether anyone could resist a wise crack! I had my money on mcuth, looks like I was wrong!

quote:Originally posted by jonathan020
hehe I had a little bet with myself as to whether anyone could resist a wise crack! I had my money on mcuth, looks like I was wrong!

I was being a good boy, and left this task to my learned friend - he's much sharper than me on a Monday, although I don't believe he's made the first wisecrack on this thread so I shall not disappoint

As another 6ft+ person, I'll just say this: the extra inches aren't important if you can't use them to their full effect

Cheers

Michael

[HighFlyer]

Any of you with the availability tool, can you help me check out Jocks flight info? Ive tried today but its always down when i check ..

Flight number is VS9929 Date of departure is 11/07/2004.

I was hoping that the aircraft used would be shown. If anyone can do it please post the results

VS9929 charter from LGW-SJU has been a A343 through May, G-VSEA. Could be any one of the 343's I would say.

Availability checker was no use, had to use Airliners.net for that one.

There's been a series of these flights, and they continue until autumn/winter. To date they've been:
16 May G-VSEA Plain Sailing
30-May G-VHOL Jetstreamer
13-Jun G-VAEL Maiden Toulouse - I think!


BTW - how did you use Airliners.net to find this out? I came up with nothing.

Alex