Is Virgin slipping

Hi,

I'm considering taking my family to Orlando next year. Have been a number of times before and have generally flown from Birmingham with Continental via Newark. However life has changed over the last couple of years with the arrival of our daughter so when considering going this time a number of factors - direct flight from UK, kiddy facilities etc - have made me think of going with Virgin from Manchester. I got hold of the 2006 Virgin holidays brochure last week and read with interest that they now have dedicated kids programs on the IFE - except for flights to Orlando and Miami ! er... so thats the prime kiddy friendly destination of Florida ignored and the not so small child friendly cities of New York and Boston included.

Why?

Also I concur with a number of other posts that the First Choice charter option is looking very attractive which the additional leg pitch over Virgin which I must admit is a big concern.

I'm not sure about this, but using the tools on this website, the flight to MCO operates with either the Nova or Odyssey inflight systems - Both include 2 kids channels.

The truth is Boomeruk that the NOVA system doesnt have as many channels as other virgin IFE systems

I believe they still have kids programing, but that its looped with comedy etc

but as always ISTBC

With regards to other charter carriers they also dont have a dedicated chanel for children. I believe most airlines offer kids programming though.

VS offer a kids pack and meals

I'm sure others who have used the kids service will fill in the blanks.

and welcome to V-flyer!!:)

You can't really beat the Virgin inflight service, trumps higher than the charter companies. Newer and larger aircraft, individual television monitors, dedicated kids channels on board, kids packs, kids clubs, the fantastic Virgin Holiday kids policies, award winning economy food for longhaul flights, Virgin reps on arrival at MCO...Also, the prestige of flying with Virgin Atlantic, as opposed to flying the charter carriers like First Choice;), flying time is also probably a shade shorter with VS aircraft than the A320s and 767s that the Club 18-30 jets occupy[:p]

We have flown with our kids with many airlines. If you are looking for a child friendly airline to MCO or MIA I really don't think you can beat Virgin.

You don't mention how old your daughter is but assuming she's old enough to watch tv I am sure there will be plenty to keep her amused whatever the system. If you fly into MIA then you are likely to have V-PORT and will also have the choice of videos. She will also get a great kids pack. The childrens meals may not be the healthiest but have lots of bits and pieces that she will love.

I agree that the seat pitch in economy does make other carriers seem attractive but if your top priority is how child friendly an airline is then I really would recommend Virgin.

I am a big kid and would recommend Virgin[:I]

Originally posted by easygoingeezer
I am a big kid and would recommend Virgin[:I]

So egg, do you ask for the Kids Pack!!:D

I agree with everybody else, you cannot really fault VS for their child service, the kids pack is just great and as to the dedicated kids channel, we haven't had any problems before.

Personally I was scared by ther size of the hair of Continental's crew so what children must think I don't know...

Seriously though I would say Vs is a very good airlines for kids with all the gubbins they get. And they have shorter legs so its not so much of a problem for them.

Dean

Originally posted by Wolves27
Personally I was scared by ther size of the hair of Continental's crew so what children must think I don't know...

Believe it or not I thaught the same .

Welcome to V-Flyer Boomeruk. Personally I think you have posed a very hard question. I disagree with So426. Sadly I cannot think of one area that Virgin beat FCA in Y class on their latest planes. Everything S0426 lists for VA is done by FCA and the food is at least equal. As I have stated in previous comments it is time for RB to raise his game again to keep in front

Hello all,

Thank you for all the welcome messages. In response to a number of the points raised:

The 2006 Virgin holiday brochure on page 10 says (under the "lots to keep your kids entertained" heading) 'Kids Programmes - Movies, cartoons, favourite programmes and characters* *not available on flights to Orlando and Miami'. Just seemed really odd that if they have an enhanced kids tv facility it isn't available on the flights that I suspect carries the most kids.

My daughter will be two and a half if we travel next year. Guess she probably won't get too much out of any theme parks but she will like the pool etc - its more of a trip for mummy and daddy As regards her being old enough to benefit from the IFT - if they have teletubbies on a loop she will be in heaven [8D]

I have always fancied travelling virgin based on the good reputation and freebies it throws in. However as we live 4 miles from Birmingham airport it has to be a good reason to travel an hour or so up to Manchester and in the past the reasons didn't seem to stack up. Now that we have more need of a direct flight (to minimise the overall travel time for the little one) and things to entertain the little one. Therefore Virgin is very appealing. I appreciate the legroom isn't an issue for children but it is for us grown ups and all things being equal then most people would opt for the extra room. I guess the question is are all other things equal? Probably not at this stage (Virgin seem to offer a better overall service based upon opinions on various websites) but it will be interesting to see if things change with the new FCA service.

Whilst Ive not flown long haul on FCA, I have experienced short haul/medium haul with them a fair bit in the past.
Theres somthing about the whole airline that doesnt make me comfortable. Ive always found the VS staff onboard very welcoming, and they come across as people who enjoy their job and they almost always have a smile. On FCA i have found them to be a very mixed bunch. Some of them are lovely, but others... liek the one who i complained too when my table broke. Their response was 'Its only 1 hour until we land'. It also wouldnt stay upright, and they had the nerve to tell me to put it up on landing, even though i had already explained this to them.
By the way, take note that VS serve free drinks. FCA doesnt unless you are in premium. Thsi I feel is a big factor for me, as on long flights I get thristy.
My personal feeling on VS is that I would not want to cross the atlantic on any other airline, unless i really had too. Paid an extra £1000 to fly them instead of TCD this year for our next Orlando trip.
The legroom, whilst not enough to stand up and do a little dance in, i find is more than adequate for a 9 hour flight. The random colours of VS's seats however... [8D]

Kev.

The 5 aircraft primarily based at LGW have the 'Nova' IFE system, this is a long way short of the MAS 3000 system on the LHR fleet. However, it's a lot better than most that the charter airlines offer.

Aircraft leasing/purchase is a difficult game. The 5 aircraft mentioned were originally destined for Alitalia. They opted to take B777 and the purchase option went to VS, at this stage of production the interior fit was decided along with the Thales IFE system.

Ian, as your daughter is so young I'm sure she'll be fine with either airline and I agree that flying direct is a really good idea. I would choose the one that will be best for you.

Our daughter was also 2 when we first took her to Disney and I was concerned that it was a bit young and she wouldn't get anything out of it but she absolutely loved it. The great thing about going at that age is they believe everything is true. You will get so much pleasure from watching her. One word of warning though - you will be absolutely sick of 'it's a small, small world' going round and round your brain for weeks afterwards[xx(]. Whatever you do - do not be tempted to buy her the soundtrack or you will never ever get rid of it!!

(Small world humming in the background)
We have taken our little 'un every year since he was 6 months old, whilst a lot of the rides are either too big for him or "scary" he still has a great time (he is three at the moment).
The tea cups, the horse carousel, Whinny the Poohs ride, Its a small world, Mickys house and town, meeting the characters....

We also travel direct, before son (BS)
we would travel from the most conveinent airport BHX to Chicago or New York then down to Orlando, but instead of eight hours it would be eight hours to the uSA, two or three hours hanging around and then two hours down to orlando, much too much for a little 'un
Whilst he is small its direct every time for us