Virgin Atlantic

LGW-HAV return. Bad from the start flight was shown as Gate Closed 10 minutes earlier than first advised I had issues at security and when I finally got to the gate way after it was supposed to have closed it was actually still open and no-one had been boarded at all. On the outbound trip we had good customer service with a friendly cabin crew. I found the seats a bit hard and also basic inclusions with other (airlines) economy cabins missing (but noticed you get them in premium economy for some more cash) - eg folding foot rest and movable headrests (it moved horizontally but the wings didn't adjust vertically). I always eat vegetarian on long haul usually you're served first. VA offered me a standard meal didn't seem to realised I'd book vegetarian. I had the misfortune to point it out to them and then was served with the most abysmal substitute for a meal with strong flavours of olives and capers that not everyone vegetarian or not is going to like. Thankfully I'm not veg so I asked for a standard meal staff were very good in trying to located something but only came up the veg option on the regular menu which was of equally abysmal quality and taste. What was worse 10 days later I got the exact same meal on the flight home. When I asked for something else this time the staff were disinterested and bordered on rude. Worst food I've had when flying. Wine was quite nice though. Inflight entertainment same standard but the touch screen takes some mastering (its not sensitive unless done in a certain way) and it's not a good idea to have to thump your screen when someone else's head is behind it most likely trying to sleep. Rack for brochures and personal items was either broken or just didn't close at the sides so any small items put in it just fell out not very secure. Flights themselves were smooth so hats off to the pilots they kept us informed through a long period of turbulence. Check in fine at both ends. Got a comfort pack for the night flight socks we're the thinnest I've ever been given. Because of when I booked didn't have to pay to choose my seats but would put me off (besides the experience) using them next time why should I pay on top of the huge fare for me seat too this should be standard with major airline long haul flights.

VS027 21/4/15. VS016 5/5/15. I've flown Virgin a number of times since 1988. I have never really rated them and would never have paid more to fly with them. We flew to Orlando 3 weeks ago with Virgin as they were the cheapest when we booked. I had no expectations but I must say they have improved immensely since we flew with them 3 years ago. The aircraft was roomy comfy and clean. The crew were very friendly and the service was excellent. Food was very quick drinks offered numerous times and rubbish collected very promptly. I just hope they keep it up as I'd definitely choose to fly with them again and recommend them to friends and family.

Glasgow - Orlando in April 2015 with return flight early May. I chose to write this review because so many I have read have suggested a horrible experience. That was not the case for my family and I albeit our flights were only half full both ways which I'm sure helped the experience. First things first though: the cons. After booking our tickets and waiting for seat reservations to open up we found out that to reserve a seat cost money (£25-£35 with the higher cost for extra legroom or an exit row). This seemed scandalous to us especially on a transatlantic flight. However we chose to reserve an exit row at a cost of £210 in total for 3 of us to have the same seats there and back. The only thing I'd say about this is forearmed is forewarned we had not appreciated that was the case when we booked. Would it effect our decision in the future? Probably not because we wanted to fly direct to Orlando rather than via London (or another UK airport). You can of course wait until 24 hours before you fly but then you are a hostage to fortune in terms of where you might be. We chose seats on the upper deck and this is something I would recommend. It's smaller therefore quieter and there are two bathrooms for a cabin that houses no more than 60 so it's easier to access too. I can't fault the staff who were attentive throughout. Food was ok - this is economy - and we got drinks as often as we wanted (which wasn't a great deal but it was never any trouble to staff to accommodate our needs). The in-flight entertainment system was very good with plenty of movies to keep me entertained for an 8-hour flight. All in all I would fly Virgin again based on this experience but it would be in the knowledge that to get a seat I wanted - I much prefer an aisle seat on a long flight - the 'true' cost would be £50-£70 more expensive than the original purchase price and that is something I would take into account when looking at other airlines.

Flight DXB-LHR return on A330-300 upper class product. Good experience all round. Friendly FA's and coped well with the demands of my 5 year old son. Reasonable sleeping position when seats fully reclined. As previous reviewers have commented the seating does not lend itself well to flying with companions. You can dine together though the ottoman seat is quite narrow! We enjoyed our trip and would fly Virgin again.

We flew on flights 063 and 064 to Havana Cuba. Leaving on April 20th and returning 4th May. Priority boarding in both directions and baggage pickup very fast due to being Premier Economy passengers. Cabin crew on both flights were excellent and always available to answer questions. All meals were presented well on china plates real glasses proper cutlery which was a nice touch. Both hubby and myself enjoyed the meals tasty and filling. We have another trip booked n October and look forward to the same service. In our opinion it is worth paying the extra for the upgrade.

LHR to DUX return. Very full overnight flight going daytime return. Both legs much better than expected. The cabin staff were well turned out cheerful helpful and efficient. Food very good for economy and even though I was at the back of the plane all choices were still available. Wide range of entertainment. Would happily fly with this carrier again.

LGW-MCO return. Horrible trip both ways uncomfortable seats and when person in front reclines not much better than economy. Food just horrible. Return flight delayed 3 hours food awful one mouthful was enough. Orlando airport a nightmare as the geniuses at BA and Virgin have all flights arriving together. 3 hours to get through immigration is not acceptable after a 9 hour flight. Although travelling outside of school holidays deliberately flight full of badly behaved noisy children horrible experience never again.

25th April 2015 VS43 (3 hour delay) back on 1st May 2015 VS44. I have flow Premium Economy Virgin Atlantic to Las Vegas for the past 10 years - this was the worst experience. Going out was delayed 3 hours - the seating was poor I am 6 foot tall and honestly my knees were in my mouth - shockingly poor leg room - transporting animals this way would be illegal. Coming back the lady in front decided to lean back 10 mins into the flight which is her option but is meant my screen was no more than 12" from my face - getting out (I was in a bank of 4 - middle not aisle - colleague was aisle) was a nightmare. Sleeping? Forget it - this is my first and last virgin review - never again.

My wife and I took Virgin Atlantic from JFK-LHR last September. We flew business class on an A330-600. While the service was ok the seating configuration wasn't the herringbone layout does not accommodate 2 people traveling together. If I fly on Virgin again it won't be on the Airbus.

We flew out with Delta and that experience was excellent. The return from ATL to LHR with Virgin was much much less so. The new Upper Class seat is much narrower than the old one and it is therefore difficult to get a decent sleeping position other than on your side with your back to the curve of the seat. Main meal was mediocre and would only have merited 1* but the score was raised by the breakfast which was first class. Cabin crew were cheerful and attentive throughout the flight. Surprised though that the bar was closed all through the flight. Toilets on the A330 were few in number (one dedicated and two shared with Premium Economy) and because there is no centre luggage bin the scrabble for overhead bin space on this full flight was ridiculous. IFE not available until after take off and offering was mediocre compared with airlines like Emirates.