Virgin Atlantic

We (3 of us) flew from LHR to Johannesburg on VS601 10th April 11 hour flight and the seats were one of the worst I have sat in. The space was at best cattle class. The rack in front that holds the safety booklet was poking out and was constantly sticking in my knees. I remember speaking to the stewardess asking if something could be done and she just said there all like it and the plane is full unless you want to pay for an upgrade - how I wish I had. The worst long distance seating in the world. Never again will I fly Virgin Atlantic. On the return journey today we decided to upgrade VS604 cost me £800+ for the 3 of us only to get what I consider a reasonable seat. I wouldn't have minded if there were even some sort of apology but at the desks no one was really interested the stewardess offered a meal from economy class.

VS021 VS022 LHR-IAD-LHR. A330-300. Good flights on newish aircraft. FAs were attentive and friendly. Food was better than usual but hot breakfast on return flight did not meet expectations. Check in at LHR and IAD both swift and efficient. Seating good until recline used in front of us then very difficult to leave seat. Should recline seats be banned? FE had a good selection of new and older movies.

We travelled to San Francisco from London Heathrow (return). The departing flight was not too bad. We had friendly and helpful stewards with the exception of one who lacked in customer service. It was apparent that she either 1) did not like her line of work or 2) did not like the 'economy class' shift. She was impolite no smiling or thank you just a sour look on her face. During our return flight the cabin crew were abrupt and unfriendly not a smile between them. We was spoken to in an unprofessional manner. When it came to serving supper we was informed that there was not enough of the vegetarian option and that being seated to the rear of the cabin we was at a disadvantage. We had booked our Virgin holiday several months earlier therefore it was disappointing to hear this. We have previously travelled with Virgin and the experience was fine but this experience was not. We felt that the staff lacked customer service.

Flew business from London Gatwick to Barbados for our semi-annual trip to the luxury Crane Resort. This was our second time flying Virgin and experienced no major issues. There were some minor delays before takeoff but that is to be expected. The food on the flight was no better and no worse than previous airline food that we've experienced although after being spoiled for a week at the Crane resort the food seemed a little bland. Inflight entertainment was great with a decent selection of up to date movies although we usually just sleep the whole way.

All in all the Virgin flight was okay for an economy class fare but we paid extra for the seat which had 3 inches extra leg room and was supposed to be superior in other ways. It was fine in terms of leg room however the seat was so hard that the bones/muscles in my butt still hurt 3 days later! It was so uncomfortable and the flight was circa 9 hours. It was from Gatwick - St Lucia - Gatwick and the seat was 52 window and aisle. Both trips were agony. I am fairly fit as I run quite a lot and my wife rides her horse every day so we are both fit and would regard ourselves as not having any special needs in terms of seating. I will never fly in an airbus 320 again with Virgin. We have flown several times on their 747's and they were comfortable in all respects.

This was a 6 hour trip from San Francisco CA to Newark NJ with no entertainment because the inflight entertainment system did not work at my seat. I asked 2 different flight attendants to restart the unit but they each gave up in one second leaving me with nothing to do or watch for this long trip. The girl sitting in front of me reclined her seat so violently that she knocked the lunch that I had paid for in the airport off the tray and into my lap and the floor. When I demanded that she sit up so I could at least pick it up and dispose of it she complained to the flight attendant that I was keeping her from reclining her seat. I could not order something else to eat because you need the in flight entertainment system to see what is available and order it. Apparently now that there is the in-flight entertainment unit there is no back up in case it doesn't work for some reason.

It seems that Virgin Atlantic have now decided to 'charge' if you want to choose a seat (unless 24 hours before check in)! I have flown with Virgin Atlantic for many years and as soon as I have booked my flight I can pre- assign myself a seat (not extra legroom which I understand would be reasonable to charge for) but I flew with them last month to Barbados and if I wanted to choose a seat they were charging me £25 each way. This is something I would expect from a budget airline. I think I will start using other airlines (such as Emirates) even if it means I have to change and add on extra hours to my overall flight time. Really disappointed that they have decided to do this as I was just starting to use them for all my travel.

London Gatwick to Havana and return. Outward flight delayed two and half hours but as a single nervous flier I was very well looked after in the clubhouse. From boarding to arrival in Havana was very well looked after. Cabin stewards were so friendly and thoughtful. Nothing was too much trouble. Very good lunch then a lovely afternoon tea before landing on the outward flight. The return flight was equally good. Have recently flown in BA business there is no comparison. I will certainly fly Virgin again.

I recently flew Virgin Atlantic for the first time from London Heathrow to Johannesburg (12 hr flight). There was virtually no leg room at all. Jet2 charter flights have more leg room for much shorter journeys. The food was awful. Could not eat any of it. Had to buy something in Johannesburg airport for the return journey. The staff overall were friendly and pleasant except for one air hostess who was very sharp and not helpful. Would not recommend this airline based on this journey. Have flown with Emirates who were much better.

Flew Zurich-Heathrow-Boston on Feb 28 worst flight of my life. Missed my connecting flight in Heathrow because Virgin Atlantic Staff at Check in were unhelpful and unable to perform a simple job - the women there did not know how to print boarding pass making it impossible for me to catch the flight. Had to wait 9 hours for next flight and did not get any vouchers for lunch or similar instead I was spoken to in a very unfriendly and condescending manner. They also were unable to check my bag through although I showed them the baggage-tracking-number twice (it was checked in in Zurich) and I had to wait for 6 days until it was delivered to me in Boston. Will never fly with that airline again and am already dreading the flight back. Might be alright to fly with them if everything goes smoothly but god help you if you need their so-called customer service.