Virgin Atlantic

I flew on Virgin Little Red from London to Manchester. It was excellent. The plane was excellent and clean. I was so happy to fly Virgin after flying Delta for a transatlantic flight. I was so pleased. The staff were really helpful. I liked how the staff came with refreshments fruit and biscuits in a basket only on a 26 minute flight. I will definitely recommend Virgin.

I flew VS043 UC on Monday 22 December 14 and returned Wednesday 31 December. As soon as you enter the terminal the whole experience is exceptional; from check in to collecting your luggage at your destination. Check in at LGW was quick no queues and hence you are directed to the lounge. The lounge at Gatwick is a haven of tranquillity away from the general hustle and bustle of the terminal. You want for nothing and everywhere you look a happy smiley face in smart red uniform is on hand to attend to your every whim. I also took advantage of the complimentary treatment in the spa with a scalp message. The call to board came all too soon as I could quite easily have stayed in the lounge a while longer. Turning left on the plane and walking through premium you are met with ambient mood lighting and a glass of champagne. What is striking from the very moment you board is the exceptional service which is proactive. I can't remember ever asking for anything during the 10 hour 45 minute flight because of the dedicated staff. 11/10.

I frequently fly LAX-LHR - having a business with offices in both locations I'm lucky (or un-lucky) enough to need to travel 3-6 times a year. I always used to fly Virgin honestly - 6 flights a year zero problems. However in the last 12 months due to clients I flew a few other airlines on the LHR-LAX route. Now my eyes have been opened. Virgin planes on this route are old stuffy and feel like throwbacks from the 90's. Genuine examples include Air NZ United and BA - who all fly brand new planes on the route with all the latest tech. On all other airlines Economy passengers get offered touch screens in seat ordering and high resolution screens. Virgin still operate some cord connected piece of junk. The whole thing is awful and I don't know anyone who fly's Virgin on this route anymore. Get a much better service with other airlines and avoid them.

We travelled from Barbados to Manchester in December Boeing 747 Pretty Woman. The flight was on time the aircraft seats were comfortable and the inflight entertainment was good. The flight crew were hard working and pleasant. The flight was spoilt by someone a little worse for drink who then starting abusing his partner and the cabin crew. This was dealt with very well by the staff in very difficult circumstances. The man was arrested at Manchester. We felt very sympathetic with the flight crew because they were only doing their job and did not deserve the abuse. We have used Virgin quite a few times in the past few years and always enjoy their flights.

LHR-EDI-LHR. First time using a full service airline domestically after mostly using EasyJet for couple of years and this Little Red offshoot of VS didn't disappoint. Aer Lingus should given a massive pat of the back for the fantastic service they are delivering on behalf of Virgin Atlantic. Flights were on time and inflight service was more than one could ask for a short-haul domestic flight with friendly and attentive staff. I was delayed inbound back from Edinburgh but that was due to a security scare at that Airport and I was notified with plenty of time via email and text and allowed me time spend a few more hours with friends in Edinburgh. The one Achilles heel is Heathrow I haven't used Heathrow in 16 years - and I have to say it didn't leave me want to back in a hurry unfriendly and poor management of queues for security - for Britain's premier air gateway it is shambolic particularly when you see the improvements that have been made at Gatwick. Virgin should be proud of the service they are delivering here though I am using them again in January on this domestic route and will be sad to see this end in September 2015. Great service and excellent value - highly recommended.

Manchester to Orlando on flight VS73. The ground staff were friendly and handled our bag drop very efficiently. Unfortunately that is where the good points end. The flight itself was OK albeit a little late. The seats were just about comfortable enough as was the legroom. However the flight crew missed out our entire row when serving the evening meal and the only way we got served was to ask for the food which was only just edible. We flew back to Manchester on VS76 and paid for extra legroom seats in the hope of getting some sleep on the overnight flight. These extra legroom seats were immediately outside one of the galleys and whilst the legroom was more than adequate the constant queue of passengers asking for service (the flight crew only came around once during the flight to offer drinks) together with the additional light from the galley made sleeping virtually impossible. Again we were missed out during the dinner service and had to ask for the food. We were then missed out again when the dessert was served and had to go to one of the galleys to ask if here was a reason for us being missed out. After finishing my main course (the food was again barely edible) I asked one of the crew if I could have a second glass of wine. Thirty minutes later I had still not received it and had to go to one of the galleys to ask again. All in all the plane was OK as was the service from the ground staff. However the flight crew were not remotely up to the job. I don't I know whether they were short staffed inadequately trained or just didn't care but basically not good enough and nowhere near the level of service promised by your advertising.

London to L.A in November in Airbus A340. I can't fault the food which was decent for economy class and service provided by crew members which was excellent. Entertainment system was provided by a large screen 10" I think instead of 7" screens on most airlines. Only downside is it was a low resolution screen and movies gets interrupted time to time. Controls were also old fashion than handheld console type but easy enough to use. Leg room is plenty for economy class.

I flew direct from Manchester UK to Orlando USA (VS73/74) and after hearing all the hype about Virgin Atlantic I felt somewhat disappointed. There wasn't a spare seat to be had on the flight so the cabin crew had to work pretty hard at meal times. However I found the food to be just acceptable and nothing more. (I don't fly for the food though!) For instance the afternoon tea (served in a cardboard box) consisted of half a sandwich and a very small slice of caramel chocolate cake. I didn't find the seats that comfortable. On the return trip (also full to capacity) we were offered extra legroom seats for an additional $60 and took them as this was the only way we could sit together. The catering was better also (presumably provided by an American company). It amazes me what people turn up with for "carry on" luggage these days. My bag was very small but some others were about the size of an average suitcase! Consequently locker space is denied to those people boarding later. I'm an experienced business flier and I'm trying to be objective with this review. I've known far worse airlines and a few better.

Travelled Orlando - Gatwick VS16 on 25/11/14 on the Upper Deck in Premium Economy. Used downtown Disney check in which meant you can get your boarding passes and check all your luggage in rather than having to take it to the airport excellent service and very quick. Priority boarded and glass of sparkling wine offered seating is 2-2 on the upper deck seats are a decent size and legroom is not to bad only complaint is when the person in front reclines it significantly reduces your legroom and the person in the window seat has problems getting out. Food was acceptable beef stew or Chicken and Rice meal offered bit over cooked but still tasty and then a hot breakfast served prior to arrival. Drinks service offered prior to meal during the meal and juice/water service during the night. Friendly and helpful cabin crew nothing seemed to much of a problem for them. On arrival at Gatwick the luggage was already on the carousel as we arrived so from the plane arriving on stand to exiting the airport was about 15 minutes which is outstanding. 1st time on Virgin Atlantic and would definitely use them again.

London Gatwick to Cancun return in VS economy. First time with this airline. Check in at both airports were easy and stress free. I purchased “seat plus” on the way out so had to use the check in counter. There was no queue in Gatwick. On the way back I did online check in so just needed to print out the boarding pass then proceed to bag drop. The airplane was a refurbed B744. It has a nice interior. Seat was comfortable and was better than I expected. However pitch and width were tight if the passenger in front reclines. The entertainment is up to date although the choice of movies / TV not as good as other airlines. The on demand system with a touch screen will keep you busy throughout a long journey. Personally I still prefer the touch screen but with a remote/console so that you don’t feel the person behind you is constantly “pushing” your seat back. Food onboard was a weak point. It was a nice touch to be given a menu but the food quality was poor. On the way out I pre ordered low fat meal but was served normal food. I noticed the crew who said they would try to see what they could do but then disappeared entirely. There was no sandwich or drink in the galley so in my case it was a 10 hour journey without food. On the returning I was served normal food again and I had to remind the crew that I’d pre-ordered special meal – that didn't seem normal in my experience where all other airlines will give passenger their special meals before others so they don't get confused. Breakfast was also poor – an orange juice a yoghurt and a very dry croissant. Service was overall friendly but not as professional as other airlines. Toilets weren't cleaned and some were out of order. Overall an acceptable flight experience but I will still choose BA over Virgin.