Virgin Atlantic

EI3026 ABZ-LHR return EI3023 LHR-ABZ. Excellent domestic flights which really put the joy back into domestic flying. Online check-in was a breeze and then straight through security to the plane. Outward flight was fantastic. Complimentary bacon roll and cup of tea were really nice and greatly appreciated after a long drive to the airport early in the morning! Seats were pretty standard for domestic flying and suitable for a short flight although if the person in front reclines their chair it does feel lightly cramped. Flight crew were fantastic and really friendly punctual landing into LHR. And free love hearts - quirky fun and really give the airline a character. Return flight was slightly marred prior to boarding when I was asked to put my hand baggage into the hold as it was large (not over the limits) and the flight was very busy. In fact there was plenty of space on the plane for my bag so this did little more than delay my departure from Aberdeen. But again a really nice flight and very quick. Friendly crew again and a complimentary drinks service (including alcoholic but unfortunately I was driving). Overall great value. Slightly more expensive than the low cost competition but you do get value for money and for Heathrow it is usually cheaper than BA. Would fly again in an instant. Frequent flier scheme is excellent for domestic flights.

I recently travelled from LAX to LHR round-trip. The seats were uncomfortable for such long flights. The food was not good but the service was good. The planes seemed old for such a trendy airline I would have expected more modern and up to date facilities. The in flight entertainment uses a wired controller which was very worn and awkward to get to. I felt like washing my hands every time I touched it.

Went from Manchester to Orlando and back both premium economy. Bulkhead seats had TV's that came out of the seat only for them not to stay upright had to hold it to watch it air con not working it was hotter than Florida itself. Lost one of our cases. Staff clocked off a good hour before landing and just chatted between themselves ignoring all the passengers. Wrote a letter of complaint and got £40 in vouchers between three of us would have preferred a nice flight.

LGW-UVF 25 May. UVF-LGW 2/3 June. Arrived 3 hours and 45 mins before 10.00 departure. Bag drop was ok. Several free upper class check in agents and 1 occupied economy agent. We where told to drop of bags at upper class. A quite nice start. Boarding began 78 mins before departure. We where on GWAG an A330. LGW-UVF only. We left (airborne) at 09.54 6 mins early. GWAG has no remotes. So IFE whilst good has got room for improvement on this aircraft. Meals where OK. Movie treat nice and drinks where served 3 times (improved over 2-3 years ago). We landed 30 mins early and beat the BA (777) and the AA (JFK757) so we got though immigration OK. On the way back a bit worse in some cases. Check in 2 hours 50 mins before flight. Quick and easy. We where late by 1 hour (not as bad as Orlando when we where delayed 1 hour in Tarmac). Boarding began 25 mins before we where airborne and we were off quickly. This aircraft GVGEM was operating VS90 from GND-UVF-LGW. GVGEM has got remotes and IFS was better. We landed 50mjns early and the arrival was uneventful. I didn't have meals as I ate at airport.

Took a Virgin flight from Hong Kong to London. Never again. Huge aircraft jammed full to overflowing economy seats very uncomfortable the food was inedible the restrooms filthy with no paper towels and no refills. The seating area pull down tray etc unclean. Pre-flight the customer service was very unhelpful with my questions about upgrading. The online check in was 'unavailable' for some reason. The most unpleasant flying experience of my life.

We recently flew Heathrow to New York in June 2014 and booked Virgin. I know my wife and I chose economy but the seats were small and cramped for a long flight. Just like Ryanair seats we were constantly having the back of our seats kicked as people had no room to change positions. The controls for the entertainment were in the arm rest which as you were squashed in your seat were very difficult to reach. My wife is a size 8 and I'm 13 stone so were by no means obese! The TV screen reflected the light and wasn't easy to view and they served dinner instead of breakfast at around 8am which I couldn't stomach that early but was then hungry later. The food was poor even when I could face it on the way back. No choice small meals and butter just covered one side of the roll. The plane and entertainment system both ways felt old the seating was cramped and uncomfortable the food was not nice although the service was fine. I was excited to use Virgin before hand but Emirates far outshines them followed secondly by BA. Sorry but my first Virgin experience was a big disappointment and they are the most expensive and least impressive of the 3.

VS 19/20 June 20-27. First of all I think one has to determine whether the rating is absolute or compared to other airlines. They all have poor food personally I think Virgin is better than most. They all have limited space. Virgin's cost of flying premium is much better than most others upgrade to Business. Premium isn't Business but its perfectly OK and to me the pricing of $1500 West Coast to London for Economy and $2500 or so for premium makes more sense that most airlines charging substantially more for Business.

Orlando to Gatwick Airport London on May 28th flight VSO28 returned to Orlando on June 23rd flight VSO15. I did a lot of research on airlines to London and even though I saw a lot of complaints on Virgin Atlantic I decided to give them a try. Well just as always you should try things for yourself before you judge this was by far the best flight that we have been on. I have to say from the time we checked in to boarding it was like clockwork once on the plane we were treated like First Class (flying economy with exit seat area) drinks food and almost one on one service. I might say to that the crew was most impressive bunch we have seen they worked at it for seven of the eight to nine hour flight. We will fly again no questions asked.

GLA to MCO. We flew from Glasgow to Orlando on one of the Virgin 747's. No issues at all at check in the aircraft boarded on time. We has booked the extra legroom seats for our party and were delighted with the additional leg room. Inflight entertainment was great and kept our 7 year old entertained throughout. A little slow at passport control but overall a great flight.

When coming to book our honeymoon I pushed for us to book Virgin Atlantic as I had fond memories of travelling with them as a child unfortunately my most recent experience has somewhat dashed this memory. I rarely write reviews and it is regrettable that I should have to write this one. Firstly I would like to say however that the airline crew were a delight unfortunately the food they were serving was not. I appreciate I have gone straight to the food however when you are on a long haul flight this is a significant factor in your journey. We travelled with Virgin twice whilst on our honeymoon and both times the menu did not match what we were served - once is a mistake twice is not goo enough. The 'starter' was bland and the 'main course' contained so much salt that I felt dehydrated after every bite. The snacks were far beyond creative. Whilst the entertainment was diverse I felt for the chap sat in front of me due to the weight I had to put behind my film selection causing his head seat to bounce back and forth. I could continue down this road but I think it is important to reach an early conclusion - I was disappointed with this journey. The years have not been kind to Virgin Atlantic.