This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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This was part of a family trip to California back in March.
It was a belated return to flying Virgin as our last trip to the USA was before we started a family back in 1992. With our kids now old enough to really appreciate a big trip across the pond, we decided to once again fly Virgin as we had been so impressed on our two previous trips (1990 & 1992 - both LHR - LAX). Would the experience live up to our expectation?....
Starting with check in, we arrived deliberately early as the kids were so excited about the trip. So it was that at just gone 7am we entered terminal 3 and found our way to the check in. As you might expect some 5 hours before departure, there were only a handful of people in front of us and we were checked in and away within ten minutes [:)]
Off to get some breakfast, which at over 30 for the 4 of us was,
if I'm honest, some of the worst food any of us have ever been served...
That aside we took our time and wandered through security and into departures. Thought it would seem a long wait in the departure lounge, but it flew by (excuse the pun). When the time came to make our way to the gate, boarding was just starting. The Virgin staff at the gate were friendly and almost apologetic about the time taken to move people through. This was mainly due to the extra security screening that went on. Quite a few people were selected (including my wife and I) to have hand luggage and shoes/coats etc checked.
No big deal, just something that has changed I guess since 9/11. In a way it's quite reassuring to see that at least an effort is still being made!.
Once through, the kids were handed their children's packs - excellent Virgin, nice touch! and we boarded the 747 which turned out to be Ruby Tuesday (shame no V:port - but the Odyssey system was still good).
Sat in Row 56 DEFG and the seats seemed ok, legroom was what you expect in economy. Pushed back on time but had a short delay whilst we waited in a queue to take off. Once airborne we settled back and the flight attendants started the rounds. I have to say at this point it is quite easy to remember things with a rose tinted aspect, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the quality of service from the crew who were looking after us seemed just as good as all those years ago. One of the flight attendants even took the time to have a quick chat with my daughters about LA and how much fun they would have - again a nice touch!
Food was a little better than I have had on other airlines, and in comparison to the 30 breakfast served up in the terminal was almost deserving of an Egon Ronay star! [:)]
We settled back and watched a couple of films - Kids were ecstatic as the Spongebob Squarepants movie was showing (have to admit that I watched it with them and laughed a few times as well). Few more drinks, then a doze, then a bit of reading and before I knew it we were starting our descent into LA.
Immigration was amusing, they must be trained in how to leave all traces of personality at home. After around 30 minutes in the line we were suitably fingerprinted and photographed we made our way through to arrivals. Within two and a half hours of touchdown we found ourselves checking in at the Hilton Garden Inn in Anaheim - Great hotel if anybody is looking for a spot close enough to Disney - but not next door.
The rest of our fly drive took in the Grand Canyon, Vegas , Yosemite and finally San Francisco where we flew out of.
All in all, Virgin made the start to our holiday a very enjoyable one. Would we pay that little bit more than some of the other carriers (IE: Air New Zealand) and use Virgin again?.....
Hell yes, we're back to LA next July and can't wait - This time looks like a 346 instead of a 747 which will be a new experience for me.
