So excited

I booked my first ever Virgin Atlantic flights back in April, for travel on 29 August.
To say I am excited is an understatement. I'm going to New York, and although I am 'only' travelling in Economy, I can't wait. In fact, if I thought about my trip from the moment I booked it I probably could get by without any sleep

I booked with Expedia (same fare as Virgin website, without a credit card charge) and they allocated the seats at time of booking - I'm in Row 58 out and Row 40 back (from Boston). These seats seem to be fine according to the Seat Guru 'thing'.

I am travelling with someone who is a very nervous flyer. Recently on an easyJet domestic flight I totally underestimated his nervousness, and he told me he wanted to get off. Thankfully the easyJet staff were wonderful and calmed him down. He said that it was all the waiting around at the airport that did it - as soon as the door was closed on the aircraft he calmed down. But he is planning on taking some Kalms or something before setting off.

So, should I tell Virgin NOW that he is a nervous flyer, or wait until the airport? Can we board later or do we have to board as soon as they call?

I havent a clue about the whole boarding thing, but I just wanted to share in your excitment! [:D] Sounds like your going to have a fantastic trip, and Im sure your travelling partner will be just fine. Lucky you, not long to go now! I'v got months and months to wait until my first flight but I am mega excited about it too! [:D]

Have a fantastic time, and make sure you tell us all about it when you get home! [y]

I was up until recently a very nervous flyer and did used to find that the waiting around was the worst bit. Virgin staff are very good with nervous flyers and if you mention it at the airport and to the cabin crew then they will look after you as they are all very used to it!

You can board as late as you like by simply waiting until last when everyone is boarding. Also sometimes a drink or two sooths the nerves somewhat! The more I have flown the better I have got.

Virgin also offer a nervous flyer course which is supposed to be excellent and and maybe something that could help your friend. There is also a flying without fear bit on the inflight entertainment which is quite good.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
I havent a clue about the whole boarding thing, but I just wanted to share in your excitment! [:D] Sounds like your going to have a fantastic trip, and Im sure your travelling partner will be just fine. Lucky you, not long to go now! I'v got months and months to wait until my first flight but I am mega excited about it too! [:D]

Have a fantastic time, and make sure you tell us all about it when you get home! [y]

Thanks - I' m glad that I'm not the only one who still gets excited at flying. Virgin have always had that Je ne sais quoi that other airlines just don't have - which is why I jumped at the chance of flying with them. That and their entertainment system onboard seemed the perfect distraction for any nervous travellers!

Originally posted by dan87027
Also sometimes a drink or two sooths the nerves somewhat! The more I have flown the better I have got.

Thanks - I'm recommending Jack Daniels and a valium.


[/joking]

Jack Daniels and Valium sounds good to me!

Originally posted by Sealink

Thanks - I'm recommending Jack Daniels and a valium.

Perfect mix, just go for it and enjoy the flight but do also tell the CCrew and you'll find them charming.

My wife is a nervous traveller and a smoker.

That makes it worse since we tend to hang around outside so she can have a last smoke. At MCO she can go back and forth through security and shes happy, but I do not know of any other airports that do this

The drink idea is good since it eases the tension and hang back for boarding.

Although my wife tends to calm down a little once she is sat down.

Once I'd flown VS for the fist time I was hooked.

Now planing the next journey.

Enjoy the experience7

I have this problem when ever I travel with my wife. To say she is a nervous flyer is an understatement. Every time we travel it is proceeded by a trip to both the Dr's and various friends where a supply of Valium is obtained. There have been many embarrassing moments such as the time she was sat crying with rolled up toilet tissue hanging out of her ears, gripping the armrests with much force! I must say that travelling U/C last year helped to alleviate the problem, as soon as we were in the air, bed was out, a pill or two was dropped and she zonked for most of the flight. I have this phenomenon to look forward to tomorrow. I always let the CC know she is an extremely nervous flyer and they are usually fantastic. Best of luck like me you will need it!

Regards
Bryan

Oh my goodness - that's actually very inspiring, your wives are very brave.

We do have valium (this was because of a seized shoulder muscle and it was prescribed as a relaxant) but he thought he might get into trouble with US Customs as he doesn't have the original prescription!

If it's any consolation I hate flying too but I reconcile this with the fact that it's the only way I can get to the places I want to go.

With only 3 weeks to go you must be very excited indeed. The time I most enjoy before a trip is on the way home from work when everything you have planned is on the verge of taking place.

Enjoy your trip and don't forget to post a TR when you get back.

Miopyk[8D]

Hi Sealink,

Don't forget that you can also call Virgin Special Assistance as well, who will happily put a note in your booking and it then gives advanced notice.

I do this for my food allergies, and as everyone says the VA crew are superb. I happened to be travelling with a nervous flyer the other month on a VA flight and the crew were superb.

Call the special assistance team on 0870 380 2004 or your usual flying club number. It really helps the crew with advanced notice as this is one of the things they will pick up on during crew briefing (so my VA chum tells me)

Hope that helps and have a good flight

The first time my wife travelled with me on VS (also her first long-haul flight) I advised special assistance in advance and the cabin crew were made aware of this in advance and were brilliant.

She also relied on valium for the outbound flight (to BGI) but did not need it for the return flight.

I share your excitement as there is no better airline, in my opinion, to fly with. Enjoy.

Thanks for you help. I emailed Virgin via the contact form on their website just to let them know.

Virgin are already going for gold and I haven't even flown with them yet!

I emailed Special Assistance and advised them about my nervous partner, and I got a lovely email back saying that it would be best if he calls them, they gave me the number and said that he should ask to speak to ***** ******* who talks to many nervous flyers.

Well, I came home from work today and he had three pages of notes, telling me all about what happens when a flight takes off, lands etc. (I learned a few things too!) and is now really looking forward to going. I'm sure there'll be a few nerves on the day, but he is now looking forward to checking things off the list rather than worrying about what each noise and bump means!

I didn't think this kind of service existed anymore... and I am delighted with Virgin, Special Assistance and Mr. ***** ******* already....!

{Staff member name redacted per forum rules - Decker}

[Decker]

That's GREAT service Sealink! How nice to hear about it.

Whoops - thanks for fixing the post...

Further goodness from Virgin - in the post yesterday was a letter from Virgin, summarising everything they'd talked about and with some other stuff about flying too.

Missed this thread earlier. Have a good flight and enjoy your trip in NYC. Just noticed I will be at JFK roughly the same time as you on the 29th but I am flying in from Washington on JetBlue.

This is an odd one. Just looking at my reservation on Virgin website (as you do!), and this message appears:

We're sorry, we cannot retrieve your booking due to a change in the scheduled flight times. Please confirm this change with your travel agent or tour operator. Once confirmed please return to this website and try again.

However, for the dates we have booked there are no flight time changes... and Virgin are still selling seats on the flights were are on. Anything to do with the nervous flyer thing? We are more or less seven days away so maybe they do something in advance with the booking?

*bump*