A Virgin virgin flying alone Any advice?

Hello to the forum.
I am flying on VS073 6th June in PE . I have never flown with Virgin before and never on a 747
I am staying with relatives for 3 weeks.
I am looking for all and any advice about which seats to go for although I cant seem to be able to select them at this time ??
what are the best meals?
Is my route usually on an older plane ?
Do I get to go in any special lounges?
What will I expect to be asked at immigration being as I am not on a package holiday.
Are there any things I should be aware of flying as an older single lady ? Any pitfalls I can avoid ?
Thanks for any help and suggestions

Hello! Welcome!

First and foremost, enjoy the experience! As for seats, I've never flown on the LGW/MAN 747s but from what I've read others find the seats upstairs (often referred to as the bubble) as the best. Flying PE won't give you any lounge access I'm afraid.

Immigration are most likely to be interested in your length of stay, they might well focus on your departure date if you're staying with friends or fam as they're sometimes suspicious that you won't leave when your itinerary isn't in a hotel....seriously, don't worry and just be honest.

Can't say there's anything that you should be concerned with being an older single lady other than applying common sense to every decision, I trust you'll have a good time. At the end of the day, should you have any concerns, just ask!

747's are spectacularly good aircraft fyi.

First off make sure you have applied for your ESTA.

Yes you will be on the 'older' 747 to Orlando. As these aircraft are currently in the middle of a refit therefore you can not pre-request your PE seats. I strongly advice you to do OLCI 24hrs before the flight which might have a chance to select your seats. The best PE seats are considered to be upstairs on the LGW/MAN 747.

Unfortunately as you are flying PE there will be no lounge access for you. But you can always buy lounge access online if you really wanted to.

You will get a hot meal soon after takeoff and some ice cream mid-flight and finally sandwiches/snacks before landing. You will have 3 choices for your meals including a vegetarian option.

Move quick to get off the plane once landed in Orlando so you can be ahead at immigration queue. You are most likely to get ask 'what is the purpose of your trip' and have your finger prints taken. All done then have a good time in Orlando.

[honey lamb]

Hi and welcome to V-Flyer.

First of all, relax and look forward to your trip. We will do your best to let you know what to expect so that you will have as smooth a flight as possible.

First of all, I have no experience of flying on Virgin Atlantic out of Manchester but others will be along to help you there.

With regard to the 747 it is my favourite plane. However I should say that the ones that fly out of Manchester and Gatwick (they are the same planes and interchange airports) are currently in the process of being upgraded and the first one is due back any day now. The second one will follow immediately but it is unlikely that it will be back before your trip. You may or may not be on that plane (the chances are that you won't) but don't let that stand in the way of your enjoyment. The 747s on this route are some of the youngest in the fleet but are hard workers and some are beginning to look more than a little tired. Please don't let that put you off because our experience is that a good crew more than makes up for it. Because of the re-fits the seat map is not available so you won't be able to select seats until on-line check-in opens 24 hours before the flight (although if you look on the website a couple of hours before then you might find the map open) If you can, select a seat on the upper deck but you may well find the seat has been pre-selected for you. That seems to be the report back from recent flyers to MCO.

There is a new meal service for PE starting on June 1st so keep your eyes on this website as people will start to report on it pretty quickly.

At immigration they are not interested in whether you are on a package holiday or not. Presumably you have filled in your Advance Passenger Information and have your ESTA? They will simply ask you the purpose of your visit, probably how long you are staying and then photograph you and take your fingerprints.

Finally, just to reassure you, I too am an older single lady (well widowed actually) and have never had a problem with my flights with Virgin. If you feel a tad apprehensive just mention it to your cabin crew and they will help you.

Finally, finally If you click on to the Toolbox tab at the top of the page and then go into Trip Report Index you can read some trip reports on your flight to get some idea as to what to expect. Also look at the VS75 but bear in mind that the newer ones are not on a 747.

Enjoy your trip. You'll be fine

In 2009 I flew from Manchester to Orlando on VS75 on a 747-400 in economy. As others said the aircraft is impressive and despite being scheduled for refits, they are still comfortable. The entertainment system will likely be Super Nova, which whilst having a good selection of films and TV (enough to satisfy 99% of passengers), it does have the major drawback of being on a loop.

Having said that plenty of planes flying the Atlantic do not even provide you with your own TV so there is much worse out there. You will likely enjoy the experience of flying with Virgin and will stick with them, we have from our first flight in 1996.

Definitely get to the immigration queue as soon as possible. Fill in the customs card before landing, in case you manage to beat the rush and there's no line. You may get asked a lot of questions or not. It varies. Shouldn't be a problem though.

IFE depends on your tastes and how selective you are. I always have a book + ipod in case there's nothing I want to watch, plus I like to bring up the map and do something else.

I find Virgin PE to be pretty good and you should have a good time. I fly VS on almost all my US trips though I haven't been to Orlando. Currently in SF, drinking beer and reading v-flyer!

It sounds like a fabulous holiday and with all the advice you will find on V-Flyer I am sure the flight will be as good. I would suggest that you remember to take a copy of your ESTA approval with you - I was asked to show it for the first time last month and was very pleased I had a copy in my bag.

It sounds like a fabulous holiday and with all the advice you will find on V-Flyer I am sure the flight will be as good. I would suggest that you remember to take a copy of your ESTA approval with you - I was asked to show it for the first time last month and was very pleased I had a copy in my bag.

Thanks to all for the great advice and good wishes. I am getting really excited now
About the Esta ....I didnt print it but I do have the reference. Will that be OK ?

LittleNix, I have always just gone through immigration without a problem and like you have only made a note of the reference. Last month for some strange reason I printed it off. The Immigration Officer let my husband through without even asking for the reference, but he just kept checking my passport and finally requested sight of the paper version of my ESTA. I have been through on this passport numerous times over the last 8 years so no idea what the problem was, but I will definitely take a copy with me each time from now on.

Hello again to all . I am getting really exited now . Just wanted to ask ...On looking at the flight as if I was going to book it now there is no Premium Economy upgrade offered ...Does that mean PE is full ?