V-Flyer

Third question of the day:

Last November I flew VA to Boston for a few days. It was my first ever Virgin flight and I was so, so impressed. I flew out economy and returned premium. By the way, I should add that the return flight upgrade cost me the staggering sum of £15 and given the ridiculous amount of shopping I did I would have had to of paid more to take a second case in economy than I paid for the upgrade.

Until that point, I’d only ever crossed the pond on UA. I’m now a complete VA convert. For info, I flew out on an A346 on the way out (Mystic Maiden) and an A343 brought me back (sorry, too many dinkies at Logan – can’t remember for the life of me which particular aircraft I was on).

On 20th August, I fly to Havana. Same thing: economy out, premium home. I know that the LGW fleet are getting a makeover but the chances of being on a re-fitted plane are not great. Therefore, my question is after my Boston VA experience, will I be disappointed by my forthcoming Havana trip?

PS. Rebelling against the geek thing already – did you notice I refrained from using aircraft registrations and that I typed economy in full rather than using ‘Y’. How long will I hold out???

PPS. Forgot to mention that on both my outbound and return flights, the IFE didn’t work. I completed a form given to me by the cabin crew and a week later got a lovely email from VA and had 8,000 miles credited to my account. Result!

Tricky, as everyone has their own idea of what makes a great flight.

One thing that shouldn't disappoint is the service from the crew. That should be the same irrespective of whether the flight's to/from LHR or LGW.

Gatwick is more a holiday airport, whereas Heathrow is more business-oriented. So the typical passenger is a British family with kids rather than an international business traveller or tourist, if that makes a difference to your airport experience.

As for the VS planes - yes, the LGW 747s are certainly showing their age and the truth is if you're on an unrefurbished one you will be disappointed by the antiquated IFE. On the other hand, many V-Flyers will tell you that PE upstairs in the bubble is about as good as it gets without shelling out thousands for Upper.

747's are old from LGW but the last few 300 series aircraft I have flown on in to and out of LHR to BOS have had the older IFE so you may have already used and be happy with this. If you have had the on-demand (black handset system) perhaps not so much !

As a bit of a gauge, if this is a gauge at all, my wife and kids prefer flying from LGW, I prefer flying from LHR. I think it is horses or courses.
Whatever you are on I think you will love it more than UA

I am also flying from Gatwick to Havana, flying PE both legs, my flight in in Feb 2013 so i am hoping that all the upgrades will be finished by then and my PE experience will be brilliant! Fingers crossed for you as well!!!