V-Flyer

Hi! We are flying VS007 LHR-LAX April 30 and VS008 May 21. This is the first time we will be flying Virgin Atlantic and we are flying with our three small children aged 1,3 and 6 years old.
Apparently we are flying A346, and we have chosen row 41 mid section.
What can we expect for this flight? I've been reading so many bad reviews that I'm starting to feel a bit nervous.

Don't be put off by bad reviews. Most people only tend to write reviews when they're unhappy and want a good moan but they won't if something's good or average, so you get a distorted picture of reality.

As for what to expect - what exactly do you mean? What are you comparing it with? At the end of the day it's 11 hours on a plane with a meal, some drinks, a reasonably decent IFE system and hopefully an attentive cabin crew.

The kids should get their own activity pack and you might want to request a bassinet for the little one in which case you might want to ask at the Airport for row 31 at the front of economy.

Virgin are usually very good with kids - they're probably more child-friendly than BA which is more business orientated. But apart from some superficial differences the service - food, drinks, films etc - is much of a muchness.

KristinGreen wrote: I've been reading so many bad reviews that I'm starting to feel a bit nervous.

what reviews have you been reading and on which websites - some are less reliable than others.

Read some of the trip reports for YOUR flight (in the tool box). It is no good reading a review of a LGW-MCO flight from last year for example as they use different planes and in any case the LGW has recently been refurbished.

And you need to look at why someone thinks something is bad. A lot of this is down to personal preferences. Just because someone didn't like the food doesn't mean it was bad it may have meant they just didn't like it (you'll be familiar with this scenario having 3 youngsters!).

Ditto with the entertainment - a screen that didn't work is not the same as someone just not liking the selection available.

We have just returned from our first trip with VA from La Vegas and couldn't have been happier. Great flights with great crews. We had row 56 out and 51 in with extra leg room. Will certainly be flying with VA again. Great IFE as well.

The best piece of advice would be is to take any review with a pinch of salt, like gumshoe said. It is just an opinion!

Yes, things go wrong on flights, meals might not be loaded, IFE breaks down and I usually sit next to a snorer!! But then I think I could be stuck at home or the office and that usually cheers me up!

There is nothing worse than paying for a service and you don't receive what you are expecting but I would suggest that perhaps 99% of people's journeys are stress free.

As others have asked, what are you worried about? The flight itself or the aircraft?

Would you consider seats two and two towards the back of the aircraft so that the children can see out of the window. Would highly recommend you come armed with new toys/games/books/treats for your three children as well but I am sure you know this already.

Please try not to get too worried about everything as you wont enjoy the experience and it might ruin the build up of your trip

Thanks for answering. I've read some reviews on yelp and skytrax. What I'm worried about is the possibility of them running out of meals, especially since we are travelling with children. Should we bring our own food? It's a long flight...
Also I read reviews about some of the crew rather gossip with eachother instead of taking care of passengers..not giving out drinks etc? We will of course not drink alcohol, but we would like to be able to get non alcoholic beverages when thirsty..especially for the children. I also read a review where a passenger had to sit on vomit on a flight. The vomit was there from the previous flight, and it had not been cleaned. All in all I've gotten the impression that VA used to be very good but that frequent flyers are seeing a decline in their service. I hope of course this is not correct and that we will have a great flight:)

In terms off food of course they offer the usual lunch and afternoon tea service with ice cream and a hot snack in between.

Only the parents know what a child likes and dislikes so its always worth taking some snacks and treats to keep the little ones entertained.

11 hour flight with young kids you can't rely on them watch TV all flight. The kids packs are at the gate before you board so collect them there.

The kids meals on board may not be to your little ones taste.. Make sure you order these on the website ASAP if you want them. Of course if the kids don't like them you'll need a back up... So that's why it's good to have some with you.

I'd suggest row 51 for the bulkhead as it seems a bit more roomier than 31.

Row 41 is a normal row so I'm fussing the 1 year old on your lap??

Finally due to USA laws the bulkhead is now given as a priority to those people with visible and non visible disabilities... So even though you have kids there is no gyrated you can have it.

Relax and enjoy your flight

KristinGreen wrote:Thanks for answering. I've read some reviews on yelp and skytrax.

I would take those reviews with a grain of salt. Skytrax is currently under review following complaints about bias. Some of us submitted reviews of flights we had taken and most of the good ones were either not posted or else were edited to the point of blandness while the poor ones all appeared. Go figure!

honey lamb wrote:

KristinGreen wrote:Thanks for answering. I've read some reviews on yelp and skytrax.

I would take those reviews with a grain of salt. Skytrax is currently under review following complaints about bias. Some of us submitted reviews of flights we had taken and most of the good ones were either not posted or else were edited to the point of blandness while the poor ones all appeared. Go figure!

http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudicat ... 96416.aspx

The above link from the advertising standards agency tells you all you need to know about Skytrax...