V-Flyer

This is my first report and my first flight with Virgin. Drove down to Gatwick which took around 3 hours. Went straight to drop my bags off got straight in as there was virtually no queue and the check in staff were fine and not to fussy about bag limits (good for some in our party ).

About 3 years since I've been to Gatwick and still isn't much better still looks like a building site, got through security after a visit to the shops and the such. The seats at the gate are fine sadly there isn't enough of them and with the flight being about 45 min late, a few people were starting to look abit grumpy, although most of the time was made up. It was too bad it but with the security on the gate it looked more like a holding pen. The planes name was billy jean, I think.

Got on board and sat down can't remember which seat think it was 26(ish)J. Leg room was ok but the seats were looking a little tired and a few people near me had some issues with their seatback screens not working. Mine was working fine although the screen wasn't great and you couldn't choose when to stop and start the film.

Food was served although they ran out of one choice by the time they had got to the front of economy. I had the beef dish, the pasta dish was a nice change and the little choc dessert was good . CC were quite busy it seemed to me probably because the flight did look very full so it was more a case of help yourself at the galley. The only problem was when people inevitably got up in, and many did, they were tannoyed to sit down and the seatbelt light came on. About 4 hours into the flight an announcement was made that the flight had run out a alcohol . About 4 hours later the head of the CC came on and said she was sorry but they had to keep some on board for the return flight as none was put on in LAS. She said it happened quite often and she would record it.
Getting off at LAS was very good straight through customs before everyone, bar 10 or so people, else on the flight . Bags collected for all and gone in less than 15 mins from leaving the plane.



The return flight was a couple of weeks later, and I was seated further back at 55K. The plane leaving was named Ladybird. We saw as soon as we came to check in that it was about 45 min which turned out to be an hour. The check in staff were very good and as soon as a queue formed they told us to use UC and PE check in desks. After the bag drop we went through to the gate. I was a little surprised as there wasn't that much in that part of the airport shops some where to eat wise. Better than at Gatwick as there were more seats. The only annoying thing was the calls for people to come forward and purchase and upgrade, I think it was £415 to go into PE, I was sat near the desk and they didn't have many takers.

After getting on board we were kept informed by the captain of take off time and the such. Dinner came around fairly quickly as did a drinks service, I had chicken and it was pretty good. Shortly after that the lights went out (2 1/2hrs?) which I thought was abit quick, plus no-ones overhead lamp would come on, they must have turned them off . CC weren't quite as good and only came around once afterwards with an offer of a cup of water. A very small amount of water/juice had been left out, and a two people looked though a couple of drawers themselves and then left empty handed as they couldn't find what they were after. The CC seemed to hunker down behind a curtain with a quick 'next door for drinks' and their rushing about manorisms, looked like they didn't want to kmow. Although I may have been wrong it's just the impression I got. IFE again was poor some again not working some had games and could choose their films others not. This set up was slightly different as their was a remote control in the arm but mine didn't work I don't think I was alone. Lights came back on and breakfast was served a small muffin which was ok and a fruit bar which wasn't.

We landed about an hour late, although the captain had said all vegas flight were about an hour late not sure why . A bit of a walk through to immigration and then a bit of a wait as a few flights had turned up, collected our bags after about 15 min not bad but not as good as LAS.


It might sound like a bad report the flights weren't that bad, it's just I thought it would be better. Bar the free drinks the flights were on a par with easyjet, monarch or TC that's not a bad thing but I would have thought more of a full price long haul carrier. Would use them again? Maybe but I think I would try some else next like KLM or the far east carriers as I know people who have used them and they have a good economy class.

Welcome to V-Flyer and thanks for the TR.

We have heard a few times now about alcohol stop being served on the LAS flights and either VS need to accept it is a alcohol heavy flight and stock up to the correct levels, or at least make pax aware there is only limited supply.

Hopefully when the re-fits start next year on the MAN/LGW fleet it will move VS back above its rivals, rather than just being on par with them.

Thanks,
Neil

If it was a lagered up flight I would agree, but they didn't start serving until well into the flight and only did one drinks service the stock must have been very low indeed.

newuser wrote:If it was a lagered up flight I would agree, but they didn't start serving until well into the flight and only did one drinks service the stock must have been very low indeed.

I imagine it is very frustrating, and these are the things VS need to address. It is all well and good getting pax with fancy tv adverts and because of the BA strike, but then not offering an acceptable level of service is just kicking themselves in the foot.

Last time we were on the vegas route.... back 5th Nov 09, this didn't occur at all.

We were in a large wedding party of 24 people - Flight fully loaded out, we were just having copius amounts of G&T and other mixed drinks for the entire length of flight - no shortages on anything. One chap in party was definitely merry come landing. Staff were awesome and delivered many additional items of both food and drink to the party (including some champagne from upper).

On way back again, no real shortages noticed.

On way back for us too, the crew were awful and didn't offer many drink services, and just wern't the same friendly folk on the outbound leg.. Maybe cause thats lots of folk like to sleep - but it was a night/day experience compared to the flight out where the staff were what made the flight great.

Thanks for the TR and the view from the back of the bus out to LAS and back.

I don't fly from LGW nor in Y, but if I experienced the poor state of the cabins and IFE it would put me off flying VS too. The refits are still a long way off and really should have been done before now.

Oh and welcome to the loony bin!!!

Thank you for the great TR.

Hi all ( please be kind as its my 1st post)

Im crew for VS and have been a bit of a lurker and decided to sign up
Vegas is a tough one as it is a "boozy" flight as another poster mentioned. In the Y cabin it can really go either way with how much alcohol is consumed and if we will have enough stock for the return flight.
As another poster also said, Virgin really should load more on these flights - I totally agree !
With all flights being given the same amount, it really proves difficult to maintain consistancy on this route.

With the retrofit of LGW/MAN fleet, I like many other crew can not wait! Im sure that they will bring something out that will put us ahead of the game again on leisure routes

Its a real shame to read that crew were hiding behind curtains for most of the return flight. we as crew are always told cabin pressence is important along with regular juice and water rounds

Just my 2p worth

A

Great TR, thanks.
Decided, as its not that long a flight, to do our first flight in economy with VS in July to Boston, and must say I am a bit aprehensive about it, especially the overnight return flight. The last PE flight there was not good regarding service etc so decided the extra money would be better used in Cape Cod than in PE again! May try another airline next time - could even be worth going back to BA when all their troubles are sorted out.

Very interesting first TR - must say the restricted drinks service is one to avoid!

Jacki wrote:Very interesting first TR - must say the restricted drinks service is one to avoid!

In my one-and-only flight direct to Las Vegas, I remember the bar was closed down half way through the flight. Possibly because a lot of the plane were already in "party mood", although it didn't stop a pair of likely lads swigging neat vodka up the back of the aircraft from a bottle of duty free they'd purchased.

Hi newuser and welcome to V-Flyer

Thanks for posting the TR - it is when folks like you take the time to tell it "as it really is" that others can truly get the real impression before flying.

As others have said, the LAS Flight does have a reputation and the Cabin Crew have a tough call about allowing passengers to be merry, but also maintaining a safe environment in the event of an emergency.

Reading about the "disappearing crew" on the return leg is a little disappointing and they should realise that it is the return flight that will want to make passengers travel with VS in the future

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks for the all comments on my TR. Sadly it might be my last for quite a while as long haul even in economy is a treat .
Before I flew I had heard it was a 'leisure' flight, but it really wasn't on the way out. If anything it was more on the night flight with quite a few bunches of lads but they hardly drank and went to sleep, the flight was very quiet. Thanks aidenr for your comments helped me understand why it happened .
Slinky do you fly from Heathrow are the flights more consistant?

Hi,

This sounds like another example of the Gatwick experience not being on a par with Heathrow flights.

Our LAS flight in September wasn't great but - and this is the main reason it hasn't changed - the flight was completely full.

Until we vote with our cash (or Virgin AMEX!) I don't think it'll change.

Running out of food, not enough booze, IFE not always working, etc... fly to LAX and drive to LAS next time.

All in my very humble opinion of course!

Economy without booze.
A fate worse than a fate worse than death.

newuser wrote:Slinky do you fly from Heathrow are the flights more consistant?

Frankly, I wouldn't touch LGW flights with a barge pole ... all I read about is dated cabins, poor systems, jaded service, poor cabin crew, and no booze, nasty airports, poor IFE, shabby seats. LGW flights appear to me to be Ryanair Atlantic I'm afraid - more like lemonade service at champagne prices. I know this is a sensitive topic for many, but there I go.

Yes, I think Heathrow has more consistent service, it's no doubt aided by more modern services on the ground and in the air, but better by report. Heathrow flights are not without their problems however, just seem to be fewer from what I read.

A little harsh Slinky, we have had some very good flights ex MAN (obviously sharing the a/c with LGW) and I've said it before and will say it again, the service levels ex MAN in UC are A LOT better than we have experienced ex
LHR.

I'll certainly second Neil's comments - the MAN crew do some aspects of the UC service better than their colleagues from LHR.

They are currently helped by the UC cabin in the A-zone (nose cone) of the 747 - is it very spacious when compared to an Airbus & the seats are wider. There are only 14 of you in UC on a LGW/MAN plane, so you don't feel like you are in a dormitory.

Whilst the entire ex-LHR experience leaves MAN (& probably most Virgin destinations without a Clubhouse) in the shade - I'm not sure that living where I do I would travel down to LHR to go to MIA, then drive (or be driven to) Orlando - I'd fly direct from MAN and take the [slightly] rough with the smooth on the UC produce ex-MAN.

James

because we usually fly to MCO (nearer home) we use LGW. i prefer it to LHR a) because its nearer and b) its more user friendly. Heathrow is just a mass. Ok the CH isnt as good but as we generally use OLCI or twilight at LGW we tend not to spend too much time at any airport. And being only 45 mins from LGW we can leave it fairly late.

as for the planes I prefer the 744, in PE we always fly upstairs which is great very private and good dedciated service. we rarely get an unhelpful FA up there. we did fly downstairs once but in my opinion that small PE cabin is no better than Econ.

I also love the small UC cabin in the nose. with only 14 pax its very spacious and genearlly if you get a good bunch in there it can be fun.ok you dont get off the plane immediatley but is that REALLY the biggest deal?

the only drawback for me is i find the UC bed uncomfortable so on outbound flights am happy upstairs in PE.

i just find the airbuses cramped and the service is not as personal

I, too, have to haul myself out of my bathchair and raise unwind to my full five foot something or other in defence of VS ex LGW. For the past few years we've summered in the Caribbean ex LGW whilst taking city breaks ex LHR (sounds rather grand in retrospect) so have experience of both services, and have also had the experience of and LHR aircraft on an LGW route.

The big draw for me in terms of LGW is, as others have said, PE in the bubble with its feeling of space and privacy. I'd take the old seat and the old IFE over a middle seat in an LHR PE cabin every time, no matter how purple and leathery it may be. Yes, I like AVOD but I also like books and my iPod..

We've always had good service on outbound flights whether ex LGW or ex LHR, and - in PE at least - marginally less good service on the inbound overnight flights. (UCS back from EWR last year was different, given the "tucking in" incident).

Neither LGW or LHR themselves bring a song to my heart when I think about travelling from them - it's a bit like "do you prefer root canal work without anaesthetic on the left or on the right teeth?" Both are a pain to get to; parking at LGW is closer to the terminal, but the terminal itself is more crowded.

Anyhow, time for a sitdown and nurse to bring a milky drink.

Paul

I have to say that, for me, the crew make all the difference. We have had some fantastic flights from LGW simply due to the crew. Our flights from LHR have always been a bit of a let-down. The CH at LHR is a huge plus though.