V-Flyer

After seeking advice on this forum we decided on 7 and 8 a which I am pleased about as the bar area was loud and crowded throughout the flight so we just missed the intrusion!

Check in at Heathrow was quick and easy. The lounge was fantastic and we enjoyed a light breakfast in anticipation of lunch. We didn't have treatments but the spa at 9.30 am was quiet so we could have easily taken advantage of what was on offer.

Our flight was on time boarding was simple and straightforward, flight time was nearly 10.5 hours due to bad weather en route.

After reading the reviews about the a330 we were sort of prepared however we were still disappointed. We first flew upper class when the spa treatments were available on board! We have then travelled upper to New York with the large ottomans and a few times in the smaller cabin from Manchester. Mostly we felt we were having a real treat, something special. Not so this time. We love the upper class experience, the check in the lounge the enhanced menu but the seats and the cabin on this flight we felt were not worth the additional expense.

It was a long flight to sit without a companion. We tried me sitting on the small stool but it was uncomfortable and I felt in the way as people passed. I spent a lot of the flight trying to avoid eye contact with the passenger opposite me.

Our lunch was excellent as was the wine. Afternoon tea was awful dry sandwiches with an odd taste and a range of sickly cakes that weren't as described. Drinks were given if asked for during the flight.

The crew were busy. There was no personal interaction. We are fairly low maintenance passengers and it seems the louder you are the more you are heard. Lots of crew time was spent at the bar. I asked for a coffee which was forgotten twice. I then asked for a landing card and this request was ignored three times.

Immigration at Miami was very long. A number of announcements were made for Virgin ground staff due to luggage problems but ours was fine. We are travelling back premium economy so it will be interesting to compare.

We won't be travelling on the a330 again. In fact after twenty years of being regular virgin flyers this experience has made us re think our travel arrangements. From being very innovative I feel they are behind the game now.

Thanks for posting your thoughts , shame it was a bit of a disappointment for you , the cramped cabin does take away some of the feeling of exclusivity compared to the A zone of a 744 , hope you enjoy the PE cabin on the way back, haven't sampled it yet but have walked through it and it looks like a nice quiet little space

Thank you for your thought provoking comments . We had been considering flying back to Miami , despite the ghastly immigration possibilities, so I was very interested in your TR.
How I agree about not feeling so special in the 330 .
Glad there were some positive experiences for you.

Thanks for the TR

You share my thoughts on the A330 - the quicker VS acknowledge they will learn lessons the better

buns

Sounds like you caught the crew on a bad day - a pity.

If you are flying back PE on the 333, then I think you will be quite comfortable -- it's a good cabin on that type. Of course the PE product has also been cut back significantly...

We are flying back in the bubble back into Manchester. We have visited Miami three times and although this was just for three nights feel it was less attractive to us. This of course may be down to age! We went for miami as we got reward seats there. Thanks for the responses