V-Flyer

An overdue first trip report, please forgive typos, poor English etc etc.

So, we booked our flight 11 months out for our wedding. An error of judgement I will not repeat due to the price we paid (should have held my nerve and waited for the sale..)

Booked seats 6A & K when T 60 arrived and all was set... until, online check in and we had been reassigned to 11 A and K. Not impressed. Telephoned Virgin and was advised that the aircraft had changed and so all seat assignments had been cancelled and it was open season for re booking. The call centre would not reassign our seats so that at least we were together on the same side on the aircraft and stuck with the " you have purchased a ticket not a seat...." line. We were advised to see if the check in desk staff could assist.

The check in staff at Twilight check in could not assist and and asked us to return in the morning to see if any changes could be made. They could not advise why the aircraft change had been made.

The next morning... The check in staff advised that the aircraft had NOT been changed merely that the seat in 6A was broken. What a shame we had been told lots of fibs! We were, however, given seats together in K which was an improvement.

The Club House was excellent as ever (she says after being there only twice before). Good service, good food and one or two or three Red Heads... (for me, Mr Rebe to be, was driving at the other end but enjoyed the Yorkshire Gold tea...being from that neck of the woods).

We wandered down to the Gate as no announcements were made made re boarding to be advised that there was a delay of 1 hour and 30 minutes. So we wandered back to the Club House... (Red Heads 4 and 5).

Still no announcements so we trekked! back down to the gate and ended up at the back of long long queue. Did not have the B**ls to push through the throng so waited patiently to board. By this point, I had got over my upset at our seats being changed but Mr Rebe to be was becoming more and more annoyed (lack of alcohol I expect).

Finally we embarked and the greeting was excellent. Very friendly staff and bubbly on tap. Settled in and the Mr Rebe to be spoke with the FSM. Explained our ups and downs to a sympathetic ear and eventually calmed down.

The service on board was super. Very attentive and professional. The FSM and cabin supervisor both, independently, offered us bottles of fizz and white wine (I drink lots of it...) as an offer of good luck and apologises for being messed about over the seating. The FSM then offered a further 8000 FC points to compensate Mr Rebe to be.

The food selection was good and well served. Alcohol flowed to the point I had to refuse any further.

The aircraft itself was, to be honest, a little tatty. Well used and well worn but comfortable.

We were off the plane very quickly and flew through MCO customs in record time. From disembarking to car pick up, 25 minutes. The best time we have ever achieved.

In summary, from a little stress over seating, Virgins aircrew made up for it completely. They calmed the nerves of a nervous bride to be (who likes a drama) and made the experience one I will always treasure. Well done Virgin.

Rebe wrote:made the experience one I will always treasure. Well done Virgin.

Shame about the seat issue and how they handle it. A bit more honesty would probably lead to less general disruption.

Yes PJH I agree. I don't mind the odd thing going wrong but the run around they gave us was just uncalled for.
A "sorry the seats broken" would of resulted in a shrug of the shoulders and another glass of vino...

Thanks for posting ,curious as to what plane you flew on if you can remember re your comments about the condition of it

Thanks for the TR. Shame about the seat re-allocation. Sounds like the flight made up for it.
I'm half expecting being moved on my next flight as we're in 6A and K...as long as it's not past the curtain I'll be fine!

Thanks for the TR, and congratulations!

Great TR though shame about the seat disruption and lack of honesty but the CC did a great job of making good. Congratulations. How did the wedding go?

Great TR! We also had a change of seats from 6a & k last March (LGW to MBJ)& were also told "change of aircraft". However when we checked in the morning of he flight we were told that the table on 6a was broken, I said that was fine as we would eat at 6k & got our beloved 6a & k back!

I'm sure I've read other reports of 6a/k being broken is it possible that they just don't get round to fixing them for ages?

The wedding was fabulous thank you for asking Whiterose! Very relaxed and low key - perfect for us!

We have been racking our brains re which aircraft we flew out on and think it was either Ruby Tuesday or Barbarella but can't be certain.

Mr Rebe did offer to fix the broken table (the problem with the seat) if they provided him with a screw driver! We also asked about getting the seat back but they had already sold it as broken and assigned someone to it. To be honest, the seats we had were fine (not sure if there is one I would turn down!) and I won't get attached to any seat again until I'm in it!

Also MrsW, thank you.

Rebe wrote:The wedding was fabulous thank you for asking Whiterose! Very relaxed and low key - perfect for us!

We have been racking our brains re which aircraft we flew out on and think it was either Ruby Tuesday or Barbarella but can't be certain.

Mr Rebe did offer to fix the broken table (the problem with the seat) if they provided him with a screw driver! We also asked about getting the seat back but they had already sold it as broken and assigned someone to it. To be honest, the seats we had were fine (not sure if there is one I would turn down!) and I won't get attached to any seat again until I'm in it!

Ok,didn't know if it was one of the LHR planes on secondment , surprised a LGW plane was looking worse for wear a couple of years after refurbs