Tales of yore

With so much being said about the "decline" of VS from what it used to be (I summarise, but I think the message is there from many posts I've read...)--

And, with quite a few newer members onboard here that maybe didn't fly with VS back in the 90s etc--

I thought it would be interesting to hear of what it used to be like in terms of the extra "fizz" there used to be, the extra care that staff/crew would take to make customer experience "different--

So c'mon, let's hear what it "used to be like"--

(I guess we can all express opinion as to why, but let's leave that for many other threads).


For myself, my only flights were in economy/PE (was it PE back then, the memory isn't what it used to be). I just remember getting a real buzz flying with VS - it was a "happening" up and coming airline that was fighting, and after a while had won, a huge battle with BA - much like Freddie Laker, only he lost.

I have fond memories of ground staff and cabin crew that were so bubbly, eager to help, and a real lively feeling around everything - it was very different to the slightly sterile atmosphere on airlines of the time.

I also remember the choc-ice halfway thorugh my flight to LA back in, ooh, 1994 - such a simple thing, but quite unique at the time in my experience.

Also, the little gifts they'd give out, and extra quirky amenity kits etc.

I also recall an issue I had during one flight, and when I spoke with someone at VS about it, they genuinely couldn't do enough to make good - they didn't need multiple calls/emails, they actually cared (or so it seemed), and made good - a healthy flight voucher if I recall...

Now, over to the, 'hem, more "experienced" V-Flyers - what made VS so special, what kept you coming back time and time again...

I remember my first flight with VS, in Economy, in 1995:

I remember plenty of leg room.
I remember Jack Daniels and Virgin Cola and lots of it.
I remember using the call button and being asked what I would like.
I remember getting my request within a few minutes.
I remember listening to my favourite track on my walkman - "The Phoenix" by Hardkiss. Only the week before I discovered it was the mix called "Someday my plane will crash" and it was 7 mins and 47 seconds long. Needless to say I was in two minds about getting on the flight. I remember hitting turbulence soon after recognising it was playing.
I remember the amenity kit and thinking "how nice".
I remember the pretzels.
I remember spilling my coke all over someone in JFK on the homeward leg.
I remember it being really, really cold on the plane and having to cover my legs with a blanket.
I remember thinking "I like this flying lark".
A few years later I remember flying with Continental on a Virgin code share and thinking "I don't like this flying lark".

Most of my recent flying (in the last 4 years) has been almost exclusively Virgin metal and the service has been good to great on those occasions.

The first time I flew in UC a book , like a guest register, was handed round for us all to sign and write any comments !
For some reason I was sad to see the demise of the red flowers on the bar.They reminded me of an age of travel long lost !
And such wonderful amenity kits...

My first VS flight was in 1998 in Econ and all I can remember are that they were very friendly, especially compared to the Continental Crew. Also remember the choc-ice and of course the uniform... who could forget that

I can remember
letter from SRB on my seat welcoming me on board and hoping I would enjoy the new UC Suite
on board massages
flowers
Oswald Boatang Amenity Kits

There is also a lot I cant remember due to too many glasses of bubbles v(

Sunshine 8D