VS074 MCO-MAN 18 MAY 12 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

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This flight was delayed from leaving at 20.25 to 20.45 ..no big deal. We arrived at MAN at 9.15 am but were told that another aircraft (Monarch) was on the stand and we could not disembark. We finally got on the stand at 10.05 ,not best pleased after a 7.5 hour flight and a further 20 minutes went by before the first PAX disembarked. As we had chipped passports we evaded a huge queue at immigration and went to get our luggage...this took an hour. MAN is probably the most disorganised airport there is.. i have been to third world countries with airports in the middle of nowhere better organised. No stand available? Seriously for the same two flights landing at roughly the same time for the past 20 years? there were two flights only landed at the time and an hour to get the first bag on the carousel? Its a disgrace and i will be looking to fly from anywhere else to Florida for my usual 3 trips a year. Apologies dont cut it... it happens far to often at this apology for an airport.

VS doesn't control the airport, but all the same, you marked VS down in all categories and I was interested to know more?

I would like to know more about the flight.

It is not unusual to be at the stand and have to wait for ten or more minutes for the air bridge to be activated. Really is a customer unfriendly airport and one I avoid as much as possible even though I have homes in Cheshire and Manchester. Final straw for me was having arrived on a late night flight into MAN on Monarch coincidently we were held in the immigration area together with four other flights,at 10.30 at night with tired children, no air conditioning whilst a charter flight if drunken Mancheter football supporters was taken straight through. I think I am right that this is another BAA airport and is as user friendly as Heathrow. LGW on their other hand has improved dramicatally since it was sold.

I have to agree how bad Manchester airport is...waited almost 1.45mins last time I flew in from Florida for my bags...but MAN isn't owed by BAA it's owed by Manchester Airport Group who also own East Midlands

I have to agree how bad Manchester airport is...waited almost 1.45mins last time I flew in from Florida for my bags...but MAN isn't owed by BAA it's owed by Manchester Airport Group who also own East Midlands

My apologies to BAA, still MAN is definitely a terrible airport, although I can't comment on EMA.

Have always avoided using MAN and now reading this will continue to

I agree with others, I would like an insight into your flight experience....pretty please

I agree the delays you experienced sound really frustrating. As you will probably know all aircraft stand allocations are assigned by the Airport - so that is out of the hands of VS.

It might be that the Monarch occupying the stand allocated to your flight might have been delayed or experienced a technical issue - it is hard to say but agree the delays you experienced were excessive.

I have never experienced any delays arriving from a VS flight into Manchester (either getting on to a stand getting through Border control or waiting for luggage) even when a remote stand has been used and then bused to the terminal as I too would not be happy with what happened to you.

How was the rest of your flight as you have scored quite low for the cabin crew, your seat and the food and drink....



Jon

I suspect Bazamor, having just 8 posts, came and dumped.

Be happy to be proven wrong.

[Darren Wheeler]

I suspect Bazamor, having just 8 posts, came and dumped.

I can't speak for Bazamor, but I suspect his frustration is not with VS but with the airport authorities. I always feel that Manchester is under resourced, the staff especially security can be very surly and jobsworth and that the airport is run solely for profit and the benefit of the operating company, so much so that when I return to Cheshire or Manchester from myhome in Spain I fly Monarch to Luton or Gatwick and drive up.

I have flown over 50 times with VA from Manchester and this is not the first time this type of thing has occured. I dont post every time i fly as i have a life but this last trip was the final straw. Increasingly VA flights from Manchester have deteriorated over the last 5 years and as a Florida Villa Owner i have lots of feedback from other frequent VA users who are owners and its not good. Consistently the feeling is that we are second class citizens as far as VA is concerned and many are now going indirect with other carriers as there is no alternative for scheduled flights to MCO from MAN. Since the inception of the A330 i will no longer fly Prem Econ as i dont feel there is that much difference from Econ ,its nowhere near as comfortable or spacious as being on the 747 in the bubble. Once they are refitted we will have the joy of sharing with econ in the bubble in my opinion a mistake. The flight on May 18 was full (432) on Pretty Woman more like Old Hag now ,she is very tired. the food is awful and we just dont eat it,drinks yes but not many. PAX trekking up to the station to request water throughout the flight doesnt help and the seats are so worn there is no comfort in any shape you can get into.
As far as the baggage is concerned i hand my baggage over to VA and its their responsibilty to return it to me in a timely manner. Whilst i know they do not handle it it is up to them to ensure that those they contract do. Similarly with the NO stand ,for a flight landing at the same time for 20 years its unnaceptable and its down to them to lay down the law with MAN airport as their provider to ensure its available. It never ceases to amaze me that all the charter aircraft are on stands and more than once a Virgin aircraft is on a remote,bussed in , or a wait like we had on May 18. Landing at 9.15 and leaving MAN at 11.25 is not acceptable..under any circumstances. Rant Over.

I have flown over 50 times with VA from Manchester and this is not the first time this type of thing has occured. I dont post every time i fly as i have a life but this last trip was the final straw. Increasingly VA flights from Manchester have deteriorated over the last 5 years and as a Florida Villa Owner i have lots of feedback from other frequent VA users who are owners and its not good. Consistently the feeling is that we are second class citizens as far as VA is concerned and many are now going indirect with other carriers as there is no alternative for scheduled flights to MCO from MAN. Since the inception of the A330 i will no longer fly Prem Econ as i dont feel there is that much difference from Econ ,its nowhere near as comfortable or spacious as being on the 747 in the bubble. Once they are refitted we will have the joy of sharing with econ in the bubble in my opinion a mistake. The flight on May 18 was full (432) on Pretty Woman more like Old Hag now ,she is very tired. the food is awful and we just dont eat it,drinks yes but not many. PAX trekking up to the station to request water throughout the flight doesnt help and the seats are so worn there is no comfort in any shape you can get into.
As far as the baggage is concerned i hand my baggage over to VA and its their responsibilty to return it to me in a timely manner. Whilst i know they do not handle it it is up to them to ensure that those they contract do. Similarly with the NO stand ,for a flight landing at the same time for 20 years its unnaceptable and its down to them to lay down the law with MAN airport as their provider to ensure its available. It never ceases to amaze me that all the charter aircraft are on stands and more than once a Virgin aircraft is on a remote,bussed in , or a wait like we had on May 18. Landing at 9.15 and leaving MAN at 11.25 is not acceptable..under any circumstances. Rant Over.

I think I am right that this is another BAA airport and is as user friendly as Heathrow. LGW on their other hand has improved dramicatally since it was sold.

As has been pointed out MAN isn't owned by BAA, and just to comment on the LGW comment, all the changes were planned and funding raised by BAA, all the new owners have done is cut back the plans... (and increase the short stay parking prices ridiculously)

Whilst i know they do not handle it it is up to them to ensure that those they contract do. Similarly with the NO stand ,for a flight landing at the same time for 20 years its unnaceptable and its down to them to lay down the law with MAN airport as their provider to ensure its available. It never ceases to amaze me that all the charter aircraft are on stands and more than once a Virgin aircraft is on a remote,bussed in , or a wait like we had on May 18. Landing at 9.15 and leaving MAN at 11.25 is not acceptable..under any circumstances. Rant Over.

Yes VS should put pressure on the airport operators and service providers, but that's all the can do really, short of pulling out.

I've had mixed experience with Manchester.

April just gone - fine in and out.

Previous flights we have been sitting around waiting for a stand.

As has been said VS need to pressure the airport to improve the service.