Product removal/Cut backs

Used to fly regularly with Virgin but didn't bother for four years until January on a MAN/MCO a330. The cutbacks in everything were quite noticeable, especially the meals in the way they were presented and portion size. I can take or leave the amenity kit but the little things are dwindling which is making Virgin no better than 'the rest' and lagging far behind the premium lines. I'm booked on another flight to MCO in January, but now it's purely for the convenience of a direct Manchester departure with an agreeable departure time. If a regular alternative was available I'd happily give it a chance. Such a shame.

And don't get me started on Virgin Holidays customer services.

I think in the world of business class travel, the key is to have a clear differentiator. We, the punters, have so much choice that the airlines need something special about their product rather than just price.
Although I am a fan of the flying club the only key differentiator I can see with Virgin is their clubhouses which are obviously light years away from anything else provided by other airlines. I must say though, I hate the UC seats and might try Delta on my future NY trips as they look really good.
For me I think Virgin might just have its nose in front but when I first started using there UC product many, many years ago they were a real first class product rather than a business class one. Now I see them as just another business class product and fairly similar to other airlines offerings. In short, 20 years ago it was a no-brainer to choose VA to go across the pond, no the case anymore.



Cheers

Gerry

This might be controversial to some, but in economy what does VS now offer on a day flight that is different from a low cost airline?

One piece of free checked baggage, a bit of food and IFE.

Hand luggage entitlement is inferior to LCCs with the 6kg weight limit.

That's how far VS has fallen.

Flew the MAN-MCO in January for the first time in four years and I can't believe how much the airline has fallen behind the premium airlines. There was a distinct improvement in the IFE department but the meals and service were extremely poor. Getting your now smaller meal in what looked like a supermarket style packed lunch was a disappointment, there was nothing special about Virgin anymore. I am once again booked on the MAN-MCO this January but it is now just because it's direct and at a time which suits us, in future I would be more than willing to give someone else a try if they matched my requirements. The amenity kit is not a great loss to me but, as someone said earlier, it's death by a thousand cuts.

A real shame.

And Virgin Holidays customer service is falling behind quicker than the airline is.

Bizarre: 6kgs seems inordinately low. Just checked - BA give you a 23kg hand luggage limit, although it must fit in overhead locker and be lifted by the passenger unaided.

Bizarre: 6kgs seems inordinately low. Just checked - BA give you a 23kg hand luggage limit, although it must fit in overhead locker and be lifted by the passenger unaided.

Just imagine 23kgs falling on your head.. Lovely!

But where does the daft 6kg limit come from? This makes it more-or-less impossible to travel on VS with hand luggage only.

But where does the daft 6kg limit come from? This makes it more-or-less impossible to travel on VS with hand luggage only.

Health and safety gone mad, yes 23 kg hitting you on the head will hurt, but if virtually every airline in the world can offer a much higher limit I see no reason why VS can't.

Note that rarely are you weighed in with hang baggage in UC - I always travel with a small wheelie and a bag.

But where does the daft 6kg limit come from? This makes it more-or-less impossible to travel on VS with hand luggage only.

I wouldn't say 6kg is daft - its almost a stone - hardly light weight!

Probably from the days when it was designed as a limit for items you might need in flight so a book (or two - not a library), a wash bag, a bag of sweets and maybe a change in socks and pants as well as your camera (too valuable for checked baggage).

I think BA has always had the 6kg limit. The 23kg limit thing must be new

The 6kg is daft beyond belief for an airline that wants to compete with other scheduled airlines. For business reasons I choose to take my 125k miles a year to an airline that offers me the ability to pack that I need for a business trip in these laptop/multiple chargers times with sensible limits. There is also Virgin's inconsistent application of the rules: for our annual pilgrimage to Vegas for the past 5 years at least, the LGW staff weigh it and at LAS they don't. It is easy enough to trick the system and stuff heavier items in pockets etc etc, but if they want to act like a LCC/charter, then they will lose my business mileage for sure, and I am reaching the point where they will lose the personal stuff too.

It's a shame as the CC are always excellent and I will miss them!

[Darren Wheeler]

BA do have the 23KG limit for hand baggage but you must be able to lift it into the overhead unaided. Plus, the load limit of the bin must not be exceeded.

BA do have the 23KG limit for hand baggage but you must be able to lift it into the overhead unaided. Plus, the load limit of the bin must not be exceeded.

I have quite often helped a lady (especially little old ones)put their bags up , apart from anything else its polite. and the bags werent that heavy. so this (in theory) could discrimate against the weaker/smaller/fairer sex.........


and how often have you seen the yanks bring on the kitchen sink as hand luggage ????especially on US domestics.

I usually only carry hand luggage and avoid CI and never have any hassle. last journey I couldnt print a baording pass for security reasons so had to physically check in and got a 'tut its a BIT over weight sir' then a sticker and an off you go smile

Needsomesun

You are spot on, VS has lost the plot totally. Even companies like Thomsons have caught up and in many ways bettered VS service and product

The good old days of superior VS product have long gone. My patience has worn thin with VS and its time to go to BA again.

But where does the daft 6kg limit come from? This makes it more-or-less impossible to travel on VS with hand luggage only.

I wouldn't say 6kg is daft - its almost a stone - hardly light weight!

It is a bit redundant nowadays that a lot of wheelies weigh in at an average of 3.5kg when they're empty.

I remember back in 1998 my dad got called up for his hand baggage being over the 5kg limit. So if anything its gone up! Although since then I've personally not experienced any problems.

On my most recent flight they wanted to weigh my hand luggage when I told them I wasn't checking in any bags, but soon as they saw I only had a rucksack they just said "oh only that, don't worry then" and that was it. I guess if you have one of those wheely things they look heavier than just a rucksack.