In Praise of Virgin Atlantic

Hi all,

Unlike most of the people on this site I have to say I really hate flying. I am terrified. Not just a bit of a nervous passenger I actually have to force myself onto the plane every time, and get some pretty severe panic attacks. I probably would just never fly if given the chance but my favourite place in the world is on the other side of the Atlantic so needs must. Anyway to get to the point, my last flight I flew with Virgin. I was a mess. A complete and utter mess I was so embarrassed. I had to go to London by myself and stay over night the day before my flight and my Mam rang the special assistance hotline to basically tell them to make sure I got on the plane haha. No really, first of all the guys on the other end of the line were great and said they'd make a note. When I got to the bag drop I had a ground crew member of staff walk me through to the gate and drop me off with the lovely head flight attendant. I nearly didn't get on that plane but every member of staff was so patient with me and reassuring, they let me get on at the last moment possible which was super helpful. All through the flight they kept checking on me and trying to make me feel at ease. About 2 hours before landing they took me for afternoon tea in first class :0 which was pretty amazing even though I was a bit too tense to enjoy it fully. And then at the end of the flight they took me up to speak to the pilot who went through some things with me on the flight deck and again reassured me. Because of all of this the flight home was a lot less stressful and I am so grateful for the way all of the Virgin staff treated me. Needless to say when I booked my holiday to NY this year I didn't even think of going with any other airline even though some of them were a lot cheaper. I don't fly a lot but Virgin have definitely made a loyal customer here. Now only 4 months to panic about the next flight B)

Have you tried the Virgin Fear of Flying course? My daughter is the same as you and she went on it 2 years ago and I went with her to support her. You would be surprised how many people go on it. Its a really good day and very informative. You get to have a small flight after and it really helped my daughter. Although I don't have a fear of flying I found it very useful. They run the courses at different airports http://www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk. Hope this helps.

I have seen them, but at half the price of my flight I think I'd prefer just to suffer. I don't fly often enough that its a major problem. I do feel a lot better flying with Virgin and knowing how well they took care of me last time.

That's a great experience!

Well done VS!

That is certainly what we got used to flying VS in the past. Going one step beyond.
Very happy to see that does still exist.
I do have one question tho. You saw the pilot towards the end of the flight - To me that is a "WOW" moment right there.
I did think the flight deck was off limits from door close to doors open at the other end. :0

You saw the pilot towards the end of the flight - To me that is a "WOW" moment right there.
I did think the flight deck was off limits from door close to doors open at the other end. :0

I think the OP said at the end of the flight. Plane on the ground I would assume.. Yes it is against some pretty serious regs for pax to wander along to the cockpit mid flight these days.

Glad that VS delivered and good to see the crew kept you in their minds... As for afternoon tea time in UC - lucky passenger hope you enjoyed it, at least a little bit.

Hi Lisa, I remember your first posts a couple of years ago.

Nice to hear that VS looked after you so well and that has given you the confidence for your next trip.

Try and remember, it is fun.
Regards, David.

You saw the pilot towards the end of the flight - To me that is a "WOW" moment right there.
I did think the flight deck was off limits from door close to doors open at the other end. :0

I think the OP said at the end of the flight. Plane on the ground I would assume.. Yes it is against some pretty serious regs for pax to wander along to the cockpit mid flight these days.

Glad that VS delivered and good to see the crew kept you in their minds... As for afternoon tea time in UC - lucky passenger hope you enjoyed it, at least a little bit.

Yeah was right at the end once the doors were open. Great experience but meant I was at the very back of the queue at Newark immigration which wasn't the best time I've ever had.

This just re-iterates why I only fly one way when I fly long haul as they, in my opinion, are the best and if not always the cheapest you pay for what you get.

This is truly brilliant service y) Way above and beyond what they are obliged to do just to try and help you...love it, well done VS ^) ^) ^)

This is truly brilliant service y) Way above and beyond what they are obliged to do just to try and help you...love it, well done VS ^) ^) ^)

Yup would have been so easy for them to have just left me to my own devices. Even with the ground service no need for them to be so kind to me on the plane and really try and help me with the fear by having the pilot speak to me about the ins and outs of flying.

It's lovely to know that VS are taking the time to look after a nervous passenger. This has not only given you the confidence to fly in the future but word gets out that this is a Company that really understands customer service - priceless PR that VS really need at the moment. y)

It's lovely to know that VS are taking the time to look after a nervous passenger. This has not only given you the confidence to fly in the future but word gets out that this is a Company that really understands customer service - priceless PR that VS really need at the moment. y)

Spread my tale far and wide haha. I keep reading about bad customer service on the Facebook page but it was just so far from my experience. I know people who fly regularly probably expect certain standards regarding food and how the plane looks but for me it is all about the staff. They could make me take my own food on board and I'd still fly Virgin. Although maybe the decent food contributes to my feeling more at ease on Virgin than other airlines. Same with the IFE I always know I'm going to have plenty to distract me

What a great story - can I encourage you to email or write to VS making sure to quote flight number dates etc.

The VS staff that still deliver this level of service need to be complemented and brought to the attention of their managers.

And, well done you - I also remember your early posts on the fear of flying, and I think you are very brave to ake on the challenge.

Maybe, just maybe, it'll get easier for you in the future.

What a great story - can I encourage you to email or write to VS making sure to quote flight number dates etc.

The VS staff that still deliver this level of service need to be complemented and brought to the attention of their managers.

And, well done you - I also remember your early posts on the fear of flying, and I think you are very brave to ake on the challenge.

Maybe, just maybe, it'll get easier for you in the future.

I have written to them and thanked them with all of the flight numbers and CC and ground staff who helped me. I work in retail and its rare someone takes the time to get in touch when they have had a pleasant experience. Its usually the nasty experiences that understandably compel people to write in, so it was one of the first things I did when I got back home.